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May J.
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Key Information
Mei Jamileh Hashimoto (Japanese: 橋本 芽生 Hashimoto Mei, Persian: جمیله هاشیموتو; born June 20, 1988) better known by her stage name May J., is a Japanese pop and R&B singer who made her major label debut under Sony Music Japan on July 12, 2006, with her first mini-album All My Girls. She was born to an Iranian mother and Japanese father.[1]
Early life
[edit]May J. was born as Mei Hashimoto on June 20, 1988, in Yokohama, Japan. The "J" in her name comes from the Persian name "Jamileh" (Persian: جمیله), meaning "beautiful".[1] She knows how to speak four languages, including Persian, Japanese, English and Spanish.[2]
May J.'s Iranian mother refused to acknowledge her Persian roots due to perceived negativity towards Iranians in Japan and May J. grew up forbidden to speak the Persian language. Believing she was American, she discovered her true heritage on a chance overhearing of a conversation between her mother and grandmother.[1] During her formative middle school years she began listening to Iranian singers Googoosh and Afshin and has later said she hopes to debut in Iran.[1]
At the age of 14, May J. was successful at a Sony Music Japan audition and soon signed onto Sony Music. While waiting to make her major label debut, May J. was a dancer for Aaron Carter's Japanese concert and was featured on the track Luyva: Another Episode from Sphere of Influence's album Big Deal, credited simply as May.
A childhood fan of Christina Aguilera and Whitney Houston she then came to admire Canadian rock singer Avril Lavigne, winning a MTV lookalike contest as Avril.[1] She began listening to R&B while studying at the American School in Japan, from which she graduated in 2007 following a period of balancing her studies and her singing career.
Career
[edit]2006–2009: Debut and development
[edit]Released July 12, 2006, under Neosite Discs, the hip-hop division of Sony's Ki/oon Records, the music of her debut mini-album All My Girls was billed by her label as "Jennifer Lopez/Beyoncé style music which has never before existed in Japan."[3]
To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Neosite Discs, the single "I Say Yeah!" was released on October 4, 2006, as a collaboration by all 5 of the label's signed artists.[4] The single marked May J.'s first appearance in the Oricon top 10.
May J. performed as the opening act for American R&B singer Cassie alongside Rōma Tanaka at Cassie's concert at Shibuya O-EAST on November 28, 2006.[5] December 20, 2006, saw May J.'s first solo single release when "Here We Go feat. Verbal (M-Flo)" dropped and charted at #70 on the weekly charts.
Her follow-up single, "Dear…" was released on May 30, 2006, and was unlike most of her previous work. Despite the ballad being much more Japanese-friendly than her debut, the single charted at just #90. May J. was then featured on Hip-Hop artist Zeebra's new album World of Music on the track "Shinin' Like a Diamond". In October, it was announced that May J. would be releasing her 3rd single, "Do tha' Do tha'" on November 21, followed shortly by her first full-length studio album, Baby Girl on December 5.
In October 2008, she became the co-host of NHK's English-language weekly music program J-Melo, with Shanti Snyder, going out to 180 countries via NHK World. She became sole host in March 2010 and has remained ever since.
2009–present: Rise to prominence
[edit]On March 6, 2009, label Rhythm Zone opened a new official site for May J. confirming that she had left Sony to join the Avex imprint. On the May 23, 2009, her second album Family was announced, featuring the single Garden (featuring DJ Kaori, Diggy-MO', クレンチ＆ブリスタ).[6] The album charted at #4 on the Oricon weekly chart.
Her third full album titled For You was released on February 17, 2010. Her first solo live tour, lasting ten weeks and including 40 shows followed, culminating at Tokyo's Shibuya AX venue on May 23, 2010.[1]
On November 24, 2010, she released a mini-album titled Believin... as a prelude to her fourth full album Colors, released on January 26, 2011.[6]
In 2012, May J. recorded the song "Back to Your Heart" with Canadian singer Daniel Powter.
May J. sang the end roll version of the title song "Let It Go" in Disney's Japanese release of the Frozen animated movie which hit No. 8 on the Japan Hot 100 after the film's Japanese release in March 2014.[7] In 2018, she performed the song live in the finale of the touring ice show Fantasy on Ice in Makuhari and Kanazawa.[8]
May J. has appeared on the variety show Kanjani8 no Shiwake Eight since 2012, as part of a karaoke contest segment, winning 26 straight contests before losing to Sarah Àlainn with the Idina Menzel version of "Let It Go", on the May 3, 2014, edition.[9]
Personal life
[edit]On June 20, 2022, May J. announced that she has married actor Shogen.[10] In May 13, 2023, May J announced that she and her husband are expecting their first child.[11]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Album information | Chart position | First week sales (Oricon) | Copies sold (Oricon) |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN [12] | |||
Baby Girl
|
50 | 4,110 | 12,078 |
Family
|
4 | 26,662 | 94,848 |
For You
|
9 | 10,976 | 30,334 |
Colors
|
23 | 4,547 | 8,243 |
Secret Diary
|
35 | 3,105 | 5,140 |
Brave
|
57 | 2,585 | 3,331 |
Imperfection
|
3 | 16,799 | 39,917 |
Futuristic
|
24 | 3,128 | 3,984 |
Silver Lining
|
54 | ||
Bittersweet Song Covers
|
39 | 1,130[13] |
Singles
[edit]| Title | Release date | Peak chart positions | Copies sold (Oricon) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oricon[14] | Japan Hot 100[15] | ||||||||||
| I Say Yeah! | October 4, 2006 | 8 | × | - | |||||||
| Here We Go (featuring Verbal) | December 20, 2006 | 70 | × | 3,865 | |||||||
| Dear… | May 30, 2007 | 97 | × | 1,758 | |||||||
| Do tha' Do tha | November 21, 2007 | — | × | - | |||||||
| Shiny Sky | June 9, 2010 | 54 | 41 | 2,144 | |||||||
| Rewind | October 10, 2012 | 30 | 47 | 2,638 | |||||||
| Hontou no Koi | September 10, 2014 | 6 | 6 | 23,378 | |||||||
| ReBirth(Faith) | February 25, 2015 | 11 | 26 | 15,338 | |||||||
| Sparkle | August 5, 2015 | 22 | — | 6,093 | |||||||
| Have Dreams! | August 3, 2016 | 28 | 64 | 3,733 | |||||||
| Haha to Musume no 10,000 Nichi ~Mirai no Tobira~ | May 24, 2017 | 55 | — | 2,302 | |||||||
| Kizuna Infinity / Hero | March 7, 2018 | — | — | ||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
"×" denotes periods where charts did not exist or were not archived. | |||||||||||
Extended plays
[edit]| Album # | Album information | Chart position | Debut Week Sales (Oricon) | Sold Copies (Oricon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPN | ||||
| 1st | "All My Girls "
|
85 | 2,097 | 9,432 |
| 2nd | "Believin'... "
|
42 | 2,819 | 4,424 |
| 3rd | "Love Ballad"
|
6 | 18,773 | 50,599 |
| 4th | "Christmas Songs"
|
22 | 4,283 | 7,551 |
Best albums
[edit]| Album # | Album information | Chart position | Debut Week Sales (Oricon) | Sold Copies (Oricon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPN | ||||
| 1st | "With ~Best Collaboration Non-Stop DJ Mix~" (Collaboration Mix Album)
|
95 | ||
| 2nd | "Don't Stop! Summer Best!" (Rental Album)
|
7 | 10,684 | 62,409 |
| 3rd | "May J. Best - Selected Edition -" (iTunes Exclusive Digital Album)
|
— | ||
| 4th | "May J. BEST -7 Years Collection-"
|
13 | 7,935 | 44,349 |
| 5th | "Selected Ballads" (Digital Album)
|
— | ||
| 6th | "Ballad Best '09~'13" (Rental Album)
|
— | ||
| 7th | "mu-mo Gentai May J. 2013 Summer Best 3" (mumo Exclusive Digital Album)
|
— | ||
| 8th | "mu-mo Gentei ☆May J. 2013 SUMMER BEST 6" (mumo Exclusive Digital Album)
|
— | ||
| 9th | "May J. W BEST -Original & Covers-"
|
7 | 10,684 | 62,409 |
| 10th | "Best of Duets"
|
30 | 2,839 | 3,519 |
| 11th | "May J. W BEST 2 -Original & Covers-"
|
84 |
Cover albums
[edit]| Album # | Album information | Chart position | Debut Week Sales (Oricon) | Sold Copies (Oricon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPN | ||||
| 1st | "Summer Ballad Covers"
|
4 | 46,418 | 203,186 |
| 2nd | "Heartful Song Covers"
|
2 | 29,375 | 245,473 |
| 3rd | "May J. sings Disney"
|
6 | 9,006 | 22,981 |
| 4th | "Sweet Song Covers"
|
6 | 8,168 | 15,037 |
| 5th | "Cinema Song Covers" (Standart Album, English Album and Instrumental Album)
|
29 | ||
| 6th | "Heisei Love Song Covers Supported by DAM" (Standart Version and Karaoke Version)
|
24 |
Live albums
[edit]| Album # | Album information | Chart position | Debut Week Sales (Oricon) | Sold Copies (Oricon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPN | ||||
| 1st | "May J. Live Autumn Tour 2013 ~Best & Covers~" (Rental Album)
|
— | ||
| 2nd | "Budokan Live 2015 ~Live to the Future~" (Rental Album)
|
— | ||
| 3rd | "10th Anniversary Tour 2016 @ Nakano Sun Plaza 2016.7.3" (Fanclub Limited Album)
|
— | ||
| 4th | "10th Anniversary Grand Finale ~The Request Live~ @ Orchard Hall 2016.10.9" (Fanclub Limited Album)
|
— | ||
| 5th | "Tour 2017 ~ME, MYSELF & OUR MUSIC~ "Futuristic" @ Hitomi Kinen Koudou 2017.7.3" (Fanclub Limited Album)
|
— | ||
| 6th | "Billboard Classics May J. Premium Concert 2017 ~Me, Myself & Orchestra~" (Digital Album)
|
— |
Video albums
[edit]| Album # | Album information | Chart position | Debut Week Sales (Oricon) | Sold Copies (Oricon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPN | ||||
| 1st | "Baby Girl Clips" (PV collection DVD)
|
297 | ||
| 2nd | "Budokan Live 2015 ~Live to the Future~"
|
28 | ||
| 3rd | "May J. BEST LIVE DVD BOOK"
|
— |
As featured artist
[edit]- May 27, 2009 - "Unchain my Heart" by WISE feat. May J. (in album Love Quest)
- December 15, 2010 - "HeartBeat" by TARO SOUL & KEN THE 390 feat. May J. (in album So Much Soul)
- May 16, 2012 - "REBIRTH-DAY SONG" by Demon Kakka feat. May J. (in album MYTHOLOGY)
- October 24, 2012 - "who.am.i.?" by Bentley Jones feat. May J. and Curtis Young (in album UPGRADE 1.0)
- March 12, 2013 - "Sweet Spot" by Flo Rida featuring May J.
- November 27, 2015 - "北極星" by Show Luo - 羅志祥 feat. May J. - 橋本芽生
- April 2017 - Jun.K (from 2PM) - 私たちの別れた話 (Duet with May J.)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Robert Michael Poole (2010-04-15). "May J - The J-pop songstress reveals her Persian heritage". Metropolis (free magazine). Retrieved 2011-05-04.
- ^ Music Fair. May 17, 2014. Fuji Television.
- ^ "Sony Music Online Japan". May J.: All my girls. Retrieved December 10, 2006.
- ^ "NeOSITE 10th". Archived from the original on October 26, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2006.
- ^ "Kingrecords Webcommunication". Tanaka Rōma. Archived from the original on April 27, 2007. Retrieved December 10, 2006.
- ^ a b "May J - Official Site". Retrieved December 5, 2006.
- ^ "Japan Billboard Hot 100 2014/04/28". Billboard (in Japanese). April 23, 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
- ^ 羽生結弦選手出演「ファンタジー・オン・アイス 2018」千葉・幕張公演リポート 第1弾 [Yuzuru Hanyu's "Fantasy on Ice 2018" Performance in Makuhari, Chiba - Part 1]. tvguide.or.jp (in Japanese). Chuo-ku, Tokyo: Tokyo News Service, Ltd. May 30, 2018. Archived from the original on July 3, 2018.
- ^ May j. カラオケ初黒星に涙「悔しい ゼロから頑張る」 - Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). May 3, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
- ^ Mu, Nalaie. "May J.が俳優の尚玄と結婚、今日は2人の誕生日". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-09-06.
- ^ Inç, Natash. "May J.が妊娠を報告「新たな経験から感じることを胸に、これからも歌い続けていきたい」". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ "May J.の作品" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
- ^ "オリコン週間 アルバムランキング – 2022年11月21日付" [Oricon Week Album Ranking – November 21, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
- ^ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」". Oricon. Retrieved January 31, 2014. (subscription only)
- ^ "Japan Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
External links
[edit]
- May J. Official Website - rhythm zone
- Sony Music Online Japan / May J.
- May J. Official Blog "Janglish Style" - in Japanese
- May J. News!! "Live & Information" - May J. Staff Blog
- May J. جون (Official Myspace) - MySpace
- May J. (MayJamileh) - Twitter
- May J. Lyrics Discography
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| Artists | |
May J.
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Family and heritage
May J. was born on June 20, 1988, in Tokyo, Japan, and raised in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, to a Japanese father originating from the Kansai region and an Iranian mother of mixed ancestry including Turkish, Russian, Spanish, and British heritage.[1][10] Her full name at birth is May Jamileh Hashimoto, with "Jamileh" reflecting her Persian roots.[11] Raised primarily in Japan, May J. grew up unaware of her full maternal heritage due to her mother's reluctance to discuss it, stemming from concerns over anti-Iranian sentiment in Japan at the time; her mother initially suppressed her awareness of their Persian heritage owing to perceived prejudice against Iranians, leading May J. to believe she was American until discovering her true family origins during middle school.[11] She discovered her Persian background during her junior high school years when she overheard her mother speaking Farsi on the phone, prompting her mother to reluctantly confirm their Iranian origins.[11] This revelation marked the beginning of her exploration into her family's cultural traditions, though she was initially forbidden from learning the language.[11] In 2014, at age 26, May J. made her first trip to Iran to deepen her understanding of her roots, where she connected with extended family, learned more about her genealogical history, and immersed herself in Persian cultural practices.[12] Her upbringing in a multicultural household fostered multilingual abilities; she is fluent in Japanese, English, and Persian (Farsi), and has basic proficiency in Spanish, all shaped by her diverse ethnic background.[1][13][11] This heritage has subtly influenced her musical style, blending Eastern and Western elements.[11]Childhood influences and early interests
May J. grew up in Yokohama, Japan, exposed to a rich multicultural environment shaped by her family's international heritage, which included influences from Japan, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Spain, and England. Her parents, who operated language, music, and computer schools, encouraged her early immersion in the arts; from the age of three, she began formal training in classical piano, ballet, and opera, fostering a foundational appreciation for diverse musical expressions including R&B, pop, and classical forms. This background also introduced her to multilingualism, with fluency in Japanese and English from childhood, and later some exposure to other languages including Spanish and Persian, which enhanced her musical versatility by allowing her to engage with lyrics and melodies across cultures.[10][14][15] By ages seven or eight, May J. developed a passion for American pop and R&B through artists like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera, whose powerful vocals inspired her own singing aspirations; she credits Aguilera in particular for motivating her dream of becoming a pop star. As she entered her teens, her interests expanded to include Persian traditional sounds, which she self-discovered in middle school via the internet after her Iranian mother initially withheld details of their heritage to avoid prejudice; notable influences included Iranian singers Googoosh and Afshin, blending Eastern melodic elements with her Western pop leanings.[15][2][11] This period also saw her experimenting with self-taught songwriting and composition, drawing on piano skills to create original pieces that reflected her eclectic tastes.[15] Her burgeoning talents found an outlet in local and school-based performances in Yokohama, where she attended the American School in Japan. At age 14, she won an MTV Japan lookalike contest dressed as Avril Lavigne, channeling the rock singer's edgy style and building her stage presence. Two years later, at 16, she entered the American Club Idol competition, performing covers that showcased her vocal range and further solidified her confidence in pursuing music professionally. These experiences, rooted in her supportive family environment—particularly her father's enthusiasm for music—marked the transition from casual interests to serious pre-professional endeavors.[15][2]Career
2006–2009: Debut and initial development
May J. made her major label debut under Sony Music Japan on July 12, 2006, with the mini-album All My Girls, a collection of seven tracks blending R&B influences with pop elements.[16] The release featured the title track "My Girls," which served as the ending theme for the NTV music program Ongaku Senshi MUSIC FIGHTER.[16] Despite the album's exploration of urban-pop sounds, it achieved modest commercial reception, peaking at number 85 on the Oricon weekly albums chart and charting for four weeks.[16] This debut established her presence in Japan's music scene, drawing on her multilingual background to deliver bilingual performances that appealed to diverse audiences.[1] Building on this foundation, May J. experienced her first significant chart success with the collaborative single "I Say Yeah!" released on October 4, 2006, alongside NeOSITE artists including Pushim, Rhymester, Home Made Kazoku, and Maboroshi. The track, produced to celebrate the tenth anniversary of NeOSITE Discs, reached number 8 on the Oricon weekly singles chart, marking an initial breakthrough and highlighting her ability to contribute to ensemble projects in the R&B and hip-hop genres.[17] Her multilingual skills further enhanced the single's energetic, crossover appeal. Following this, she issued her second solo single "Dear..." on May 30, 2007, a poignant ballad that shifted toward more emotive, Japanese-oriented melodies while retaining R&B undertones.[18] These early singles demonstrated her genre-blending approach, though limited promotional efforts in a J-pop landscape dominated by idol acts constrained broader visibility.[19] In December 2007, May J. released her first full-length album Baby Girl, consolidating her Sony era output with a mix of original tracks and covers that underscored her vocal range and stylistic versatility. The period also saw her expanding beyond music; in October 2008, she began co-hosting NHK World's English-language program J-Melo alongside Shanti Snyder, introducing Japanese music to international viewers and providing a platform to showcase her fluency in English.[3] As her Sony tenure wound down, preparations for the 2009 album Family—her first under Avex's Rhythm Zone label—signaled an impending transition, reflecting evolving artistic directions amid ongoing challenges in securing widespread promotion for R&B-infused J-pop. This phase laid the groundwork for her career, emphasizing resilience in navigating niche genres within Japan's competitive market.[16]2009–2015: Label transition and breakthrough hits
In 2009, May J. transitioned from Sony Music Japan to the Rhythm Zone imprint of Avex Trax, marking a pivotal shift in her career that allowed for greater creative freedom in her R&B and pop fusion style.[1] Her debut release under the new label was the studio album Family on May 27, 2009, which debuted at number 4 on the Oricon weekly albums chart and ultimately sold 94,848 copies, becoming her best-selling album to date.[20] The album featured a mix of original tracks and collaborations, including the single "Garden" with DJ Kaori, Diggy-MO', Krench & Blister, and remained in the top 10 for two weeks while topping the iTunes Japan chart for several weeks.[1] Building on this momentum, May J. released her third studio album for you on February 17, 2010, which peaked at number 9 on the Oricon chart and included English-language tracks alongside Japanese compositions to appeal to a broader audience.[1] This period saw her breakthrough through strategic cover singles and international tie-ins, such as English renditions tied to global media, which helped expand her reach beyond Japan. Her growing popularity was further solidified by live performances at major events and her first solo concert tour, "May J. TOUR 20102016–present: Mature phase, tours, and recent releases
Following her breakthrough cover of "Let It Go" in 2014, May J. entered a mature phase characterized by deeper artistic exploration, original songwriting, and an emphasis on live performances that showcased her vocal range and emotional depth. This period marked a shift toward more introspective and genre-blending music, including cover albums and collaborations, while maintaining her R&B foundations, as she balanced studio releases with high-profile stage appearances. Her original albums during this time showed declining commercial performance on the Oricon charts, with Futuristic (2017) peaking at number 24 and Silver Lining (2021) at number 54.[28] During this time, she released several cover-focused projects, including the 2016 album Have Dreams!, the 2017 compilation Best of Duets, the 2018 Cinema Song Covers, and the 2019 Heisei Love Song Covers supported by DAM, which highlighted her interpretive skills across film soundtracks, duets, and era-defining Japanese ballads.[3] In July 2021, May J. launched the DarkPop project, a creative endeavor blending pop sensibilities with darker, atmospheric themes, produced in collaboration with emerging talents. This initiative culminated in her ninth original album, Silver Lining, released on December 8, 2021, via rhythm zone, featuring 11 tracks that emphasized resilience and emotional nuance, including interludes and production by artists like Ryo Sukei Imai. The album received positive reception for its mature sound, available in multiple formats including CD+DVD editions with music videos and behind-the-scenes content.[29][9] Building on this momentum, May J. released her tenth original album, AURORA, on April 17, 2024, symbolizing renewal and inspired by the Roman goddess of dawn. The record returned to her R&B roots while incorporating uplifting, positive motifs across 10 tracks, such as "Gold," "Oasis," and "Superwoman," with features like Harami-chan on "Sweetest Crime." Promotions included exclusive online signing events for fan club members on April 4, 2024, allowing personalized interactions, alongside release commemorative live streams and merchandise bundles like limited-edition Blu-ray sets with photobooks and live footage.[9][30][31] In February 2025, she followed with the digital single "Yurari," marking her first release since AURORA.[32] May J.'s live performances during this era highlighted her stage presence, beginning with her participation in the touring ice show Fantasy on Ice in 2018, where she performed in Makuhari and Kanazawa, delivering powerful vocals alongside figure skaters like Emiri Miyamoto. She continued with festival appearances, including a set at the Otomeshi Festival 2024 in Ibaraki on April 27, blending her hits with new material for an enthusiastic audience. Her ongoing commitment to live music extended to the Billboard Live Tour 2024–AURORA, a multi-city run starting in June 2024 across venues like Yokohama, Osaka, and Tokyo, featuring intimate sets with full-band arrangements; this was followed by the Billboard Live Tour 2025, held in June in Yokohama, Osaka, and Tokyo, emphasizing fan engagement through reserved seating and holiday-themed specials.[33][34][35][36] Throughout this period, May J. has maintained her role as host of NHK World's J-MELO, an English-language program showcasing Japanese music since October 2008, where she introduces artists and performances to a global audience of over 180 countries, including recent episodes featuring idol groups like ≠ME and Angerme.Other ventures
Television and hosting
May J. has served as the main host of J-Melo, an English-language music program on NHK World-Japan, since 2008, presenting episodes that showcase performances and interviews with Japanese artists across genres to a global audience in over 180 countries and regions.[1] The program, which debuted in its current format with her involvement in October 2008, aligns with her early career trajectory following her music debut.[15] Her hosting duties continue actively into 2025, with recent episodes such as the November 8, 2025, broadcast featuring singer Takahashi Yoko performing Neon Genesis Evangelion theme songs alongside the band Phantom Siita.[37] Beyond J-Melo, May J. has appeared as a guest on various music television programs and in interviews, where her multilingual proficiency—drawn from her multicultural background encompassing Japanese, Iranian, Turkish, Russian, Spanish, and English elements—is frequently emphasized to underscore her appeal to international audiences.[14] She also participates regularly as an MC for additional TV and radio programs, extending her media presence outside of music performances.[14]Acting and live performances
May J. made her acting debut in the Japanese production of the musical The Bodyguard in 2024, where she portrayed the lead role of singer Rachel Marron, originally played by Whitney Houston in the 1992 film.[38] The production ran from February to April 2024 across venues including TOKYU THEATRE Orb and Umeda Arts Theater, allowing May J. to demonstrate her dramatic acting skills alongside her vocal performances in a narrative centered on protection, romance, and celebrity life.[39] In the realm of live performances, May J. participated in the 2018 edition of Fantasy on Ice, a touring ice show that combined figure skating with musical elements.[40] She delivered live vocals during the finale at multiple locations, including Makuhari Messe from May 25–27, integrating her singing with the skating routines to create an immersive, multidisciplinary stage experience.[41] This appearance highlighted her ability to adapt to dynamic, non-traditional performance environments beyond conventional concert settings. May J. has also taken on guest spots in special events to showcase her stage presence, such as her upcoming role as a guest artist at the LIGHT UP Xmas Party 2025 in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, on December 19, 2025.[42] Organized by local ambassador MICRO, the event features a live and talk session format, emphasizing festive performances in a community-oriented holiday atmosphere. Building on her concert tours since 2016, these engagements underscore her versatility in theatrical and event-based roles.Personal life
Marriage and relationships
May J. announced her marriage to Japanese actor Shōgen on June 19, 2022, via social media, revealing that they had registered their union the following day, June 20, which coincided with her 34th birthday and their shared birthday.[43] The couple, who had been in a relationship for approximately nine years prior, described their partnership as one built on deep mutual understanding and long-term companionship.[43][44] In public statements following the announcement, Shōgen portrayed May J. as his supportive best friend who has stood by him throughout his career, emphasizing their shared experiences as performers in the entertainment industry.[43] May J. echoed this sentiment, noting that their relationship provides a foundation of encouragement that allows her to pursue her music endeavors while fostering personal growth.[43] Together, they expressed intentions to support one another in building a warm family environment, highlighting the role of their bond in balancing professional demands.[43] Prior to her marriage to Shōgen, May J. had not publicly disclosed any high-profile romantic relationships, maintaining a relatively private personal life in the public eye.[45]Family and motherhood
On May 13, 2023, May J. announced her pregnancy with her first child with husband Shōgen via her official website, expressing joy at the new life and noting her marriage as the foundation for this family milestone.[46][47] The couple welcomed their first child, a son, on November 16, 2023, with May J. sharing the news on Instagram alongside a photo of the newborn, describing the overwhelming happiness of becoming a mother.[48][49] Following the birth, May J. continued her professional commitments, releasing her tenth original album AURORA on April 17, 2024, which featured themes of light and renewal.[9] She also performed in 2025, including appearances at the Asahikawa Winter Festival on February 11 and the Mishima SNOW LOVERS event on January 12, incorporating family travel into her touring schedule as she navigated new parenthood.[50]Discography
Studio and cover albums
May J.'s studio albums reflect her progression from youthful R&B-infused pop to a more sophisticated, multilingual style incorporating English, Japanese, and occasional other languages, emphasizing emotional depth and vocal versatility. Her debut mini-album, All My Girls, released on July 12, 2006, by Sony Music Japan, marked her entry into the music scene with 7 tracks blending contemporary R&B and pop, showcasing her bilingual capabilities and drawing influences from American artists like Mary J. Blige. The project established her as a promising talent in Japan's urban music landscape, with singles like "My Girls" serving as promotional anchors.[51] Her first full-length studio album, Baby Girl, was released on December 5, 2007, by Sony Music Japan, featuring 12 tracks that expanded on her R&B roots with collaborations and personal themes. It peaked at No. 50 on the Oricon Albums Chart. In 2009, Family arrived as her second studio album under Sony, peaking at number 4 on the Oricon weekly albums chart and ultimately selling 94,848 copies, a notable commercial success that highlighted her growing fanbase.[52][4] Featuring 10 tracks with collaborations such as DJ Kaori and Diggy-MO', the album explored themes of love and relationships through smooth R&B grooves and upbeat pop elements, solidifying her roots in the genre while introducing more personal narratives. Singles including "Garden" and "99% I Love You" helped propel its visibility. for you, her third studio album, released on February 17, 2010, by Sony Music Japan, included 11 tracks focusing on emotional ballads and R&B, peaking at No. 9 on Oricon. Colors, released January 26, 2011, marked her fourth album with 12 tracks blending pop and R&B, emphasizing multilingual elements and peaking at No. 28 on Oricon.[53] After a period of label shifts to rhythm zone, 2012 saw Secret Diary on January 25, her fifth album with 12 introspective R&B tracks, and Brave on December 5, the sixth with 11 empowering songs. Imperfection (2014), her seventh, peaked at No. 3 on the Oricon chart with 39,917 copies sold, and Futuristic (October 25, 2017), her eighth, continued her evolution with themes of self-discovery and future-oriented sounds.[13][27] May J. returned with Silver Lining on December 8, 2021, her ninth original studio album under rhythm zone, which peaked at No. 54 on Oricon and embraced a hopeful theme symbolized by the title's meaning of "glimmer of hope." Comprising 11 tracks like "Unwanted" and "Paradise," it incorporated electropop and contemporary R&B, reflecting personal growth and resilience, with promotional singles such as "Reborn" tying into its narrative.[54] This release underscored her evolution toward more global, empowering sounds. Her tenth original studio album, AURORA, issued on April 17, 2024, represents a culmination of her career, blending luminous pop anthems with R&B undertones across 10 tracks including "Gold" and "Perch." Marking over 18 years in the industry, it emphasizes themes of renewal and light, further diversifying her multilingual approach while maintaining vocal prowess; singles like "Burn" were key in building anticipation.[55] Dedicated cover albums highlight May J.'s interpretive skills, particularly in reimagining J-pop standards and international hits. Her first, Summer Ballad Covers (June 19, 2013), featured 15 ballad covers and topped Oricon for five weeks. Heartful Song Covers (March 26, 2014) included 15 emotional tracks and peaked at No. 2 on Oricon with 241,132 copies sold. May J. sings Disney (November 4, 2015) covered Disney songs, including "Let It Go." Subsequent releases include Sweet Song Covers (March 16, 2016), Cinema Song Covers (March 14, 2018), Heisei Love Song Covers supported by DAM (March 13, 2019), and Bittersweet Song Covers (February 16, 2022), each showcasing her vocal versatility across genres.[56] Overall, these works trace May J.'s thematic shift from intimate R&B explorations to expansive, multilingual pop that resonates internationally, with each album supported by targeted singles that amplify its core messages.Singles and EPs
May J.'s singles career began with collaborative efforts before transitioning to solo releases, many of which featured R&B influences and covers of popular tracks. Her debut single, "I Say Yeah!" (2006), a collaboration with other NeOSITE artists including Pushim and Rhymester, marked her entry into the music scene and achieved a top 10 peak on the Oricon weekly singles chart, charting for four weeks. This release established her presence in Japan's urban pop landscape. The follow-up solo single "Dear..." (2007) adopted a ballad style with bittersweet themes, serving as the ending theme for the TBS program Ōsama no Branchi. It debuted at #97 on the Oricon weekly chart with sales of 1,758 copies.[57] In 2010, May J. released a cover of Naughty by Nature's "99.9%" as part of her evolving discography, blending hip-hop elements with her vocal style, though it did not chart prominently as a standalone single.[58] A major breakthrough came in 2014 with her Japanese version of "Let It Go" from Disney's Frozen, which she performed as the end credits song. The single peaked at #8 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and achieved platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan for 250,000 digital downloads, contributing to the soundtrack topping the Oricon albums chart for three consecutive weeks, selling over 106,000 copies in its debut week alone.[59] Notable singles include "Hontou no Koi" which peaked at #6 on Oricon with 23,378 copies sold. Early mini-releases functioned as EPs, such as her debut All My Girls (2006), a digital mini-album introducing her sound with tracks like "Here We Go." Post-2020, under her DarkPop project launched in 2021 with singles like "Clap Your Hands" and EP DarkPop Vol.1, May J. issued digital EPs and singles, including the 2023 double A-side "Perch / Light the Way," which explored electronic and pop fusion without major physical chart entries but gained traction on streaming platforms, noting a shift toward digital formats in recent years. Additional DarkPop releases include DarkPop Vol.2 (2022) and singles up to "Spread Love" (2023). These releases highlight her shift toward digital formats and thematic maturity.[9][60]Compilation and live albums
May J.'s compilation albums serve as retrospectives of her career, gathering key tracks from her discography to highlight her growth as a multilingual J-pop and R&B artist. These releases often blend original hits with covers, reflecting her versatility in both composition and interpretation, while drawing from earlier studio albums and singles for a cohesive narrative of her evolution.[61][62] Her first major best-of collection, May J. BEST – 7 Years Collection –, marked the culmination of her initial phase under rhythm zone, remastering 16 tracks spanning her 2006 debut to 2012 releases, including standouts like "Precious" and "Lovin' You."[61] Released on February 6, 2013, it was accompanied by a DVD edition featuring 19 music videos, emphasizing her early visual and audio milestones.[61] This album underscored her transition from indie roots to major label success, with a tracklist that prioritized emotional ballads and upbeat collaborations.[63] Subsequent compilations expanded on this foundation, incorporating post-2013 material. May J. W BEST -Original & Covers- (January 1, 2015) compiled 32 tracks across two discs, balancing 16 originals like "Garden" with covers such as "First Love," to showcase her interpretive depth during her mid-career maturation.[64] The 2021 sequel, May J. W BEST 2 -Original & Covers-, celebrated her 15th anniversary by focusing on releases after 2015, including "ReBirth" and covers like "Sunflower's Promise," with editions bundling DVDs of music videos for enhanced retrospective value.[62][65] Additionally, Best of Duets (March 29, 2017) curated nine collaborative tracks, such as "ONE MORE KISS" with Zeebra and "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" featuring Murakami Keisuke, highlighting her partnerships with diverse artists across genres.[66]| Title | Release Date | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| May J. BEST – 7 Years Collection – | February 6, 2013 | rhythm zone | 16 remastered hits from 2006–2012; DVD edition with 19 MVs.[61] |
| May J. W BEST -Original & Covers- | January 1, 2015 | rhythm zone | 32 tracks (16 originals, 16 covers); digital and physical editions.[64] |
| Best of Duets | March 29, 2017 | rhythm zone | 9 duet collaborations; emphasizes guest features.[66] |
| May J. W BEST 2 -Original & Covers- | January 1, 2021 | rhythm zone | Post-2015 focus for 15th anniversary; includes recent originals and covers up to Imperfection era.[62] |
| Title | Release Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| May J. Live Autumn Tour 2013 | July 2, 2014 | Digital; 16 tracks from 2013 tour, mixing hits and covers.[67] |
| May J. Budokan Live 2015 | March 30, 2016 | Digital; 13 tracks from first Budokan show.[68] |
| 10th Anniversary Tour 2016 @ Nakano Sun Plaza 2016.7.3 | October 25, 2017 | Digital; 27 full-concert tracks from anniversary tour.[69] |