SMAP (tape)
SMAP ( S ports M usic A ssemble P eople) was a Japanese boy group , which is assigned to the genre J-Pop and belonged to Johnny & Associates .
General
Consisting of Masahiro Nakai (中 居正 広), Takuya Kimura (木村拓哉), Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (草 彅 剛), Gorō Inagaki (稲 垣 吾郎) and Shingo Katori (香 取 慎 吾) (until 1996 together with Masayuki Mori (森 且 行)) Founded by the Japanese producer Johnny Kitagawa to replace the Hikaru Genji group.
Twelve members were cast, of which the above six remained. First they should perform as a music group on roller skates . Since these were already out of fashion in fast-moving Japan , the decision was made to go for skateboards .
So the group performed with skateboards in their videos. There was even a TV series about a group of 6 skateboarders (SMAP). They have released 17 albums and 38 singles so far, two of which ( Yozora no mukou夜空 ノ ム コ ウSekai ni hitotsu dake no hana世界 に 一 つ だ け の 花) have sold more than a million times.
SMAP are currently the biggest pop stars in the country and an integral part of the Japanese entertainment scene. The music is only part of the popularity of SMAP. All band members have also played in countless television series and films, are popular guests on entertainment shows or present their own, and are omnipresent in advertising.
The fact that Nakai was listed as the largest taxpayer of all Japanese show greats by the National Tax Office in 2003 suggests the popularity and success of SMAP. It is therefore not surprising that in SMAP's own television show "SMAP X SMAP" (on Fuji TV) not only Shinzō Abe, who can be described as Japan's "People of the Year 2006" (even before his election as Prime Minister in September 2006 ) and Shizuka Arakawa (Olympic gold medalist in figure skating 2006), but from Michael Jackson to Richard Gere to Madonna also great international stars appeared as guests.
In 2010, SMAP were to appear together outside of Japan for the first time for a joint performance abroad in order to be present as a representative for Japan at the Shanghai EXPO. After the international performance was suddenly canceled, new dates were planned in Shanghai for October 9th and 10th.
At the beginning of 2016, rumors of separation were first heard, and in the summer it was officially announced that the band would split up on December 31, 2016.
Members
Masahiro Nakai
Nakai is the unofficial leader of the group, probably also because he is the oldest. His skills are not so much in the vocal area, rather he can often be seen in the role of the band's spokesman or moderator. Nakai is a huge fan of the Giants , a baseball team, and has to watch every game. His metamorphosis knows no bounds, so you can often see him in women's clothes or those of famous Japanese celebrities (including Piko-san, a homosexual Japanese moderator). He is also known to be very fond of gimchi .
Kimura Takuya
Kimura (nickname of the press and some fans: "Kimutaku" - he hates the term himself) is now a well-known actor in Japan. He played in various drama (including Good Luck, Beautiful life, Long vacation, Hero, Engine, Pride, etc.). He has also been voted “Most Erotic Man in Japan and Taiwan” several times, and also often wins surveys and awards (for example that of the best-looking Japanese celebrity in jeans or as the most wanted father). Kimura is married to Shizuka Kudou (idol and singer) and has two children. He is one of the best SMAP singers, loves to play his guitar and is known in Japan as a Hummer owner who picks up his children from school as often as possible. Kimura is likely the highest paid member in terms of advertising revenue. The films in which he has participated also enjoy international recognition (for example Wong Kar Wais 2046 ). He also spoke the voice of Haru in the anime Howl's Moving Castle of Miyazaki.
Katori Shingo
Katori was referred to as the "baby" of SMAP because he was the youngest member at the beginning of SMAP, but at the same time is now the tallest of all members in terms of height. His role is usually that of a clown and comedian, his transformation skills know no boundaries. Together with Kimutaku, he is considered the best singer in the group. According to Madonna (who was a guest on SMAP TV show SMAPxSMAP), Katori appeared in one of her music videos. Katori is known for his love of unusual clothing styles, including clothes from the Japanese fashion label "A Bathing Ape". Katori's metamorphoses are best known by all members, for example as Shingo Mama (got her own TV show and album) and Kazuken (an enka singer). He is considered the group's bird of paradise and has dyed blond hair. He also moderates a television program ( SmaStation ) that tries to bring the Japanese a little closer to English, even if his own knowledge of English is not outstanding. On May 31, 2010 he took part in the variety show "Moshimono Simulation Variety Otameshika" for the first time, which is about having to eat until the top 10 dishes in a karaoke bar have been eaten.
Inagaki Goro
Inagaki is a rather inconspicuous member of the group. Even an arrest for hit-and-run a few years ago couldn't change that. Inagaki parked illegally in a entertainment district in Tokyo and noticed a meter maid , when driving away he hurt it slightly at the knee. For him, this campaign ended for a short stay in prison, Goro's advertisements and series were canceled and the program SMAPxSMAP reached a record low. With “Goro's Bar” he has his own entertainment show. Goro is a big fan of comedy and known as a lover of rare cars and expensive European wines (including a red Maserati). Inagaki is without question a very good singer, but concerts often reveal his full potential as an entertainer.
Kusanagi Tsuyoshi
Kusanagi is considered to be the most reserved and sensitive member of SMAP, but is known as an excellent dancer and acrobat (he opened the DRINK SMAP tour with acrobatic acts such as somersaults and flips), and he speaks fluent Korean, which gives him a CD release in South Korea (under the name Chonan Gang (초난강)), whose culture he is studying and wants to get to know better. Tsuyoshi can often be recognized by the fact that he talks the least in the programs and therefore often receives the closing words, but he is indispensable as the singer of the group and is often used in combination with Kimura in vocal parts (among others in "Dynamite"). Tsuyoshi also has numerous appearances in Doramas (for example Star no Koi and Food Fight), one of his biggest film projects is Nihon Chinbotsu (Japan sinks) with Shibasaki Kou . In April 2009, he was arrested for allegedly walking naked and drunk through a Tokyo park. According to a report by the television station NHK, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi shouted to the police officers who picked him up early Thursday morning near the Roppongi nightlife district: "What's wrong with being naked?" Kusanagi is said to have resisted the police at first.
Discography
Singles
| Original Japanese title | Title in Romaji | Release |
|---|---|---|
| Can't stop !! -LOVING- | September 9, 1991 | |
| 正義 の 味 方 は あ て に な ら な い | Seigi no mikata wa ateninaranai | December 6, 1991 |
| 心 の 鏡 | Kokoro no kagami | March 18, 1992 |
| 負 け る な Baby! ~ Never give up | Makeru na baby! ~ Never give up | July 8, 1992 |
| 笑顔 の ゲ ン キ | Egao no GENKI | November 11, 1992 |
| 雪 が 降 っ て き た | Yuki ga futtekita | December 12, 1992 |
| ず っ と 忘 れ な い | Zutto wasurenai | March 3, 1993 |
| は じ め て の 夏 | Hajimete no natsu | June 6, 1993 |
| 君 は 君 だ よ | Kimi wa Kimi Dayo | September 9, 1993 |
| $ 10 | November 11, 1993 | |
| 君 色 思 い | Kimi Iro Omoi | January 1, 1994 |
| Hey Hey お お き に 毎 度 あ り | Hey Hey Ooki ni maido ari | March 12, 1994 |
| オ リ ジ ナ ル ス マ イ ル | ORIJINARU SUMAIRU | June 6, 1994 |
| が ん ば り ま し ょ う | Ganbarimashou | September 9, 1994 |
| た ぶ ん オ ー ラ イ | Tabun OORAI | December 21, 1994 |
| KANSHA し て | KANSHA shite | March 3, 1995 |
| し よ う よ | Shiyou yo | June 6, 1995 |
| ど ん な い い こ と | Don na ii koto | September 9, 1995 |
| 俺 た ち に 明日 は あ る | Oretachi ni asu wa aru | November 11, 1995 |
| 胸 さ わ ぎ を 頼 む よ | Munasawagi wo tanomu yo | February 2, 1996 |
| は だ か の 王 様 ～ シ ブ ト ク つ よ く ~ | Hadaka no ousama ~ Shibutoku Tsuyoku ~ | May 5, 1996 |
| 青 い イ ナ ズ マ | Aoi inazuma | July 15, 1996 |
| SHAKE | November 18, 1996 | |
| ダ イ ナ マ イ ト | DAINAMAITO | February 26, 1997 |
| セ ロ リ | SERORI | May 14, 1997 |
| Peace! | September 26, 1997 | |
| 夜空 ノ ム コ ウ | Yozora NO MUKOU | January 14, 1998 |
| た い せ つ | Taisetsu | May 8, 1998 |
| 朝日 を 見 に 行 こ う よ | Asahi wo mi ni ikou yo | January 27, 1999 |
| Fly | June 23, 1999 | |
| let it be | February 9, 2000 | |
| ら い お ん ハ ー ト | Raion HAATO (Lion Heart) | August 30, 2000 |
| Smac | July 28, 2001 | |
| freebird | May 15, 2002 | |
| 世界 に 一 つ だ け の 花 | Sekai ni hitotsu dake no hana | March 5, 2003 |
| 友 だ ち へ ~ Say What You Will ~ | Tomodachi e ~ Say What You Will ~ | January 19, 2005 |
| BANG! BANG! バ カ ン ス! | BANG! BANG! BAKANSU! | July 27, 2005 |
| Triangle | November 23, 2005 | |
| Dear WOMAN | April 19, 2006 | |
| あ り が と う | Arigatou | October 11, 2006 |
| 弾 丸 フ ァ イ タ ー | Dangan Fighter | December 19, 2007 |
| そ の ま ま / White Message | Sonomama / White Message | March 5, 2008 |
| こ の 瞬間 、 き っ と 夢 じ ゃ な い | Kono toki, kitto yume jya nai | August 13, 2008 |
| そ っ と き ゅ っ と ／ ス ー パ ー ス タ ー ★ | Sotto kyutto / superstar | August 26, 2009 |
| This is love | 4th August 2010 | |
| 僕 の 半 分 | Boku no Hanbun | December 21, 2011 |
| さ か さ ま の 空 | Sakasama no Sora | April 25, 2012 |
| moment | August 1, 2012 | |
| Mistake! / Battery | February 27, 2013 | |
| Joy !! | 5th June 2013 | |
| シ ャ レ オ ツ / ハ ロ ー | Share Otsu / Hello | 18th December 2013 |
| Yes we are / コ コ カ ラ | Yes we are / Kokokara | April 9, 2014 |
| Top Of The World / Amazing Discovery | July 16, 2014 | |
| 華麗 な る 逆襲 / ユ ー モ ア し ち ゃ う よ | Karei naru Gyakushū / Humor Shichauyo | February 18, 2015 |
| Otherside / 愛 が 止 ま る ま で は | Otherside / Ai ga Tomaru Madewa | September 9, 2015 |
Albums
| title | Release | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| SMAP 001 | January 1, 1992 | |
| SMAP 002 | August 26, 1992 | |
| SMAP 003 | January 1, 1993 | |
| SMAP 004 | July 7, 1993 | |
| SMAP 005 ~ Gyoukai Jigoku Ichido wa Oide ~ | February 2, 1994 | |
| SMAP 006 ~ SEXY SIX ~ | July 7, 1994 | |
| SMAP COOL | January 1, 1995 | Best of album |
| SMAP 007 ~ Gold Singer ~ | July 7, 1995 | |
| SMAP BOO | November 22, 1995 | Remix album |
| SMAP 008 ~ TACOMAX ~ | March 3, 1996 | |
| SMAP 009 | August 12, 1996 | |
| SMAP WOOL | March 26, 1997 | 2CDs Best of Album |
| SMAP 011 ~ SU ~ | August 6, 1997 | |
| SMAP 012 ~ VIVA AMIGOS ~ | June 18, 1998 | |
| SMAP Le festa | August 26, 1998 | Members solo album |
| SMAP 013 ~ BIRDMAN ~ | July 14, 1999 | |
| SMAP 014 ~ S map ~ | October 14, 2000 | |
| SMAP Vest | March 23, 2001 | 2CD's compilation sold 1,826,000 copies. |
| pamS (Ura-Smap) | August 8, 2001 | Best of album |
| SMAP 015 ~ Drink! Smap! ~ | July 24, 2002 | |
| SMAP 016 ~ MIJ ~ | June 25, 2003 | 2CDs album |
| SAMPLE BANG! | July 27, 2005 | 3CDs album |
| Pop up! SMAP | July 26, 2006 | 2CDs album |
| super.modern.artistic.performance | September 24, 2008 | 2CDs album |
| We are SMAP! | July 21, 2010 | 2CDs album |
| GIFT of SMAP | August 8, 2012 | 2CDs, 2CD + DVD album |
| Mr.S | 3rd September 2014 | 2CDs, 2CD + DVD album |
| SMAP - 25 years | December 21, 2016 |
Web links
- To the history of the group
- Profile at Johnny's net
- SMAP News Archive ( Memento from December 24th, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) at musicJAPAN +
Individual evidence
- ↑ The boy bachelor. In: The Japan Times. May 25, 2003, archived from the original on June 26, 2003 ; accessed on August 18, 2016 .
- ↑ SMAP to have 1st Overseas "Fan Gathering" at Shanghai EXPO . Musicjapanplus . April 27, 2010. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ↑ SMAP's New Song as "Cirque du Soleil" Theme Song in Japan! . Musicjapanplus . August 9, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- ↑ It's true: SMAP to split up at year's end , Reiji Yoshida, The Japan Times, August 14, 2016
- ↑ SMAP's Shingo Katori to Eat up Popular Dishes of a Restaurant . Musicjapanplus . May 20, 2010. Retrieved May 20, 2010.