Who Is Ken Hirai?

Ken Hirai is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and composer who has been active in the music industry since 1995. He is best known for his singles “Laputa” and “Hitomi wo Tojite” which have sold over 3 million copies in Japan. He has released 14 albums as well as numerous compilations and live albums, selling a total of more than 15 million records worldwide.

Early Life & Career Beginnings

Ken Hirai was born on January 17th, 1971 in Higashiosaka, Osaka Prefecture. He attended high school at Horikoshi Gakuen and then graduated from Osaka University of Arts. While attending university he wrote his first songs including “Precious Junk” which was released as his debut single in 1995. He had moderate success with this single and followed up with his debut album “Love or Lust” in 1996.

Breakthrough Success & Later Career

In 1997, Ken released the single “Laputa” which became a huge hit in Japan and propelled him to mainstream success. This was followed by the album “Ken Hirai Singles Best Collection: Uta-Baka” which went on to sell over four million copies. Since then he has released several albums and singles which have all received critical acclaim and commercial success. He has also collaborated with various artists including Kumi Koda, M-Flo, and Backstreet Boys.

Awards & Legacy

Throughout his career, Ken has won several awards including the Japan Gold Disc Award for Best Pop Album of the Year in 2007 for his album “The Changing Same” and the Japan Record Award for Best Songwriter of the Year in 2008. He has been praised by critics for his emotive lyrics and unique voice which have captivated audiences worldwide. Ken Hirai continues to be one of the most popular and successful artists in Japan.