Makihara Noriyuki (槇原 敬之) is a well-known Japanese pop singer/ songwriter, … Read Full Bio ↴Makihara Noriyuki (槇原 敬之) is a well-known Japanese pop singer/ songwriter, nicknamed "Mackey" by his fans. He was born on 18 May 1969.
Makihara was first discovered by 坂本龍一 (Ryuuichi Sakamoto) in November 1985 on his radio show, Sound Street during a segment where he played demo tapes submitted by aspiring music makers. Upon winning the Axia Music Audition '89 in March 1990 with his song "NG", he signed with Warner Music Japan and made his debut in October 1990. His first album was a moderate success, peaking at top 50 on the Oricon Weekly Album Charts. With the breakout of "Donna Toki Mo." selling more than one million copies in 1991 alone, he gained his first appearance on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. Achieving his first million-seller in 1992 with "Kimi wa Boku no Takaramono" and making even more hits like "No. 1" and "SPY" into the mid-1990s, he has became one of the most popular singer-songwriters in Japan. Being arrested for possessing amphetamines in 1999, his career's success came to a standstill and despite making a comeback the subsequent year, his sales dipped and he entered a career slump. In 2003, upon writing the massive three-million-seller hit, "Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana" for SMAP, he had a second career breakout and has stayed successful ever since. He was subsequently put under arrest in 2020 for possessing stimulants but made a successful comeback in October 2021 with "Yosoro" and has recently concluded a 2-month tour around Japan for the album. Pulling through public opinion and homophobia after being forcibly exposed to having a male partner, he is currently the third best selling male solo act in Japan and has a stable and relatively big fanbase.
One could arguably compare him to Western pop stars such as Elton John, both in terms of musical ability and talent, and continued longevity despite playing to an intensely fickle industry. The two also seem to have shared something of a similar career path in terms of personal ups and downs, public scrutiny and survival through the years in spite of it all.
Makihara has managed to endure and maintain a healthy level of popularity in Japan and other nations worldwide, due to his soothing, appealing voice quality and flair for catchy melody. Not just your average manufactured pop star, real talent can be found in Mackey's work to this day.
It's interesting to note how, as the years have passed, the quality of Makihara's voice has deepened, bringing him into a soulful, velvety range that might remind one of Barry White or Luther Van Dross. Much of his music's lyrical content has revolved around the subject of romantic love, though themes of profound joy, reminiscence, gratitude and deeper spiritual aspects of the human condition have become predominant in recent years. When not more slowly paced and romantic, his tunes are bright and upbeat, and though certainly dated, even his albums from the 90's are still enjoyable and worth a listen. Remarkably, the cheesy, early 90's pop style lends an immortal charm to his early work, though he has been known to update and bring back old hits, such as "Donna Toki Mo.", which can be found currently as a B-side to his 2007 single, "Green Days."
To sum it up, Macky's an extremely good vibe, quality artist. The messages in his music are extremely positive, which only adds to the beauty of his arrangement and vocal appeal. If you haven't already, check him out! You won't be sorry.
Makihara was first discovered by 坂本龍一 (Ryuuichi Sakamoto) in November 1985 on his radio show, Sound Street during a segment where he played demo tapes submitted by aspiring music makers. Upon winning the Axia Music Audition '89 in March 1990 with his song "NG", he signed with Warner Music Japan and made his debut in October 1990. His first album was a moderate success, peaking at top 50 on the Oricon Weekly Album Charts. With the breakout of "Donna Toki Mo." selling more than one million copies in 1991 alone, he gained his first appearance on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. Achieving his first million-seller in 1992 with "Kimi wa Boku no Takaramono" and making even more hits like "No. 1" and "SPY" into the mid-1990s, he has became one of the most popular singer-songwriters in Japan. Being arrested for possessing amphetamines in 1999, his career's success came to a standstill and despite making a comeback the subsequent year, his sales dipped and he entered a career slump. In 2003, upon writing the massive three-million-seller hit, "Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana" for SMAP, he had a second career breakout and has stayed successful ever since. He was subsequently put under arrest in 2020 for possessing stimulants but made a successful comeback in October 2021 with "Yosoro" and has recently concluded a 2-month tour around Japan for the album. Pulling through public opinion and homophobia after being forcibly exposed to having a male partner, he is currently the third best selling male solo act in Japan and has a stable and relatively big fanbase.
One could arguably compare him to Western pop stars such as Elton John, both in terms of musical ability and talent, and continued longevity despite playing to an intensely fickle industry. The two also seem to have shared something of a similar career path in terms of personal ups and downs, public scrutiny and survival through the years in spite of it all.
Makihara has managed to endure and maintain a healthy level of popularity in Japan and other nations worldwide, due to his soothing, appealing voice quality and flair for catchy melody. Not just your average manufactured pop star, real talent can be found in Mackey's work to this day.
It's interesting to note how, as the years have passed, the quality of Makihara's voice has deepened, bringing him into a soulful, velvety range that might remind one of Barry White or Luther Van Dross. Much of his music's lyrical content has revolved around the subject of romantic love, though themes of profound joy, reminiscence, gratitude and deeper spiritual aspects of the human condition have become predominant in recent years. When not more slowly paced and romantic, his tunes are bright and upbeat, and though certainly dated, even his albums from the 90's are still enjoyable and worth a listen. Remarkably, the cheesy, early 90's pop style lends an immortal charm to his early work, though he has been known to update and bring back old hits, such as "Donna Toki Mo.", which can be found currently as a B-side to his 2007 single, "Green Days."
To sum it up, Macky's an extremely good vibe, quality artist. The messages in his music are extremely positive, which only adds to the beauty of his arrangement and vocal appeal. If you haven't already, check him out! You won't be sorry.
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
Explorer
槇原敬之 Lyrics
Happy Ending 太陽の塔から ほんのすぐ上のところまで 冬曇りの重そうな空が 下がっていたけど 平日の誰もいない万博後の遊園地 コンコー…
Tag Team 喧嘩して飛び出して 夕暮れの街を 歩いてたら 知らない人が話してきた 「ご家族はおげんきですか?」 顔も形も似てるのなら…
The Fog 立ち込めだした霧は君を 捜す僕の感を鈍らせる 終わった後でもう二度と 無駄な争いはしないと誓うのに 誰かに頼まれた訳じゃ…
とりあえず何か食べよう ねぇ さっきからずいぶん 荒れてるみたいだね 落ち着いてるときの君なら そんなこと いわないのに ねぇねぇ さっきからず…
ハトマメ～Say Hello To The World.～ いろんな国から来た人で 浅草寺は今日も賑やか 仲見世通り抜ければ 晴れ空と香炉の煙 いつもの様に鳩豆を 買う僕の目に飛び…
世界に一つだけの花 NO.1にならなくてもいい もともと特別なOnly one 花屋の店先に並んだ いろんな花を見ていた ひとそれぞれ好みは…
優しい歌が歌えない 抱えた苦しみは誰のせいと 人をひどく責める的はずれを 何度も何度も繰りかえして 苦しみは前より増えるばかり 同じページを…
君の名前を呼んだ後に 寂れた駅の看板は 初めて見る名前が書いてある 紙コップのコーヒーは 全くどこで飲んでも こんなにまずいんだろう 大切なも…
夏は憶えている 夏の草をかき分けながら 川の石をどかしながら 何かを探す子供達に 夏は日を長くしてくれる 海も山もないこの街で 鞄と携帯…
武士は食わねど高楊枝 ある日突然仕事をなくし ある朝妻が出て行った 帰ってくるさと電話したら テーブルで震えだす携帯 子供の替えのパンツがなく…