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
Noriyuki Makihara 20th Anniversary Best LOVE
槇原敬之 Lyrics
2つの願い 今朝からずっと雨音の すきまに耳をすましてる TVドラマの電話と 間違えないように 内緒で二人 5泊6日 国際線の窓で見…
Hungry Spider 今日も腹を減らして一匹の蜘が 八つの青い葉に糸をかける ある朝 露に光る巣を見つけ きれいと笑ったあの子のため やっか…
No.1 One, two, one, two, hoo! お互いのことをもう さぐるのはやめよう もうわかっている 君は僕が好…
SPY おあずけになったデートに がっかりしていたけど 偶然君を見かけた なんて運命的な2人 おめかしと言うよりちょっと 変装に…
もう恋なんてしない '08 君がいないと何にも できないわけじゃないと ヤカンを火にかけたけど 紅茶のありかがわからない ほら 朝食も作れたもんね …
ズル休み 帰り道のコンビニには なんでもそろってるけど 二人をもとに戻す 接着剤はないらしい 日曜出勤から つかれてもどる僕は …
北風～君にとどきますように～ 今 君がこの雪に気付いてないなら 誰より早く教えたい 心から思った 小さなストーブじゃ窓も 曇らないような夜 毛布を鼻…
君の後ろ姿 それじゃあまたねと別れた後 君にはすこし大きい気がする 見慣れた鞄を揺らしながら 小さくなる君をみつめてた よほどの事が…
桃 抱きしめたいと言う言葉の 意味とは裏腹に 不安や寂しさを君に 押しつけようとしてたんだ ここに来る途中に君の 好きな桃を…
素直 話を切り出す順番 ゆずってくれたから 僕のことばかり聞いて 結局君は後回し いつも通りに大きく 手を振ってくれた後 歩い…
赤いマフラー 銀座四丁目交差点に 今年初めての雪が 季節外れの花びらのように 舞い落ちてきた 君は覚えているだろうか 一緒に歩こうと約…