With much expectations, MINMI has made the artist contract with JVC, and MINMI’s first Maxi Single "The Perfect Vision" was released in August 2002. And this single was well accepted by the radio stations, as shown by the figure of 20 FM stations heavy rotated the song. As the song gradually became popular in the market, the song started to climb up the Sales Chart over 3 months period, and eventually reached the sales of 400,000 units, an extraordinary figure for a début single.
And with the 2nd Maxi Single "T.T.T.", released in December 2002, MINMI has revealed her diverse approach in her music, from the Reggae based 1st single to this time a Hip Hop based track for the 2nd single. And as a result of the newly tasted tracks and the popular melodies blended in her songs, MINMI became the popular figure among the many of female music fans of 10s~20s.
So a long-awaited 1st Album "Miracle" was released in March 2003. Though there was only a limited exposure, the album ranked in the Top 5 of the Album Sales Chart for 2 months period, and eventually the album sales exceeded 600,000 units. This only proved that MINMI's music itself is what the market has desired.
To coincide with the album release, MINMI's first nationwide tour [LIVE TOUR 2003 "Miracle"] took place from June 20, 2003. The tickets were all sold out instantly, and the tour took place in full pack audiences in every venue. She also participated in major concert events in many places in the summer of 2003, and appealed her performance, which was trained through her live activities in the underground music scene.
After that, MINMI has been constantly releasing singles, 3rd Single "Another World" In September 2003, and 4th Single "Ai No Mi" in March 2004. She has blended the latest music trend with the Japanese popular music trend, and now, she is known as the major artist in the Japanese music industry with plenty of Black music and Dance music essence, who does not belong to a specific musical genre.
Regarding her production, MINMI is rare artists in that she basically does all the songwriting (including the lyrics), arrangements, produce works, and making tracks. Her production is so highly accepted in the industry that she is now getting the offer of the production for the other artists. And also, many of the leading musicians and the engineers from Jamaica, home of Reggae music, and the United States, home of Hip Hop and R&B music, participate in her production which is the key factor of blending the latest music trend and making a high quality music.
On June 30, 2004, her long anticipated 2nd album “imagine” was released, which coincided with the nationwide live tour “MINMI LIVE TOUR 2004 “imagine” ”, started on September 10, 2004. In December, she released her 5th single “Are yu ready”. The song was originated from MINMI’s original riddim “SAKURA” which contains a sample of Japanese traditional guitar, Shamisen. This riddim “SAKURA” became popular in Jamaica as well. From this point, the produce team ZAREK for TSURU-KAME Recording, the team consist of MINMI and JUNIOR(Red Spider), who produced the riddim “SAKURA”, started their produce works in Jamaica. They have produced various Jamaican artists, and released their original 7 inch vinyls in Jamaica in the start of 2005.
She was very active in live performances in 2005, from organizing a monthly regular reggae club event in Tokyo, a nationwide club tour, to appearing in the major summer rock festival “Summer Sonic” in August. In September, MINMI released the album “FRIENDS”, the best selection compilation album of her featured works.
In 2006, MINMI’s single “Summertime!”, the song based on a Soca rhythm, had a big reaction in Trinidad & Tobago, the home of Soca. In February 2007, she was invited to Trinidad to perform at the Bmobile International Soca Monarch Competition, where she did a live performance in front of 30,000 audience, and fascinated everyone who saw her performance, including Wyclef Jean of the Fugees. In March, MINMI released a long-awaited 3rd album “Natural”. The album proved that MINMI is not just another a Reggae Diva, but is capable of diverging into many music genres.
MINMI’s nationwide tour entitled "Natural Mystic" & "Natural Showcase" coincided with the release of "Natural", and ended successfully, selling out all the dates. In the summer, MINMI appeared in the major rock festival "SUMMER SONIC’06" as the headliner, only Japanese artist to headline in the Festival ever. In Sept. 2006, MINMI was nominated as the Best New Artist of SOCA AWARDS, took place in New York,
as the only Japanese artist ever to be nominated in the Awards. She was the center of the attention of the worldwide media.
In 2007, MINMI participated in the Trinidad Tobago Festival for the second straight year.
MINMI recorded the new Soca tune "Sha na na ～Japanese Wine～" a collaboration with Machel Montano HD, known as the "King Of Soca", to coincide with this year's Festival.
Machel was the person responsible for bringing MINMI over to the Festival the previous year.
This year, they got together to record the new tune just in time for this year's Festival.
And "Sha na na ～Japanese Wine～" is included in Machel's new album "Book Of The Angels"
was just released in Trinidad Tobago.
Also, in this year's Festival, MINMI participated in "Soca Monarc", a competition for the local major artists.
She became the first Japanese artist ever to win in the preliminary round and advance s into the final round of the competition. She performed on the National Stage, in front of the audience of over 30,000 people, and MINMI became the first Japanese artist ever to make it into the Best 8 of the Competition. She was Best 3 artist among the female artists in the Competition.
During her month long stay in at the Festival, MINMI was the center of attention of the local media,
including TV programs, newspapers, and magazines. And MINMI performed in front of over 100,000 audiences in total in Trinidad Tobago this year.
MINMI's activity has no limit, in Japan nor abroad, and will keep on going beyond everyone's expectations in the future to come.
Ai no mi
MINMI Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
驚く僕は I know me a doctor bird
大きく優雅に歩く 孔雀じゃなくと 僕は泣く
夕陽色に染まる海辺に
ヤシの木 やさしく 僕に言う
君は 大きなことができる鳥
空を飛び 街中に 愛の実を運べるよと
もう泣かなくても
かっこ悪くても 笑われても
僕らしく歩こう
今日から 始まる 変えよう tomorrow
薫る花 もうじき 赤い実がなる
そろそろ旅に 愛の実を運びに
見えなかった 今までの日々がこんな輝いてたこと
素直になれず 優しさ見えず
言えなかった言葉 本当は大きな愛で僕を見て
くれていた 人に今 気づいた ありがとう
もう泣かなくても
かっこ悪くても 笑われても
僕なりに伝えよう
もらった愛 誰かに あげ つなげよう
幾つも海を渡った いろんな空を越え
時にあきらめそうでも
翼うつ 雨しずく くもる空の下見た
人々はいろいろと見えすぎて
知りすぎたようだが どうなんだか
あこがれにまみれ 真実はまぎれ 大切なもの
この世界は失いかけちゃいないか
目を閉じ何か感じないか
僕らが優しさ 感謝 感じれれば
変わる世界 忘れちゃいけない
もう泣かなくても
かっこ悪くても 笑われても
僕なりに伝えよう
もらった愛 誰かに あげ つなげよう
旅する 僕が辿りついた街
こんな僕でも待つ人がいるというのに
この街の子供たちは 帰らぬ人待ち続けてる
はしやぎながら無邪気に笑う
日が来る ミラクル 願う
不発弾の隙間に植えた愛の実に
水与え 虹をかけ 笑顔の花咲かせよう
もう泣かなくても
かっこ悪くても
僕らしく歩こう
今日から 始めよう 変えよう tomorrow
今日から 始めよう 変えよう tomorrow
The song Ai No Mi by MINMI is a beautiful and profound reflection on the human condition and the importance of love and kindness. In the first verse, the singer sees their reflection in the mirror and is surprised by what they see. The doctor bird, a symbol of freedom and adaptability, is referenced as if to suggest that self-discovery requires the courage to face oneself honestly. The singer then laments the fact that they are not like the graceful peacock, and this feeling of inadequacy leads them to tears.
The second verse speaks to the power of nature and its ability to heal and inspire. The singer is comforted by the gentle words of a palm tree by the beach, which tells them that they too are capable of great things. The palm tree encourages the singer to take flight and carry the fruits of love with them wherever they go. The chorus is a rallying cry for self-acceptance and resilience. The singer encourages themselves and others to keep moving forward, even in the face of adversity, and to share the love they have received with others.
The final verse dives deeper into the human experience, highlighting our struggles with vulnerability and communication. The singer admits that they have not been able to express kindness and love as openly as they would like, but they become grateful for those who have seen that love within them regardless. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer reflecting on the power of small acts of kindness to create meaningful change in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
ある日 鏡に映る姿に 驚く僕は I know me a doctor bird
One day, I saw my reflection in the mirror and was surprised. Even though I was crying, I know I can be as beautiful and elegant as a doctor bird.
大きく優雅に歩く 孔雀じゃなくと 僕は泣く
I cry because I cannot walk as gracefully as a peacock, but I try to walk with the same beauty and elegance in my own way.
夕陽色に染まる海辺に ヤシの木 やさしく 僕に言う
At the beach, as the sun sets and the sky turns orange, a palm tree gently whispers to me.
君は 大きなことができる鳥 空を飛び 街中に 愛の実を運べるよと
The palm tree tells me that I can be a big bird, able to fly and spread love all over the city.
もう泣かなくても かっこ悪くても 笑われても 僕らしく歩こう
I will no longer cry or be embarrassed, even if people laugh at me. I will walk with pride as myself.
今日から 始まる 変えよう tomorrow
From today, I will start to change for the better. Tomorrow is a new beginning for me.
薫る花 もうじき 赤い実がなる そろそろ旅に 愛の実を運びに
The sweet-smelling flowers will soon bear red fruit. It is time for me to embark on a journey to spread love with those fruits.
見えなかった 今までの日々がこんな輝いてたこと
I realize that the days I could not see were shining brightly.
素直になれず 優しさ見えず 言えなかった言葉 本当は大きな愛で僕を見て
I couldn't be honest or see kindness. I couldn't say the words, but deep down, people were looking at me with great love.
くれていた 人に今 気づいた ありがとう
I finally realize the people who gave me that love. Thank you.
僕なりに伝えよう もらった愛 誰かに あげ つなげよう
I will try to pass on the love that I have received and connect it to someone else.
幾つも海を渡った いろんな空を越え 時にあきらめそうでも 翼うつ 雨しずく くもる空の下見た
I crossed many seas and flew over different skies. Sometimes I felt like giving up, but I flapped my wings and, under a cloudy sky, I saw raindrops fall.
人々はいろいろと見えすぎて 知りすぎたようだが どうなんだか あこがれにまみれ 真実はまぎれ 大切なもの この世界は失いかけちゃいないか
People are often caught up in what they see and know, but is it worth it? Immersed in the longing, the truth is lost, and precious things begin to slip away from this world.
目を閉じ何か感じないか 僕らが優しさ 感謝 感じれれば 変わる世界 忘れちゃいけない
If we close our eyes, can't we feel something? I hope we can feel kindness and gratitude and remember that we can change the world.
旅する 僕が辿りついた街 こんな僕でも待つ人がいるというのに この街の子供たちは 帰らぬ人待ち続けてる
I arrived at a town while traveling, and even though I am like this, there are people waiting for me. But the children in this town continue to wait for those who will never return.
はしやぎながら無邪気に笑う 日が来る ミラクル 願う 不発弾の隙間に植えた愛の実に 水与え 虹をかけ 笑顔の花咲かせよう
I run while laughing innocently, and I hope for a miracle to come. I will water the fruit of love I planted in the gap of an unexploded bomb and create a smile like a blooming flower with a rainbow.
もう泣かなくても かっこ悪くても 僕らしく歩こう
I will walk like myself without crying and even if it doesn't look cool.
今日から 始めよう 変えよう tomorrow
From today on, let's start to change and make tomorrow better.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Minmi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@uksurd
is it real some one disliked this .. I have worked for 14 hours today n dead tired This refreshed me completely, I can work again I dont know what she is singling, but it seems she is blessing me So peaceful, makes you to love whatever yo do $ukhi
@Cyfix15
man Nbuo uematsu , nujabes and tsuchie are musical deities. these guys are my idols at musical composing . they are just too damn good. singlehandedly blowing modern beats/themes out of the realm
@greenparty07
I had terrible stress-related insomnia for a long time and a constant loop of this song and Shiki no Uta worked better than any pill or method prescribed by my doctor. Even on my worst nights, I hardly ever made it past the third or fourth replay... But ya, this is Who's Theme haha
@Myeshia
this song makes me feel so calm...i love her voice so much!
@stephaniegonzalezgrilloybi2600
this is not AI NO MI, besides "ai no mi" means only love. This beautiful song is Who's theme <3
@chexmixofdeath
totally agree! i wouldn't mind falling asleep n waking up to her voice
@morelis100
love it
@MomoSquish
Nostalgia.
@EmperorBenzRx8
best anime of its kind :D awsome song
@matthewgleason75
wow nobody even nows the name of this beautiful song, because its underrated because Minmi is japanese! I wish people would get their heads out of their asses and listen to real music for a change. Instead of computer generated shit