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.
Step
MINMI Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How's it goin my darling?
I'll still make it
True shining day
Step かかとを上げ さあ踏み出せ
心弾ませ step by step
たたずんでちゃ始まんないさあ
Step, step, step by step
空の色も違って見えるカラー
さあ! とりあえずいこう
決着つけよ二人の
見守ってよ月と太陽
あの頃の心のアイコン (click)
感じるあなたの温度差
この痛みも今だけ 次に
訪れると信じる sweet dream
Japan, N.Y., Kingston
Hong Kong, Londonかどこか
誰かが待ってる
Step かかとを上げ
さあ踏もうか step
心弾ませ step by step
たたずんでちゃ始まんないさあ
Step, step, step by step
体中に感じるカ
生まれ変われるような気がするから
さあ! 一息入れ relax time
ヨガ カンフーマスター
バスタブででも歌え明日も (easyに)
気晴らしワードローブ open
流す曲 (change cloth)
ハズすな (チャレンジも)
時折降りどき でも keep on step
ここらで心も衣替え時
君の up and down 問わずどんな時も
できる限り以上したつもりよ
スランプに耐えかね3度目の電話で
そっけないのね やっとわかった!
彼はいい加減 慣れた言い訳
勝手な give and take
おはなしになりません
彼は特別 (って思ってた)
誰が言ったっけ? (君がすべて)
でた 口だけ 私そうじゃないから
Step かかとを上げ さあ踏み出せ
あとは風まかせ step by step
漂ってたってこれも
そう step, step, step by step
いま世界が動き出すから
空の色も違って見えるカラー
体中こ感じカ 生まれ変われる!
The song "Step" by MINMI featuring TAKAFIN speaks about taking the next steps in life even when things seem uncertain. The lyrics use the analogy of stepping forward as a way of embracing new opportunities, moving on from past heartbreaks, and experiencing new sights and sounds. The verse "Step, step, step by step, How's it goin my darling? I'll still make it, True shining day" encourages listeners to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles they may face. The chorus "Step かかとを上げ さあ踏み出せ, 心弾ませ step by step" translates to "Raise your heels and take a step, let your heart dance step by step" further emphasizing the idea of embracing new things one step at a time. The song also highlights the theme of growth and self-discovery as evidenced by the following lines "体中に感じるカ 生まれ変われるような気がするから" which means "I feel it all over my body, as if I can be reborn".
The lyrics also touch on the idea of holding on to hope even when things seem bleak, as seen in the line "この痛みも今だけ 次に訪れると信じる sweet dream" which translates to "This pain is only for now, believe in the sweet dream that will come next". The song expresses the idea that life is constantly in motion, and the key to navigating it successfully is by taking one step at a time, even when everything feels uncertain. The lyrics also reference different cities around the world such as New York, Kingston, Hong Kong, and London, further emphasizing the theme of adventure and exploration.
Line by Line Meaning
Step step step by step
Let's move forward step by step
How's it goin my darling?
How are you doing, my dear?
I'll still make it
I will succeed
True shining day
A day to shine
Step かかとを上げ さあ踏み出せ
Lift your heels and step forward
心弾ませ step by step
Excited, step by step
たたずんでちゃ始まんないさあ
Can't start if you're standing still
Step, step, step by step
One step, two steps, step by step
いま世界が動き出すから
The world is starting to move now
空の色も違って見えるカラー
The sky appears a different color
さあ! とりあえずいこう
Come on! Let's go for now
決着つけよ二人の
Let's settle it between the two of us
見守ってよ月と太陽
Watched over by the moon and sun
あの頃の心のアイコン (click)
The heart icon from those days (click)
感じるあなたの温度差
Feeling the temperature difference with you
この痛みも今だけ 次に
This pain is only for now, the next (time) will come
訪れると信じる sweet dream
Believe in the sweet dream that will come
Japan, N.Y., Kingston
Japan, N.Y., Kingston
Hong Kong, Londonかどこか
Hong Kong, London, or somewhere else
誰かが待ってる
Someone is waiting
Step かかとを上げ
Lift your heels
さあ踏もうか step
Come on, let's step forward
心弾ませ step by step
Excited, step by step
たたずんでちゃ始まんないさあ
Can't start if you're standing still
Step, step, step by step
One step, two steps, step by step
体中に感じるカ
Feeling it all over my body
生まれ変われるような気がするから
Because I feel like I can be reborn
さあ! 一息入れ relax time
Come on! Take a breath, relax time
ヨガ カンフーマスター
Yoga Kung-fu master
バスタブででも歌え明日も (easyに)
Sing in the bathtub tomorrow too (easily)
気晴らしワードローブ open
Open the wardrobe for a change of scenery
流す曲 (change cloth)
Changing clothes to the music that plays
ハズすな (チャレンジも)
Don't fail (even if it's a challenge)
時折降りどき でも keep on step
Even at times of hardship, keep on stepping
ここらで心も衣替え時
Time to change not just clothes, but also heart
君の up and down 問わずどんな時も
No matter what your up and downs, in any situation
できる限り以上したつもりよ
Do your best and go beyond your limits
スランプに耐えかね3度目の電話で
Unable to bear the slump, on the third phone call
そっけないのね やっとわかった!
So cold, finally realized it!
彼はいい加減 慣れた言い訳
He has a sloppy, familiar excuse
勝手な give and take
Selfish give and take
おはなしになりません
It's not a story
彼は特別 (って思ってた)
He was special (or so I thought)
誰が言ったっけ? (君がすべて)
Who said that? (You are everything)
でた 口だけ 私そうじゃないから
Here's someone who just talks, but that's not me
Step かかとを上げ さあ踏み出せ
Lift your heels and step forward
あとは風まかせ step by step
Leave it up to the wind, step by step
漂ってたってこれも
Even if I drift, this is also
そう step, step, step by step
Yes, step, step, step by step
いま世界が動き出すから
The world is starting to move now
空の色も違って見えるカラー
The sky appears a different color
体中こ感じカ 生まれ変われる!
Feeling it all over my body, I can be reborn!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Minmi, Takafin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PAFE1031
めっちゃ好き🥺
@user-zi7dc9rh1x
ほんと声が最高！
日本一の歌姫です
@ohiomanabeee
夏になると聴きたくなる一曲
@user-cq6nc3bc6u
綺麗でスタイルも良いやんヶ~🤩
@hisamizuki69
懐かしいドライブの時に良く聴いてた🎵
@na-chin-qc8ut
懐かしいーーー！！！
@talacyhouse3139
Hell yeah! 😍🤟🏿
@aya20070214
昔友達と歌ってたなー！懐かしい。
@coolied2776
Legendary
@user-cn4mo2gb5r
彼はいい加減（おいらいい加減）
慣れた言い訳（出来ぬ言い訳）
勝手なギブ&テイク（許してよいい加減）
初め気づいて無かったけど真珠の涙（feat.kentyG）と繋がってるの気づいて当時テンション上がってたー！