Aaliyah

Aaliyah Dana Haughton (January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001), who performed under the mononym Aaliyah (pronounced /əˈliːə/), was an American recording artist and actress. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. Born of African and Native American descent, she was the second and youngest child of Diane and Michael Haughton. Her first name means "highest, most exalted one" in Swahili. She has a older brother named Rashad. At an early age, she appeared on Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight. At age 12, Aaliyah was signed to Blackground Records by her uncle, Barry Hankerson. He introduced her to R. Kelly, who became her mentor, as well as lead songwriter and producer of her debut album. Age Ain't Nothing But a Number introduced a "street but sweet" style that became her trademark throughout her career, followed by two additional albums, One in a Million and the eponymous Aaliyah.

In addition to Aaliyah's commercial success, collaborations with Timbaland helped shape the sound of R&B in the later half of the 1990s. She also modeled for Tommy Hilfiger, appeared in a Victoria Secret ad and starred in two films, Romeo Must Die and Queen of the Damned, before she and eight others died in a plane crash in the Bahamas on August 25, 2001 after filming the music video for the single "Rock the Boat". Since then, Aaliyah has achieved commercial success with the singles "Miss You" and "I Care 4 U". She became the first artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 based solely on airplay alone with "Try Again".

In 2000, Aaliyah landed her first major movie role in Romeo Must Die. A loose adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Aaliyah starred opposite martial artist Jet Li, playing a couple who fall in love amid their warring families. It grossed $18.6 million in its first weekend, ranking number two at the box office. In addition to acting, Aaliyah served as an executive producer of the Romeo Must Die soundtrack, where she contributed four songs, including her first U.S. chart-topper, "Try Again". The soundtrack went on to sell 1.5 million copies in the United States

Aaliyah has been credited for helping redefine hip hop in the 1990s. Her second studio album, One in a Million, became one of the most influential R&B albums of the 1990s. Ernest Hardy of Rolling Stone dubbed her as the "undisputed queen of the midtempo come-on".

Discography:
Age Ain't Nothing But a Number (1994)

One in a Million (1996)

Aaliyah (2001)

(Got this information from Wikipedia.com)

Aaliyah is my all time favorite singer. I love all her songs. She will be truly miss in the music entertainment scene. Some songs I love of hers are Try Again, One in the Million, Are you that somebody, Age Ain't Nothing But a Number, If Your Girl Only Knew, and many more. You can say I love all her songs. My favorite album from her is One is a Million.

KAT-TUN

KAT-TUN (カトゥーン ,Katūn, sounding similar to "cartoon") is a Japanese boy band formed under Johnny & Associates (JE) in 2001 who releases records under their own label, J-One Records. The group's name is an acronym formed by the members' surname initials. Currently one of the most popular boy bands in Japan, all 10 singles, 4 studio albums and 7 DVDs released by the group since their debut in 2006 have debuted at number one on the Oricon music and DVD charts.

Their debut was announced on January 29, 2006 for March 22, 2006. This was a five-year long-awaited event for both the members and their fans. On the official date, KAT-TUN released their debut single Real Face, accompanied by an album, Best of KAT-TUN and a DVD Real Face Film. These were released on their own label, J-One Records. The group also went on a nationwide tour, Live of KAT-TUN "Real Face", in support of the album.

Members:
Kamenashi Kazuya (亀梨 和也 ), (born February 23, 1986)

Akanishi Jin (赤西 仁 ), (born July 4, 1984)

Taguchi Junnosuke (田口 淳之介 ?) (born November 29, 1985)

Tanaka Koki (田中 聖 ) (born November 5, 1985)

Ueda Tatsuya (上田 竜也 ) (born October 4, 1983)

Nakamaru Yuichi (中丸 雄一) (born September 4, 1983)

Kazuya Kamenashi is the youngest member of KAT-TUN. Unofficially, he is imaged as the frontman or leader of KAT-TUN. Often described as the most dependable, he serves as co-lead vocalist with Akanishi. He is noted for his talent in baseball, having once represented Japan in a world tournament as a child though he had to give up dreams of playing professionally after joining JE. Kamenashi debuted before the rest of the group as part of Shūji to Akira whose only song, "Seishun Amigo", became 2005's number one single in Japan with over 1.6 million copies sold to date. An established actor with award-winning performances in television dramas Nobuta wo Produce and Gokusen 2, he has also appeared in Yūki, Tatta Hitotsu no Koi, Suppli, 1 Pound no Fukuin and Kami no Shizuku.

Jin Akanishi is the second lead vocalist and arguably one of the most popular members in KAT-TUN. He went on hiatus from October 2006 to April 2007 to study English in Los Angeles just as KAT-TUN were six months into their debut. Most of the group's second studio album did not feature him due to his absence. Known for his imprompto performances, Jin once dragged fellow member, Nakamaru, to Kyoto just to have chicken wings. Akanishi plays the guitar and is a budding songwriter having written several songs for the group and himself such as Love or Like, Ha-ha, Pinky, LOVEJUICE etc. Also an actor, he has had roles in Gokusen 2, Anego, Yukan Club and made his debut as a seiyū in 2008 providing the voice for Speed Racer in Japanese-dubbed version . He will make his film debut in Bandage which is scheduled for release in 2010.

Junnosuke Taguchi is the tallest member of the group. Recognised by his bandmates for being good at acrobatics, he needed an operation in February 2004 after sustaining a bad knee injury during rehearsals and did not return until August 2004. Taguchi is known as the most light-hearted member with a carefree-like nature. Often picked on by the other members for his frequent use of dajare (Japanese word puns), he also has a tendency to randomly jump between topics during talks and interviews leading the others to label him "KY" (a person who is unable to read an atmosphere properly). Taguchi is an award-winning actor[2][3] with roles in Mohou-han, Ganbatte Ikimasshoi, Happy!, Happy! 2, Hanayome to Papa and Yukan Club.

Kōki Tanaka performs most of the rap lyrics, which he writes himself. Though he wanted to leave KAT-TUN when it was first formed, he changed his mind after the group held their first concert. Influenced by hip-hop and reggae at an early age, he found the task of rapping in an idol group made easier due to Shō Sakurai's breakthrough for Arashi. Artistically inclined, Tanaka can illustrate well and designs his own apparel. With bandmate Nakamaru, they made up a comedic unit, TaNaka (a portmanteau of their surnames)unit resurrected in their latest concerts. An actor who won multiple awards for his performance in My Boss, My Hero[5], he has also appeared in Byakkotai, Tatta Hitotsu no Koi and took on his first lead role in 2007 in Tokkyu Tanaka 3 Go.Older brother of Johnny's Jr. Group HipHop Jump's Juri Tanaka

Tatsuya Ueda is the quietest member and rarely speaks unless spoken to. Ironically, he chose to become KAT-TUN's leader at first but later quit because he could not handle being scolded during dance rehearsals, also denoting his sensitive nature. Ueda plays the piano and guitar and is an able composer and lyricist, having written songs for the group and himself. He is the first KAT-TUN member to hold a series of solo concerts entitled "Mouse Peace" in September 2008 performing songs across various genres, such as rock, dance, ballad, and folk, all of which he penned himself. Ueda is an avid boxer and has enough skill in the sport for him to be advised by professionals to get a professional boxing license. He made his acting debut as a stage actor in the play Romeo and Juliet in March 2009. Within the same month, it was announced that he will be acting on television for the first time in a drama starring senpai Masahiro Nakai and Aya Ueto called Konkatsu! which began airing on Fuji TV, Mondays at 21:00pm from April 20 to June 2009.

Yuichi Nakamaru is the oldest member of the group. The first JE idol to prominently showcase beatboxing and vocal percussion ability, Nakamaru learned by diligently studying hundreds of examples from hip-hop albums after KAT-TUN was formed. His primary motivation was to set himself apart from the rest of the members since he did not want to be seen as dull. He often shares MC duties with Kamenashi but in private, is rather shy and reserved and whose meek nature particularly shows when amongst strangers. He is currently studying at Waseda University reading Environmental Studies. He writes his solo songs. He is also the first member to do a solo stage show -- performing songs, dance, beat boxing and skits for two weeks in August 2008.In January 2009 his first drama lead role will be aired titled RESCUE casting along NEWS Takahisa Masuda

Discography:
Best of KAT-TUN (2006)

Cartoon KAT-TUN II You (2007)

KAT-TUN III: Queen of Pirates (2008)

Break the Records: By You & For You (2009)

(Got this information from Wikipedia.com)

I love this group. They are my favorite Japanese group that I listen to. My favorite albums from them are Best of KAT-TUN and KAT-TUN III:QUEEN OF PIRATES. Some song that should be check out from them are Real Face, Rescue, and Keep the Faith. They have more good songs.

Ludacris

Christopher Bridges (born September 11, 1977) better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper, and actor Entrepreneur. Philanthropist. Restaurateur. Pitchman. Online visionary. Columnist . Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings. Ludacris is the highest-selling Southern hip hop solo artist of all time with over 15 million units sold in the United States and 20 million records sold worldwide. Ludacris has won SAG, Critic's Choice, MTV, and Grammy Awards during his career

Ludacris wrote his first rap song at age nine and joined an amateur rap group three years later. He attended Oak Park and River Forest High School and Banneker High School. From 1998 to 1999, he studied music management at Georgia State University.

Ludacris released his major label debut, Back for the First Time, in November 2000. This album was actually a modified re-release of the album Incognegro, made in 1998. It was produced with the help of the underground producer Sessy Melia, whom he also dated for a short while. The album reached as high as #4 on the charts, and was a major success. Ludacris made his mark on the industry with singles such as "Southern Hospitality" and "What's Your Fantasy", which was heavily inspired by rapper Too Short, along with his first ever single the "Phat Rabbit", from two years prior. Guest appearances included 4-Ize, I-20, Lil Fate, Shawnna, Pastor Troy, Timbaland, Trina, Foxy Brown, UGK, and others. Ludacris stated in an interview on MTV's hip hop program Direct Effect that he came up with his stage name based on his "split personality" that he considered "ridiculous" and "ludicrous".

Discography:

Back for the First Time (2000)

Word of Mouf (2001)

Chicken-N-Beer (2003)

Red Light District (2004)

Release Therapy (2006)

Theater Of The Mind (2008)

[got this information from Wikipedia.com so information might not be all that right]

Ludacris is one of my favorite rappers. To me it seem he can get on anything and sound good. My two favorite albums from him are Back for the First Time and Release Therapy.

1TYM

1TYM (원타임, pronounced "One Time") is a four-member Korean hip hop group. The four members are, from oldest to youngest, Oh Jin Hwan (오진환), Teddy Park (박홍준), Song Baek Kyoung (송백경), and Danny Im (임태빈, also known as Taebin).

1TYM began when Park and Im auditioned for Brothers Entertainment. Park and Im had been best friends and had attended Diamond Bar High School prior to their audition. After their audition, they were both selected to be sent to South Korea to further their careers as artists. It was there that Brothers Entertainment introduced 1TYM to the YG Entertainment, a renowned Korean entertainment company that introduced the music genres, Hip Hop and R&B in South Korea.

after their change, 1TYM opened auditions to a large group of talented Koreans. Jin Hwan, formerly a member of a dance group, auditioned and made it into 1TYM. Baek Kyoung also auditioned, but failed to make it in on first attempt. Despite the denial, Baek Kyoung persisted in persuading 1TYM's manager, and finally made it in as 1TYM's fourth.

1TYM originally had seven members, but was cut down to four prior to album release. It debuted in November 1998 with the release of their first album: "One Time for Your Mind."

1TYM is one of the main groups of the YG Entertainment. 1TYM is no longer very active as a group in YG Entertainment,because in 2006, Oh Jin Hwan had to serve his official Korean military service, so the group has ceased their activities but plays important roles behind the scenes. Danny and Teddy returned to the US and have still been working in the business end of YG Family and Song Baek Kyoung is in a new side group called Moo Ga Dang for the time being.

Profiles:
Teddy Position: Leader/Main Rapper ,Full Korean Name: Park Hong Jun ,Nickname: None ('cept Teddy, since that's not his korean name ),Sibblings: One younger sister
Birthday: September 9, 1978 ,Height: 176 cm ,Weight: 62 kg ,Religion: Atheist
School: Myoung Ji University, English Major, 2nd year ,Hobbies: Rapping, listening to hip-hop, playing guitar, collecting hip-hop CDs ,Talent: Rapping and playing electric guitar ,Sleeping Habit: Sleeps with a pillow between his legs and curled up, screams, and wakes up a lot during the night ,Favorite musicians: Method Man, Noreaga Def Squad ,Ideal Girl: A girl who is kind, understanding and charming

Danny Position: Lead Vocal ,Full Korean Name: Im Tae Bin
Nickname: Dduk Bo, Muhk Bo ,Sibblings: One older brother ,Birthday: May 6, 1980
Height: 180 cm ,Weight: 65 kg ,Religion: Chistian ,School: Diamond Bar High School Graduate ,Hobbies: Listening to R&B, watching movies ,Talent: Sports (all of them, like me!) ,Sleeping Habit: Sleeps with a stuffed animal ,Favorite musicians: Usher, Baby Face ,Ideal Girl: A nice girl who loves only him

Jin Hwan Position: Choreographer/Rap ,Full Name: Oh Jin Hwan ,Nickname: Oh Ji Ral, Penguin ,Sibblings: One older brother ,Birthday: July 6, 1978 ,Height: 174 cm ,Weight: 58 kg ,Religion: Christian ,School: Sun Moon University, Business Management Major, 1st year ,Hobbies: Collecting hip-hop things, playing video games ,Talent: Playing the drums, dancing ,Sleeping Habit: If someone doesn't wake him up, he'll sleep for 2~3 days straight ,Favorite musicians: J.D., DMX
Ideal Girl: A girl who is pretty and cute

Baek Kyoung Position: Songwriter/Vocal ,Full Name: Song Baek Kyoung ,Nickname: Dog Dish (Because of his sloppy eating), Kko Kko Ri Kko
Sibblings: Only child I guess ,Birthday: April 12, 1979 ,Height: 165 cm
Weight: 48 kg ,School: Graduated Soo Do Technical High ,Hobbies: Collecting perfume and CDs ,Talent: Playing the piano and saxophone ,Sleeping Habit: Sprays perfume on himself before going to sleep ,Favorite musicians: Dupri, Teddy Riley ,Ideal Girl: An non-intimidating, neat, honest girl who's bigger in size than him.

Disography:
1TYM (1st album, 1998)

2ND ROUND (2nd album, 2000)

Third Time To Yo' Mind!! (3rd album, 2001)

ONCE N 4 ALL (4th album, 2003)

One Way (5th album, 2005)

[information from asianfanatics 1TYM forum,1Tym Lovers group from crunchyroll.com]

I love this group. Some songs that you should give a try from them are One Love , How many times , and Can't let you go. Those are my favorite songs from them. They have more goods songs but give them a try.

Gummy

Gummy (Hangul:거미) is the stage name of Korean R&B singer Park Ji-yeon (박지연). Born in April 8, 1981, she debuted in 2003 with her album Like Them. Blood Type-B, Height:165 cm, Education: Dongduk Women's University, Affiliation : YG Entertainment, Religion:Christianity, A respected musicians : Lauryn Hill, Career : 2007 drama 'hit' participation OST,Rexie picheoring Vol 1 & Chorus, Hobbies: singing, piano


Gummy, a charismatic singer with a burning passion for R&B music stepped into the local pop scene with her impressive debut song "When You Come Back" in 2003. Later, she completely changed her image with another hit song "Better Friends Than Lovers", that vividly manifested the singer's rich emotions. It took seven years for her to release her own album after she was acquainted with an entertainment agency, cherishing a dream of becoming a singer. The entertainment agency, M-Boat Entertainment was the same agency that made Whee Sung, now one of the best R&B solo artists around into a star. Influenced by her mother who was an enthusiastic music lover, Gummy began to learn the piano at the tender age of six. If she hadn't become a singer, she would have become a pianist.

Gummy participated in a live album work in 2003 in which, popular newcomers such as Whee Sung, Se7en and Big Mama, gathered together to present past hits, upcoming songs from their own albums, and also other well-known songs sung by other artists to their fans. Their joint live concert "The Color of the Soul Train' has now become an annual nation-wide tour, drawing enthusiastic support and love from music fans across the nation. Gumy also sang the "You are My Hero" which, was the theme song to a Korean animated film "Hammerboy", which opened in summer 2004. Gummy has been recognized by fans all over the world to be the "Queen of Soul".

Gummy returned a year later with her second album, "It's Different", featuring collaborations with singers like Wheesung (track 7, Tonight). Hot on the heels of that was her third album in 2005, "For The Bloom", and then her unplugged album the year after. The unplugged album, arranged by bass player Nathan East, included hits from Gummy's previous albums and once again showed off her strong vocals.

In between albums, Gummy had also been keeping busy, showing off her versatility in collaborations with other well-known singers. Notable collaborations include those with Jinusean (보이네), Fly to the Sky (사랑해요 우리 - Sarangheyo Uri), Lexy (Hey Everybody) and Lyn (Call Me).

Gummy has made a comeback recently into the Kpop scene with her fourth official album, "Comfort", which is filled with electronica beats and Euro-funk. Her title song, "I'm Sorry", is a hit due to her fantastic voice and the appearance of Big Bang's T.O.P. Until recently, T.O.P had followed his dear nuna to her promotions of her songs but that ended due to Big Bang's Japan schedules. Even without T.O.P's rap, Gummy still manages to inject her own R&B flavour into the song. Other tracks that demonstrate her vocal abilities include track 6 "Let's Get It Party", a Latin-flavoured hip-hop dance number, and "Yeo Gi Gga Jiman" (track 11) featuring Skull of Stoney Skunk. Fans who have been waiting impatiently for Gummy to return will not be disappointed with her latest offering.
(Credits: Gummy thread in soompi)

Albums:

Feb. 7, 2003- 1st album "Like Them"

Sept. 9, 2004- 2nd album "It's Different"

Aug. 1, 2005- 3rd album "For the Bloom"

April 28, 2006 - Unplugged album. Made up of songs from her past album.

March 12, 2008 - 4th album "Comfort"

Gummy is my favorite female Korean singer. I love it when she sings. My favorite album from her is her second album "It's Different." I also love her last album "Comfort". If you want to hear a song from her you should try out her song call "미안해요" ("I'm Sorry").