Ai Otsuka

Birth name Ai Otsuka 大塚 愛 (Ōtsuka, Ai)
Also known as Ai chin, Ai chan, AiO, Love
Born September 9, 1982
Origin Osaka, Japan
Genre(s) Japanese Pop, Pop rock
Occupation(s) Singer, Songwriter, Composer, actress
Instrument(s) Piano
Years active 2003-present
Label(s) Avex Trax
Website Official Site

Biography

A piano player since age 4, Otsuka composes and co-produces her songs. She also writes her own lyrics. Her music ranges from upbeat catchy pop/rock music that can be heard in tracks like Happy Days and Sakuranbo to touching ballads like Daisuki da yo and Planetarium.

Otsuka's debut album Love Punch was released in March 2004 and was a huge success, reaching #3 on the oricon charts, earning Otsuka nicknames such as "The New Guru of Love". Her second single called "Sakuranbo" stayed on the Oricon charts for 85 weeks. Surprisingly, Otsuka's second album, Love Jam, was released only 8 months after her first in November 2004 and debuted at #1.

In other works, Otsuka has acted in the "Tokyo Friends" drama. She also has a radio show called "Otsuka Ai ai-r Jack" and has appeared in various CMs. Furthermore, Otsuka pens column in two Japanese magazines; "Love Column" in Zipper and "Love World ~ Eye Love Pictures" in B-Pass. Kimi iro Omoi, Otsuka's first photobook, was released on March 1st, 2005.

A talented graphic artist as well, the first pressings of her albums and some singles have included a limited edition picture book illustrated by Otsuka herself. Many of her illustrations can be seen at the Gallery section of her official website.

Love Jam Tour 2005, her first tour, began on April 24, 2005. It was completed in June 2005 and a Live DVD with footage was released on July 27, 2005. Love Cook, her 3rd album was released on December 14, 2005.

Otsuka performed at Makuhari Messe on July 7, 2007, for one of Japan's two Live Earth concerts, alongside contemporaries Kumi Koda and Ayaka.