Shota Shimizu

is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician from Yao, Osaka, Japan, who debuted in 2008. On June 1, 2008, Shimizu performed at Central Park in New York City during the annual Japan Day Festival. Shota Shimizu went to a local Christian school in Osaka where he learned how to sing gospel music. He became captivated with soul music, which is how his music career started. He was inspired by Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, and Ray Charles.

Before his debut, in November 2007, Shimizu sang in English on amateur night at the Apollo Theater in New York City. He was called a "one in a million soul singer" by a local newspaper in New York. The second time he performed at the Apollo Theater was on November 19, 2008. He sang the song "Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto in Japanese, where he was given a standing ovation from an audience of 1,500 people. He said he sang it because he wanted to show his Japanese pride and demonstrate the beauty of the Japanese language.

Career

Umbrella (2008) Shimizu's first single, titled "Home", was released on February 20, 2008, and he appeared on Music Station two days after the single's release to promote it. "Home" peaked at ranked at number 5 and sold 27,820 units in its first week. After 17 weeks, it had sold 125,735 copies. His second single, , was released on June 4, 2008, in Japan. It ranked at number 4 and sold 22,778 units in its first week. After 12 weeks, it had sold 47,114 copies. Shimizu released his third single "My Treasure" on October 22, 2008. It ranked at number 15 and sold 9,540 units in its first week. After 5 weeks, it had sold 15,365 copies.

He released his debut album titled Umbrella, on November 26, 2008, in Japan. The album ranked at number 2 and sold 56,442 units in its first week. After 8 weeks, it has sold 115,863 copies. In March 2009, Shimizu began his first headlining tour, the "Umbrella Tour 2009". The tickets sold out in one day. On September 16, 2009, M-flo released a tribute album named Tribute: Maison de M-Flo and Shimizu covered the song "Let Go". He then released a song, "Loving You", in a compilation album named Beat Connection with Crystal Kay, Seamo, Mummy-D, and Dohzi-T on October 27, 2010.

Discography

Singles CD TitleRelease dateOricon chartsAlbumWeeklyRanking SalesDebut"Home" 2008 Year-End Singles Chart: 50 Digital

Albums Studio albums No. Information Release date Oricon ChartsWeeklyAlbumsChartsSales1st albumUmbrella RIAJ Certification: Gold26.11.20082124,000 2nd albumJourney RIAJ Certification: Gold03.03.20101 117,000 3rd albumColors

Cover albums

Best albums Information Release date Oricon ChartsWeeklyAlbumsChartsSalesThe Best Mini albums

Collaborations

Singles Information Release date Oricon Charts AlbumWeeklySingleChartsSalesOne Love RIAJ Certification: Gold Shota Shimizu x Miliyah Kato03.02.2010460,000 THE BESTBelieve Kato Miliyah x Shimizu Shota13.07.2011916,000 Love Story Kato Miliyah x Shimizu Shota17.04.20131210,000

Participation in Albums Information Release date AlbumI'm Your Angel Dohzi-T feat. Shota Shimizu13.05.2009 4 everOne Last Kiss Ken the 390 feat. Shota Shimizu07.04.2010 NEW ORDERRoll with Me Joe duet with Shimizu Shota28.07.2010 Joe Live from JapanStay Thelma Aoyama feat. Shimizu Shota16.09.2015 Gray Smoke

Other appearances