Ai discography

Ai discography
Ai performing at the Best Tour, 2016
Studio albums13
Live albums1
Compilation albums7
Video albums10
EPs4
Singles57
Promotional singles23
As featured artist21

The discography of Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai consists of thirteen studio albums, four extended plays (EP), seven compilation albums, one live album, one mix tape, ten video albums and numerous solo and collaboration singles.

Ai debuted as a musician through RCA in 2000, though which she released a single album, My Name Is Ai (2001). In 2002, Ai signed to Def Jam Japan, a subsidiary of Universal Music Japan, and released her second studio album, Original Ai (2003).[1] 2004 Ai, her third studio album, peaked at number three on the Oricon Albums Chart and received a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan. Signing to Island Records near the end of 2004, Ai released the ballad "Story" in 2005, which became one of the most digitally successful songs of all time in Japan, becoming 3× Million certified for ringtones and million for downloads to cellphones. Following this success, her fourth studio album, Mic-a-holic Ai (2005), was released and peaked at number 4 on the Oricon charts and was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAJ and became one of Ai's best-selling albums. In 2006, Ai released the songs "Believe" and "I Wanna Know". Both singles peaked in the top ten of the Oricon Singles Chart. Ai's fifth studio album, What's Goin' On Ai (2006), was released shortly after and peaked at number 2. The next year, Ai released her sixth studio album, Don't Stop Ai (2007), which saw similar success, peaking at number 4. Ai's seventh studio album, Viva Ai (2009), was released and peaked at number 10. It was supported by the singles "I'll Remember You", "One" and "Taisetsu na Mono". Both "I'll Remember You" and "One" were certified Gold by the RIAJ. Later that year, Ai scored her first number one with her greatest hits album, Best Ai (2009).

Ai's eighth studio album, The Last Ai (2010), was released in celebration of her tenth anniversary in the music industry. The album featured a variety of artists, including American rapper Snoop Dogg, Japanese singer Namie Amuro, Miliyah Kato and American singer Chaka Khan. Both Khan and Ai were nominated for and won the International Collaboration Special Award at the 2010 Billboard Japan Music Awards for the song "One More Try" and a cover of "Through the Fire".[2] In 2011, Ai left Universal and signed a global publishing deal with EMI.[3] Signing to EMI Music Japan, she released her ninth studio album, Independent (2012), which served as her international debut. The album was led by the single "Letter in the Sky", which featured American pop band The Jacksons. Its second single, "Happiness", was used as a commercial theme song for Coca-Cola's Christmas campaign in Japan from 2011 to 2015. Near the end of 2012, Ai announced she would release an album in the United States, however the album was never released.[4]

In 2013, EMI was acquired by Universal, which led to Ai returning to Universal under the EMI Records Japan label.[5] Her tenth studio album, Moriagaro (2013), was released and peaked at number five on the Oricon charts. A re-issue album, Motto Moriagaro, was released later that year. In 2014, Ai was transferred to EMI Records as Nayutawave Records and EMI Records Japan were merged to form the label. In 2016, Ai's sales were revitalized from the sleeper hit, "Minna ga Minna Eiyū". The song was included on a 2016 deluxe release of her greatest hits album, The Best. The album peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart and was certified Gold by the RIAJ. She later signed a record deal with Def Jam Recordings alongside her current record deal with EMI.

In 2017, Ai's eleventh studio album, Wa to Yo, was released and served as her second international album. In November 2019, her first international greatest hits album, Kansha!!!!! - Thank You for 20 Years New and Best was released. In celebration of her twentieth anniversary, Ai released the extended plays, It's All Me, Vol. 1 (2020) and It's All Me, Vol. 2 (2021).

In June 2021, Ai's previous releases with Universal Sigma, Island Records and Def Jam Japan were made available for digital streaming outside of Asia.[6] In November 2021, she released the single "Aldebaran", which received critical acclaim from critics.[7][8] The song ultimately boosted the sales of her twelfth studio album, Dream (2022), which peaked at number 12 on the Oricon Albums Chart and number 11 on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart.

  1. ^ "AIアーティスト・プロフィール" [Ai Artist Profile] (in Japanese). CDJournal. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  2. ^ "Billboard Japan Music Awards Name Exile Artist Of The Year". Billboard. March 1, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  3. ^ "AIがEMIミュージック・ジャパンに移籍" [Ai moves to EMI Music Japan] (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. June 7, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  4. ^ "L.A.公演目前のAI、海外進出を視野に海外プロモーションを本格的始動". BARKS (in Japanese). August 17, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  5. ^ "ユニバーサル ミュージック、EMIミュージックを買収" [Universal Music purchases EMI Music] (in Japanese). Barks. October 1, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  6. ^ "AI on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  7. ^ "【コラム】AIの新曲「アルデバラン」、"朝ドラ放送前からすでに号泣"の声が続出する理由". BARKS (in Japanese). October 30, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  8. ^ "連続テレビ小説『カムカムエヴリバディ』主題歌AI「アルデバラン」、ヒロインの未来を照らすあたたかい楽曲に". Real Sound|リアルサウンド (in Japanese). November 2, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2022.

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