Yuuri (優里), born on March 23, 1994, is a Japanese singer-songwriter who has significantly impacted the music industry with his expressive voice and compelling compositions. Currently signed under Ariola Japan, Yuuri’s career is a testament to his perseverance and talent, characterized by his transition from a rock band vocalist to a celebrated solo artist.
Yuuri began his musical journey as the vocalist for the four-man rock band, The Bugzy. However, the band’s disbandment in May 2019 marked a turning point in his career. Undeterred, Yuuri took to the streets of Tokyo, performing live and capturing the attention of passersby with his heartfelt renditions. A pivotal moment came on October 10, 2019, when Yuuri sang “花 -0714-” by My First Story at the bustling scrambled intersection in Shibuya. The performance gained widespread attention when Hiro, the vocalist of My First Story, spontaneously joined him to sing the second verse. This serendipitous collaboration not only elevated Yuuri’s profile but also led to a significant opportunity.
Following the Shibuya performance, Yuuri was invited to perform at My First Story’s concert at the Saitama Super Arena on November 30, 2019, as part of their “My First Story Tour 2019.” During the encore, Yuuri performed his original composition “Kakurenbo,” with Hiro and My First Story’s support. This performance was a monumental step in his career, as it showcased his original work to a larger audience. On December 1, 2019, Yuuri independently released “Kakurenbo,” which quickly gained traction, ranking fourth on the general chart on iTunes Japan and amassing over 40 million views for its music video.
Building on the success of “Kakurenbo,” Yuuri released his second independent song, “Kagome,” on February 28, 2020. The song topped the USEN indies chart on March 18, solidifying his reputation as an emerging artist. His growing popularity caught the attention of major record labels, and on August 9, 2020, Yuuri made his official debut with Sony Music with the single “Peter Pan.” His second major single, “Dry Flower,” followed on October 25, 2020.
“Dry Flower” marked a significant milestone in Yuuri’s career. By February 1, 2021, the song had exceeded 100 million streams on the Streaming Songs chart on Billboard Japan, making Yuuri the first solo male artist to achieve this feat within 13 weeks of charting. This accomplishment placed him alongside prominent artists like LiSA and BTS. On March 22, 2021, “Kakurenbo” also surpassed 100 million streams on Billboard Japan’s Streaming Songs chart, making Yuuri the first artist in Billboard Japan history to have two songs exceed 100 million streams within eight months of their major debut.
Yuuri’s success continued to soar. On September 1, 2021, “Dry Flower” surpassed 400 million streams on Billboard Japan’s Streaming Songs chart, making him the first and fastest solo male artist to achieve this milestone. By December 22, 2021, Yuuri became the first Japanese artist and solo male artist to exceed 500 million streams with “Dry Flower.”
Yuuri’s first studio album, “Ichi,” was released on January 12, 2022, further showcasing his musical versatility and emotional depth. He also ventured into the international market with the release of “Dried Flowers,” the English version of “Dry Flower,” on January 31, 2022. This move highlighted his ambition to reach a global audience.
With over 822 million views on his Yuuri Channel Official YouTube account and more than 2.3 million monthly listeners on his Spotify profile, Yuuri’s impact on the music industry is undeniable. His journey from street performances to becoming a record-breaking artist exemplifies his dedication and remarkable talent, making him a prominent figure in contemporary Japanese music.
