Composer, Pianist, Director, Fashion Designer, and More: Meet International Rock Star, YOSHIKI
Yoshiki is a composer, classically trained pianist, rock drummer, fashion designer, leader of the rock groups “X Japan” and “The Last Rockstars,” and an international music icon.
His musical repertoire includes a song dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the Emperor of Japan’s reign, the official theme song for the World Expo, Hollywood film soundtracks, and the official theme song for the prestigious Golden Globe Awards. Led by Yoshiki, X Japan has sold over 30 million albums and singles and sold out the 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome a record-breaking 18 times. He was the first Asian musician to perform at the world’s greatest music halls including Madison Square Garden, Wembley Arena, and solo performances at Carnegie Hall.
In addition to his music activities, he is a fashion icon, the first Japanese male to appear on the cover of Vogue Japan and the designer of his high-fashion kimono brand, YOSHIKIMONO. Yoshiki was chosen to be the first living person to have a Hello Kitty doll named after him, called "yoshikitty". He is also the founder of Yoshiki Foundation America, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit organization, and has long been committed to philanthropy. In 2021, Baccarat selected Yoshiki to design a Harcourt glass in celebration of its 180th anniversary.
His business ventures include the Japanese record label Extasy Records, the Y by Yoshiki wine brand, Y by YOSHIKI champagne with Champagne Pommery, and a partnership with Coca Cola to release two brand-new energy drinks, Real Gold X and Real Gold. His reach extends to everything from a Madame Tussauds wax figure to a dashing kimono-clad superhero created by Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee. And this year, YOSHIKI announced his new high fashion brand MAISON YOSHIKI PARIS, which debuted during Paris Fashion Week.
Yoshiki’s directorial debut, YOSHIKI: UNDER THE SKY, debuted this fall and held its international premier in New York City’s Times Square, featuring a global concert with today's top musical artists. Yoshiki gathered an extraordinary collection of international artists for this film, featuring powerful live performances by The Chainsmokers, St. Vincent, Sarah Brightman, Scorpions, HYDE, SUGIZO, SixTONES, Jane Zhang, Lindsey Stirling, Nicole Scherzinger, and more. Interspersed throughout the film are interviews with Yoshiki about his passion for music, the pain of having lost loved ones, and exploring the healing power of music.
The film's debut comes just one month before Yoshiki will perform his “Yoshiki Classical 10th Anniversary World Tour” with Orchestra 2023 "REQUIEM", headlining shows at Tokyo Garden Theater in Tokyo, Royal Albert Hall in London, Dolby Theater in L.A., and Carnegie Hall in New York. This tour will be the first time a Japanese artist has headlined all these historic venues.
"When I first began working on this project, I didn't know when we would all be able to gather in the same place and share the joy of music,” says Yoshiki. “Coming together with these great artists from around the world, we were able to create a theatrical experience that I'm very proud of. I'm so grateful for everyone who joined us on this journey."
Yoshiki.net
@yoshikiofficial
YouTube.com/yoshiki
Photography: Valentina Rivera