# Aika (singer)

Aika Hirahara, known mononymously as Aika (pronounced; stylized in all caps), is a Japanese singer-songwriter, currently residing in Los Angeles, California, United States. She is known for her 2006 debut album Ai-Wo, with its songs "Orange Moon" and "Ai-wo", which reached the top 10 in Japanese charts on its first week of its release. Her second studio album was released in February 2017. In 2018, she released "Heard an Angel." She co-wrote the gold-certified song "Path of Independence" for her sister, Ayaka Hirahara.

## Background

Aika was born in Tokyo, Japan. Growing up, she played the piano and the saxophone. Later pursuing a music degree at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Shortly after completing her degree, she released her debut album Ai-Wo (through EMI records), which reached the top 10 on the Japanese radio charts. Her father, Makoto Hirahara, is a professional saxophonist, and her grandfather, Tsutomu Hirahara, is a professional trumpet player. Her sister, Ayaka Hirahara, is also a performer, signed to Universal Music Japan.

## Performances and career

Her performances include the Osaka "Act Against Aids" concert, JZ Brat and the Living Room in New York City. Her 2009 song "All He Has to Say" was produced to support Autism Speaks and was based on a poem by a teacher at the May Center for Child Development.
Aika has written and performed the original song "Dancing Arrows," which was selected as the theme song for the Warner Brothers movie Ironclad. It is included on the EURORADIO's 2014 "Tune In" CD collection.
Aika also contributed the song "Solé" for the 2016 movie Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

## Discography
### Studio albums

List of Studio Albums :
| Title | Album details |
| AI-WO - International Edition | Released: October 2006 Label: True Blue (Blue Note) |
| AI-WO - Japan Edition | Released: November 2006 Label: EMI Music Japan |
| No Mo Games | Released: 2017 |

### Compilation albums

List of Compilation Albums :
| Title | Album details |
| Tune In | Song: "Dancing Arrows" Released: 2014 |

### Singles

List of Singles :
| Title | Single details |
| "All He Has to Say" | Released: 2008 Label: Neilaproductions |
| "aika (Sinking & You Told Me You Loved Me)" | Released: 2010 Label: Neilaproductions |
| "Dancing Arrows" | Released: 2011 Label:Neilaproductions |
| "I Can't Make You Love Me" | Released: 2014 Label: Neilaproductions |
| "NO MO GAMES" | Released: 2015 Label: Neilaproductions |
| "Heard an Angel" | Released: 2018 Label: Neilaproductions |
| "daddy" | Released: November 2023 Label: Neilaproductions |
| "white noise" | Released: November 2023 Label: Neilaproductions |

### Music videos

List of Music Videos :
| Title | Music Video details |
| "Ai-wo" | Released: 2006 Label: EMI Music Japan |
| "Orange Moon" | Released: 2006 Label: EMI Music Japan |
| "Dancing Arrows" | Released: 2011 Label: Neilaproductions |
| "I Can't Make You Love Me" | Released: 2014 Label: Neilaproductions |
| "We Are Here" | Released: 2014 Label: Neilaproductions |
| "NO MO GAMES" | Released: 2015 Label: Neilaproductions |
| "daddy" | Released: 2023 Label: Neilaproductions |
| "white noise" | Released: 2023 Label: Neilaproductions |

### Movies

List of movies :
| Movie Title | Movie details |
| Iron Clad | Released: 2011 Song: "Dancing Arrows" |
| Whiskey Tango Foxtrot | Released: 2016 Song: "Solé" |

## Career as a songwriter
### Singles

List of songs :
| Title | Song details |
| "Not a Love Song" | Released: 2012 Label: Dreamusic |
| "Boy I Wish You Are Here" | Released: 2012 Label: Dreamusic |
| "Made of Stars" | Released: 2013 Label: Universal Music |
| "Prayer" | Released: 2015 Label: Universal Music |
| "Save Your Life" Ayaka Hirahara x Daniel Powter | Released: 2021 Label: Universal Music |
| "「Live Out Loud」Kelsie Watts & Reezy Mi$HNRZ" | Released: 2021 Label: Neilaproductions |
| "This is Me ~Rainbow~ / GAP x Leslie Kee ★ the Diversity Song tribute to IMAGINE 50th Anniversary" | Released: 2021 Label: Neilaproductions |
| "Wedding Day" | Released: 2023 Label: A-ya Records |
| "Don't Cry" | Released: 2023 Label: A-ya Records |

### Albums

List of albums :
| Title | Album details |
| "Path of Independence" | Album: Path of Independence Released: 2008 Label: Dreamusic |
| "Hush Hush" | Album: Doki Released: 2012 Label: Dreamusic |
| "Not a Love Song" | Album: Doki Released: 2012 Label: Dreamusic |
| "Made of Stars" | Album: What I Am Released: 2013 Label: Universal Music |
| "Tweet Your Love" | Album: What I Am Released: 2013 Label: Universal Music |
| "Prayer" | Album: Prayer Releasing: 2015 Label: Universal Music |
| "Save Your Life" Ayaka Hirahara | Released: 2021 Label: Universal Music |
| "A-ya!" Ayaka Hirahara 20th Anniversary | Released: 2023 Label: A-ya Records |

### Tours and live shows

Tour :
| Title | Notes |
| The Voice -2005- | w/Ayaka Hirahara 2005 Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone |
| Premium Live Sponsored by Itoen -2005- | w/Ayaka Hirahara 2005 Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone |
| From The New World -2010- | w/Ayaka Hirahara 2010 Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar |
| Love Story -2011- | w/Ayaka Hirahara 2011 Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar |
| Doki -2012- | w/Ayaka Hirahara 2012 Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar |
| Dear Jupiter 10th Anniversary Tour -2013- | w/Ayaka Hirahara 2013 Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar |
| 10th Year Special Live -2013- | w/Ayaka Hirahara 2013 Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone |
| What I Am -2014- | w/Ayaka Hirahara 2014 Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar |

### AIKA tour and live shows

Tour :
| Title | Notes |
| Act Against AIDS in TOKYO -2005- | 2006 Vocal |
| AI-Wo -2006- | 2006 Vocal |
| Act Against AIDS at Osaka Jo Hall -2006- | 2006 Vocal |
| MIZU NO OTO -2007- | 2007 Vocal |
| UTA WO TSUMUIDE -2008- | 2008 Vocal |
| LAWSON JAZZ WEEK | 2011 Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar |
| MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL in KAWASAKI | 2012 Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar |
| AIKA LIVE IN TOKYO | 2014 Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar |
| A I K A Live at The Mint LA | February 2015 Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone |
| A I K A Live at The Mint LA | March 2015 Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone |
| A I K A Live at Room5 LA | May 2015 Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone |
| A I K A Live at Haretara Sorani Mamemaite Tokyo | July 2015 Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone |
| Jupiter Foundation at Kokusai Forum | January 2018 Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone |
| Jupiter Foundation at Kokusai Forum | March 2019 Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone |