Iri (artist)

iri (イリ, stylized in lowercase; born March 15, 1994) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. She signed with Colourful Records in 2015, before releasing her first album in 2016.

iri
Born	(1994-03-15) March 15, 1994 (age 30) Zushi, Kanagawa, Japan
Genres	Alternative R&B, Hip hop, Reggae
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar
Years active	2014–present
Labels	Colourful Records[1]
Website	www.iriofficial.com

Early life and education

Upon entering high school, iri became interested in pursuing a career in music and opted to begin vocal training, instead of joining an after-school club, as is common in Japan.^[2] After entering university, iri taught herself how to play the acoustic guitar as well. During her time at university, iri performed at a jazz club, mainly in association with other jazz bands.^[3]

Career

iri released her debut studio album "Groove it" on October 26, 2016,^[4] which charted #1 in the iTunes Store Japan hip-hop/rap chart.^[5] On March 22, 2017, iri released her first single "Watashi". The track was used in both Nike and Apple Music ads, which contributed to its popularity. In April of the same year, iri performed as one of the opening acts in Corinne Bailey Rae's Japan tour. iri furthermore performed in the 2017 "Sweet Love Shower" and the "Sunsets Festival" music and arts festivals.^[6] On November 22, 2017, iri released her first EP called "Life", which charted #1 in the iTunes Store Japan hip-hop/rap chart.^[7]

On February 28, 2018, iri published her second studio album "Juice". The physical release of the album was accompanied by photobook titled "Jubilee", which featured photographs of the artist.^[8][9] Between March 15 and March 21 of the same year, she performed her first headlining concert tour, titled "iri 1st Tour 2018". The tour was held at five different venues in Japan, during the span of six days.^[10][11] The "iri Presents “Night Dream” tour ran between December 17 and December 21, in three venues in Tokyo, Aichi and Osaka.^[12]

On March 6, 2019, her third full studio album "Shade" was released.^[13] Her third headlining tour "iri Spring Tour 2019 'Shade'" was held between April 5 and April 21, across nine different locations in Japan, making it the biggest tour of her career up to that point.^[14][15] iri's first overseas tour took place in China May 16-18, 2019.^[16]

On January 22, 2020, iri released the single "24–25".^[17] On March 25 of the same year, her fourth studio album "Sparkle" was released.^[18] She was initially expected to headlined a three-month tour titled "iri Spring Tour 2020", which was to be held between April 12 and June 7, which was later postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[19] As she was unable to perform live, due to restrictions place to combat the spread of COVID-19, Iri held an online performance on September 9.^[20] On November 25, iri released a single titled "I can't say".^[21] On December 2 she started "Wavy Club", her official fan club.^[22] Between December 11 and December 22 iri performed at the "Five Zepp Tour 2020".^[23]

On February 23, 2022, iri released her fifth studio album "neon". Following the release of this album, she held a tour lasting from May 15 and June 11.^[24] On June 29, 2022, iri released a new single called "Starlight".^[25] This preceded a 6th album, "Private" which was released on May 10, 2023.

Discography

Studio albums

• Groove It (2016)
• Juice (2018)
• Shade (2019)
• Sparkle (2020)
• Neon (2022)
• Private (2023)

Extended plays

• Life (2017)
• The Beginning of the Day (2021)

References

1. "Colourful Records". jvcmusic.co.jp. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
2. "【第23回】松重豊 × iri". fmyokohama.jp. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
3. Hosaka, Takazumi (March 1, 2018). "INTERVIEW / iri". spincoaster.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
4. "iriデビューアルバム「Groove it」リリース！". mora.jp. October 26, 2016. Archived from the original on February 22, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
5. "iri『Groove it』妖艶なピンク色に染まったリリース・パーティ、内向的な人間が示す強かな決意とは". billboard-japan.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
6. "iri、NikeWomen 「わたしに驚け」キ ャンペーンソング発売決定". okmusic.jp. January 31, 2017. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
7. "iri新EP『life ep』続報 5lack、ケンモチヒデフミ、mabanuaら参加". excite.co.jp. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
8. "iri announces details of 2nd album "Juice" <Tokyo Recordings>, WONK, Umi Takahashi, Kenmochi Hidefumi, etc". spincoaster.com. January 18, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
9. "iri、フロアを「Juice」の世界で満たしたリキッド公演". natalie.mu. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
10. "iri、初のワンマン・ライブに5alckも飛び入り出演 来年3月には1stツアーの開催も". spincoaster.com. November 19, 2017. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
11. "iri、シンガーソングライターとしての多彩さ 初の全国ツアー東京公演レポート". realsound.jp. April 6, 2018. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
12. "【GOODS】iri Presents "Night Dream 2018" のツアーグッズを OFFICIAL GOODSで限定販売します！". sma.co.jp. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
13. "iri、3rdアルバム『Shade』2019年3月6日発売決定。完全生産限定盤はKYNEの描いたイラストTシャツ付。4月からは過去最大規模の全国ツアーも". uroros.net. December 21, 2018. Archived from the original on March 6, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
14. "iri 全国ツアースタート、超満員の初日公演にSTUTSがゲスト参加". musicman.co.jp. April 8, 2019. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
15. "iri、自身最大規模のツアー初日公演にSTUTSがゲスト参加". billboard-japan.com. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
16. "iri、初の中国ツアー開催 & Strawberry Music Festivalへの出演が決定". spincoaster.com. April 15, 2019. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
17. "25歳のiri、2020年第1弾シングルで「なりたい自分になること」を宣言". natalie.mu. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
18. "《RELEASE》3月25日リリース iri 4th album『Sparkle』収録曲「Freaking」にギターで参加。". sma.co.jp. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
19. "iri、＜Spring Tour 2020＞が中止＋「会いたいわ」ライブ映像公開". barks.jp. April 23, 2020. Archived from the original on May 24, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
20. "iri、無観客生配信ライブ『iri Presents "ONLINE SHOW"』より、「Wonderland」の映像を公開". spice.eplus.jp. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
21. "11月25日 新曲「言えない」配信リリース決定！". sma.co.jp. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
22. "iriオフィシャルメンバーズサイト「Wavy Club」が始動します！". sma.co.jp. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
23. "iri Presents "Five Zepp Tour 2020"のツアーグッズが出来ました！". sma.co.jp. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
24. "iri S/S Tour 2022 "neon"". natalie.mu. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
25. "iri、新曲「STARLIGHT」配信リリース サッポロ黒ラベルとのコラボ企画で書き下ろし". spice.eplus.jp. Retrieved August 2, 2022.