AK Akemi Kakihara, Universal Music Japan Recording Artist, Japanese singer-songwriter, producer, musician. Born and raised in Japan. Living in New York City since 2001.

AK Official Site USA: http://www.aknyc.com/
AK Official Site Universal Music Japan: www.universal-music.co.jp/ak

She grew up listening to various styles of music that mostly centered around jazz, film scores and crossover jazz. When she was 8 years old, she started writing songs as she was inspired by Eumir Deodato.

In 1986, AK released her debut album “MOI” on Polystar Records label under her name "Akemi Kakihara", and released 8 original albums including “Face to Face” “Living Together” “Wish” “Refile” “Taiyo no Shita De” “Mermaid Kiss” “Peace of Heaven” “Friends in Love” while writing songs for other Japanese artists such as Miki Imai and Tomoyo Harada, among others. Many of them hit the top of the charts.

She then signed to EMI Music Japan in 1998 as "AK".
As a singer songwriter, she writes songs but she also started producing her own albums and released self-produced albums, “YES” in 1998 recorded in London, “DREAMIN’ in 1999 recorded in LA, “LOVE” in 2000 - 2001 recorded in NY with mixing engineer Kevin “KD” Davis (Rihanna, Usher, Beyonce, etc), which includes her U.S. debut single “Say That You Love Me” ranked NO.1 from around the world, and also determined her moving base to NY.

2001 saw AK relocated in NY where she marked her U.S. debut on King Street Sounds with the single "Say That You Love Me" remixed by Francois K & Eric Kupper. The single was soon picked up by the renowned DJs at Body & Soul including Francois K, Danny Krivit and Little "Louie" Vega, Kim Lightfoot, Frankie Feliciano and many more, and consequently hit the top of the charts and ranked No.1 from around the world.

In 2002, album “AK Trilogy” was released and not only a big hit in Japan but also reached No.1 album chart in Taiwai as well.

Following the 2nd U.S. single "No One Else" Remixed by Jon Cutler (2003), "Shining Your Way" was released in collaboration with Jephte Guillaume in 2007 and again ranked at various charts. Further Top 10 successes were followed with "Beautiful Sunrise" (2007 with STUDIO APARTMENT), "I'll Be There" (2008 with Sound Around) and Stevie Wonder cover "Golden Lady" (2008).

In September 2008, AK got married with the world-renowned, NY legendary DJ Danny Krivit (718 Sessions, Body & Soul). They have collaborated on many songs, and often tour together.

AK further collaborated with Anan Ryoko on "All Day, All Night, Always" which reached No. 1 on iTunes Dance Charts after its release in March 2010. “Heaven Is Right Here” marked AK’s first collaboration with Ananda Project and was released as the 4th U.S. single in July 2010.

“SAY THAT YOU LOVE ME – Best of NY Sweet Electro”, the Best Of collection of AK’s dance/house/electro offerings, released in August 2010, and reached No. 1 on the both Single & Album Chart on iTunes Japan.

In 2013 AK wrote a song “KISEKIWA KOKONI ARU”, and it became a theme song for Japan’s national TV station NHK’s Program “Kitchen Goes”.

AK’s songs are often included on the many compilation albums all over the world, including AK’s "Shining Shining Your Way" (Blaze With Jihad Muhammad Vox) on House Legends by Blaze in 2014. Ananda Project feat. AK / Heaven Is Right Here (Danny Krivit & Dazzle Drums Mix) on the album A Long Hot Summer: Mixed & Selected By Julius Papp in 2015.

Japanese songstress AK's dreamy vocal. Having released over 200 songs across her 15 original albums and those that she has written and produced for various artists, the Japan-born diva keeps the music coming from the city of New York to the world.

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