J-rock profiles

Beni Arashiro

Beni Arashiro (安良城紅 ), born March 30, 1986, known by her stage name Beni, is a Japanese pop singer, songwriter and former actress. She was born in Okinawa and moved to California and then Yokohama.Her father is American of White and Amerindian descent, and her mother is Okinawan. She was influenced from Namie Amuro, Alicia Keys and her father's favorite singer Janet Jackson.

She was a member of Bishoujo Club 31. She also had a solo career on the Avex Trax label. Beni was the first from the group to pursue a solo career while being an active member. She also sang the 3rd ending "Goal" for an Animanga Eyeshield 21. With Kim Possible being her favorite show, she sang a different version of the theme song "Say the Word." She graduated from U.S. Naval Base, Japan. She was studying political science.

She was named winner of the "New Artist of the Year" for the 19th Japan Gold Disc Award in 2005. She was one of the finalists for one of the Japan's leading contest, Oscar Promotion's, National Beauty Contest. She is also the ambassador for the NFL in Tokyo, and has been the face of many products such as Kose Visee, Glico confectionery, Orion Beer, and much more.

In 2005 she was the female heroine in an Andrew Lloyd Webber play in Japan. She has also appeared in a short television program, known as BeniTV, as well as Shinkankaku Keyword de Eikaiwa which helps people learn English.

Her final single in Avex, "Luna", sold more than her previous single "How Are U" and reached #77 on Oricon. Her final studio album in Avex, "Gem", charted at #114 on Oricon.

Beni modeled as the face of Cecil McBee, one of the largest and most popular Japanese clothing lines that appeals to teenage and college girls. She was also the host of the NHK fashion program, Tokyo Kawaii TV, where Beni discusses the latest fashion trends in Japan.

In June 2008, Japanese rapper Dohzi-T featured her in a song "Mou Ichido...", which sold over two million ringtone downloads. In October 2008, it was announced that she left her label Avex Trax and moved to Universal Music Japan and she would write her own songs. At the same time, she changed her stage name to Beni and suspended her actress career. Her first single in Universal, "Mou Nido To...", was her answer song to "Mou Ichido...". The digital download for the song started on November 12 and debuted at #1 on ringtone daily rankings. This official PV began to be aired on November 28 on YouTube. It ranked at #1 on the YouTube favourite music video ranking in Japan at the first week. The physical CD, released on December 10, 2008, was charted at #20 on Oricon.

On 8 April, 2009, the single Kiss Kiss Kiss was released. Dispite the fact that it ranked at the #40 spot on the Oricon ranking, the single charted well on the Chaku-Uta download, hitting the #1 spot for full downloads. After 6 days of being ranked as #1 she got the #1 spot weekly on the Chaku Uta ranking

Albums

1. 2005 February 9 - Beni reached #14 on Oricon
2. 2006 February 22 - Girl 2 Lady reached #87 on Oricon
3. 2007 April 24 - GEM reached #114 on Oricon
4. 2008 March 5 Chapter One ~Complete Collection~ (Greatest hits album) reached #166 on Oricon

Singles

1. 2004 June 9 - Harmony #26 on Oricon
2. 2004 October 20 - Infinite... #24 on Oricon
3. 2004 November 25 - Here Alone #14 on Oricon
4. 2005 February 9 - Miracle #98 on Oricon
5. 2005 June 1 - Hikari no Kazu dake Glamorous #40 on Oricon
6. 2005 December 7 - Cherish #96 on Oricon
7. 2006 September 20 - How Are U? Failed to chart
8. 2007 February 28 - Luna #77 on Oricon
9. 2008 December 10 - Mou Nido To... #20 on Oricon
10. 2009 April 8 - Kiss Kiss Kiss #40 on Oricon