East End X Yuri

{{Short description|Japanese hip hop group}} {{Infobox musical artist  | name = East End × Yuri | image = | caption = | image_size = | background = group_or_band | alias = | origin = [[Tokyo]], Japan | genre = {{flatlist| * [[Hip Hop]] * [[J-rap]] }} | years_active = 1994–1996 | label = {{flatlist| * File * [[Epic Records Japan|Epic]] }} | associated_acts = | website = | current_members = | past_members = Gaku<br />[[Yuri Ichii|Yuri]]<br />Yoggy<br />Rock-Tee }}

'''East End × Yuri''' (pronounced “East End Plus Yuri”) is a Japanese [[hip hop music|hip hop]] group that was composed of East End and singer [[Yuri Ichii]], ex-member of [[J-pop]] girl group [[Tokyo Performance Doll]]. They were the first Japanese hip-hop artists to have a [[Single (music)|single]] sell over a million copies in Japan. A feat achieved twice with the singles "DA.YO.NE" and "MAICCA". Their commercial success spread the genre to a wider audience, and as a result, hip-hop became more accepted in Japanese society.

== Biography == <big>'''1994'''</big>

In February, East End, friends of Tokyo Performance Doll's Yuri Ichii, appeared as guests at Ichii's live performance at Theater Apple in the basement of [[Shinjuku Koma Theater]] in [[Shinjuku]], Tokyo. File Records' president Yoshio Sato, who was watching the performance, gave the nod to form "East End × Yuri".

In June, they released their debut mini album "Denim-ed Soul" and held a live concert to celebrate the release of the record at Space Lab Yellow in [[Nishi-Azabu]], Tokyo.

In August, the first single "DA.YO.NE" from "Denim-ed Soul" was released by Epic Records Japan . Initial sales were poor but thanks to a strong push from NORTH WAVE and Tower Records Sapporo, "DA.YO.NE" became popular in Hokkaido. It then gained popularity in other regions such as Hiroshima, Kyushu, Sendai, and Kansai (cover versions of these songs were later released in these regions). It eventually sold a million copies, reaching a peak of third place. It was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the "highest-selling CD by a non-English rap artist".<ref>[1] Published with Jordi ( [[Dur dur d'être bébé!|English version]] [[Jordy (French singer)|)]], who had a hit with " It's Not Easy Even for Kids! " Ian Castelo-Cortes ( ed. ), [[:ja:きこ書房|Takaaki Tanaka (Japanese version supervisor), Guinness Book 2000]], Kiko Shobo, 1999, p. 125. [[:ja:特別:文献資料/4877715088|ISBN 4877715088]]</ref>

In February, the group released their second single, "MAICCA". It debuted at number three. It charted in the top ten along with "DA.YO.NE", and both were nominated for the New Words and Buzzwords Awards . At this point, Rock-Tee left the group due to differences in direction.

In April, the third single "Good Feeling, Bad Feeling" was released.

In June, they released their first full-length album and second album, "Denim-ed Soul 2". The group's combined sales exceeded 4 million copies.

In July, the 4th single "What's that?" was released from "Denim-ed Soul 2".

In December, the 5th single "Ne" was released. On New Year's Eve, they appeared at the 46th [[Kōhaku Uta Gassen|NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen]] (the first hip-hop group to do so).

In May, the 6th single "Sunday Morning Early Bird" was released. After that, the group ceased activities.

== Discography ==

Their first album "Denim-ed Soul" was released on File Records, and their other works were released on Epic Records Japan.

'''Singles'''

1. [[:ja:DA.YO.NE|DA.YO.NE]] (Released August 21, 1994)

2. [[:ja:MAICCA〜まいっか|MAICCA]] (Released February 13, 1995)

3. [[:ja:いい感じやな感じ|Good Feeling, Bad Feeling]] (Released on April 21, 1995)

4. [[:ja:何それ|What's that?]] (Released July 21, 1995)

5. [[:ja:ね (EAST END×YURIの曲)|Ne]] (Released on December 1, 1995)

6. [[:ja:日曜の朝の早起き|Early Sunday Morning]] (Released on May 22, 1996)

== References == {{reflist}}

[[Category:Japanese hip-hop groups]] [[Category:Japanese pop music groups]]