# Minmi

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This article is about the Japanese musician. For other uses, see [Minmi (disambiguation)](/source/Minmi_(disambiguation)).

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Minmi ミンミ Born Michiko Evwana (1974-12-08) December 8, 1974 (age 51) Osaka Prefecture, Japan Genres Reggae, hip hop, pop, electropop Years active 1996–present Labels Victor Entertainment 2002–09 (part of JVC) Far Eastern Tribe Records 2009– (part of Universal Music Group) Website www.minmi.jp

Musical artist

**Michiko Evwana** (born December 8, 1974), better known by her stage name **Minmi** ([Japanese](/source/Japanese_language): ミンミ), is a Japanese [hip-hop](/source/Hip_hop_music) and [reggae](/source/Reggae) musician,[1] as well as a singer-[songwriter](/source/Songwriter) and [record producer](/source/Record_producer). She is the first [soca](/source/Soca_music) artist from Japan.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] She was married to Wakadanna (若旦那), a member of Japanese reggae group [Shōnan no Kaze](/source/Sh%C5%8Dnan_no_Kaze), from 2007 until their divorce on June 28, 2016.[2][3][4]

She began playing reggae music in Japanese clubs in 1996.[5] Her 2002 debut single, "The Perfect Vision", went on to sell over 500,000 copies.[5]

## Biography

This section about a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous. Find sources: "Minmi" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (October 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Michiko Evwana was born in [Osaka Prefecture](/source/Osaka_Prefecture), Japan, on December 8, 1974. She began playing the piano at the age of five, at which time she began to take interest in soul and jazz music. Minmi began her musical career in 1996, performing at rub-a-dub showcases and hip hop events in the clubs of Osaka. She also began to develop her own sound by making her own original tracks around this period. Minmi signed her first recording deal with [JVC Records](/source/JVC_Records), releasing the reggae song "[The Perfect Vision](/source/The_Perfect_Vision)" as her first single in August 2002. Minmi's first single became extremely popular, and was widely accepted and heavily rotated by as many as 20 FM radio stations. "[The Perfect Vision](/source/The_Perfect_Vision)," after gradually increasing in popularity, would eventually sell over 500,000 copies. Minmi contributed songwriting and vocals to two theme songs from the popular 2004 anime series [Samurai Champloo](/source/Samurai_Champloo), including the main ending theme "Shiki no Uta".

In 2005, Minmi released her first soca-influenced song, "[Summertime!!](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Summertime!!&action=edit&redlink=1)," as opposed to her regular reggae and hip-hop sound. Because of this event, she attended the [Trinidad and Tobago Carnival](/source/Trinidad_and_Tobago_Carnival) in February 2006, performing on stage. In September, she was nominated for best new artist at the [Reggae/Soca Music Awards](/source/Reggae%2FSoca_Music_Awards) in New York. Minmi attended the festival again in 2007, performing "[Sha Na Na (Japanese Wine)](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sha_Na_Na_(song)&action=edit&redlink=1)" with [Machel Montano](/source/Machel_Montano).

In June 2007, it was suddenly announced that Minmi had married Wakadanna, a member of reggae group [Shōnan no Kaze](/source/Sh%C5%8Dnan_no_Kaze), and was four months pregnant.[6] The two had first met in 2001 in Jamaica, and began dating soon after.[3] In November she gave birth to her first child, a son.[3]

In March 2010, it was announced that Minmi was pregnant with her second child.[4] Her fourth album *Mother*, released in July when she was roughly eight months pregnant, prominently features her stomach in the photographs. The child, the second boy,[7] was born ten days early on August 4 in New York.[8]

On June 10 and July 22, 2015, Minmi released her seventeenth single "[Hologram](/source/Hologram_(Minmi_song))".[9]

## Bibliography

- MINMI. (July 1, 2010), [*Kise Ki to MAMA, PAPA & BABY Kyo Mama Ni Ai Ni Iku Yo*](https://www.kobunsha.com/shelf/book/isbn/9784334901721) (in Japanese), Tokyo: Kobunsha Publishing, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-4-334-90172-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-334-90172-1)

- MINMI. (August 17, 2013), [*HOW TO BE A MOTHER VERY x MINMI "Kosodate Shinagara" Maternity no Hibi*](https://www.kobunsha.com/shelf/book/isbn/9784334977047) (in Japanese), Tokyo: Kobunsha Publishing, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-4-334-97704-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-334-97704-7)

- [Mao Abe](/source/Mao_Abe) / [Miu Sakamoto](/source/Miu_Sakamoto) / [Watanabe Atsuko](/source/Princess_Princess_(band)) / [Akiko Noma](/source/Akiko_Noma) / [JILL](/source/Personz) / MINMI / Ueno Miki / Takahashi Miho (December 20, 2017), [*WOMAN Josei Artist 6 Nin Ga Kataru, Renai, Kazoku, Soshite Ongaku*](https://www.rittor-music.co.jp/product/detail/3117313010/) (in Japanese), Tokyo: Rittor Music Inc., [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-4-845-63173-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-845-63173-5)

## Discography

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (July 2018)

### Albums

Year Album Information Oricon Albums Charts [10] Reported sales [11] 2003 Miracle Released: March 19, 2003 Label: Victor Entertainment (VICL-61097) Formats: CD, digital download 2 476,000 2004 imagine Released: June 30, 2004 Label: Victor Entertainment (VICL-61768) Formats: CD, digital download 3 190,000 2006 Natural Released: March 29, 2006 Label: Victor Entertainment (VICL-61936, VICL-61914) Formats: CD, digital download 6 100,000 2010 Mother Released: July 7, 2010 Label: Universal, Far Eastern Tribe Records (UMCF-1040, UMCF-9537, UMCF-9536) Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download 5 64,000 2013 I LOVE Released: July 24, 2013 Label: Universal, Far Eastern Tribe Records (UMCF-1095, UMCF-9634) Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download 14 2014 BAD Released: September 24, 2014 Label: Universal (UPCH-1988, UPCH-9953) Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download 17 2015 EGO Released: August 24, 2015 Label: Universal (UPCH-2051, UPCH-7041, D2CJ-1102, D2CJ-1103) Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download 28 3,000 2016 Life is Beautiful Released: July 27, 2016 Label: Universal (UPCH-7168, UPCH-2087) Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download 29 2018 identity Released: May 23, 2018 Label: Universal (UPCH-2161, UPCH-7415) Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download 57

### Other albums

Year Album Information Oricon Albums Charts [10] Reported sales [11] 2005 Friends: Minmi Featuring Works Best Collaborations compilation album Released: September 22, 2005 Label: Victor Entertainment (VICL-61097) Formats: 2CD, digital download 16 71,000 2006 Minmi Natural Show Case 2006 In Zepp Tokyo (Special Edition) - EP Live special album Released: December 6, 2006 Label: Victor Entertainment (VICL-62674, VICL-62675) Formats: digital download — 2007 The Love Song Collection 2006—2007 'Love' concept compilation album Released: November 21, 2007 Label: Victor Entertainment (VICL-62674, VICL-62675) Formats: CD, digital download 3 75,000 2008 Minmi Best 2002—2008 Greatest hits album Released: November 21, 2007 Label: Victor Entertainment (VIZL-280, VICL-62829/30) Formats: 2CD, 3CD, digital download 2 230,000 2009 Summer Collection with Music Clips 'Summer' concept greatest hits album Released: August 19, 2009 Label: Victor Entertainment (VIZL-341) Formats: CD+DVD, digital download 5 38,000 2011 The Heart Song Collection 'Heart' concept album Released: August 24, 2011 Label: Universal Music Japan, Far Eastern Tribe Records (UMCF-9591, UMCF-1063) Formats: CD+DVD, digital download 10 2012 MINMI Best Ame Nochi Niji 2002-2012 Released: August 22, 2012 Label: Universal Music Japan, Far Eastern Tribe Records (UMCF-9616, UMCF-1077) Formats: 2CD, 2CD+DVD, digital download 7 2014 MINMI BEST "ORIGIN" Released: September 24, 2014 Label: Victor Entertainment (VIZL-736) Formats: CD+DVD, digital download 147 2015 New MINMI Friends -"Bad" "MINMI" To Iu Neta wo Rapper Track Maker Ga Douryouri Shitanoka- Released: July 22, 2015 Label: Universal Music Japan (UPCH-2047) Formats: CD, digital download 117 2017 ALL TIME BEST:ADAM Released: March 3, 2017 Label: Universal Music Japan (UPCH-2116) Formats: CD, digital download 69 ALL TIME BEST:EVE Released: March 3, 2017 Label: Universal Music Japan (UPCH-2117) Formats: CD, digital download 75

### Singles

#### As lead artist

Release Title Chart positions Oricon sales [11] Album Oricon Singles Charts [10] Billboard Japan Hot 100† [12] RIAJ digital tracks† [13] 2002 "The Perfect Vision" 4 — — 353,000 Miracle "T.T.T." 8 — — 74,000 2003 "Another World" 17 — — 37,000 Imagine 2004 "Ai no Mi" (アイの実; "Fruit of Love") 19 — — 15,000 "Are Yu Ready" 45 — — 7,000 Natural 2005 "Summertime!!" (サマータイム!!, Samātaimu!!) 19 — — 27,000 2006 "Nishiazabu Densetsu" (西麻布伝説; Nishiazabu Legend) 78 — — 3,000 "I Love You Baby" 42 — — 9,000 Love Song Collection 2007 "Sha Na Na" (シャナナ☆) 17 — 13* 36,000 2009 "Ave Maria" (アベマリア, Abe Maria) 14 16 2 18,000 Mother "Ashita Moshi mo Kimi ga Inai..." (アシタもしもキミがいない...; "What If You're Not There Tomorrow") 25 42 7 7,000 2010 "Hibiscus" (ハイビスカス, Haibisukasu) 27 30 8 7,000 "Pa to Hanasaku" feat. Verbal (パッと花咲く; "Blooming with a Bang") 58 70 25 2,000 MINMI Best Ame Nochi Niji 2002–2012 2012 " La La La ~Ai no Uta~" (ラララ 〜愛のうた〜, La La La ~Song of Love) 58 — — I LOVE "Engage Ring" (エンゲージリング) 35 — — 2013 "Sakura ~Eien~" feat. Shonannokaze (さくら ~永遠~; Cherry Blossom ~Eternity~) 28 — — 2014 "Ite itai yo" (いていたいよ; I want a lot.) 45 — — BAD 2015 "hologram" (ホログラム) 116 — — EGO * charted on monthly Chaku-uta Reco-kyō Chart. †Japan Hot 100 established February 2008, RIAJ Digital Track Chart established April 2009.

#### As featured artist

Release Title Notes Chart positions Oricon sales [11] Album Oricon Singles Charts [10] Billboard Japan Hot 100† [12] RIAJ digital tracks† [13] 2006 "Win and Shine" (Ukarats FC) Co-wrote lyrics/music. 48 — — 6,000 We Love We [We Love Winning Eleven] 2007 "Dream Lover" (Infinity 16 welcomez Shōnan no Kaze, Minmi, Moomin) 10 — 5* 74,000 Foundation Rock "Manatsu no Orion" (真夏のオリオン; "Midsummer Orion") (Infinity 16 welcomez Minmi, 10-Feet) 14 — 27* 25,000 "Kiseki" (キセキ; "Miracle") (Teruteru Babys) Charity single, wrote song/featured vocals. 39 — — 7,000 2008 "Dream Mix, Vol. 01" ( INFINITY 16 welcomez Shonan no kaze, MINMI, MOOMIN, 10-FEET, MUNEHIRO) — — — Non-album single "Dream Believer (Hoshi ni Negai o)" (星に願いを; "Wishing on a Star") (Infinity 16 welcomez Minmi, Wakadanna & Han-kun from Shōnan no Kaze, Goki) 19 13 11* 14,000 Welcomez 2010 "Kinkyu Jitai" (緊急事態; "Emergency") (RED SPIDER feat. MINMI, HAN-KUN, KENTY GROSS, BES, APOLLO, KIRA, NG HEAD, DOZAN11) — — — Kinkyu Jitai – One Sound Dance Live 2010 2012 "Ame Nochi Hare " (雨のち晴れ; "Rain then sunny") (INFINITY 16 welcomez MINMI & JAY'ED) 98 — — MY LIFE 2013 "Pan Pan Papan" (RED SPIDER feat. feat. Minmi, Kenty Gross, Arm Strong & Bes) — — — WHAT THE SPIDER "HANDS UP" (RED SPIDER feat. Minmi, Bes, NG Head, Kenty Gross, Boogie Man & Shingo Nishinari) — — — "Tokyo" (東京) (Shingo Nishinari feat. MINMI) — — — Okage-samadesu. (おかげさまです。, I am sorry.) 2016 "Ah Murderz" (RED SPIDER feat. MINMI, BES, APOLLO, KENTY GROSS, J-REXXX, KIRA, NATURAL WEAPON & DOZAN11) — — — Title is to be announced ～ALL JAPANESE REGGAE DUB MIX CD～ 2018 "Slave of Love" (YOSA & TAAR feat. Taichi Mukai & MINMI) — — — Modern Disco Tours "All In" (Shella Posse feat. MINMI) — — — Non-album single "NO NO" (RED SPIDER feat. MINMI, APOLLO, KENTY GROSS & NATURAL WEAPON) — — — #compact_disc

#### Digital Singles

Release Title Notes Album 2009 "A Natural Woman" Aretha Franklin cover Non-album single 2010 "Pink Boushi no "Do Re Mi Fa So"" (ピンク帽子の "ドレミファソ") The Heart Song Collection 2012 "Teo Teo ~D.I.N.C~" feat. DOBERMAN INC MINMI Best Ame Nochi Niji 2002–2012 2013 "Sumaho (Season II)" (スマホ （SeasonII）) feat. Shingo Nishinari New MINMI Friends -"Bad" "MINMI" To Iu Neta wo Rapper Track Maker Ga Douryouri Shitanoka- 2014 "#Yacchaitai" (#ヤッチャイタイ) BAD 2015 "MOVE" EGO "hologram" (ホログラム) 2018 Winner (Yokohama Futtou Version) Yokohama F. Marinos Official Half Time Supporting Song Non-album single

### DVDs

Title Release date Oricon rank[14] Minmi Live Tour 2004 "Imagine" (sunshine) September 24, 2004 — Minmi Video Clips 2002—2005: Summer July 27, 2005 37 Minmi Natural Show Case 2006 in Zepp Tokyo November 22, 2006 69 Freedom '08 December 3, 2008 17 Minmi Live: Freedom in Awajishima December 2, 2009 33 LIVE TOUR "Himawari" ～Road to 10th Anniversary～ at Saitama Super Arena June 27, 2012 36 MINMIDVD December 24, 2014 127 MINMI LIVE TOUR 2014 "BAD" May 27, 2015 40

### Collaborations

Title Artist Release date "Tornade" Silver King September 2000 "Shot Dem Up" Jumbo Maatch from Mighty Jam Rock October 2001 "3 Minute Special" Silver King May 22, 2002 "Parasite" Vader May 22, 2002 "I Don't Wanna Be Your Friend" Boogie Man July 2002 "Journey Into..." Takafin from Mighty Jam Rock August 2002 "Cry" Shōnan no Kaze July 2003 "Independent Woman" Pushim December 17, 2003 "THE ROCK CITY" Vader June 2, 2004 "Shiki No Uta" Nujabes June 23, 2004 "Irie Music" Home Grown August 4, 2004 "Set Mi Free, Let Mi Be" Home Grown August 4, 2004 "My Way" Shōnan no Kaze August 18, 2004 "Fuu's Theme" Nujabes September 22, 2004 "Keep On Steppin'" SAL The Soul November 26, 2004 "Rastaman Drive Mi Crazy" Anthony B 2005 "Day Dreamer" Munehiro May 21, 2005 "Cherry Blossom" 10-Feet April 18, 2006 "Lotta Love" M-Flo July 26, 2006 "Sha Na Na – Japanese Wine" Machel Montano March 6, 2007 "Happy Today" Shōnan no Kaze April 18, 2007 "Spider City (Rock City 3)" Kenty-Gross February 7, 2007 "Spider Time (Summer Time!!)" Kenty-Gross February 7, 2007 "Missing You" Minmi February 7, 2007 "Spider (Aira)" Minmi February 7, 2007 "Nande" Rudebwoy Face April 25, 2007 "Suirenka" Shōnan no Kaze June 6, 2007 "Saving All My Love For You" Minmi January 1, 2011 "I'm Your Baby Tonight" Junior Kelly April 3, 2012 "Hoshino Raburetaa" Sergio Mendes January 1, 2013 "Konoyo ga Yami Dato Iwanaide Okure" Sambomaster October 9, 2013 "Nadeshiko (Soul Remix)" KIRA February 4, 2015 "Heisei no Otome" Kenty-Gross August 26, 2015 "Outta Love" Che'Nelle June 14, 2017 "Dame" DJ SWING & Tarantula July 5, 2017

## See also

- [Supa Dups](/source/Supa_Dups)

- [Music of Samurai Champloo](/source/Music_of_Samurai_Champloo)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-udn1_1-0)** [MINMI BEST 2002–2008 (Review)](https://web.archive.org/web/20120307004934/http://stars.udn.com/star/StarsContent/Content18288/) at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) (archived March 7, 2012), [United Daily News](/source/United_Daily_News) (in Chinese), August 22, 2008

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hubby1_2-0)** ["女性レゲエ・シンガーのMINMIが妊娠、お相手は湘南乃風の若旦那。"](http://www.narinari.com/Nd/2007067613.html) (in Japanese). narinari.com. June 27, 2007.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-OriconNov_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-OriconNov_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-OriconNov_3-2) ["レゲエ歌手MINMIが男児出産"](http://beauty.oricon.co.jp/news/49812/full/) (in Japanese). [Oricon](/source/Oricon). November 20, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-2ndkid_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-2ndkid_4-1) [MINMIが第2子妊娠...「湘南乃風」若旦那も大喜び](https://web.archive.org/web/20100317191552/http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/entertainment/news/20100310-OHT1T00261.htm) (in Japanese). [Sports Hochi](/source/Sports_Hochi). March 11, 2010. Archived from [the original](http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/entertainment/news/20100310-OHT1T00261.htm) on March 17, 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-tt1_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-tt1_5-1) ["A Trini Wine made in Japan"](http://www.newsday.co.tt/features/print,0,52311.html). [Trinidad and Tobago Newsday](/source/Trinidad_and_Tobago_Newsday). February 13, 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [MINMIと湘南乃風の若旦那が結婚](http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/45877/) (in Japanese). Oricon. June 27, 2007. Retrieved November 11, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["NY出産7 産声"](http://ameblo.jp/masterbeau/entry-10629378940.html) (in Japanese). Minmi official Ameblog. August 25, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [MINMI、スーパー安産で第2子出産](https://web.archive.org/web/20100819122039/http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/100805/gnb1008051849001-n1.htm) (in Japanese). Sanspo. August 5, 2010. Archived from [the original](http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/100805/gnb1008051849001-n1.htm) on August 19, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** CD Journal Staff (July 22, 2015). ["Minmi / Hologram (single review)"](http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4115042415). *CD Journal* (in Japanese). Retrieved July 17, 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-OriconPositions_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-OriconPositions_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-OriconPositions_10-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-OriconPositions_10-3) ["アーティスト： MINMI"](http://ranking.oricon.co.jp/free_contents/search/search.asp?artcd=290182&artist=%82l%82h%82m%82l%82h&ordt=sle&bs=all&bs2=1). *[Oricon](/source/Oricon)*. Retrieved October 15, 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-OriconSales_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-OriconSales_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-OriconSales_11-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-OriconSales_11-3) ["オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」"](http://ranking.oricon.co.jp). *[Oricon](/source/Oricon)*. Retrieved October 15, 2010. (subscription only)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Billboard_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Billboard_12-1) ["Hot 100|JAPAN Charts|Billboard JAPAN"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101122212055/http://www.billboard-japan.com/system/jp_charts/hot100) (in Japanese). Billboard. Archived from [the original](http://www.billboard-japan.com/system/jp_charts/hot100/) on November 22, 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RIAJdigi_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RIAJdigi_13-1) [有料音楽配信チャート](http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/weekly_chart/index.html) (in Japanese). RIAJ.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [MINMIのリリース一覧](http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/290182/products/release/) (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 11, 2010.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.minmi.jp/) (in Japanese)

- [Minmi](http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/290182/) at Oricon (in Japanese)

Agency profiles:

- [Minmi](http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/minmi/) at [Victor Entertainment](/source/Victor_Entertainment) (in Japanese)

- [Minmi](http://www.universal-music.co.jp/minmi/) at [Universal Music Group](/source/Universal_Music_Group) Japan (in Japanese)

Authority control databases International VIAF Artists MusicBrainz

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Minmi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minmi) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minmi?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.