is a Japanese rap rock group founded in 1996 by Kenji "KJ" Furuya and Makoto Sakurai. They were one of the first groups to popularize hip-hop in Japan. Dragon Ash is a member of Mob Squad, which is an affiliation with the bands Source and Endive. Dragon Ash uses the French fleur-de-lis as their band logo/symbol.
History Dragon Ash started out as a punk rock group. Lead singer and guitarist Kenji Furuya, son of actor Ikko Furuya, met drummer Makoto Sakurai when they were junior high students in a Tokyo suburb, and the two started playing together. Though temporarily sidetracked into following in his father's footsteps, Furuya gave up the few acting gigs that he was getting on TV dramas to concentrate on music in high school. In 1996, they took on bass player Ikuzo Baba, ten years their senior. The group debuted in 1997 with two EPs at the beginning of the year, The Day Dragged On and Public Garden, influenced by Nirvana. By the end of the year and time of their release, Mustang!, the group had progressed to a blend of various pop and rock influences.
Through 1998 their popularity increased, and by the time of Buzz Songs, their sound had solidified to rap rock, helped with the mixing skills of DJ Bots, who occasionally appeared on some songs. Two singles – "Let Yourself Go, Let Myself Go" and "Grateful Days," the latter featuring hardcore rapper Zeebra and soulstress ACO – sold so well that they topped the Japanese single and album Oricon charts; also simultaneously, usually reserved for pop music.
Their fourth single, "Let Yourself Go, Let Myself Go", reached number 7 on the Oricon Weekly Singles chart, and eventually climbed to number 4, selling a total of 640,000 copies. The band simultaneously released their fifth and sixth singles, "Grateful Days" and "I Love Hip Hop", which debuted at number 3 and number 4, respectively. When these two singles debuted, "Let Yourself Go, Let Myself Go" had not yet dropped off the top 10 chart, giving Dragon Ash three top 10 singles at the same time.
The band finally reached the peak of their success when they released their third album, Viva la Revolution, in July 1999 and it hit number 1 on its debut week. The album has sold in excess of 2,000,000 copies.
During 1999, Dragon Ash had become a four-piece, with DJ Bots essential to the mix. In 2000, Dragon Ash undertook the Total Music Communication Tour, touring Japan with a lineup that included other rising rock acts, such as Missile Girl Scout, Penpals, and Skebou Kings. Meanwhile, Furuya and DJ Bots formed a duo of sorts, writing and producing songs for acts such as Sugar Soul under the name Steady & Co. Likewise, Baba and Sakurai sidelined as a remixing unit called Motor Headphone, popping up on various compilations. The full band released Lily of da Valley in 2001.
Dragon Ash collaborated with the hip-hop group Rappagariya on "Deep Impact" in 2000. In 2003 the group expanded to include its full current roster of members, bringing in Hiroki, Atsushi, and Dri-V. In 2007 they celebrated their 10th anniversary by simultaneously releasing two best-of albums, The Best of Dragon Ash with Changes Vol. 1 and The Best of Dragon Ash with Changes Vol. 2. Both albums hit number 1 upon their debut.
Bandleader Kenji Furuya released his first solo album Everything Becomes The Music from Victor Entertainment in mid-2015. Following his solo debut song "Swallow Dive" in March 2015, anime director Kenji Kamiyama directed a music video for "Stairway", the leading track from the album.
Dragon Ash covered "Rocket Dive" for the June 6, 2018 hide tribute album Tribute Impulse.
Members Kenji "KJ" Furuya (降谷建志) – lead vocals, MC, guitar, latin percussion, songwriter, composer, producer, bandleader (1996–present) As the front-man and founding member of Dragon Ash, Kenji is also a popular model in Japan and Asia for style and fashion magazines. As a model he has also promoted brands Levis, Stussy, Adidas & Ray-ban (including appearing in a Japanese commercials for these brands). Kenji Furuya had been the spokesperson for the Sony Walkman series in the late 1990s and early 2000s (during the Walkman popularity in Japan), appearing in many commercials featuring Dragon Ash's latest music releases. In July 2008, Kenji married Japanese singer/actress Megumi Yamano, whom he had been dating since 2005. Kenji has appeared in various Japanese movies with main and cameo roles, and has also made his J-Drama debut in 2013, appeared as an actor in the NHK drama Yae's Sakura. In 2017, Kenji starred in Japanese film Alley Cat. In 2018, Kenji starred in season 3 J-drama Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit. K.J.'s father Ikko Furuya was also a well known actor in Japan. Makoto "MAKOTO" Sakurai (桜井誠) – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1996–present) Makoto is also a lover of cooking; he has written two cookbooks in Japan. Makoto also appears on AbemaTV broadcast "The Saku Kouichi Sambu Thursday The Night" showcasing his skills and hobby for Japanese slot machines. Tetsuya "DJ BOTS" Sato (佐藤哲也) – DJ, turntables, synthesizer, sampler, producer, latin percussion, backing vocals [support member] (1998–1999), [band member] (1999–present) DJ BOTS joined Dragon Ash in 1999. In 2015 DJ Bots completed a DJ mix album for Dragon Ash, titled 'dodecahedron mix "by DJ BOTS". Tetsuya an avid fan for the sport of soccer; he is also the captain of his own official soccer team. Hiroki "HIROKI" Sugiyama (杉山弘樹) – electric guitar [support member] (2000–2003), [band member] (2003–present) Hiroki was first a support member for Dragon ash from 2000, then became a full-time member in 2003 as the main guitarist.
Former members Ikuzo "IKÜZÖNE" Baba (馬場育三) – bass, mentor (1996–2012) Ikuzone was a big fan of hide of X Japan. Ikuzone's musical influences came from Japanese metal. He died on April 21, 2012, from acute heart failure. Kensuke "KENKEN" Kaneko (金子賢輔) – bass (2011–2019) KenKen is the full-time bass guitarist for the band Rize. Atsushi "ATSUSHI" Takahashi (高橋アツシ) – dance choreographer, dance, performing arts [support member] (2001–2003), [band member] (2003–2020) In 2009, founded the dance movement/project "Power of Life". Masaki "DRI-V" Chiba (千葉雅紀) – dance, performing arts [support member] (2001–2003), [band member] (2003–2020) Dri-V first joined Dragon Ash being introduced by Japanese Hiphop group Rip Slyme. He was first a support member for Dragon ash from 2001, then a full member in 2003. From 2015 Masaki has started his own project and YouTube channel called Dri-V Dance School.
Support member Tsuyoshi "T$UYO$HI" Ishikawa (石川剛) – bass (2019–present) T$UYO$HI is also the full-time bass guitarist for the band The Bonez.
Accomplishments timeline
1997 Oricon Album Sales – Mustang! (200,000)
1998 Oricon Album Sales – Buzz Songs (1 Million) Oricon Single Sales – "Hi wa Mata Noborikuri Kaesu" (200,000) Oricon Weekly Album Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking – Buzz Songs (No. 8) MTV JAPAN Presents Dragon Ash 'High Times Tour' (all four performances) MTV JAPAN Presents Dragon Ash 'FACE TO FACE National Tour' (all 10 performances)
1999 Space Shower Music Video Awards – Best Artist Video – "Let Yourself Go, Let Myself Go" (Winner) Oricon Album Sales – Viva La Revolution (2 Million) Oricon Single Sales – "Grateful Days" (featuring Zeebra & Aco) (1 Million) Oricon Single Sales – "Let Yourself Go, Let Myself Go" (500,000) Oricon Single Sales – I ♥ Hip Hop (500,000) Oricon Weekly Album Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking – Viva La Revolution (No. 1) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking – "Grateful Days" (featuring Zeebra & Aco) (No. 1) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking – "Let Yourself Go, Let Myself Go" (No. 4) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking – "I ♥ Hip Hop" (No. 4) Oricon Top 100 Best Selling Albums of the Year – Viva La Revolution (No. 13) Oricon Top 100 Best Selling Singles of the Year – "Grateful Days" (No. 13) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Top 10 Ranking 3 Singles At The Same Time (May 1999) – "Grateful Days" (featuring Zeebra & Aco) (No. 3), "I ♥ Hip Hop" (No. 4), "Let Yourself Go, Let Myself Go" (No. 7) 'Let Yourself Go' Dragon Ash National Tour (all 13 performances) 'Freedom of Expression' Dragon Ash National Tour (all 19 performances) Dragon Ash presents 'Total Music Communication 1999 Tour' (all two performances)
2000 Japan Gold Disc Awards – Rock Album of the Year – Viva la Revolution (Winner) Oricon Single Sales – "Deep Impact" (featuring Rappagariya) (500,000) Oricon Single Sales – "Summer Tribe" (250,000) Oricon Single Sales – "TMC Graffiti" (Kenji Furuya & DJ BOTS [from Dragon Ash] with 'TMC ALLSTARS') (200,000) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking – "Deep Impact" (featuring Rappagariya) (No. 2) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking – Summer Tribe (No. 4) Dragon Ash presents 'Total Music Communication 2000 Spring Tour' (all 14 performances) Dragon Ash presents 'Total Music Communication 2000 Summer Tour' (all 18 performances) Dragon Ash (with SBK) 'DSM CIRCUIT Tour' (all 11 performances)
2001 Oricon Album Sales – Lily of da Valley (1 Million) Oricon Single Sales – "Lily's E.P." (500,000) Oricon Weekly Album Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking – Lily of da Valley (No. 2) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking – "Lily's E.P." (No. 2) Oricon Weekly Video/DVD Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking – Lily da Video (No. 2) Oricon Weekly Video/DVD Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking - Buzz Clips (No. 10) Dragon Ash '21st Century Riot National Tour' (all 27 performances) Dragon Ash presents 'Total Music Communication 2001 Tour' (all 13 performances)
2002 MTV Video Music Awards Japan – Best Rock Artist (Winner) MTV Video Music Awards Japan – Best Group (Nomination) MTV Video Music Awards Japan – Best Live Performance (Nomination) MTV Video Music Awards Japan – Best Website (Nomination) Oricon Single Sales – "Life Goes On" (1 Million) Oricon Single Sales – "Fantasista" (500,000) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking – "Life Goes On" (No. 1) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking – "Fantasista" (No. 1) Oricon Top 100 Best Selling Singles of the Year – "Life Goes On" (No. 4) Dragon Ash presents 'Total Music Communication 2002 Tour' (all 14 performances) Dragon Ash '2002 Nationwide Tour' (all 29 performances)
2003 Space Shower Music Video Awards – Best Rock Video – "Life Goes On" (Winner) Japan Countdown Awards – Best Group (Winner) MTV Video Music Awards Japan – Best Rock Video – Fantasista (Nomination) HMV Japan Top 100 Japanese Pop Artists of All Time – (No. 63) Oricon Album Sales – Mob Squad (200,000) (Dragon Ash with Mach25 & SOURCE) Oricon Album Sales – Harvest (500,000) Oricon Single Sales – "Morrow" (200,000) Oricon Weekly Album Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking – Harvest (No. 1) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking – "Morrow" (No. 2) Oricon Weekly Album Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking – Mob Squad (No. 9) (Dragon Ash with Mach25 & SOURCE) Dragon Ash 'House of Velocity Nationwide Tour' (all 29 performances)
2004 Japan Gold Disc Awards - Rock Album of the Year - Harvest (Winner) MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best Rock Video - Morrow (Nomination) MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best Group Video - Morrow (Nomination) Oricon Single Sales - Shade (100,000) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking - Shade (No. 2) Dragon Ash (with Source) 'MOB SQUAD 2004 Tour' (all 11 performances)
2005 Oricon Album Sales - Río de Emoción (200,000) Oricon Single Sales - crush the window (100,000) Oricon Single Sales - Yuunagi UNION (100,000) Oricon Weekly Album Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking - Río de Emoción (No. 1) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking - crush the window (No. 2) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Top 10 Highest Ranking - Yuunagi Union (No. 4) Dragon Ash '~Río de Emoción~ National Tour' (all 22 performances)
2006