DJ Okawari
DJ Okawari is an independent Japanese DJ, record producer and composer born and based in Shizuoka, Japan.[1][2] His style mixes instrumental hip hop, nu jazz, and japanese jazz. Piano is an instrumental theme in his music. In his career, he has released eight studio albums: "Diorama" in 2008, "Mirror" in 2009, "Kaleidoscope" in 2011, "Compass" in 2017, "Restore" (with Emily Styler) and "Perfect Blue" in 2018, “Nightfall” (with Celeina Ann) in 2019, and “High Noon” in 2023.
DJ Okawari | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | DJ Okawari |
| Born | 28 November 1989 Shizuoka, Japan |
| Origin | Shizuoka, Japan |
| Genres | Instrumental hip hop, hip hop, nu jazz, japanese jazz |
| Occupation(s) | DJ, record producer, composer |
| Instruments | Piano, Saxophone, Trumpet, String |
| Years active | 2008-present |
| Labels | Libyus Music, Space Shower Music, Mono Creation |
| Website | http://www.djokawari.com/ |
Biography
DJ Okawari is known for his unique approach to music, blending piano jazz and hip-hop influences to create a mellow yet soothing vibe. Luv Letter (music by TSUKINOSORA)[3] of the album Mirror was used in one of figure skater Daisuke Takahashi's routines at the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships.[4] His music is also frequently played on YouTube; the videos have garnered views well above 10 million. The art for DJ Okawari's album covers were created by Japanese graphic artist Marumiyan.[5]
Discography
Studio albums
Diorama (2008)[6]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Evening Comes" | 4:17 |
| 2. | "Chocolate" (featuring Agehah) | 4:22 |
| 3. | "Bluebird Story" (featuring Jumelles) | 3:19 |
| 4. | "Ring" | 3:20 |
| 5. | "Colors of Life" | 3:27 |
| 6. | "Synchronize" | 3:42 |
| 7. | "One for U" | 4:01 |
| 8. | "Aurora" (featuring Eri Kamiya) | 5:05 |
| 9. | "Coffee Break" | 1:46 |
| 10. | "Crescent Moon" | 4:13 |
| 11. | "Tayutau" | 3:54 |
| 12. | "Silent Night" | 3:53 |
| 13. | "Animal Forest" | 3:40 |
| 14. | "Times Fusion" | 5:27 |
| Total length: | 54:26 | |
Mirror (2009)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sound of Silence" (featuring Kaori) | 4:28 |
| 2. | "Luv Letter" (TSUKINOSORA[7]) | 4:31 |
| 3. | "You Gotta Be" (featuring Amadori) (Des'ree cover) | 3:59 |
| 4. | "Pack Light" (featuring Eriko) | 4:04 |
| 5. | "Afterschool" | 3:52 |
| 6. | "Following the Dream" | 1:58 |
| 7. | "Free Bird" (featuring Sierra) | 4:59 |
| 8. | "Sweet Light" | 3:54 |
| 9. | "All I Have" (featuring Amanda Diva) | 3:52 |
| 10. | "Minamo" | 3:51 |
| 11. | "Evening Comes 2" | 4:11 |
| Total length: | 43:29 | |
Kaleidoscope (2011)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Encounter" | 3:25 |
| 2. | "Brown Eyes" (featuring Brittany Campbell) | 5:15 |
| 3. | "Represent" (featuring Chieko Kinbara) | 4:35 |
| 4. | "Kaleidoscope" (featuring Tekitha) | 3:59 |
| 5. | "Flower Dance" | 4:28 |
| 6. | "U" (featuring Stacy Epps) | 4:31 |
| 7. | "Another Sky" | 2:54 |
| 8. | "A Cup of Coffee" | 4:34 |
| 9. | "Brighter Side" (featuring Amanda Diva) | 4:39 |
| 10. | "Temperature of Tears" | 4:31 |
| 11. | "The Bonds" (featuring NANASE) | 4:53 |
| 12. | "Change the World" (featuring WoongSan) | 3:54 |
| 13. | "Peacock" | 4:40 |
| Total length: | 56:18 | |
Compass (2017)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bounce" (featuring Talib Kweli) | 2:20 |
| 2. | "Starry Sky" | 4:24 |
| 3. | "Midnight Train" (featuring Emi Meyer) | 5:04 |
| 4. | "Yours" | 4:01 |
| 5. | "Keep Falling" (featuring GIOVANCA) | 4:30 |
| 6. | "Last Note" | 3:04 |
| 7. | "Eventually" (featuring Emily Styler) | 3:40 |
| 8. | "Mirage" | 4:38 |
| 9. | "Be There" (featuring Brittany Campbell) | 4:16 |
| 10. | "Sadame" | 4:15 |
| 11. | "Four Water" | 4:03 |
| Total length: | 44:15 | |
Restore (2018) [collaboration with Emily Styler]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Your Love" | 4:55 |
| 2. | "All I Need" | 3:23 |
| 3. | "I'm With You" | 4:31 |
| 4. | "Engage Ring" | 5:00 |
| 5. | "Move It" | 4:08 |
| 6. | "Redripstick" | 4:39 |
| 7. | "Flower Dance, Pt. 2" | 4:10 |
| 8. | "Emotions Swim Inside" | 4:54 |
| 9. | "Over the Rain" | 3:52 |
| 10. | "Feel Alive" | 4:17 |
| 11. | "Another Starlight" | 4:04 |
| 12. | "Last Romance" | 4:44 |
| Total length: | 52:00 | |
Perfect Blue (2018)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Voice of Nature" | 3:35 |
| 2. | "Altair" (featuring Lee Ayur & Jabberloop) | 4:42 |
| 3. | "SAKURA Tears" (featuring Kie Katagi from jizue) | 3:57 |
| 4. | "Perfect Blue" | 5:10 |
| 5. | "Halcyon" | 4:34 |
| 6. | "Lightning Moment" (featuring fox capture plan) | 4:39 |
| 7. | "Nostalgic Echoes" | 3:59 |
| Total length: | 30:36 | |
Nightfall (2019) [collaboration with Celeina Ann]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nightfall" | 3:34 |
| 2. | "Fragile" | 4:31 |
| 3. | "Twilight" | 3:38 |
| 4. | "Addiction" | 4:34 |
| 5. | "Mesmerize" | 3:28 |
| 6. | "Glitter" | 4:44 |
| 7. | "Spectrum" | 4:26 |
| Total length: | 28:55 | |
References
- "Profile | DJ OKAWARI OFFICIAL SITE". www.djokawari.com. Archived from the original on 2016-01-10. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
- "ARTIST". www.libyus.com. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
- "TSUKINOSORA". JASRAC. Retrieved 2018-05-23.
- 2010 worlds ex practice Daisuke Takahashi.avi, 2010-03-28, retrieved 2016-01-14
- "MIRUMAgraph". marumiyan.com. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
- "DJ OKAWARI on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
- "TSUKINOSORA". JASRAC. Retrieved 2018-05-23.