It’s been 20 years since the release of “Waterfalls” from girlgroup TLC – and to celebrate, they’re releasing a Greatest Hits album. For the Japanese release of the song, they collaborated with J-pop queen Namie Amuro for a remixed version of their popular 2003 hit. Check out the song below! Tell us what you think in the comments!
From April 28th – May 6th, YouTube Japan will be hosting “YouTube Music Week” – a week-long of live streams from prominent Japanese artists. I’m quite excited about the lineup – which includes some of Japan’s biggest female acts: AKB48, Ayumi Hamasaki, Koda Kumi, and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu! See below for the rest of the lineup.
Golden Bomber [April 27th-May 6th, 10:00 everday]
Sekai no Owari [April 27th @22:00, May 2nd @21:00]
AKB48 [April 28th]
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu [April 29th @14:00]
AAA [April 29th @22:00]
BOOM BOOM SATELLITES [April 30th @23:00]
Nightmare [May 1st @21:00]
Shonen no Kaze [May 3rd @12:00]
Koda Kumi [May 3rd @22:00]
Yakushimaru Etsuko [May 3rd @23:00]
Livetune [May 4th @18:30]
Flumpool [May 4th @21:00]
Hyadain [May 4th @22:00]
Hamasaki Ayumi [May 4th @23:00]
VERBAL [May 5th @21:00]
Denki Groove [May 6th @20:00]
For more info on how to watch the live stream for each artist, please visit this channel. In order to watch each stream, you must go to each artist’s respective YouTube channel. Note the times above are Japan Standard Time (JST).
When the Shukan Bunshin published an article (with pictures of her leaving his apartment) of AKB48 member Minegishi Minami the morning after spending the night at Alan Shiroyama (member of JPOP group Generations), she immediately was demoted to a research student (kenkyusei) and forced to post an apology video – where it was also revealed she shaved off her head as well.
Translation of video (source):
I’m Minegishi Minami from Umeda team B of AKB48.
I’m very sorry to have caused enormous worry to members, fans, staffs, my families and a lot of other people with the article in the weekly magaizne that is published today.
(Deep Bow)
As the 1st generation member of AKB48, the group that has formed in 2005, it’s my responsibility to always behave as a good role model to juniors. I deeply regret what I did this time. It was a thoughtless deed and I was completely lacking self-awareness as a senior member.
My brain blanked out and I’m still unable to figure out what to do, what I can do. But after I saw the magazine a little ago, I couldn’t help but doing something. And I decided to shave my head without consulting any member or staff at my agency.
Although I don’t think I would be forgiven by doing this, the first thing that I went through my head was that “I don’t want to leave AKB48.”
This is a place where my dear members, who I spent my blossom of youth together, are. And it’s unimaginable to even think about leaving the group where I’m with so many wonderful and sweet fans.
I understand it’s wishful thinking, but if it’s possible, I would like to still be AKB48′s Minegishi Minami.
This is all my fault.
I’m truly sorry.
I will leave my hereafter to the hands of Akimoto-sensei and management.
Though I haven’t been able to tidy my mind up, but I just wanted to tell my current feeling to you.
Thank you so much for listening to me.
(Deep Bow)
Members of AKB48 (and their member groups) are actually not allowed to have romantic relationships while being a part of the group. Previous members who have also been caught in relationships, have either been forced to leave the group or demoted to a less prominent position.
