Rina Aiuchi

Rikako Kakiuchi (垣内 里佳子), professionally known by her stage name, Rina Aiuchi (愛内 里菜) and formerly known as R, is a Japanese singer, songwriter, businesswoman, fashion model, and YouTuber.

Born in Higashiōsaka, Japan, she won the first season of the audition Super Starlight Contest, winning a recording contract with Giza Studio.

Kakiuchi was born on 31 July 1980, in Higashiōsaka, Osaka.

She attended Tezukayama High School.

In her high school years, Kakiuchi began working as a model, appearing on Cawaii! and participated in several music auditions, following advice from her friends.

In 1998, Kakiuchi attended Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts.

In July 1998, Kakiuchi's cover of "Desperado" by Nathalie Aarts was released as a part of the euro-beat compilation album Eurobeat Flash Vol.19, via Cutting Edge.

In the spring of 1999, she won the first season of the audition show Super Starlight Contest and received a recording contract with Giza Studio.

In March 2000, Kakiuchi made her debut as Rina Aiuchi with her first single "Close to Your Heart", the theme song to the Japanese animated television series Monster Rancher.

The single was a moderate success, selling approximately 64,000 copies and peaking at number nineteen on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

The second and third singles from her debut album; "It's Crazy for You" and "Ohh! Paradise Taste!!" were released to moderate success, peaking in Japan at number sixteen and twenty-three, respectively.

Her fourth single "Koi wa Thrill, Shock, Suspense" achieved nationwide success, reaching number five, selling over 100,000 copies.

The song attracted considerable attention for serving as the theme song to the Japanese animated television series Case Closed.

Her eurobeat-sounding debut album, Be Happy (2001) was certified gold in Japan and spawned a top-five single, "Koi wa Thrill, Shock, Suspense", which served as the theme song to the Japanese anime television series Case Closed.

Aiuchi's second album Power of Words became her best-selling album, selling over 419,000 copies nationwide and certificated platinum in Japan.

On 24 January 2001, Kakiuchi's debut album Be Happy was released to a commercial success.

The eurobeat-influenced J-pop album peaked at number three and has certificated Gold in Japan.

In support of the album, Aiuchi embarked on her first concert tour, Rina Aiuchi Club Circuit 2001 "Be Happy".

In March 2001, Kakiuchi earned a Japan Gold Disc Award for New Artist of the Year.

In April 2001, "Faith" was released as the lead single from the second album.

To promote the song, Kakiuchi appeared on several television music shows like CDTV.

The song achieved a moderate success, reaching number eight on the Oricon chart.

The album has spawned three top-five singles: "Forever You ~Eien ni Kimi to~", "I Can't Stop My Love for You", and "Navy Blue" was released as the third single from the album in October 2001.

The J-pop ballad song succeeded commercially, peaking at number two in Japan and has sold over 127,000 copies in Japan.

Kakiuchi's second album Power of Words was released in May 2002.

From 16 June 2002, Kakiuchi embarked on the concert tour, entitled Rina Aiuchi Live Tour 2002 "Power of Words" in support of the album.

The album The double A-side single, "Sincerely Yours"/"Can You Feel the Power of Words?"

was released in August 2002.

The former served as the lead single from Aiuchi's third album, while the latter being the sixth single from her second album Power of Words.

The single has sold approximately 82,000 copies in Japan and been certificated Gold by RIAJ, peaking at number four on the Oricon chart.

A.I.R. has spawned five top three singles: "Deep Freeze" was released in November 2002, as the second single from the album.

Aiuchi released the first remix album Rina Aiuchi Remixes Cool City Production Vol.5 in July 2003.

The album was a commercial success, selling over 70,000 copies and reaching number four on the Oricon chart.

Aiuchi's third studio album, AIR was released on 15 October 2003, simultaneously with the sixth single from the album, "Kūki".

The album became Aiuchi's second number-one hit in Japan and has certificated Gold by RIAJ.

In 2010, Kakiuchi announced her retirement from the music industry and founded a dog clothing brand Bon Bon Copine in September 2012.

She later resumed her musical activities, appearing on several television shows in 2015 and releasing a single "Warm Prayer" in 2018 under the new stage name, R.

The album has been her best-selling album as of September 2018, with the sales of over 419,000 copies.

As of November 2020, "Navy Blue" has remained Kakiuchi's the best-selling song.

Power of Words achieved a massive success in Japan, topping on the Oricon chart and certificated Platinum by RIAJ.