From popular hits to hidden gems! Recommended cover artists that will keep you excited with new discoveries
Covers that spread mainly in the mid-2000s.
Around 2020, they began increasing again, with many cover albums being released and both legendary and rising artists covering popular hits and hidden gems.
Countless songs continue to be passed down and sung even as times change.
It can be hard to immediately think of specific cover artists, right?
So this time, we’ll introduce recommended artists who have music videos and mainly release their work on YouTube, as well as artists who have put out full albums.
They’re all wonderful covers, so be sure to give them a listen!
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- Great covers of classic and popular songs sung by male artists
- Recommended love songs sung by male artists for the yutori generation
- Hidden gems of love songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- [Covers of Japanese Songs] A selection of classic hits where both the original and the arranged versions are popular
- Iconic and popular songs sung by female artists: great cover versions
- Western classic songs covered by Japanese artists. Hit songs rediscovered through Japanese-language covers.
- Spitz’s classic songs covered by popular artists
- A soothing classic for the soul: a cover of “Yasashisa ni Tsutsumareta Nara”
- [Anytime] Popular cover songs
- That popular voice actor is doing that song!? A roundup of cover songs by voice actors
- “All About Youth” Popular Cover Song
- Farewell Message: Popular Cover Songs
Popular hits and hidden gems too! Recommended cover artists that keep the excitement of new discoveries going (21–30)
NEW LOOKMISAMO
MISAMO is a unit composed of Mina, Sana, and Momo, the Japanese members of TWICE.
They debuted in July 2023 and have gained popularity with a sophisticated style that incorporates J-pop and R&B.
Their debut album, Masterpiece, reached No.
1 on the Oricon weekly chart, and their appearance at the year-end NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen drew major attention.
The debut showcase reportedly received around 600,000 applications for 40,000 seats, underscoring their high popularity.
The trio’s performances, which blend their distinct personalities, are highly captivating and make them a perfect unit for fans of authentic dance music.
Be sure to give their music a listen!
summer festivalWhiteberry
Whiteberry is a five-piece girls’ band from Hokkaido known for their powerful performances.
They debuted in 1999 with the single “YUKI,” which was also used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s “Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!” The song that catapulted them to fame was their August 2000 cover of a track by JITTERIN’JINN.
With this release, they performed at the 51st NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, and the song is still beloved as a summer classic today.
Many listeners may feel a sense of nostalgia in their down-to-earth music.
Be sure to check out their performance, which brings out the best of the original song!
East and Westiri
One artist drawing attention for her distinctive husky voice and sense of groove is iri.
Her appeal lies in an urban sound rooted in R&B and hip-hop, and she built her career from solo performances at her local jazz bar.
She made her major debut in 2016, and is known for signature tracks like Watashi, which was featured in a Nike Women campaign, and the emotive Aitai wa.
In the 2014 audition that launched her career, she won the grand prize, and her album Groove it topped the charts.
If you enjoy sophisticated music, you’ll likely be drawn into her world.
Be sure to check out iri’s cool sound!
All of the Youthsuis from Yorushika
Among storytelling-driven music, the vocalist suis from the musical unit Yorushika is especially popular.
Since beginning activities in 2017, she has captivated many fans with her clear, translucent voice.
Yorushika has earned high acclaim, including winning the Japan Gold Disc Award, and suis is also active as a solo artist.
When she covered classic hits for a game promotion, her expressive power drew in a wide audience.
Music that lets you immerse yourself in a story through a beautiful singing voice can evoke a certain sense of wistfulness, don’t you think? Be sure to experience their one-of-a-kind world for yourself!
It’s the cutest ever!Koresawa
Koresawa is an artist who resonates with listeners through lyrics that capture everyday moments.
Her charm lies in an accessible sound that blends pop and folk, and she made her major debut in 2017 with the album “Korekara.” Songs that portray raw emotions, such as “Tabako” and “Koibito Shikkaku,” have earned her wide popularity.
In 2021, “Ai o Kite” was broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta.
She also performs under the character “Reko-chan,” and in 2024 she won the Lyricist Award at the Japan Record Awards.
Her music, which gently accompanies the ache of love and the tenderness of daily life, may offer a comforting sense of relief to those who listen.
Graduation PhotoImai Miki
After working as a model, Miki Imai embarked on a career as a singer.
Her greatest appeal lies in her crystal-clear voice that seems to gently permeate the listener’s heart.
She debuted in 1986, and her 1996 single “PRIDE” was a massive hit, selling over 1.6 million copies.
Many people likely came to know her through this classic.
In 2011, she received the Best Mother Award, and her lifestyle has also garnered attention.
In addition to her original songs, she has performed many cover tracks, making her perfect for those who want to enjoy a different atmosphere from the original versions.
Let her voice reveal a new side to beloved classics.
A Member of the Fire BrigadeKōda Kumi
Koda Kumi is an artist who can masterfully sing everything from cool, R&B-based tracks to heart-stirring ballads.
She debuted in 2000 and shot to fame with “real Emotion,” the theme song for the 2003 game FINAL FANTASY X-2.
Riding that momentum, she won the 47th Japan Record Award in 2005 with “BUTTERFLY.” Her sexy, powerful performances have become an aspiration for many women.
She’s the perfect artist to listen to when you want to lift your mood or draw energy from a powerful vocal performance.