More than you might expect!? A roundup of second-generation singers and musicians who inherited shining talent
When you watch TV, you often see second-generation celebrities—people with famous parents—getting a lot of attention, right?
Having grown up with celebrity parents from a young age, many of them are thriving by making the most of the talent they’ve inherited.
There are actually quite a lot of these second-generation stars in the music industry, too!
Some have singers or musicians as parents, of course, but there are also second-generation musicians whose parents are actors or actresses.
In this article, we’ll be introducing a range of second-generation singers and musicians who have celebrity parents.
Enjoy their talent-filled performances, honed since childhood.
Surprisingly Many!? A Roundup of Second-Generation Singers and Musicians Who Inherited Shining Talent (1–10)
U.S.A.NEW!ISSA（DA BUMP）
ISSA, the leader of DA PUMP and the son of Motomu Hentona—a senior professional golfer who also performs as the singer “PAPA Hentona”—made a striking debut in 1997 with the single “Feelin’ Good ~It’s PARADISE~,” armed with dance skills honed at Okinawa Actors School and vocal prowess that doesn’t waver even during intense choreography.
Starting in 1998, he appeared on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen for five consecutive years, a testament to his widely recognized talent.
In 2003, he also pursued solo work with “Justiφ’s,” the theme song for Kamen Rider 555, and in recent years he has been active in musical theater.
With musical talent inherited from his father and overwhelming performance ability, we can’t wait to see him continue to energize Japan’s entertainment scene!
JupiterNEW!Hirahara Ayaka
A highly skilled female singer who grew up in a musical family: her father is multi-reed player Makoto Hirahara, and her grandfather was also a trumpet player.
She originally aspired to be a saxophonist and has an unusual background, majoring in jazz saxophone at a music university.
She debuted in 2003 with the single “Jupiter,” based on Holst’s suite The Planets, and quickly drew attention for her rich, resonant voice.
The song was featured in the TV drama Kinpachi-sensei (Class 3-B, Mr.
Kinpachi) and has become a beloved classic across generations.
She received the New Artist Award at the Japan Record Awards, and in 2014 expanded her expressive range by appearing in the musical Love Never Dies.
Recommended for those who want to savor a moving voice backed by solid technique.
SoupNEW!Fujihara Sakura
Sakura Fujiwara, who played the heroine in the Monday night drama “Love Song” and captivated audiences with her smoky singing voice.
Did you know she’s actually a second-generation musician? Her father is Koji Fujiwara, a bassist who has also performed with Small Circle of Friends.
Sakura made her major debut in 2015 with the mini-album “à la carte,” and the following year, alongside her drama appearance, her single “Soup” became a big hit.
Her expressive power is well recognized, as shown by her winning the Newcomer Award at the Confidence Award Drama Prize.
It’s said she began writing songs after receiving a classical guitar from her father at age 10, so her musical talent can truly be called a paternal inheritance.
She’s an artist we’d love fans of rich, rootsy music—like blues and country—to hear.
If I Fall in LoveNEW!Crystal Kay
Crystal Kay was born into a musical family with a bassist father and a singer mother, and with her exceptional talent she has been leading Japan’s R&B scene since the age of 13.
She debuted in 1999, and her song Koi ni Ochitara, the theme for the drama Koi ni Ochitara: Boku no Seikō no Himitsu, became a huge hit.
Her outstanding vocal ability has been highly praised not only in the music world but also in theater; it’s impressive that she won the Yomiuri Theater Awards’ Excellence Award for Best Actress for the musical Pippin.
She creates groove with a bilingual sensibility, effortlessly switching between English and Japanese, and pairs that with intellect as a graduate of Sophia University.
She is truly an artist I can wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking authentic sound and overwhelming expressive power.
Melty loveNEW!IZAM（SHAZNA）
IZAM, who built an era as the vocalist of the visual kei band SHAZNA, is the son of former professional baseball player Kozo Hine—something that may not be widely known.
After making his major debut in 1997 with “Melty Love,” he skyrocketed to fame with a glamorous, Culture Club–inspired cross-dressing style and a sweet singing voice.
SHAZNA’s cover of Ippudo’s “Sumire September Love” was also a massive hit, becoming a social phenomenon.
Beyond music, he demonstrated his talent as an actor, winning the Newcomer Award at the 11th Japan Film Critics Awards in 2002.
He’s also well known as a TV personality on variety shows, but why not revisit his songs brimming with pop sensibility?
lamplightNEW!Yuga
Yuga is a singer-songwriter whose parents are actor Ryo Ishibashi and actress Mieko Harada.
Since her 2011 debut with the album “Elegant,” she has captivated many listeners with her deeply resonant voice.
Her music blends folk and jazz, and when she provided the theme song for the 2019 film “A Long Goodbye,” her gentle vocals that closely matched the story became a major talking point.
Since 2018, she has formed the band Mahou Band, continuing to evolve her expression by incorporating a band sound.
She has also been expanding her activities, such as composing the score for the NHK drama “On the Night of the Lunar Eclipse,” which aired in March 2023.
She’s an artist you’ll definitely want to listen to if you’re seeking soothing music for a quiet night!
Perfect-Sense DreamerTAKA（ONE OK ROCK ）
The vocalist of ONE OK ROCK, a four-member rock band active not only in Japan but around the world.
Many people likely see him as a true thoroughbred of the music world, being the son of singers Shinichi Mori and Masako Mori.
In fact, before joining ONE OK ROCK, he entered Johnny & Associates at age 13 and even made his CD debut as a member of NEWS, one of the agency’s popular groups, before leaving to focus on his studies—a well-known part of his background.
His vocal ability is highly acclaimed overseas as well, and he is an artist expected to reach even greater heights on bigger stages.
