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.
- Male singers with great voices: a collection of cool, seductive vocals
- Cool Japanese female vocal
- Masterpieces by male artists known for their captivating high notes. Recommended popular songs.
- A roundup of enka singers who have been active since childhood
- Funny songs recommended for kids: Japanese music that will make you laugh without even trying when you listen.
- [Enka] Songs that are easy to sing even for those who are tone-deaf [Female singers edition]
- “All About Youth” Popular Cover Song
- Perfect for karaoke song choices too! Hype tracks recommended for Gen Z.
- Revival hits driven by social media! Classic Showa-era songs popular with Gen Z
- Classic and popular songs sung by actors
- [Emotional Song] A classic wishing for a child’s growth — a love song dedicated to my child
- Gen Z listeners, take note! Great songs that color the J-pop scene
- Easy-to-sing songs recommended for teenage boys with low voices | Songs you can sing even during voice change!
Surprisingly Many!? A Roundup of Second-Generation Singers and Musicians Who Inherited Shining Talent (1–10)
A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru
A female singer-songwriter who debuted at the tender age of 15 and can be called a driving force behind propelling R&B into a mainstream genre in Japan.
Born an artist, she is the daughter of music producer Teruzane Utada and the era-defining singer Keiko Fuji.
Her instantly recognizable voice and songs influenced by a wide range of artists have been embraced by listeners across generations since her debut, achieving explosive popularity especially among younger audiences.
While her early work had a strong R&B flavor, her style has continually evolved—incorporating elements of rock and electronica—yet she continues to release music that remains distinctly Hikaru Utada, a musician who is actively and continuously evolving.
Where the Lilies BloomKourya Kenji (Dragon Ash)
The vocalist of Dragon Ash, a band that has reigned at the top ever since it whipped up a storm in the rock scene at their debut with the then-little-known genre of rap-rock in Japan.
Although he is the son of actor Ikko Furuya, he hid his real name because he didn’t want to rely on his father’s fame, and he and his band carved out their own path.
He also writes lyrics and composes for the band, and with his ever-evolving musicality, he is one of the artists leading Japan’s rock scene.
cherry blossomMoriyama Naotaro
A singer-songwriter whose mother is the renowned vocalist Ryoko Moriyama, famous for hits like “Nada Sousou” and “Sugarcane Field.” Beyond his catchy melodies, his uniquely angled lyrics are a major draw.
His second single, “Sakura (Dokusho),” released the year after his major-label debut, became a huge hit, earning him his first appearance on the year-end Kohaku Uta Gassen and showcasing his talent from the very start.
He has a wide circle of acquaintances and is active across fields—for instance, forming a unit with Show Ayanokoji of the rock band Kishidan to make a CD debut in 2015, and frequently appearing on variety shows with comedian Bakarhythm.
Surprisingly many!? A roundup of second-generation singers and musicians who have inherited dazzling talent (11–20)
-Missing You-Hiro（MY FIRST STORY）
Hiroki Moriuchi, the third son of singers Shinichi Mori and Masako Mori, is the vocalist of the rock band MY FIRST STORY.
MY FIRST STORY is popular for songs that blend fast beats and heavy sound with delicate, beautiful melodies.
STKyoumoto Taiga (SixTones)
Taiga Kyomoto is an artist born to multi-talented entertainer Masaki Kyomoto, who has been active on variety shows for many years, and Hiromi Yamamoto, who was active as an idol.
He belongs to Johnny & Associates and is active as a member of the popular idol group SixTONES.
In addition to his mother Hiromi Yamamoto, his father Masaki Kyomoto is also engaged in artistic activities.
With both an exceptional environment and lineage, Taiga Kyomoto’s future endeavors are definitely ones to watch.
I LOVE YOUOzaki Hiroya
Hiroya Ozaki is an artist and the son of Yutaka Ozaki.
He has been active in music since 2004, but I think many people first discovered his singing voice on the 2016 music program “Ongaku no Hi.” His voice is strikingly similar to Yutaka Ozaki’s distinctive nasal tone, and when he first appeared on television, it caused a big stir.
On the other hand, a notable difference is that Hiroya Ozaki’s voice has a fresher quality.
I’ve heard that Yutaka Ozaki passed away when Hiroya was two years old, but it’s clear the genes have been strongly inherited.
lightly; nimbly; flutteringlyŌhara Sakurako
As a current girls’ high school student in 2013, Sakurako Ohara won the audition for the heroine role in the film The Liar and His Lover, making a striking debut as an actress.
She also made her singing debut as the vocalist of the in-film band MUSH&Co., showcasing her high potential to the world.
The following year, in 2014, she debuted as a solo singer under the name Sakurako Ohara, and has been active as a popular young singer while continuing her acting career.
Highly acclaimed both as a singer and as an actress, Ms.
Ohara is actually the daughter of Naoya Hayashida, who is primarily active as a narrator.
Perhaps her excellent voice is something she inherited from her father…
