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)
If I Fall in LoveCrystal 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 loveIZAM（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?
lamplightYuga
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!
Surprisingly many!? A roundup of second-generation singers and musicians who have inherited dazzling talent (11–20)
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…
-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.
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.
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.