Impersonations of singers that are crowd-pleasers for entertainment/acts
If you can do impressions, they’re handy for breaking the ice in self-introductions or showing off a party trick at drinking get-togethers.
That said, plenty of people probably struggle with not knowing which impressions to do.
So this time, I’ve put together some popular singer impression ideas!
These are all people who are loved across generations, so you can’t go wrong remembering them.
Even if you can already do impressions, it’s useful to expand your repertoire, so be sure to read to the end!
Top 10 singer impressions that kill at parties/performances (1–10)
Porno Graffitti
How about doing an impression of Porno Graffitti—the rock band fronted by Akihito Okano, whose singing voice is often described as one-of-a-kind? His voice actually has quite distinctive traits, so once you get the hang of it, you should be able to mimic it pretty well.
Study up and show it off at karaoke—you’re sure to bring the house down!
YOASOBI
Ikura, the vocalist of YOASOBI, a group that enjoys immense support especially among young people.
Why not try imitating her singing, as she masterfully handles songs across all genres? Her vocal style is characterized by a clear, transparent tone and a solid, focused voice.
The key is to raise your vocal placement so you can reach high notes comfortably without strain.
Also, by paying attention to “tanking” (adding dynamics) at the beginnings and endings of notes, you can deliver a performance with crisp contrast.
Give the songs of this music duo—known for numerous hits that liven up any setting, from workplaces and schools to parties—a try!
T.M.Revolution
How about trying an impersonation of T.M.Revolution? He’s known for his powerful vocals and flashy outfits, making him perfect for livening up parties and drinking gatherings.
If you perform a hit like “HOT LIMIT,” it’ll definitely transform the atmosphere in an instant! It’s fairly challenging, but that just makes the success even more rewarding.
Give it a try!
TUBE
TUBE is a rock band with many signature songs that evoke the feeling of summer.
The soulful voice of Nobutoki Maeda, the group’s vocalist who has been active since the 1980s, is loved by people of all ages.
It’s also recommended to try impersonations with his vocal qualities in mind, which convey both power and beauty.
By focusing on his powerful high tones and incorporating breathy whisper vocals, you can deliver a performance with clear contrast.
Try mimicking his singing style: use chest voice from the A verse through the B verse, then increase volume and open up your voice in the chorus for that expansive feel.
Motohiro Hata
Impersonating Motohiro Hata—the singer-songwriter known for many hit songs like “Himawari no Yakusoku” and “Uroko”—would likely be a big hit! Because he’s so appealing for his strong vocal ability, the impression is difficult, but if you can capture his singing well, it’s sure to get the crowd going.
It’s even better if you perform while playing guitar! His songs are widely known, so it’s a great recommendation.
Kiyoshi Hikawa
Among male enka singers in Japan, Kiyoshi Hikawa stands out with overwhelming name recognition and popularity.
It’s also recommended to learn his vocal style, as he masterfully performs a wide range of genres including J-pop and rock.
His singing is characterized by a beautiful high tone that includes the distinctive enka vibrato.
Many of his songs feature seamless switching between chest voice and falsetto.
A tip for doing an impression of him is to aim for a bright tone and elevate your vibrato.
He has released songs beloved across generations—from enka to anime themes—so definitely try taking on his repertoire.
Masafumi Akikawa
Masafumi Akikawa is a tenor singer known for delivering vocals rooted in classical singing.
His signature song “Sen no Kaze ni Natte,” which drew major attention at the 57th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 2006, is also recommended for use as a performance piece or entertainment number.
His style is characterized by a sense of grandeur and beauty, with an expansive vocal delivery.
Keep the tenor range in mind—meaning a higher male vocal register—and sing with a rich vibrato.
Why not take on his songs to add a moving touch to gatherings of seniors or ceremonial occasions?