Kumi Koda

Biography

Kumiko Kōda (神田 來未子, Kōda Kumiko; born November 13, 1982), known professionally as Koda Kumi (倖田 來未, Kōda Kumi), is a Japanese singer from Kyoto, known for her urban and R&B songs.
After debuting with the single "Take Back×TAKE BACK6 December 2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1TAKE BACK2Your Song3TAKE BACK (C. "Tricky" Stewart remix)4TAKE BACK (Daylight remix)5TAKE BACK (instrumental)6Your Song (instrumental)" in December 2000, Koda gained fame in March 2003 when the songs from her seventh single, "Real Emotion/1000 no Kotoba", were used as themes for the video game Final Fantasy X-2. Her popularity grew with the release of her fourth studio album Secret×secret9 February 2005 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Intro～Get down～1:272キューティーハニー3:063Hot Stuff4:074Selfish3:565hands4:246Hearty・・・3:327SHAKE IT3:488奇跡4:599Trust you4:2710Chase5:0011LOVE HOLIC4:2512245:4013Let's Party4:3914Believe4:3015Through the sky5:30 (2005), her sixteenth single "Butterfly×Butterfly22 June 2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Butterfly2Your Sunshine3大切な君へ4Butterfly (instrumental)5Your Sunshine (instrumental)6大切な君へ (instrumental)" (2005), and her first greatest hits album Best: First Things (2005), reaching the number-three, number-two, and number-one spots respectively.
Though her early releases presented a conservative, quiet image, she has become a fashion leader among young women, setting trends such as the ero-kakkoii style. In 2006 and 2007, Oricon named Koda as the top selling artist of the year.

Early life

Koda was born into a family of musicians. Her grandfather was a Shakuhachi master and her mother was a Koto teacher; she is the older sister of Misono, current solo artist and former lead singer of Day After Tomorrow. Inspired by her mother, who performed in karaoke bars, Koda, from a young age, had aspirations of becoming a singer. Her school years were unhappy; she described her junior and high school years as "obscure times", as she was ridiculed due to her "fatness", "shortness", "ugliness", and other factors related to her appearance. During her second year of high school Koda auditioned in Avex's "Dream Audition", where she came in second out of 120,000 participants. She was then signed onto the Avex sub-label Rhythm Zone. Koda's first semi-biographical book, Koda-shiki ("Koda-style") was officially described as "a story about a girl who was filled with inferiority complex pursuing her way".

2000–2004: Early career and image change

Koda debuted on December 6, 2000, with the single "Take Back×TAKE BACK6 December 2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1TAKE BACK2Your Song3TAKE BACK (C. "Tricky" Stewart remix)4TAKE BACK (Daylight remix)5TAKE BACK (instrumental)6Your Song (instrumental)"; it was followed by "Trust Your Love×Trust Your Love9 May 2001 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Trust Your Love (original mix)4:292STILL IN LOVE (original mix)3:393Trust Your Love (Sean "Sepp" Hall remix)3:324Trust Your Love (Razor's radio mix)4:535Trust Your Love (Thunderpuss radio mix)3:226Trust Your Love (instrumental)4:287STILL IN LOVE (instrumental)3:38", "Color of Soul×COLOR OF SOUL3 October 2001 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1COLOR OF SOUL2It's too late3Trust Your Love (Hex Hector Japanese radio remix)4Trust Your Love (BLACKWATCH remix)5COLOR OF SOUL (instrumental)6It's too late (instrumental)" (both 2001), and "So into You×So Into You13 March 2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1So Into You ［Original mix］4:342COLOR OF SOUL ［Dub’s Guitar Of Soul Remix］7:473TAKE BACK ［Blackwatch Remix］7:294So Into You ［Instrumental］4:32" (2002). "Trust Your Love" and "Color of Soul" were both Top 30 singles; the former reached number 18 on the chart and became Koda's first Top Twenty single. Using the stage name Koda, Koda recorded "Take Back" and "Trust Your Love" in English and released the singles in the United States under Orpheus Records. "Take Back" peaked at number 18 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart; "Trust Your Love" had more success, reaching the top spot on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart. The single also charted on the Hot Singles Sales chart and Hot Dance Club Play chart, at No. 19 and No. 35, respectively. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Koda recorded the charity single "The Meaning of Peace" with Korean singer BoA as part of Avex's Song+Nation project to raise funds for charity. In March 2002, Koda released her debut album Affection×affection27 March 2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1atomic energy1:332Trust Your Love4:293Go Together4:424Your Song5:215feel me4:226COLOR OF SOUL4:317Best Friend Of Mine1:558My Dream4:379So Into You4:3410Till Morning Comes3:5111come back5:3812TAKE BACK4:5713Can't Lose3:5414walk5:09 under Rhythm Zone; it peaked at number 12 on the Oricon album chart.
After the release of Affection, Koda released three singles. "Love Across the Ocean×love across the ocean24 July 2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1love across the ocean2the meaning of peace3So Into You (Dub's Electro remix)4love across the ocean (instrumental)5the meaning of peace (instrumental)", "Maze" (both 2002), and "real Emotion/1000 no Kotoba" (2003). "Love Across the Ocean" and "Maze" peaked at the number 19 and 25 positions. Koda achieved minor success with "real Emotion/1000 no Kotoba", which peaked at number 3 after three weeks on the charts. The songs were used as the opening and ending themes, respectively, of the video game Final Fantasy X-2; in addition, Koda motion-acted the dance moves of one of the characters and voiced the character Lenne in the Japanese version of the game. She released her second album, Grow into One×grow into one19 March 2003 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Teaser1:532real Emotion4:003BOY FRIEND？4:424Your only one4:535one3:326One night romance4:3771000の言葉 (original mix)5:598S．O．S -sound of silence-3:249m・a・z・e4:0510乱反射4:0211Pearl Moon5:1712Nasty girl4:4013To be one4:2514love across the ocean3:38 in March 2003. It debuted at number 11 on the charts, and peaked at number 8 in the fourth week of its run.
From then on, Koda continued a string of Top Twenty singles with "Come with Me×COME WITH ME27 August 2003 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1COME WITH ME4:482real Emotion (english version)4:0231000の言葉 (english version)5:594real Emotion (DJ MSK remix)4:1851000の言葉 (DJ 19 remix)8:346COME WITH ME (instrumental)4:46", "Gentle Words×Gentle Words10 December 2003 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Gentle Words2Without Your Love3最後の雨4Gentle Words (instrumental)5Without Your Love (instrumental)6最後の雨 (instrumental)" (both 2003), and "Crazy 4 U×Crazy 4 U15 January 2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Crazy 4 U4:082夢 with You3:483Crazy 4 U “Akakage’s crazy love Remix”6:514Crazy 4 U “Instrumental”4:095夢 with You “Instrumental”3:49" (2004). She then released her third album Feel My Mind×feel my mind18 February 2004 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Break it down2Crazy 4 U3Rock Your Body4Rain5Without Your Love6Talk to You7華8Get Out the Way9Sweet love...10Gentle Words11magic12COME WITH ME (February 2004), which debuted at number 7. Koda also covered the theme song of the anime series Cutie Honey originally by Yoko Maekawa for the 2004 live-action film and Re: Cutie Honey. The song, which shared the same name as the show, was included as a bonus track on the album and became the title track of her eleventh single, "Love & Honey×LOVE & HONEY26 May 2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1キューティーハニー3:082The theme of Sister Jill ～LOVE & HONEY version～3:493夜霧のハニー3:464Into your heart4:195キューティーハニー (instrumental)3:076Into Your Heart (instrumental)4:16" (2004), after the album's release. At the end of the year, Koda released two more singles, "Chase×Chase28 July 2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Chase2Heat3Chase (instrumental)4Heat (instrumental)" and "Kiseki".
During her image change, Koda stated her concern about what her parents would think. When they approved and supported her, she chose to keep the style that would become infamous with her name: "ero-kakkoi".

2005–2006: Growing popularity

Koda's first release of 2005 was her fourteenth single, "Hands×hands19 January 2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1hands4:282Through the sky5:333hands (instrumental)4:284Through the sky (instrumental)5:30" (January 19). Less than a month later, she released her fourth album, Secret×secret9 February 2005 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Intro～Get down～1:272キューティーハニー3:063Hot Stuff4:074Selfish3:565hands4:246Hearty・・・3:327SHAKE IT3:488奇跡4:599Trust you4:2710Chase5:0011LOVE HOLIC4:2512245:4013Let's Party4:3914Believe4:3015Through the sky5:30. Secret debuted at number 3 and became her first album to debut in the Top Five. The album was certified double platinum by the RIAJ for selling 521,000 copies total. Koda then released her fifteenth single, "Hot Stuff×Hot Stuff13 April 2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Hot Stuff2Hot Stuff (確変無想転生remix)3Trust you (Dub's Trust me remix)4Selfish (D.I's C&B mix)Disc 21Hot Stuff (PV)2Trust you ~Thanks to MAM & GRAMMA ver.~ (PV)3Selfish (Live)4Hot Stuff (Making Of)", from the album. Shortly afterwards, Koda released her first live DVD, Secret: First Class Limited Live. In 2006, Oricon reported that Secret: First Class Limited Live had set a new record on the music DVD charts by remaining at the top of the Oricon DVD charts for seven weeks in total. Koda released her sixteenth single, "Butterfly×Butterfly22 June 2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Butterfly2Your Sunshine3大切な君へ4Butterfly (instrumental)5Your Sunshine (instrumental)6大切な君へ (instrumental)", which debuted at number 2 on the Oricon chart. "Butterfly" was followed by "Flower×flower10 August 2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1flower2flower (Acoustic Version)3flower (Instrumental)4flower (Acoustic Instrumental Version)" and "Promise/Star"; both peaked at number 4 in the weekly chart.
In September, Koda released her first greatest hits album, Best: First Things. The album debuted at number 2 on the chart in its first week but rose to the top the following week, giving Koda her first number-one album. Best: First Things sold over a million copies and was certified million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan. In December, Koda began the "12 Singles Project" in which for twelve consecutive weeks, she released one single per week (nine of which were labeled as limited editions). The first single of the 12 Singles Project, "You", debuted at the top of the chart, giving Koda her first number-one single. Koda then released "Birthday Eve×Birthday Eve14 December 2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Birthday Eve2Birthday Eve (instrumental)", "D.D.D.×D.D.D.21 December 2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1D.D.D.2D.D.D. (instrumental)", and "Shake It Up×Shake It Up28 December 2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Shake It Up2Shake It Up (instrumental)" before the end of the year. Koda released the remaining eight singles in the beginning of the new year. The first single was "Lies", followed by "Feel", "Candy×Candy18 January 2006 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Candy4:152Candy (instrumental)4:15", "No Regret×No Regret25 January 2006 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1No Regret4:332Rain (Unplugged version)5:493No Regret (instrumental)4:334Rain (Album version) (instrumental)5:49", "Ima Sugu Hoshii", "Kamen×KAMEN8 February 2006 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1KAMEN5:242KAMEN (with your darling version)5:243KAMEN (with your honey version)5:244KAMEN (instrumental)5:23", "Wind" and "Someday/Boys & Girls".
On the same day as she released the last single from the project, she released digitally Koda Kumi Remix Album, which includes remixes of songs from project. "Feel", the fifth single from the project, debuted atop the charts. "You" remained in the Oricon Top Ten during the release of "Shake It Up" and "Lies", making Koda the first female artist to have three singles in the Top Ten of the Oricon Weekly Singles chart. Koda's fashion in this period, in which she wore skin-baring clothes, started the ero-kakkoii trend in Japan. "Get It On×Get It On1 March 2006 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Get It On", the thirteenth and last single of the "12 Singles Project", was Koda's first digital single; it was followed by her second greatest hits album, Best: Second Session. The album featured all twelve singles along with two new tracks and was released in three different formats: CD-only, CD+DVD, and CD+2DVD. Best: Second Session debuted at the top of the chart with 983,000 copies sold in its first week, making Koda the first female artist with the highest greatest hits album debut sales since Hikaru Utada's Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 1. Like Best: First Things, Best: Second Session was certified million by the RIAJ.

After Best: Second Session, Koda released "Koi no Tsubomi" which reached number 2 in its debut week with 140,000 copies sold, and eventually topped 1 million downloads. This was the highest debut week sales for a female artist in 2006, until Ayumi Hamasaki surpassed it with her single "Blue Bird". On July 26, 2006, Koda released her first photobook, Maroc; the book, photographed by Leslie Kee, was tied with her thirty-second single "4 Hot Wave×4 hot wave26 July 2006 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1人魚姫4:252I'll be there4:123JUICY4:274With your smile4:16", which was released on the same day. Koda reclaimed the title of highest debut week sales for a female artist in 2006 with "4 Hot Wave"; which also ranked second behind the KinKi Kids. "4 Hot Wave" is Koda's nineteenth consecutive single to debut in the Top Ten since "Kiseki". Koda's next single, "Yume no Uta / Futari de..." (2006), was a musical first for Koda, as she took full creative control over the production of the single and music video; she wrote the lyrics, chose the outfits, and produced the concepts for the videos of both songs. Koda then recorded a cover of the Bubblegum Brothers' "Won't Be Long" with label-mates Exile. "Cherry Girl/Unmei" was the last single Koda released before releasing her fifth album Black Cherry×Black Cherry20 December 2006 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1INTRODUCTION1:252Get Up & Move!!3:233人魚姫4:264夢のうた4:445月と太陽4:026Puppy4:047恋のつぼみ4:078WON'T BE LONG 〜Black Cherry Version〜4:299JUICY4:2910Candle Light3:1711Cherry Girl3:5512I'll be there4:1513運命4:2214With your smile4:1615ミルクティー2:3616Twinkle3:5217GO WAY!!4:3018WON'T BE LONG 〜Red Cherry Version〜5:11 in December. Black Cherry became the first female studio album to stay atop the charts for four weeks since Ayumi Hamasaki's album Duty. At the end of 2006, Oricon named her the best-selling artist of 2006 with ¥12,702,200,000 profit (approximately $136,465,304), and Yahoo! Japan declared her to be the most-searched female artist and tenth most searched term overall in 2006.

2007–2010: Commercial peak and controversy

On March 14, 2007, Koda released her thirty-fifth single ("But/Aishō"), another greatest hits album (Best: Bounce & Lovers), and a DVD of her second tour Live Tour 2006–2007: Second Session. Her second single of 2007, "Freaky×FREAKY27 June 2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11FREAKY3:222空4:453Run For Your Life3:134girls4:425FREAKY／Surtek Collective's Aciton Remix4:056空／Yukihiro Fukutomi Remix5:477Run For Your Life／Kaskade Remix5:498girls／CUBISMO GRAFICO Beach Girls Mix6:29Disc 21FREAKY / Music Video2Run For Your Life / Music Video3FREAKY / Making Video4Run For Your Life / Making Video", reached the top spot on the Oricon, giving Koda her fourth number-one single. Koda performed at the Japanese leg of Live Earth in Tokyo on July 7, 2007, and attended AP Bank Fes '07, a conservationist-themed concert, hosted by Kazutoshi Sakurai of Mr. Children on July 15, 2007. At the end of 2007, Koda released two singles, "Ai no Uta" and "Last Angel", a collaboration with Korean boy band TVXQ better known as Tohoshinki in Japan. "Last Angel" was used as the theme song for the Japanese release for Resident Evil: Extinction. On December 1, she held her first performance at Tokyo Dome for her third nationwide and first arena tour. Koda became the seventh solo female singer to perform at Tokyo Dome with an estimated audience of 45,000 people. Having sold more than 7.3 billion yen worth of CDs and DVDs, Koda was again the best-selling artist of the year in Oricon's 2007 year-end rankings.
Koda released her thirty-ninth single "Anytime×anytime23 January 2008 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1anytime4:132Bounce3:223anytime (Free TEMPO remix)7:164anytime (instrumental)4:135Bounce (instrumental)3:19" on January 23, 2008; it was followed by her sixth studio album Kingdom×Kingdom30 January 2008 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Introduction For Kingdom1:402LAST ANGEL3:483甘い罠3:594秘密4:245愛のうた4:516anytime4:107Under3:408BUT3:379恋の魔法4:3210愛証3:5311あなたがしてくれたこと4:1112Wonderland3:2813FREAKY3:1814MORE3:1215Black Cherry3:00, which was released in the same format as her previous album. With a little over 420,000 copies sold in its first week, Kingdom debuted atop the Oricon. On January 31, Koda hosted the radio show All Night Nippon. Discussing her manager's recent marriage and plans on having children, Koda claimed that women's amniotic fluid rots at the age of 35, and that women ought to have children before this happens. The comment drew controversy. Avex released an apology stating that as a consolation, all promotion of Kingdom would cease. Additionally, several of Koda's commercial endorsements were placed on hiatus. Koda herself made a public apology on Fuji TV. Despite the controversy, Kingdom remained on top for a second consecutive week. Two months after her controversial statement, Koda released Live Tour 2007: Black Cherry Tour Special Final in Tokyo Dome, her fourth live DVD. Her fourth nationwide tour Kumi Koda Live Tour 2008: Kingdom commenced on April 12, 2008. For the Japanese dub of Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant, the film got its own theme song, "Can We Go Back×Can We Go Back20 January 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Can We Go Back3:252Good☆day3:073Can We Go Back (instrumental)3:254Good☆day (instrumental)3:02", sung by her. Koda's fortieth single "Moon" was released on June 11, 2008. Like "Freaky", "Moon" contained four tracks. The single contained "Moon Crying", used as the theme for Asahi Television drama Puzzle, and a collaboration track with The Black Eyed Peas' Fergie
Koda again attended Avex's annual summer concert A-Nation '08. She appeared at all eight shows in Japan and performed with other Avex artists such as Every Little Thing, Ai Otsuka, Namie Amuro, Ayumi Hamasaki, TVXQ, and Maki Goto. In October 2008, Koda released her forty-first single, "Taboo×TABOO8 October 2008 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1TABOO3:552Always4:313TABOO (HOUSE NATION Sunset in Ibiza remix)5:444TABOO (instrumental)3:555Always (instrumental)4:26". With around 66,000 copies sold in its first week, "Taboo" debuted at the number-one position and became Koda's fifth single to reach the top. Koda released her forty-second single "Stay with Me×stay with me24 December 2008 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1stay with me4:582Winter Bell4:093stay with me (orgel version)2:404stay with me (instrumental)4:545Winter Bell (instrumental)4:08" on Christmas Eve, which debuted atop of the chart selling 58,000 copies. Koda's seventh studio album, Trick×TRICK28 January 2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1INTRODUCTION FOR TRICK1:172TABOO3:503show girl4:034Your Love4:095stay with me4:536This is not a love song3:257Driving4:208Bling Bling Bling3:539That Ain't Cool3:3010Hurry Up!4:0111Moon Crying5:4312JUST THE WAY YOU ARE3:4213Joyful5:0214愛のことば3:53, was another number-one album for the singer, selling 253,000 in its first week. The album stayed at the number-one spot for a second week selling 56,000 copies. Although the album debuted at the number-one position, this was her lowest selling album since her fourth studio album, Secret×secret9 February 2005 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Intro～Get down～1:272キューティーハニー3:063Hot Stuff4:074Selfish3:565hands4:246Hearty・・・3:327SHAKE IT3:488奇跡4:599Trust you4:2710Chase5:0011LOVE HOLIC4:2512245:4013Let's Party4:3914Believe4:3015Through the sky5:30.

On March 25, 2009, Koda released two albums, Out Works & Collaboration Best×Out Works & Collaboration Best25 March 2009 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Get It On3:352the meaning of peace5:003Switch5:284Heat4:175It's a small world2:476Just Go4:307Hot Stuff4:088Rainy Day4:369Super Sonic3:3910Candy4:0911XXX4:1312Kamen5:1413Joy5:2414Won't Be Long5:1415Simple & Lovely3:4916Last Angel3:5217That Ain't Cool3:32 and Koda Kumi Driving Hit's×Driving Hit's25 March 2009 · Studio album · DJ-mixSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Lady Go!4:022Come Over (Caramel Pod Club mix)5:253恋のつぼみ (Shohei Matsumoto remix)3:464Crazy 4 U (World Sketch remix)6:105real Emotion (HOUSE NATION Sunset In Ibiza remix)4:566BUT (MITOMI TOKOTO BIG ROOM remix)5:007Get Up & Move!! (Pink Chameleons remix)4:178Butterfly (Prog5 Mirrorball remix)4:349キューティーハニー (HOUSE NATION Sunset In Ibiza remix)4:3310TABOO (HOUSE NATION Sunset In Ibiza remix)4:4311Run For Your Life (Kaskade remix)3:1812空 (Yukihiro Fukutomi remix)4:2713anytime (FreeTEMPO remix)4:0514愛のうた (The Standard Club PIANO DANCE remix)5:0215COLOR OF SOUL (DJ KANBE & Leisure Central remix)3:4816TAKE BACK (Sunset In Ibiza remix)3:2717Driving4:24. The former is a compilation of collaborations with other artists and the latter is a remix album. Out Works & Collaboration Best and Koda Kumi Driving Hit's debuted at number 7 and 6 respectively. Koda's forty-third single, "It's All Love!×It's all Love!31 March 2009 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1It's all Love!4:532faraway5:173天秤〜強がりな私×弱がりな君〜4:434It's all Love! (Instrumental)4:545faraway (Instrumental)5:166天秤〜強がりな私×弱がりな君〜 (Instrumental)4:40", was released on March 31. The single, a collaboration with her younger sister Misono, debuted atop the Oricon, making the sisters the first siblings to have a single top the chart in its initial week. The second song from the single, "Faraway", was used as the theme song for the manga-based movie Subaru. On July 8, 2009, Koda released her forty-fourth single, "3 Splash×3 SPLASH8 July 2009 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks109:00 A.M. (Introduction)0:422Lick me ♥3:293ECSTASY3:28412:35 P.M. (Interlude)0:245走れ!4:10612:00 A.M. (Outroduction)1:07". The single debuted at number 2 on the charts making it Koda's thirty-third Top 10 single. Following the release of "3 Splash" was her forty-fifth single, "Alive/Physical Thing", which took the number-one spot on the single charts.

2010–2011: Tenth anniversary, Dejavu, Japonesque, and marriage

On January 20, 2010, Koda released a new single titled, "Can We Go Back×Can We Go Back20 January 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Can We Go Back3:252Good☆day3:073Can We Go Back (instrumental)3:254Good☆day (instrumental)3:02", which is a cover of a bonus track on Kelly Clarkson's 2009 album All I Ever Wanted. On February 3, 2010, Koda released a new best album, Best: Third Universe, and her eighth studio album, Universe, which are packaged together under the name of Best: Third Universe/Universe. On July 7, 2010, she released her 47th single, "Gossip Candy×Gossip Candy7 July 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Lollipop3:232Inside Fishbowl3:293Outside Fishbowl3:284For you5:535Got To Be Real4:03Disc 21Lollipop -MUSIC VIDEO-2Inside Fishbowl -MUSIC VIDEO-3Outside Fishbowl -MUSIC VIDEO-", which peaked at number 4 on the Oricon chart. On September 22, 2010, she released her 48th single "Suki de, Suki de, Suki de./Anata Dake ga", two ballads and a re-recorded version of "Walk". The DVD release of her tour "Kumi Koda Live Tour Universe" was released on October 6, 2010. A week later Koda released her first cover-album Eternity: Love & Songs, on which she covers songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Koda didn't release a number-one single in 2010, her first time since 2004 not to do so. On December 5, 2010, Koda held a concert celebrating her 10th Anniversary named "Fantasia", where she performed a selection of songs from all over her career. The concert was filmed for DVD release and held at Tokyo Dome.
On February 2, 2011, her 49th single "Pop Diva×Pop Diva2 February 2011 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11POP DIVA3:322Black Candy3:123POP DIVA [Instrumental]3:314Black Candy [Instrumental]3:12Disc 21POP DIVA MUSIC VIDEO2POP DIVA MAKING VIDEO" was released and on February 23, 2011, Koda released "Eternity -Love & Songs- at Billboard Live" an audio DVD of her performance at Billboard Live Tokyo in October 2010, where she performed many songs from her Eternity: Love & Songs cover album. She released her ninth studio album named Dejavu×Dejavu23 February 2011 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Prologue to Dejavu1:132POP DIVA3:313Lollipop3:214Okay4:045逢いたくて4:336Passing By4:467AT THE WEEKEND3:128Interlude to Dejavu0:599Melting4:2410Hey baby!2:3511ちょい足しLife3:4612あなただけが5:1313好きで、好きで、好きで。5:0214Bambi3:0515I Don't Love You !??3:32 on March 2, 2011. Koda was planning to release Koda Kumi Driving Hit's 3 in March, but due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the date was pushed back to May 4. Koda is featured in the Far East Movement song "Make It Bump", which was only released on the Japanese edition of their album Free Wired. On May 18, 2011, Koda released the DVD of her "Fantasia" concert entitled "Kumi Koda 10th Anniversary: Fantasia in Tokyo Dome". Alongside DVD, the concert was also released in Blu-ray format. Her previous concerts were also re-released in Blu-ray format.
Koda's 50th single was released August 17, 2011. The single is titled "4 Times×4 TIMES17 August 2011 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Introduction ~sunny time~2Poppin' love cocktail3Interlude ~sunset time~4IN THE AIR5Interlude ~midnight time~6V.I.P.7Interlude ~time to...love~8KO-SO-KO-SO" and includes four songs as well as four music videos to accompany them (Such as her previous 2006 summer single, "4 Hot Wave×4 hot wave26 July 2006 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1人魚姫4:252I'll be there4:123JUICY4:274With your smile4:16"). Since it is Koda's 50th single, it was released in two different special limited edition commemorative versions. One comes with 50 Kumi Koda 50th Anniversary post cards and the other with a special digital camera. Immediately after the release of "4 Times", it was posted on her official website that her 51st single, "Ai o Tomenaide" was to be released September 21, 2011. The song charted at number 4 on the Oricon charts. On November 29, Koda became the only Japanese star to perform at the Mnet Asian Music Awards. On November 30, 2011, her 52nd single, "Love Me Back×Love Me Back30 November 2011 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Love Me Back2Say Her Name3Love Me Back (Andy Price Remix)", was released, debuting at number 5 on the Oricon charts. On December 7, 2011, Koda's tenth album was announced for release on January 25, 2012. The album is entitled Japonesque×JAPONESQUE25 January 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1Introduction 〜JAPONESQUE〜1:272So Nice2:433Boom Boom Boys3:274V.I.P.3:235Slow3:506Brave5:077Everyday4:028IN THE AIR4:099You are not alone (acoustic version)4:4110Interlude〜JAPONESQUE〜1:1611ESCALATE3:1212Love Me Back2:5713No Man's Land4:2414愛を止めないで5:2715KO-SO-KO-SO3:1816Lay Down3:4117Love Technique3:0318Poppin' love cocktail5:0019All for you5:22 and comes in four different types: CD, CD+DVD, the DVD containing music videos, a limited edition featuring a B4-size, 32-page booklet and a CD+2DVD edition which would features additional live content alongside the music videos.
On August 1, 2012, Koda released a remix album called Beach Mix×Beach Mix1 August 2012 · Album · RemixSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Whatchu Waitin' On?3:362KO-SO-KO-SO [Prog5 Remix]3:203Bling Bling Bling [Electro Rave Allstars Remix]2:444Hey baby! [FUTURE HOUSE UNITED Remix]3:005V.I.P. [Sunset In Ibiza Remix]2:546POP DIVA [KOZM® Remix Lucas Valentine]2:587BE MY BABY [4 Skips Remix]2:298NO TRICKS [Shohei Matsumoto & Junichi Matsuda Remix]3:389Heat [REO Remix]3:5010キューティーハニー [HABANERO POSSE Remix]2:2211D.D.D. [Pink Chameleons Remix]2:5912COME WITH ME [Overhead Champion Remix]3:0613Twinkle [R-midwest Remix]4:1014Lick me♥ [Floorbreaker Remix]3:2015Cherry Girl [Sunset In Ibiza Remix]3:0516TABOO [KOZM® Remix スグル・ヤマモト™]3:34, which included a new song and a new music video, titled "Whatchu Waitin' On?×Whatchu Waitin' On?25 July 2012 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Whatchu Waitin' On?" This was the first release of any content since Koda gave birth. It was at this time that Koda announced a nationwide arena tour of Japan in 2014 for the album Japonesque. It was announced in August that "Go to the Top×Go to the top24 October 2012 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Go to the top3:502darling3:473Go to the top [DJ AKi ASY Remix]3:15Disc 21Go to the top Music Video" would be released as Koda's 53rd on October 24, 2012. The single went to number 1 on the Oricon charts, her first in three years to do so. Her 54th single "Koishikute" was originally set for December 5, 2012, but was pushed back to December 26, 2012. However, it had been released on iTunes Japan the original date; and subsequently peaked at No. 7 on the Oricon chart when the physical single was finally released.

2013–2016: Bon Voyage and Walk of My Life

In February 2013, Koda released her 2nd cover album Color the Cover×Color The Cover27 February 2013 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1ピンク スパイダー3:362Shake Hip!3:463ラブリー5:524情熱3:415One more time, One more chance5:396Alone5:087Blue Velvet3:548「男」3:469どうにもとまらない2:2710今宵の月のように4:3811歌は我が命4:35 fronted by a cover of late rock-singer Hide's hit "Pink Spider"; as well as other popular hits such as Kome Kome Club's "Shake Hip!" and Kenji Ozawa's "Lovely". The album peaked at No. 3 on the Oricon chart and charted for 17 weeks. Furthermore, in March, continuing the Driving Hit's series, Koda released her 7th remix album Koda Kumi Driving Hit's 5×Driving Hit's 520 March 2013 · Album · RemixSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Introduction for DH50:472Go to the top [DJAKi ASY Remix]3:093No Man's Land [4 Skips D'n'B Remix]3:034人魚姫 [N15H vs. HEAVENS WiRE D'n'B Remix]3:395real Emotion [KOZM® Remix]2:396Someday [Big Boy Remix]2:247show girl [DJ E-Man Big Show Remix]3:398TAKE BACK [E-Man "106" Remix]2:109"Driving Hit's Best" Mega Mix8:4410Shake Hip! [John Fontein (RE:LABEL®) Remix]3:0211AT THE WEEKEND [Big Boy LA Weekend Remix]3:1012Let's Party [KOZM® Remix]2:2313恋しくて [Dirt $outh (RE:LABEL®) Remix]2:5014Alone [Prog5 Classic Remix]5:1415One more time, One more chance [Shohei Matsumoto & Junichi Matsuda Remix]5:4516愛のことば [AILI's Warmy Remix]3:41. In March, Koda embarked on a Japan-wide arena tour for the album Japonesque×JAPONESQUE25 January 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1Introduction 〜JAPONESQUE〜1:272So Nice2:433Boom Boom Boys3:274V.I.P.3:235Slow3:506Brave5:077Everyday4:028IN THE AIR4:099You are not alone (acoustic version)4:4110Interlude〜JAPONESQUE〜1:1611ESCALATE3:1212Love Me Back2:5713No Man's Land4:2414愛を止めないで5:2715KO-SO-KO-SO3:1816Lay Down3:4117Love Technique3:0318Poppin' love cocktail5:0019All for you5:22. Following the release of two new singles, "Summer Trip×Summer Trip31 July 2013 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Radio Show Start ～LALALALALA～ [Intro]1:002LALALALALA3:363Show Time ～IS THIS TRAP? [Interlude]1:004IS THIS TRAP?3:525Show Time ～TOUCH DOWN～ [Interlude]1:096TOUCH DOWN3:437Radio Show End [Outro]0:59" in July 2013 and "Dreaming Now!×Dreaming Now!13 November 2013 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Dreaming Now!4:182XXX3:223愛のうた (LIVE @ a-nation stadium fes.2013)4:52" in November of the same year, Koda announced her 11th studio album, titled Bon Voyage×Bon Voyage26 February 2014 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Introduction ～Bon Voyage～1:302SHOW ME YOUR HOLLA3:123LOADED4:164Winner Girls3:185Imagine4:136恋しくて5:117LALALALALA3:348Let's show tonight1:219Interlude ～Bon Voyage～1:1210TOUCH DOWN3:4311CRANK THA BASS3:1412LOL3:2813Go to the top3:4714Dreaming Now!4:1415On Your Side2:5816U KNOW3:24 which was released on February 26, 2014. This was immediately followed by the release of the 6th entry in the Driving Hit's series, her 8th remix album Koda Kumi Driving Hit's 6×Driving Hit's 619 March 2014 · Album · RemixSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Introduction for DH62XXX (4 Skips vs. Floorbreaker EDM Remix)3Crank Tha Bass (sumijun vs M.A.D Remix)4Boom Boom Boys (HEAVENS WiRE D'n'B Remix)5Inside Fishbowl & Outside Fishbowl (Sunset In Ibiza Dubstep Remix)6Lady Go! (DJ KOMORI Remix)7girls (TAKAROT "TOKYO FANTASTIC" Remix)8LOADED (ELMER VoVo Remix)9IS THIS TRAP? (Jumping Dog Remix)10Dreaming Now! (TJO & YUSUKE from BLU-SWING Remix)11ESCALATE (Vesterbak's Fly-Me-To-Tokyo Remix)12TOUCH DOWN (736 Remix)13Winner Girls (Dank-One Glitch-Hop Remix)14LALALALALA (ELMER VoVo Remix)15Promise (ELMER VoVo Remix)16Whatchu Waitin' On? (Sham-Poo Beach Breeze Mix)17Crank Tha Bass (OVDS Remix)Disc 21Documentary Movie 「Koda Kumi Taiwan Live 2013」.
Soon thereafter, Koda embarked on the Bon Voyage Hall Tour, a series of concerts held throughout Japan to help promote the album. On August 6, Koda released her yearly summer single called "Hotel×HOTEL6 August 2014 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Introduction ～Check IN～0:422HOTEL3:223Interlude ～Secret Room～0:324MONEY IN MY BAG2:345Interlude ～Last Night Dream～0:376TURN AROUND4:12". In November of the same year, Koda became the first singer in the world to use the Oculus Rift technology to shoot the music video for her first digital single "Dance in the Rain×Dance In The Rain5 November 2014 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Dance In The Rain3:17", which coincided with the start of the 15th anniversary celebration since her debut as a singer, nicknamed 'KXVK'. This was followed by a special concert held on December 6 at Studio Coast, called the 'Koda Kumi 15th Anniversary First Class 2nd Limited Live' during which she performed 62 of her songs.
As part of her 15th anniversary celebration, Koda's 12th album, called Walk of My Life×WALK OF MY LIFE18 March 2015 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Introduction ～WALK OF MY LIFE～1:162Dance In The Rain3:173Lippy3:154Mercedes2:545Like It2:466House Party3:007Interlude ～Dance～0:598HOTEL3:219Gimme U3:1710You can keep up with me2:3911MONEY IN MY BAG2:3412PIECE IN THE PUZZLE3:0413Fake Tongue3:1714Sometimes Dreams Come True3:0415LIFE so GOOD!!3:5616WALK OF MY LIFE3:46 was released on March 18, 2015, followed by a Japan-wide Walk of My Life 2015 Tour supported by Mercedes-Benz. The album reached the number 1 position on the Oricon charts on its release day becoming Koda's 8th studio album to achieve this feat and continuing her trend of managing to hit the number 1 spot with her studio albums for the 8th time in a row since Black Cherry×Black Cherry20 December 2006 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1INTRODUCTION1:252Get Up & Move!!3:233人魚姫4:264夢のうた4:445月と太陽4:026Puppy4:047恋のつぼみ4:078WON'T BE LONG 〜Black Cherry Version〜4:299JUICY4:2910Candle Light3:1711Cherry Girl3:5512I'll be there4:1513運命4:2214With your smile4:1615ミルクティー2:3616Twinkle3:5217GO WAY!!4:3018WON'T BE LONG 〜Red Cherry Version〜5:11. Koda also embarked on a tour in 2016 which celebrated her 15th anniversary in the music industry.

2017–2019: W Face, AND, and DNA

On March 8, 2017, Koda released her thirteenth album, as well as her first double album "W Face ~inside~×W FACE ~inside~8 March 2017 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11BRIDGET SONG3:592Bring It On3:083喜びのかけら4:264Stand By You5:495好きでして3:556君想い5:177On my way4:428What's Up3:209Promise You4:3810My fun4:02Disc 21Ultraviolet3:492Insane3:193Bassline3:254Wicked Girls2:455BRIDGET SONG4:016Promise You4:44" and "W Face ~outside~×W FACE ~outside~8 March 2017 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1W Face3:172Ultraviolet3:433Insane3:114Damn Real4:155Heartless3:356Bassline3:187Shhh!3:178Bangerang3:249Wicked Girls2:4110Cupcake2:14". Both albums topped the Oricon Weekly Charts at number one and number two. She was the second female artist in forty-years to hold the top two positions on the Oricon Album Charts, after Ayumi Hamasaki who released A BEST 2 in 2007. In July 2017, Koda announced her 60th single to be released in August 2017. It will be a limited release and only sold at concert venues and the Japanese music site, mu-mo. The single was the first of three planned singles released for the year, with her 61st single released in October and her 62nd single released in December. On August 2, 2017, Koda released her 61st single "LIT", and on October 4, 2017, released her 62nd single "HUSH". After the release of "Never Enough×NEVER ENOUGH6 December 2017 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1NEVER ENOUGH2NEVER ENOUGH -Instrumental-" in December, she released her fourteenth studio album AND on February 28, 2018. The album was one of two albums planned for the year, with the second album, titled DNA, released in August. DNA was promoted via a special website created by Rhythm Zone.
And debuted at number two on Oricon and dropped in ranking throughout the week to take the No. 6 slot. This became her first studio album since Secret×secret9 February 2005 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Intro～Get down～1:272キューティーハニー3:063Hot Stuff4:074Selfish3:565hands4:246Hearty・・・3:327SHAKE IT3:488奇跡4:599Trust you4:2710Chase5:0011LOVE HOLIC4:2512245:4013Let's Party4:3914Believe4:3015Through the sky5:30 to not take the No. 1 position. AND was predominately released for her fan club Koda Gumi, which was evidenced by her holding a fan club-specific tour for the album, titled Fanclub Tour 2018 ~AND~. Two different performances would be released: her April 29, 2018 performance at DRUM LOGOS in Fukuoka was placed on CD+3DVD edition of DNA, while her June 9, 2018 performance held at Zepp Tokyo was placed on the 4DVD edition of Live Tour 2018 ~DNA~.
Her second studio release for 2018, DNA, fared better on the charts. While it also debuted at No. 2, it remained in the top ten throughout the week, giving it the weekly ranking of No. 3. The album held a corresponding tour, Live Tour 2018 ~DNA~, which would be released on DVD and Blu-ray in March 2019. The performance utilized on the DVD and Blu-ray was of the concert performed at the Kanagawa Prefectural Hall on Koda's 36th birthday on November 13, 2018. Her eleventh remix album, Driving Hit's 9 -Special Edition-×Driving Hit's 9 -Special Edition-20 February 2019 · Album · RemixSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 45 tracks · 3 discsDisc 11WATCH OUT!! ～DNA～ (KATFYR Remix)3:282HAIRCUT (Ryuki Miyamoto Remix)3:303HUSH (Sam is Ohm Remix)3:524Dangerous (YUTO Remix)2:325会えなくなるくらいなら (Toki Remix)4:046ScREaM (BUNNY Remix)3:457HOT HOT (iamSHUM Remix)3:368Someday (litefeet remix)4:409I'll be there (JOE IRON Remix)3:2710恋のつぼみ (Adolfo De La Torre Casmartiño Remix)3:5911心からi love u (MATZ Remix)4:2312Guess Who Is Back (KATFYR Remix)3:3113Work That (iamSHUM Remix)4:3014HUSH (YUTO Remix)2:5115Pin Drop (Kiyoshi Sugo Remix)4:19Disc 21PARTY (KATFYR Remix)3:442FREAKY (MATZ Remix)3:373Ultraviolet (Yamato & DMD Remix)3:374TOUCH DOWN (736 Remix)2:335Shhh! (TEXTOR Remix)2:596HOTEL (Plastik Funk Remix)3:157LALALALALA (ELMER VoVo Remix)3:348Lady Go! (DJ KOMORI Remix)2:389girls (TAKAROT "TOKYO FANTASTIC" Remix)2:0210Lollipop (Pink Chameleons Remix)3:3111POP DIVA (HOUSE NATION Sunset In Ibiza Remix)3:0612With your smile (GROOVEHACKER$ Remix)3:4513Lick me♡ (Prog5 BIG BASS Remix)4:2014Butterfly (Prog5 Mirrorball Remix)4:0815Poppin' love cocktail (TeddyLoid Remix)5:21Disc 31愛のうた (JAXX DA FISHWORKS Remix)3:542you (KOZM Remix)2:523Dance In The Rain (TEXTOR Remix)2:474奇跡 (GTS SH Club Mix)5:295stay with me (Tomoharu Moriya Remix)3:446Promise (ELMER VoVo Remix)4:207夢のうた (Sunset In Ibiza Remix)4:538Moon Crying (GTS SH Club Mix)5:509運命 (Shohei Matsumoto Remix)4:4410愛を止めないで (World Sketch Remix)4:5411あなただけが (World Sketch Remix)6:2812hands (The Standard Club PIANO DANCE Remix)4:0813愛証 (Shohei Matsumoto & Junichi Matsuda Remix)5:0514NEVER ENOUGH (YUTO Remix)3:4115好きで、好きで、好きで。 (AILI's Warmy Remix)4:34, was released on February 20, 2019, debuting at No. 24. It was released as a 3-disc set with the first disc composed of songs from her album DNA and the second and thirds discs compiled with previous remixes.

2019–2023: re(Cord) and Heart

Beginning in July 2019, Koda began a string of digital releases, the first being "Eh Yo×Eh Yo3 July 2019 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Eh Yo4:11" released on July 3. The song was used as the Hanazono support song for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Koda debuted the song on June 15, 2019, with a performance at Tennōji Park in Tennōji-ku, Osaka for the "100 Days To Go" event. She released two more songs in the month of July, "Summer Time×Summer Time10 July 2019 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Summer Time3:35" on the 10th and "Do Me×DO ME17 July 2019 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1DO ME3:22" on the 17th. On July 20, 2019, Koda released a cover of Ricky Martin's hit "Livin' la Vida Loca" via Avex's official YouTube. Three weeks later on August 13, she released the song "Goldfinger 2019×GOLDFINGER 201914 August 2019 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1GOLDFINGER 20194:31", which was the Japanese version of the song. Both versions received music videos with only slightly varying scenes. "Put Your Hands Up!!!" and "OMG" were released in September on the 13th and 18th respectively. The final three songs were released in October. "Strip×STRIP16 October 2019 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1STRIP3:32" (October 16) and "Get Naked×GET NAKED23 October 2019 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1GET NAKED3:20" (October 23) would later receive music videos, though they were only released on the 3DVD fan club edition of her Live Tour 2019 Re(live): Black Cherry/Japonesque. The final song, "Again×again30 October 2019 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1again5:17" (October 30), was about the past and future, with the music video recalling many of her prior styles. All nine of the songs were placed on the album Re(cord)×re(CORD)13 November 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1DO ME3:232GET NAKED3:203STRIP3:334k,3:295Rich & Famous4:096again5:207Merry Go Round4:108Eh Yo -re(CORD) edit-4:249GOLDFINGER 20194:3310プチョヘンザッ!!!4:2411Summer Time3:3612OMG3:5613SHUTOUT3:3814Livin' La Vida Loca4:32, which was released on Koda 's 37th birthday on November 13. The album debuted at No. 4, where it remained for the weekly ranking. On March 11, 2020, Koda released her twelfth remix album titled Re(mix)×re(MIX)11 March 2020 · Album · RemixSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1k, (shadw Remix)4:122Eh Yo (KATFYR Remix)3:413STRIP (KAZBONGO Remix)3:364GOLDFINGER 2019 (Adolfo De La Torre Casmartino Remix)3:465プチョヘンザッ!!! (iamSHUM Remix)5:016Merry Go Round (Toki Remix)4:557GET NAKED (Kiyoshi Sugo Remix)3:278again (MATZ Remix)3:389Summer Time (iamSHUM Remix)4:3910SHUTOUT (BUNNY Remix)3:0111DO ME (KATFYR Remix)4:0812OMG (Kiyoshi Sugo Remix)4:3513GOLDFINGER 2019 (DJ Shimamura Remix)4:1614k, (KAZBONGO Remix)3:31. It was released the same day as her concert DVDs/Blu-rays of Live Tour 2019 Re(live): Black Cherry and Live Tour 2019 Re(live): Japonesque.
On December 2, 2020, Koda released her first public physical non-album in over 6 years titled Angel + Monster. It became her sixth official EP since Gossip Candy×Gossip Candy7 July 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Lollipop3:232Inside Fishbowl3:293Outside Fishbowl3:284For you5:535Got To Be Real4:03Disc 21Lollipop -MUSIC VIDEO-2Inside Fishbowl -MUSIC VIDEO-3Outside Fishbowl -MUSIC VIDEO- and debuted at number five on Oricon. In 2022, Koda announced her 17th studio album, titled Heart×heart2 March 2022 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Bow Wow3:062Sure shot3:543Atlas3:234GOOD TIME3:285Outta my control3:076アネモネ4:137100のコドク達へ5:498to be free3:389RED2:53104 MORE2:5911Doo‐Bee‐Doo‐Bop2:5412We’ll Be OK3:46Disc 21Sure shot2100のコドク達へ3to be free44 MORE5Doo‐Bee‐Doo‐Bop6We’ll Be OK74 MORE -Dance Ver.-8Behind The Scenes -Sure shot [Music Video]-, which was released on March 2, over two years after her previous studio album Re(cord) (2019). The album was released on streaming platforms a month prior to the physical release on February 2. In October 2022, Koda collaborated with band Shōnan no Kaze release the new song "Trust・Last×Trust・Last11 September 2022 · Single · SoundtrackSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Trust・Last TV size1:202Trust・Last TV size Instrumental1:20", which was used as the opening theme of the 33rd entry of the Kamen Rider series, Kamen Rider Geats.

2024–present: Unicorn

On January 10, 2024, Koda released her fifteenth remix album: Driving Hit's×Driving Hit's25 March 2009 · Studio album · DJ-mixSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Lady Go!4:022Come Over (Caramel Pod Club mix)5:253恋のつぼみ (Shohei Matsumoto remix)3:464Crazy 4 U (World Sketch remix)6:105real Emotion (HOUSE NATION Sunset In Ibiza remix)4:566BUT (MITOMI TOKOTO BIG ROOM remix)5:007Get Up & Move!! (Pink Chameleons remix)4:178Butterfly (Prog5 Mirrorball remix)4:349キューティーハニー (HOUSE NATION Sunset In Ibiza remix)4:3310TABOO (HOUSE NATION Sunset In Ibiza remix)4:4311Run For Your Life (Kaskade remix)3:1812空 (Yukihiro Fukutomi remix)4:2713anytime (FreeTEMPO remix)4:0514愛のうた (The Standard Club PIANO DANCE remix)5:0215COLOR OF SOUL (DJ KANBE & Leisure Central remix)3:4816TAKE BACK (Sunset In Ibiza remix)3:2717Driving4:24 Tokyo Auto Salon 2024 Edition. On April 17, 2024, the singer released her eighteenth studio album titled Unicorn×UNICORN17 April 2024 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11UNICORN [Introduction]0:572Heaven's Kitchen3:283Vroom3:124TOKIO3:525Silence4:496UFO4:087We are FIGHTERS4:028Trust・Last3:519PIECE OF MY WISH4:5810遠い街のどこかで…5:3211Let's fight for love!3:21Disc 21Silence -Music Video-2Vroom -Music Video-3遠い街のどこかで… -Music Video-. It debuted at number nine in the Oricon Charts.
On March 26, 2025, compilation album Live in Metaverse: The Best was released. Its tracklist featured twenty-eight songs, which were voted for inclusion by Koda's official fanclub, Koda Gumi. The limited-edition version included her sixteenth remix album, Driving Hit's 10×Driving Hit's 1018 October 2025 · Album · RemixSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1め組のひと (Hi-yunk Remix)3:442WON'T BE LONG (EXILE MAKIDAI Remix)3:043real Emotion (DJ KOO Remix)4:084Lucky Star (LunaRabi REMIX)4:195Trigger (iamSHUM & MEW3 REMIX)3:296Hey baby! (iamSHUM REMIX)4:017BE MY BABY (iamSHUM REMIX)4:538Someday (Sam is Ohm Remix)4:249キューティーハニー (KATFYR Remix)3:5010Butterfly (DJ KOO Remix)3:3311WIND (Hi-yunk Remix)3:1412め組のひと (iamSHUM Remix)4:08. While promoting Live in Metaverse, Koda described being under pressure to release compilation albums every five years, but that she didn't want her releases to become routine. For that reason, she worked on Live in Metaverse as a concept best-of album, requesting fans to vote on the tracks that make them "most excited to hear live".

Artistry

Koda's musical style is varied; although she is known for her pop/R&B style and signature power ballads, her discography also spans to rock, hip-hop, electropop, and dance genres.
Koda has explored themes of sexuality and taboo throughout her career. While listening to the music of "But", the first thing that came to Koda's mind was homosexuality; the singer later stated in an interview: "I'm the type of person who thinks that [in a relationship] it doesn't matter what sex the other person is. No matter who they are, it doesn't change the 'I love this person' feeling, does it?" The video for "Taboo×TABOO8 October 2008 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1TABOO3:552Always4:313TABOO (HOUSE NATION Sunset in Ibiza remix)5:444TABOO (instrumental)3:555Always (instrumental)4:26" portrayed homosexuality and other "taboo" subjects to deliver the message of "these things aren't really a taboo, after all". Such themes are present in other music videos, Koda having incorporated a more sexualised image into her videos since "Crazy 4 U×Crazy 4 U15 January 2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Crazy 4 U4:082夢 with You3:483Crazy 4 U “Akakage’s crazy love Remix”6:514Crazy 4 U “Instrumental”4:095夢 with You “Instrumental”3:49"; a notable example is "Juicy", censored in Taiwan due to its erotic choreography.

Lyrics and composition

Koda has written her own lyrics since the beginning of her career. Koda's control over the writing of her lyrics grew with her thirty-third single; it was originally intended to be a track about "happy love", however Koda felt the melody represented both happiness and sadness. Ultimately, she rewrote the lyrics into two separate songs, remarking: "It was a first time experiment for me, but I was able to convey how happiness and sadness are two sides of the same coin." She has also stated that when she produces, she "is like a different person"; thus, she refers to herself in the third person and "looks at [herself] objectively" throughout the process. In 2025, Koda stated she only likes to release songs that she has strong feelings about.
"Milk Tea" (ミルクティー, Miruku Tii), from Black Cherry, is Koda's first composition. Her involvement in the composition stage grew during the production of her seventh studio album Trick×TRICK28 January 2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1INTRODUCTION FOR TRICK1:172TABOO3:503show girl4:034Your Love4:095stay with me4:536This is not a love song3:257Driving4:208Bling Bling Bling3:539That Ain't Cool3:3010Hurry Up!4:0111Moon Crying5:4312JUST THE WAY YOU ARE3:4213Joyful5:0214愛のことば3:53. Koda's songwriting credits for other artists include Faky's digital single "New Age" (2019).

Fashion

Koda is known for her provocative fashion and performances. In 2003, she started a noticeable trend when she appeared in advertisements wearing a metallic bra. Her work with the anime movie Cutie Honey continued this image. In 2005, she inspired the ero-kawaii and ero-kakkoii fashion styles. Koda's image noticeably influenced other artists: Ayumi Lee and Leah Dizon have credited her for inspiring the more risqué visuals in their work. In 2006, Koda began winning awards for being a trendsetter in Japan's fashion sphere, including the "Best Jeanist Award" on September 4, 2006, and the title of "Nail Queen" for her nail art on November 21, 2006, by Japan Nail Expo.
In 2006, when the popularity of Japanese singers was declining in Singapore due to the rising popularity of the Korean Wave, Koda still inspired a renewed interest in J-pop. James Kang, marketing director for Warner Music in Asia, noted that Koda's image proved to be popular with women as well as men, stating that: "(Koda Kumi) uses her image to make a feminist statement [...] She's constantly telling women to believe in themselves, and do what they want to do".

Personal life

In August 2007, it was rumored that Koda was dating SMAP leader Masahiro Nakai. Despite the relationship never being publicly confirmed by either party, they were dubbed a "national couple"—a nickname last used in the early 1960s when actor Akira Kobayashi married enka singer Hibari Misora.
On December 12, 2011, Koda's official website announced that she was engaged to Kenji03 from Back-On. The two married on December 22, and Koda gave birth to the couple's first child, a son, on July 17, 2012. She announced her second pregnancy on March 30, 2026.

Philanthropy

In March 2011, Koda provide aid to the victims of Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami, in association with the Japan Relief Fundraising Auction. All proceeds were sent to the Japanese Red Cross.
From January 2020 to October 2021, Japan issued a "stay-at-home" order and also postponed the Tokyo Olympics due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 19, 2020, Kumi and her husband Kenji03 took part in the song "Be One ~Bokura ni Dekiru Koto~" (僕らにできる事 / What We Can Do), along with various other Japanese artists, including Daichi Miura, Yu Shirota, KEITA, KM-MARKIT and Micro, among others. Continuing her involvement, Koda released the song "Puff" as a digital single on June 26. That the same day, an accompanying music video was uploaded to Avex's official YouTube. In the video, Koda and several of her backup dancers perform a dance in their own respective homes, consisting of various yoga poses and lite calisthenics. An alternate version of the video was uploaded with Koda in front of a blue screen, encouraging fans to input their own backgrounds and tag the videos as "MADE93". In December 2020 amid the third COVID wave, all of Koda's new songs were recorded in her home studio, which she said gave her more opportunity to work with many Western writers and composers.
On February 15, 2021 as COVID-19 cases declined in Japan, Koda and alongside various other artists, took part in the song "My Hero ~Kiseki no Uta~" (奇跡の唄 / Miracle Song). The song was the theme song for the charity concert Live Empower Children, which was held to support childhood cancer treatment on International Childhood Cancer Day (February 15).

Awards and achievements

Koda won her first award at the 47th Japan Record Awards for Butterfly on December 31, 2005, and was awarded "Triple Crown" at the Japan Gold Disc Awards on March 10, 2006, for pocketing three awards: "Pop Artist of the Year", "Pop Album of the Year", and "Music Video of the Year". She continued to win more awards for this song; on May 27, 2006, the MTV VMAJ's awarded Koda with "Best Female Video" and "Best Video of the Year" for "Butterfly×Butterfly22 June 2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Butterfly2Your Sunshine3大切な君へ4Butterfly (instrumental)5Your Sunshine (instrumental)6大切な君へ (instrumental)", and "buzzASIA from Japan" for "Trust You", a track from her album Secret×secret9 February 2005 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Intro～Get down～1:272キューティーハニー3:063Hot Stuff4:074Selfish3:565hands4:246Hearty・・・3:327SHAKE IT3:488奇跡4:599Trust you4:2710Chase5:0011LOVE HOLIC4:2512245:4013Let's Party4:3914Believe4:3015Through the sky5:30. Later in 2006, her song "Yume no Uta" from her 33rd single, "Yume no Uta / Futari de...", garnered Koda more awards. She was a Grand Prix winner at the 39th Japan Usen Grand Prize.
On May 26, 2007, Koda won three awards from MTV Video Music Awards Japan for the second year in a row. "Yume No Uta" was nominated in three categories and won "Best Female Video and "Best Video of the Year". Koda herself won a special award known as "Best Stylish Artist Award". At the 2007 Best Hit Kayōsai Koda's "Ai no Uta" earned her the Grand Prix in the pop category, also winning one of the golden awards for the 49th Nihon Record Taishō. Koda, while having success on Oricon charts with physical CD sales, maintains success on online music sales as well. It is reported that twenty-two of her music videos chart the top 100 most downloaded videos, with four of her videos dominating the top five, and having "Koi no Tsubomi" top the Overall Downloads Chart, which thirteen of her other songs chart. She has sold more than 15 million records in Japan.
Koda won the "Hottest Asian Artist" at the 2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards in Singapore. Koda and director Mika Ninagawa won the "Music Short Excellence Award, Cinematic Award" for "Pink Spider" at the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2013 (abbreviation: SSFF &ASIA).

Concert tours and live videos

Koda Kumi Live Tour 2005: First Things (2005)
Koda Kumi Live Tour 2006–2007 Second Session (2006–2007)
Live Tour 2007: Black Cherry (2007)
Live Tour 2008: Kingdom (2008)
Live Tour 2009: Trick (2009)
Live Tour 2010: Universe (2010)
10th Anniversary: Fantasia in Tokyo Dome (2010)
Live Tour 2011: Dejavu (2011)
Live Tour 2013: Japonesque (2013)
Hall Tour 2014: Bon Voyage (2014)
Live Tour 2015: Walk of My Life (2015)
Live Tour 2016: Best Single Collection (2016)
Live Tour 2017: W Face (2017)
Live Tour 2018: DNA (2018)
Live Tour 2019 Re(live): Black Cherry (2019)
Live Tour 2019 Re(live): Japonesque (2019)
20th Anniversary Tour 2020 My Name Is... (2020)
Live Tour 2023: Angel & Monster (2023)
Live Tour 2024: Best Single Knight (2024)
25th Anniversary Tour 2025 De-Code (2025)