EE JUMP was a Japanese duo formed by Harmony Promotion in 2000. The duo's music was produced by Tsunku, with songs released on the record label Toy's Factory. The members consisted of Sonim (lead vocals) and Yuki (rapper). They became well-known for their song Ottototto Natsu da ze!, which charted at No. 5 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart. However, after several scandals involving Yuki, the duo disbanded in April 2002.
Members[]
- Sonim (ソニン) Lead Singer (1999-2002)
- Yuki (ユウキ) Rapper (1999-2002)
- Ken (ケン) Dancer (1999-2000)
History[]
Pre-debut[]
In 1999, three teenagers were scouted by Harmony Promotion and were assigned to a group under the name "EE JUMP", a pun of the Japanese phrase "that's great" (いいじゃん, ii jan). The group's music was produced by Tsunku. Sonim auditioned for Morning Musume's third generation and was scouted by their manager, Wada Kaoru, to be the group's lead vocalist; Goto Yuki, the younger brother of then-Morning Musume member Goto Maki, was scouted while at one of his sister's events and became the group's rapper. Half-Canadian, half-Japanese Ken was assigned the group's dancer. The trio made their first television appearance on Warau Inu no Bouken to perform a dance routine. Shortly before their CD debut, Ken left the agency, leaving the statement that he wanted to play professional soccer in the J.League.[1]
2000-2001: Debut[]
EE JUMP released their debut single, LOVE IS ENERGY!, on October 18, 2000, which served as the theme song for Warau Inu no Bouken. The music video was filmed in Manhattan, New York. The single was followed up by HELLO! Atarashii Watashi on January 24, 2001. Their third single, Ottototto Natsu da ze!, was released on May 16, 2001 as the theme song for Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ. The song became a summer hit, charting at #5 on Oricon. EE JUMP also had their own weekly radio show on Mondays, titled EE JUMP no Radio de Ii jan (EE JUMPのラジオでイイジャン).
EE Jump's fourth single, Ikinarhythm!, was released on August 29, 2001. However, during the single's promotions, Yuki had an argument with the group's female manager over their crowded work schedules, which led to him physically assaulting her, checking out of his hotel room without permission, and fleeing to Utsunomiya and a hot spring in Kyoto in an acquaintance's car.[2] In response, chief manager Wada Kaoru suspended his activities for three months. During this time, Sonim continued activities without him, releasing their fifth single, WINTER ~Samui Kisetsu no Monogatari~, on November 28, 2001 under the name EE JUMP featuring Sonim.
2002: Disbandment[]
In February 2002, Yuki eventually rejoined the group after releasing an apology, and EE Jump released their sixth single, Seishun no Sunrise, on March 6, 2002. Shortly after graduating middle school , he was photographed by the tabloid magazine Friday at a cabaret club drinking alcohol while underage with a member of Johnny's Jr. Wada warned Yuki to keep his personal life private, but after Yuki refused, Wada and Tsunku agreed to revoke his contract in April 2002. EE JUMP's first album, titled EE JUMP Collection 1, was scheduled for release on May 9, 2002, but it was cancelled upon his dismissal. After Yuki's dismissal, EE JUMP disbanded and the group was rebranded to promote Sonim as a solo artist. The songs "Ai wa Motto Sou ja Nakute", "MISSING YOU", and "ADA BOY & DA GIRL", which were originally written for EE JUMP's cancelled album, were re-recorded and released as B-sides to Sonim's singles.
Discography[]
- Studio Albums
- [2002.05.09]
EE JUMP Collection 1 (EE JUMPコレクション1)(cancelled)
- Major Singles
- [2000.10.18] LOVE IS ENERGY!
- [2001.01.24] HELLO! Atarashii Watashi (HELLO! 新しい私)
- [2001.05.16] Ottototto Natsu da ze! (おっととっと夏だぜ!)
- [2001.08.29] Ikinarhythm! (イキナリズム!)
- [2001.11.28] WINTER ~Samui Kisetsu no Monogatari~ (WINTER ~寒い季節の物語~)
- [2002.03.06] Seishun no Sunrise (青春のSUNRISE)
- Unreleased Songs
- Uchuu de La Ta Ta (宇宙でLa Ta Ta) (Taiyou to Ciscomoon cover)
- [2004.03.17] Sonim Collection (ソニンコレクション)
Concerts & Events[]
- [2000] Debut Event at Shinjuku Tower Records
- [2001] GET ☆ PASSCARD TOUR
- [2001] GET★ "buddy" CARD TOUR [3][4][5]
- [2001] "Ottototto Natsu da ze!" Hatsubai Kinen Event (「おっととっと夏だぜ!」 発売記念イベント)
- [2001] "Ikinarhythm! Hatsubai Kinen Event" (「イキナリズム!」 発売記念イベント)
- [2001] EE JUMP featuring Sonim Secret Live
- [2001] "WINTER ~Samui Kisetsu no Monogatari~" Hatsubai Kinen Event (「WINTER~寒い季節の物語~」 発売記念イベント)
- [2002] "Seishun no Sunrise" Hatsubai Kinen Event (「青春のSUNRISE」 発売記念イベント)
Works[]
Radio[]
- [2000.10-2002.06] EE JUMP no Radio de Ii jan (EE JUMPのラジオでいいじゃん) [6]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ [Goto Yuki, "Zange" (Million Shuppan, April 2013)]
- ↑ [Goto Yuki, "Zange" (Million Shuppan, April 2013)]
- ↑ Official Site
- ↑ Fan Blog
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20011202102222fw_/http://www.harmonypromotion.co.jp/news.html#event
- ↑ EE JUMPのラジオでいいじゃん
External Links[]
- Wikipedia: English, Japanese
- Official Site (archived)
- Fan Site (archived)