Dragon Ash: Difference between revisions

| current_members = KjKJ<br />Makoto Sakurai<br />Bots<br />Hiroki<br />Dri-V<br />Atsushi

{{nihongo|'''Dragon Ash'''|ドラゴンアッシュ|Doragon Asshu}} are a [[Japan]]ese [[rap rock]] group founded in 1996 by FuruyaKenji "KjKJ" KenjiFuruya and Sakurai Makoto.<ref name="da-bio">

</ref> They are an icon in Japan and were one of the first groups to popularize [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] in Japan. They brought a western flavor to Japanese music and helped to turn rap music mainstream,{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}} with a mixture of [[reggae]], [[rappinghip hop music|raphip hop]], [[Heavy metal music|metal]], [[Punk rock|punk]], [[Contemporarydrum R&B|R&B'n' bass]], [[rhythm 'n' blues]] and [[Music of Spain|Spanish music]] influences. Some of their best known songs include "[[Shizuka na Hibi no Kaidan Wo]]", "[[Grateful Days]]", "[[Life Goes On (Dragon Ash song)|Life Goes On]]", and "[[I Love Hip Hop]]".{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}} Kenji has stated in several interviews{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}} that the reason Dragon Ash started out as a pseudo-punk band was because, at the time, punk was popular in Japan, and his handlers felt that the hip hop image would not sell. He has also noted that hip hop has always been first in his book, but he did what was necessary to become successful in the industry. Dragon Ash is a member of Mob Squad, which is an affiliation with the bands Source and Endive.

* Kenji "KjKJ" Furuya – [[lead vocals]], [[rhythm guitar]] (1996–present), [[lead guitar]] (1996-2003)

* Dri-V – [[dance]] (support member, 2003–present)

* Atsushi – [[dance]] (support member, 2003–present)

* Ikuzo "Iküzöne" Baba – [[bass guitar|bass]] (1996–2012)