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{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Nigo
| name = Nigo
| image = Nigo in Thailand, 2006.jpg
| image = Nigo in Thailand, 2006.jpg
| caption = Nigo, 2006
| caption = Nigo, 2006
| alias = Nigo®
| alias = Nigo®, Tomoaki Nagao
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|12|23}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|12|23}}
| origin = [[Maebashi]], [[Japan]]
| origin = [[Maebashi]], [[Japan]]
| occupation = [[Fashion design]]er, [[Disc jockey|DJ]], [[record producer]], [[entrepreneur]]
| occupation = [[Fashion design]]er, [[Disc jockey|DJ]], [[record producer]], [[entrepreneur]]
| years_active = 1995–present
| years_active = 1993–present
| label = {{hlist|[[Victor Victor Worldwide|Victor Victor]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/style/nigo-signs-to-steven-victors-victor-victor-worldwide-plans-release-for-new-album|title = Nigo Signs to Steven Victor's Victor Victor Worldwide, Plans Release for New Album| website=[[Complex Networks]]}}</ref>|[[Republic Records|Republic]]}}
| label = {{hlist|[[Victor Victor Worldwide|Victor Victor]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/style/nigo-signs-to-steven-victors-victor-victor-worldwide-plans-release-for-new-album|title = Nigo Signs to Steven Victor's Victor Victor Worldwide, Plans Release for New Album| website=[[Complex Networks]]}}</ref>|[[Republic Records|Republic]]}}
| website = {{URL|humanmade.jp/}}
| website = {{URL|humanmade.jp/}}
}}
}}
{{nihongo|'''Nigö'''|ニゴー|''Nigō''|born '''Tomoaki Nagao''' (長尾 智明) on December 23, 1970}} is a Japanese [[fashion design]]er, [[disc jockey]] (DJ), [[record producer]] and [[entrepreneur]]. He is best known as the creator of the urban clothing line [[A Bathing Ape]] (Bape) and currently serves as creative director for [[Kenzo (brand)|Kenzo]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|last=Lemola|first=Hasse|title=NIGO on the Intersection of Streetwear & Fast Fashion|url=https://hypebeast.com/2016/11/nigo-uniqlo-ut-interview|website=Hypebeast|date=November 18, 2016|access-date=January 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/tags/nigo|title=Nigo {{!}} HYPEBEAST|website=hypebeast.com|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref> Additionally he is a member of the Japanese group [[Teriyaki Boyz]], serving as their official in-house DJ since the group's 2005 debut.
{{nihongo|'''Nigö'''|ニゴー|''Nigō''|born '''Tomoaki Nagao''' (長尾 智明) on December 23, 1970}} is a [[Japanese people|Japanese]] [[fashion design]]er, [[disc jockey]] (DJ), [[record producer]] and [[entrepreneur]]. He is best known as the creator of the streetwear brand, [[A Bathing Ape]] (Bape), and currently serves as artistic director for [[Kenzo (brand)|Kenzo]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|last=Lemola|first=Hasse|title=NIGO on the Intersection of Streetwear & Fast Fashion|url=https://hypebeast.com/2016/11/nigo-uniqlo-ut-interview|website=Hypebeast|date=November 18, 2016|access-date=January 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/tags/nigo|title=Nigo {{!}} HYPEBEAST|website=hypebeast.com|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref> Additionally he is a member of the Japanese group [[Teriyaki Boyz]], serving as their official in-house DJ since the group's 2005 debut.


==Fashion background==
==Fashion background==
Nigo's venture into fashion started in a small store selling a few Bape T-shirts and camouflage print hoodies, which became very popular among teenagers. In 2002, Nigo released the Bapesta sneaker,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sneakerfiles.com/bathing-ape-bape-sta-bape/|title=Bathing Ape Bapes History {{!}} SneakerFiles|work=SneakerFiles|access-date=2018-07-04}}</ref> which according to BBC presenter [[Jonathan Ross]], later became the "epitome of collectable footwear".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nigobape.com/video/interview-jonathan-ross.html |title=Bape - A bathing ape - Nigo interview with Jonathan Ross |access-date=2008-10-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917180531/http://www.nigobape.com/video/interview-jonathan-ross.html |archive-date=2008-09-17 }}</ref> The sneaker resembles Nike's [[Air Force (shoe)|Air Force 1]] design,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://hypebeast.com/2016/9/bape-bapesta-10-best-colorways|title=A Look Back at the Best BAPESTAs Ever Released|work=Hypebeast|access-date=2018-07-04}}</ref> but instead of the swoosh on the side, it has Nigo's Bapesta logo, a star with a lightning zap extending out of it. In the cover news of the April issue of the trend magazine ''WWD'' for Japan, Bape's boss Nigo (formerly known as Tomoaki Nagao) announced that he is about to leave and he will be leaving with Takahashi UC (Undercover) designer Jun Takahashi. Nowhere, established on April 1, 1993, no longer serves as the designer of Bape. Nigo himself also established his personal new company Nigold on April 4, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bape1.com/}}</ref> In 2003, Nigo partnered with [[Pharrell Williams]] to create and launch the streetwear brands [[Billionaire Boys Club (clothing retailer)|Billionaire Boys Club]]<ref>{{cite web|title=POLLS: Can Pharrell Really Save Billionaire Boys Club and IceCream?|url=https://hypebeast.com/2016/1/pharrell-billionaire-boys-club-icecream|access-date=2020-07-27|website=Hypebeast|date=29 January 2016}}</ref> and [[Billionaire Boys Club (clothing retailer)|Ice Cream]] footwear.
Nigo's venture into fashion started when he founded A Bathing Ape in 1993.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Nigo |url=https://open.spotify.com/artist/2rAnv6brcXaglLZBB4XXEn |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Spotify |language=en}}</ref> [[Hiroshi Fujiwara]] is considered his mentor.<ref name=":0" /> He initially sold a few Bape Hoodies and T-shirts and camouflage print hoodies in a small store, items which became very popular among teenagers. In 2002, Nigo released the Bapesta sneaker,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sneakerfiles.com/bathing-ape-bape-sta-bape/|title=Bathing Ape Bapes History {{!}} SneakerFiles|work=SneakerFiles|access-date=2018-07-04}}</ref> which according to BBC presenter [[Jonathan Ross]], later became the "epitome of collectable footwear".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nigobape.com/video/interview-jonathan-ross.html |title=Bape - A bathing ape - Nigo interview with Jonathan Ross |access-date=2008-10-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917180531/http://www.nigobape.com/video/interview-jonathan-ross.html |archive-date=2008-09-17 }}</ref> The sneaker resembles Nike's [[Air Force (shoe)|Air Force 1]] design,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://hypebeast.com/2016/9/bape-bapesta-10-best-colorways|title=A Look Back at the Best BAPESTAs Ever Released|work=Hypebeast|access-date=2018-07-04}}</ref> but instead of the swoosh on the side, it has Nigo's Bapesta logo, a star with a lightning bolt extending out of it. In the cover news of the April issue of the trend magazine ''WWD'' for Japan, Bape's boss Nigo (formerly known as Tomoaki Nagao) announced that he is about to leave and he will be leaving with Takahashi UC (Undercover) designer Jun Takahashi. Nowhere, established on April 1, 1993, no longer serves as the designer of Bape. In 2003, Nigo partnered with [[Pharrell Williams]] to create and launch the streetwear brands [[Billionaire Boys Club (clothing retailer)|Billionaire Boys Club]]<ref>{{cite web|title=POLLS: Can Pharrell Really Save Billionaire Boys Club and IceCream?|url=https://hypebeast.com/2016/1/pharrell-billionaire-boys-club-icecream|access-date=2020-07-27|website=Hypebeast|date=29 January 2016}}</ref> and [[Billionaire Boys Club (clothing retailer)|Ice Cream]] footwear. Nigo himself also established his personal new company Nigold on April 4, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bape1.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128084724/http://www.bape1.com/|archive-date=28 Jan 2013|title=Bape}}</ref> In 2010, he launched his new brand Human Made. In 2013, Nigo left Bape for good.<ref name=":0" /> In 2014, Nigo became the creative director for [[Uniqlo]]'s UT brand.<ref name="auto" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Cochrane|first=Lauren|url=https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2014/jan/21/nigo-uniqlo-streetwear-bathing-ape|title=Nigo: 'Uniqlo is streetwear too'|date=2014-01-21|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-03-01|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In 2020, Nigo partnered with Luxury brand [[Louis Vuitton]] alongside [[Virgil Abloh]] to create a capsule collection.<ref>{{cite web|title=Here's a Look at the Upcoming Louis Vuitton x NIGO® Capsule Collection|url=https://www.complex.com/style/2020/05/louis-vuitton-nigo-capsule-collection-look|access-date=2020-07-27|website=Complex}}</ref> In September 2021, [[Kenzo (brand)|Kenzo]] appointed Nigo as its new artistic director. In July 2023, Australian winery Penfolds appointed Nigo as its Creative Partner of two years.


⚫
== Musical and entertainment background ==
In 2010, he launched his new brand Human Made.
Nigo's first involvement with music was playing in [[Punk rock|punk]] [[cover band]] ''Tokyo Sex Pistols'' while at university, alongside fellow fashion figures Hiroshi Fujiwara, [[Jun Takahashi]] and Hikaru Iwanaga.<ref name=":0" /> Nigo collaborated with [[James Lavelle]], creating a compilation called ''A Bathing Ape vs Mo Wax'', which was released in Japan in 1997.<ref name=":0" /> He would go on to join forces with Lavelle's project, [[U.N.K.L.E.]], and [[Scratch Perverts]], to release the single ''Ape Shall Never Kill Ape'', in 1998.<ref name=":0" /> The following year saw the Japanese release of Nigo's debut album, ''Ape Sounds'', on which he showcased a blend of [[Trip hop|trip-hop]], [[Dub music|dub]], [[indie rock]], and [[psychedelic pop]].<ref name=":0" /> The album featured contributions from [[Ben Lee]], [[Money Mark]], [[Shawn Lee (musician)|Shawn Lee]] and [[Cornelius (musician)|Cornelius]].<ref name=":0" /> It was released internationally by [[Mo' Wax|Mo Wax]] in 2000.<ref name=":0" /> Nigo subsequently released a number of non-album singles, which included collaborations with [[Rakim]] and [[Flavor Flav]], as well as compilations ''Ape Sounds Remix'', ''(B)APE Sounds'', and ''Return of the Ape Sounds.''<ref name=":0" />


Soon after the establishment of Billionaire Boys Club, Nigo formed [[Rapping|rap]] group [[Teriyaki Boyz]] alongside [[Rip Slyme|Ilmari]], [[Rip Slyme|Ryo-Z]], [[M-Flo|Verbal]], and [[Wise (rapper)|Wise]].<ref name=":0" /> The group released the albums ''[[Beef or Chicken]]'' in 2005 and ''[[Serious Japanese]]'' in 2009, respectively.
In 2014, Nigo became the creative director for [[Uniqlo]]'s UT brand.<ref name="auto" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Cochrane|first=Lauren|url=https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2014/jan/21/nigo-uniqlo-streetwear-bathing-ape|title=Nigo: 'Uniqlo is streetwear too'|date=2014-01-21|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-03-01|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>


⚫
Nigo has been associated with popular rap and hip hop artists such as [[Kanye West]] and [[Pharrell Williams]]. He is the DJ of Teriyaki Boyz and is also owner of Bape Sounds record label.<ref>{{cite web|title=Genius {{!}} Song Lyrics & Knowledge|url=https://genius.com/annotations/2164657/standalone_embed|access-date=2020-07-27|website=Genius}}</ref> He also has an [[MTV Japan]] show which he created called ''Nigoldeneye''.<ref>{{cite web|title=sothebys|url=https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2019/nigoldeneye-volume-one-hk0912.html}}</ref>
In 2020, Nigo partnered with Luxury brand [[Louis Vuitton]] alongside [[Virgil Abloh]] to create a capsule collection.<ref>{{cite web|title=Here's a Look at the Upcoming Louis Vuitton x NIGO® Capsule Collection|url=https://www.complex.com/style/2020/05/louis-vuitton-nigo-capsule-collection-look|access-date=2020-07-27|website=Complex}}</ref>


⚫
Together with [[BiS]] manager Watanabe Junnosuke, Nigo was the producer and manager for the female pop group [[Billie Idle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billieidle.com/|title=BILLIE IDLE®|website=Billie Idle|language=ja-JP|access-date=2016-07-23}}</ref> His involvement with the group began in 2014, when he directed a music video for BiS' song "Nerve",<ref>{{Citation|last=Vice Japan|title=BiS / nerve directed by NIGO®（2.5D × VICE）|date=2014-06-04|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5C8xFyLS18 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/F5C8xFyLS18 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=2016-07-23}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and after the group disbanded, Nigo and Watanabe offered BiS members First Summer Uika and Hirano Nozomi the chance to join their new project, Billie Idle. The group debuted in 2014 with the album "Idle Gossip", for which Nigo is the executive producer.<ref>{{Citation|title=Idle Gossip|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/IDLE-GOSSIP-BILLIE-IDLE%25C2%25AE/dp/B00TE8WIAO|publisher=Space Shower Music|access-date=2016-07-23}}</ref> Billie Idle would go on to release a further four albums before disbanding in 2019.<ref name=":0" />
In September 2021, [[Kenzo (brand)|Kenzo]] appointed Nigo as its new artistic director.

⚫
== Musical and entertainment background ==
⚫
Nigo has been associated with popular rap and hip hop artists such as [[Kanye West]] and [[Pharrell Williams]]. He is the DJ of the Japanese hip hop group [[Teriyaki Boyz]] and is also owner of Bape Sounds record label.<ref>{{cite web|title=Genius {{!}} Song Lyrics & Knowledge|url=https://genius.com/annotations/2164657/standalone_embed|access-date=2020-07-27|website=Genius}}</ref> He also has an [[MTV Japan]] show which he created called ''Nigoldeneye''.<ref>{{cite web|title=sothebys|url=https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2019/nigoldeneye-volume-one-hk0912.html}}</ref>


On April 15, 2016, the Japanese company [[LDH (company)|LDH]] announced that a new Hip-Hop unit named [[Honest Boyz|HONEST BOYZ®]] would be produced as a joint project of Nigo and [[Exile (Japanese band)|EXILE]] and [[Sandaime J Soul Brothers|三代目 J SOUL BROTHERS]] member [[Naoto (dancer)|NAOTO]] since they had been long term friends and often worked on designing clothes together. The group would be composed of 4 rappers: NAOTO, who was also the assigned leader, [[M-flo]] member VERBAL, [[Exile (Japanese band)|EXILE]] and [[Generations from Exile Tribe|GENERATIONS]] member Sekiguchi Mandy and Gekidan EXILE and [[Doberman Infinity|DOBERMAN INFINITY]] member [[Sway (Japanese rapper)|SWAY]]. Nigo would act as the producer and DJ of the unit. The group's name is a homage to "TERIYAKI BOYZ" that Nigo and VERBAL were part together. On June 25, the unit debuted with the digital single "PART TIME HERO". The song was used as the opening theme song for the drama Night Hero NAOTO, which stars member NAOTO. On November 7, 2017, they released their second digital single "YO!". On February 5, 2018, the unit released their third digital single "HeartBreakerZ" featuring CRAZYBOY. On June 6, they released their fourth digital single "BEPPING SOUND" featuring [[Hiroomi Tosaka|HIROOMI TOSAKA]]. In November of the same year, the unit released a music video for the unreleased song "TOKYO DIP" featuring American artist Pharrell Williams on their official YouTube channel. The collaboration came to be due to the friendship between Nigo and Pharrell, with Pharrell producing the song and participating on vocals. The music video, directed by Nigo, was shot in Shibuya and Nakameguro, and also features cameo appearances by Sano Reo and Iwata Takanori. On March 6, 2019, they released their first CD single "SAKURA" featuring the duo KOBUKURO. The single's title track is a reconstruction of KOBUKURO's hit song "Sakura" with a hip-hop approach. In 2019, the unit provided the unreleased song "ELECTRICITY" featuring American Hip-Hop artist Lil Uzi Vert as the ending theme of the movie [[Detective Pikachu (film)|Detective Pikachu]]. On March 20, 2024, the unit released their first studio album HBZ digitally. Prior to the release, the lead song "TOY BOY" featuring [[Dean Fujoka]] was pre-released digitally on February 28.
⚫
Together with [[BiS]] manager Watanabe Junnosuke, Nigo is the producer and manager for the female pop group [[Billie Idle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billieidle.com/|title=BILLIE IDLE®|website=Billie Idle|language=ja-JP|access-date=2016-07-23}}</ref> His involvement with the group began in 2014, when he directed a music video for BiS' song "Nerve",<ref>{{Citation|last=Vice Japan|title=BiS / nerve directed by NIGO®（2.5D × VICE）|date=2014-06-04|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5C8xFyLS18 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/F5C8xFyLS18 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=2016-07-23}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and after the group disbanded, Nigo and Watanabe offered BiS members First Summer Uika and Hirano Nozomi the chance to join their new project, Billie Idle. The group debuted in 2014 with the album "Idle Gossip", for which Nigo is the executive producer.<ref>{{Citation|title=Idle Gossip|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/IDLE-GOSSIP-BILLIE-IDLE%25C2%25AE/dp/B00TE8WIAO|publisher=Space Shower Music|access-date=2016-07-23}}</ref>


On January 28, 2022, Nigo and [[ASAP Rocky]] released the song "Arya", serving as the lead single for Nigo's album, ''[[I Know Nigo!]]'', released via [[Victor Victor Worldwide]] and [[Republic Records]] on March 25, 2022. It marks Nigo's first solo album since 2005's ''Nigo Presents: Return of the Ape Sounds''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2022/01/28/nigo-asap-rocky-arya/|title=Nigo and A$AP Rocky share "Arya", a time capsule from the near past|work=[[The Fader]]|last=Helfand|first=Raphael|date=January 28, 2022|access-date=January 31, 2022}}</ref> ''I Know Nigo!'' was co-executive produced by Nigo alongside Pharrell Williams. Williams and Nigo had first collaborated nearly two decades earlier, when [[the Neptunes]] contributed production to ''[[Beef or Chicken]]''. The album's second single, titled "Want It Bad", was released in collaboration with American musician [[Kid Cudi]]. The album includes guest appearances from [[Tyler, the Creator]], [[Clipse]], [[Gunna (rapper)|Gunna]], [[Teriyaki Boyz]], [[ASAP Ferg]], [[Pusha T]], [[Lil Uzi Vert]], and the late [[Pop Smoke]].
On January 28, 2022, Nigo and [[ASAP Rocky]] released the song "Arya", serving as the lead single for Nigo's album, ''[[I Know Nigo!]]'', released via [[Victor Victor Worldwide]] and [[Republic Records]] on March 25, 2022. It marks Nigo's first solo album since 2005's ''Nigo Presents: Return of the Ape Sounds''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2022/01/28/nigo-asap-rocky-arya/|title=Nigo and A$AP Rocky share "Arya", a time capsule from the near past|work=[[The Fader]]|last=Helfand|first=Raphael|date=January 28, 2022|access-date=January 31, 2022}}</ref> ''I Know Nigo!'' was co-executive produced by Nigo alongside Pharrell Williams. Williams and Nigo had first collaborated nearly two decades earlier, when [[the Neptunes]] contributed production to ''[[Beef or Chicken]]''. The album's second single, titled "Want It Bad", was released in collaboration with American musician [[Kid Cudi]]. The album includes guest appearances from [[Tyler, the Creator]], [[Clipse]], [[Gunna (rapper)|Gunna]], [[Teriyaki Boyz]], [[ASAP Ferg]], [[Pusha T]], [[Lil Uzi Vert]], and the late [[Pop Smoke]].
Line 50: Line 48:
! scope="col" colspan="6"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" colspan="6"| Peak chart positions
|-
|-
! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:95%;"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref>{{cite magazine|title=The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 4 April 2022|magazine=The ARIA Report|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|issue=1674|page=6|date=April 4, 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref>{{cite magazine|title=The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 4 April 2022|magazine=The ARIA Report|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|issue=1674|page=6|date=April 4, 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:95%;"| [[Ultratop|BEL<br />(FL)]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/album/79077/Nigo-I-Know-Nigo!|title=Nigo – I Know Nigo!|publisher=[[Ultratop]]|language=nl|access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Ultratop|BEL<br />(FL)]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/album/79077/Nigo-I-Know-Nigo!|title=Nigo – I Know Nigo!|publisher=[[Ultratop]]|language=nl|access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:95%;"| [[Canadian Albums Chart|CAN]]<br /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-albums/2022-04-09/|title=Canadian Albums: Week of April 9, 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 5, 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Canadian Albums Chart|CAN]]<br /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-albums/2022-04-09/|title=Canadian Albums: Week of April 9, 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 5, 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:95%;"| [[Official New Zealand Music Chart|NZ]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=5312|title=NZ Top 40 Albums Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=April 4, 2022|access-date=April 2, 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Official New Zealand Music Chart|NZ]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=5312|title=NZ Top 40 Albums Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=April 4, 2022|access-date=April 2, 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:95%;"| [[Billboard 200|US]]<br /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/the-billboard-200/2022-04-09/|title=The Billboard 200: Week of April 9, 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 5, 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard 200|US]]<br /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/the-billboard-200/2022-04-09/|title=The Billboard 200: Week of April 9, 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 5, 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:95%;"| [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US<br />R&B/HH]]<br /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-albums/2022-04-09/|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Week of April 9, 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 5, 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US<br />R&B/HH]]<br /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-albums/2022-04-09/|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Week of April 9, 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 5, 2022}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" | ''Ape Sounds''
! scope="row" | ''Ape Sounds''

Latest revision as of 15:42, 30 June 2024

Nigo
Nigo, 2006
Nigo, 2006
Background information
Also known asNigo®, Tomoaki Nagao
Born (1970-12-23) December 23, 1970 (age 53)
OriginMaebashi, Japan
Occupation(s)Fashion designer, DJ, record producer, entrepreneur
Years active1993–present
Labels
Websitehumanmade.jp

Nigö (ニゴー, Nigō, born Tomoaki Nagao (長尾 智明) on December 23, 1970) is a Japanese fashion designer, disc jockey (DJ), record producer and entrepreneur. He is best known as the creator of the streetwear brand, A Bathing Ape (Bape), and currently serves as artistic director for Kenzo.[2][3] Additionally he is a member of the Japanese group Teriyaki Boyz, serving as their official in-house DJ since the group's 2005 debut.

Fashion background

[edit]

Nigo's venture into fashion started when he founded A Bathing Ape in 1993.[4] Hiroshi Fujiwara is considered his mentor.[4] He initially sold a few Bape Hoodies and T-shirts and camouflage print hoodies in a small store, items which became very popular among teenagers. In 2002, Nigo released the Bapesta sneaker,[5] which according to BBC presenter Jonathan Ross, later became the "epitome of collectable footwear".[6] The sneaker resembles Nike's Air Force 1 design,[7] but instead of the swoosh on the side, it has Nigo's Bapesta logo, a star with a lightning bolt extending out of it. In the cover news of the April issue of the trend magazine WWD for Japan, Bape's boss Nigo (formerly known as Tomoaki Nagao) announced that he is about to leave and he will be leaving with Takahashi UC (Undercover) designer Jun Takahashi. Nowhere, established on April 1, 1993, no longer serves as the designer of Bape. In 2003, Nigo partnered with Pharrell Williams to create and launch the streetwear brands Billionaire Boys Club[8] and Ice Cream footwear. Nigo himself also established his personal new company Nigold on April 4, 2009.[9] In 2010, he launched his new brand Human Made. In 2013, Nigo left Bape for good.[4] In 2014, Nigo became the creative director for Uniqlo's UT brand.[2][10] In 2020, Nigo partnered with Luxury brand Louis Vuitton alongside Virgil Abloh to create a capsule collection.[11] In September 2021, Kenzo appointed Nigo as its new artistic director. In July 2023, Australian winery Penfolds appointed Nigo as its Creative Partner of two years.

Musical and entertainment background

[edit]

Nigo's first involvement with music was playing in punk cover band Tokyo Sex Pistols while at university, alongside fellow fashion figures Hiroshi Fujiwara, Jun Takahashi and Hikaru Iwanaga.[4] Nigo collaborated with James Lavelle, creating a compilation called A Bathing Ape vs Mo Wax, which was released in Japan in 1997.[4] He would go on to join forces with Lavelle's project, U.N.K.L.E., and Scratch Perverts, to release the single Ape Shall Never Kill Ape, in 1998.[4] The following year saw the Japanese release of Nigo's debut album, Ape Sounds, on which he showcased a blend of trip-hop, dub, indie rock, and psychedelic pop.[4] The album featured contributions from Ben Lee, Money Mark, Shawn Lee and Cornelius.[4] It was released internationally by Mo Wax in 2000.[4] Nigo subsequently released a number of non-album singles, which included collaborations with Rakim and Flavor Flav, as well as compilations Ape Sounds Remix, (B)APE Sounds, and Return of the Ape Sounds.[4]

Soon after the establishment of Billionaire Boys Club, Nigo formed rap group Teriyaki Boyz alongside Ilmari, Ryo-Z, Verbal, and Wise.[4] The group released the albums Beef or Chicken in 2005 and Serious Japanese in 2009, respectively.

Nigo has been associated with popular rap and hip hop artists such as Kanye West and Pharrell Williams. He is the DJ of Teriyaki Boyz and is also owner of Bape Sounds record label.[12] He also has an MTV Japan show which he created called Nigoldeneye.[13]

Together with BiS manager Watanabe Junnosuke, Nigo was the producer and manager for the female pop group Billie Idle.[14] His involvement with the group began in 2014, when he directed a music video for BiS' song "Nerve",[15] and after the group disbanded, Nigo and Watanabe offered BiS members First Summer Uika and Hirano Nozomi the chance to join their new project, Billie Idle. The group debuted in 2014 with the album "Idle Gossip", for which Nigo is the executive producer.[16] Billie Idle would go on to release a further four albums before disbanding in 2019.[4]

On April 15, 2016, the Japanese company LDH announced that a new Hip-Hop unit named HONEST BOYZ® would be produced as a joint project of Nigo and EXILE and 三代目 J SOUL BROTHERS member NAOTO since they had been long term friends and often worked on designing clothes together. The group would be composed of 4 rappers: NAOTO, who was also the assigned leader, M-flo member VERBAL, EXILE and GENERATIONS member Sekiguchi Mandy and Gekidan EXILE and DOBERMAN INFINITY member SWAY. Nigo would act as the producer and DJ of the unit. The group's name is a homage to "TERIYAKI BOYZ" that Nigo and VERBAL were part together. On June 25, the unit debuted with the digital single "PART TIME HERO". The song was used as the opening theme song for the drama Night Hero NAOTO, which stars member NAOTO. On November 7, 2017, they released their second digital single "YO!". On February 5, 2018, the unit released their third digital single "HeartBreakerZ" featuring CRAZYBOY. On June 6, they released their fourth digital single "BEPPING SOUND" featuring HIROOMI TOSAKA. In November of the same year, the unit released a music video for the unreleased song "TOKYO DIP" featuring American artist Pharrell Williams on their official YouTube channel. The collaboration came to be due to the friendship between Nigo and Pharrell, with Pharrell producing the song and participating on vocals. The music video, directed by Nigo, was shot in Shibuya and Nakameguro, and also features cameo appearances by Sano Reo and Iwata Takanori. On March 6, 2019, they released their first CD single "SAKURA" featuring the duo KOBUKURO. The single's title track is a reconstruction of KOBUKURO's hit song "Sakura" with a hip-hop approach. In 2019, the unit provided the unreleased song "ELECTRICITY" featuring American Hip-Hop artist Lil Uzi Vert as the ending theme of the movie Detective Pikachu. On March 20, 2024, the unit released their first studio album HBZ digitally. Prior to the release, the lead song "TOY BOY" featuring Dean Fujoka was pre-released digitally on February 28.

On January 28, 2022, Nigo and ASAP Rocky released the song "Arya", serving as the lead single for Nigo's album, I Know Nigo!, released via Victor Victor Worldwide and Republic Records on March 25, 2022. It marks Nigo's first solo album since 2005's Nigo Presents: Return of the Ape Sounds.[17] I Know Nigo! was co-executive produced by Nigo alongside Pharrell Williams. Williams and Nigo had first collaborated nearly two decades earlier, when the Neptunes contributed production to Beef or Chicken. The album's second single, titled "Want It Bad", was released in collaboration with American musician Kid Cudi. The album includes guest appearances from Tyler, the Creator, Clipse, Gunna, Teriyaki Boyz, ASAP Ferg, Pusha T, Lil Uzi Vert, and the late Pop Smoke.

Art collector

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Nigo met artist Kaws in 1996 and became an early supporter of his work. In 2005, he commissioned him a painting and Kaws painted the Kaws Album.[18] The painting was sold in 2019 for $14.8 million at Sotheby's in Hong Kong among other artworks. The total of the sales of his art collection was $28 million.[19][20]

He also worked with Futura, Stash, Hajime Sorayama, and André Saraiva.[21]

Miscellaneous

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  • Nigo speaks little or no English and uses a translator whenever he does interviews.[22]
  • Nigo has a cameo appearance in the Takashi Murakami short film Akihabara Majokko Princess shown at the "Pop Life" exhibition at Tate Modern in London.

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
Titel Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[23] 		BEL
(FL)
[24] 		CAN
[25] 		NZ
[26] 		US
[27] 		US
R&B/HH
[28]
Ape Sounds — — — — — —
I Know Nigo! 89 170 21 29 13 6

Singles

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As lead artist

[edit]
List of singles with chart positions
Titel Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
Hot
[29] 		US
Bub.
[30]
"Arya"
(with ASAP Rocky) 		2022 8 — I Know Nigo!
"Want It Bad"
(with Kid Cudi) 		20 —
"Hear Me Clearly"
(with Pusha T) 		— —
"More Tonight"
(with Teriyaki Boyz) 		— —
"Heavy"
(with Lil Uzi Vert) 		23 14
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

[edit]
List of charted songs, with selected chart positions
Titel Year Peak chart positions Album
CAN
[31] 		NZ
Hot
[32] 		US
Bub.
[33] 		US
R&B/HH
[34]
"Lost and Found Freestyle 2019"
(with ASAP Rocky and Tyler, the Creator) 		2022 89 12 6 40 I Know Nigo!
"Come On, Let's Go"
(with Tyler, the Creator) 		— 7 4 35

Awards

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Nigo Signs to Steven Victor's Victor Victor Worldwide, Plans Release for New Album". Complex Networks.
  2. ^ a b Lemola, Hasse (November 18, 2016). "NIGO on the Intersection of Streetwear & Fast Fashion". Hypebeast. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  3. ^ "Nigo | HYPEBEAST". hypebeast.com. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Nigo". Spotify. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  5. ^ "Bathing Ape Bapes History | SneakerFiles". SneakerFiles. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  6. ^ "Bape - A bathing ape - Nigo interview with Jonathan Ross". Archived from the original on September 17, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
  7. ^ "A Look Back at the Best BAPESTAs Ever Released". Hypebeast. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  8. ^ "POLLS: Can Pharrell Really Save Billionaire Boys Club and IceCream?". Hypebeast. January 29, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  9. ^ "Bape". Archived from the original on January 28, 2013.
  10. ^ Cochrane, Lauren (January 21, 2014). "Nigo: 'Uniqlo is streetwear too'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  11. ^ "Here's a Look at the Upcoming Louis Vuitton x NIGO® Capsule Collection". Complex. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  12. ^ "Genius | Song Lyrics & Knowledge". Genius. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  13. ^ "sothebys".
  14. ^ "BILLIE IDLE®". Billie Idle (in Japanese). Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  15. ^ Vice Japan (June 4, 2014), BiS / nerve directed by NIGO®（2.5D × VICE）, archived from the original on December 21, 2021, retrieved July 23, 2016
  16. ^ Idle Gossip, Space Shower Music, retrieved July 23, 2016
  17. ^ Helfand, Raphael (January 28, 2022). "Nigo and A$AP Rocky share "Arya", a time capsule from the near past". The Fader. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  18. ^ "KAWS Shatters Auction Record with $14.8 Million USD Painting". Hypebeast. April 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  19. ^ "Sotheby's Was Hoping This Kaws Painting of 'The Simpsons' Would Sell for $1 Million. It Just Went for $14.7 Million". artnet News. April 1, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  20. ^ "Millennials in Hoodies Spend $28 Million on Simpsons Art". Bloomberg.com. April 1, 2019. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  21. ^ "NIGO's Sotheby's Auction Just Brought in More Than $28 Million". Highsnobiety. April 1, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  22. ^ Sanchez, Karizza. "Kid Cudi & Nigo Talk Streetwear, Music & Kids See Ghosts 2". Complex.com. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  23. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 4 April 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1674. Australian Recording Industry Association. April 4, 2022. p. 6.
  24. ^ "Nigo – I Know Nigo!" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  25. ^ "Canadian Albums: Week of April 9, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  26. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  27. ^ "The Billboard 200: Week of April 9, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  28. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Week of April 9, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  29. ^ Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
  30. ^ "Lil Uzi Vert Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  31. ^ "Tyler, the Creator Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  32. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  33. ^ "Tyler, the Creator Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  34. ^ "Tyler, the Creator Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  35. ^ "NIGO® Wins Fashion Designer of the Year Award! ── 2020 "GQ MEN OF THE YEAR 2020" announced!". GQ Japan. November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
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