Monkey Majik (typeset as MONKEY MAJIK) is a Japanese-Canadian pop rock band formed in 2000 in Sendai. The band currently consists of Canadian brothers, Maynard Plant and Blaise Plant, each acting as lead vocalists and guitarists, as well as two Japanese members: tax on drums, and DICK on bass. Monkey Majik is currently signed to Binyl Records, a subsidiary of Avex Records, and are managed by Edwards Entertainment Group. Due to the natural blend of both Eastern and Western pop rock influences, Monkey Majik has often been referred to as a "hybrid band". Much of the band's music has been cross-promoted via television programs, commercials, and movies. They have also been chosen as “Goodwill Ambassadors” for the 80th anniversary of Japanese-Canadian relations. The band rose to mainstream success after the 2006 success of their singles, "Fly", and "Around the World", off of the album Thank You, eventually reaching the top Oricon charts and collaborating with major Japanese sensations such as m-flo and SEAMO. As of 2012, they have released seven studio albums, four EP's, three physical live albums, three digital live albums, and three compilation albums, and have certified five singles through the Recording Industry Association of Japan. Since the debut of Monkey Majik, Maynard and Blaise have both simultaneously worked solo ventures into the music industry to much acclaim: Maynard with blanc. and Blaise with The Alphabet Project, of which they have each released two studio albums thus far.
They received much acclaim across Japan after their assisting hands-on with clean-up and rescue during the aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which was later documented and broadcast by MTV Japan on a TV special surrounding their work. Since then, Monkey Majik has gained the attention of American rapper and musical entrepreneur, will.i.am, during his world travels sponsored by Intel. Blaise and Will.i.am performed a special version of the Monkey Majik song, "Watching You", live in Sendai during a private event, during which performance, Will.i.am incorporated a freestyle rap.
Debut - TIRED, SPADE, and eastview (2002 - 2005)
With a line-up consisting of Urushikaka, Kuypers, and the Plant brothers, MONKEY MAJIK released 1000 copies of their first EP, ‘’TIRED’’, through Tower Records in Sendai in a personally-financed venture. TIRED became the best-selling release at Tower Records for six consecutive weeks, cuing Monkey Majik to record their first full-length album.
The result of their work on a full-length debut album was SPADE, formally released through Tower Records in 2004. After impressive sales numbers, staying at the number 1 position on Tower’s sales charts for 13 weeks straight, the album was released nation-wide in 2004. Shortly thereafter, Kuyper and Urushikaka both left the group, and were replaced by current band members, ex-dental technician and salaryman, drummer tax (Takuya Kikuchi) and rising Sendai bassist, DICK (Hideki Mori), of Soul Addiction'-based local fame.
In 2005, their second full-length studio album, Eastview (typeset as eastview), depicting a life in Japan from a westerner’s view, was released. Eastview bowed out of its initial sales run with an impressive 14,000 units sold for an independent record—more than double the amount of SPADE. The group was then picked up by avex in the latter half of that same year, propped up for a mainstream debut.

MEMBERS:
Maynard Plant born August 6, 1975 from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Vocals and guitar. Monkey Majik Founder. Graduated from Queen's University. Fluent in English, French, and Japanese, also able to speak in the nanbu dialect

Blaise Plant born March 18, 1980 from Vanier, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Songwriter, Singer, Lead guitar, and Producer. Younger brother of Maynard. Speaks English, French, and Japanese. While in Canada he studied Visual and Performing Arts at The University of Lethbridge. Performed at clubs while also pursuing an acting career. Blaise continued the band in 2001.

Tax tax (Takuya Kikuchi) born August 31, 1975 from Sendai, Miyagi, Japan. Drums tax partakes in the majority of songwriting. He had worked as a dental technician for five years

DICK born March 10, 1978 from Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan. Bass has previously been part of a funk soul band called Soul Addiction under the name Hideki Dick Mori. Also was a member of a jazz band called Private Kitchen


*the best i ever head. I THINK*

I've heard their songs several times, but it's only because my friend's playlist is full of their songs and he likes to keep it loud. .happy.

But every time I listen to them, I hum. The songs are catchy, I've heard nothing similar to the band's type. I had no idea the vocalist is Canadian, his Japanese pronunciation sounds like native speaker.

im very happy in sh anyone ever listen to this song .toj.

his Japanese pronunciation sounds like native speaker.

agreeeee, i dont know why but im falling love hear that voice


i suggested you to hear fly

I can't imagine voice like theirs blend into electric guitar sounds. It's great that they play with acoustic.

That song Fly is good, although I've heard something a lot catchier from my friend's playlist.

Spoiler:

I've discovered them because of my fandom with Samurai Blue

yeah when he said ♫ leaving on the jet plane dont know if i'll be back again♫ i like that pronunciation


that's fly full english version

although I've heard something a lot catchier from my friend's playlist.

i love your friend, haha

I've discovered them because of my fandom with Samurai Blue

im so glad 2 people know monkey majik, if i knew-monkey majik i think it's good i like it because smooth music