Koda Kumi (倖田來未), also romanized as Kouda Kumi, is a Japanese singer from Kyoto, Japan, born on 13 November 1982 (Showa 57). Her real name is Kouda Kumiko (神田來未子), and she is a solo artist associated with J-pop, contemporary R&B, and pop. She is signed to Rhythm Zone and her official website is rhythmzone.net/koda. She is also listed with blood type A.
Beyond her recording career, Koda Kumi has shared a detailed personal profile that shapes much of her public image. Her hobbies include shopping and collecting goods, her favorite sport is squash, her favorite type of music is hip hop, and her favorite dish to cook is niku jaga (beef and potatoes). Her favorite saying is Ikkai ichi e (once in a lifetime chance), her favorite colors are purple and green, her favorite season is summer, and her favorite DVD is Haneru no tobira. She also names D&G and H・A・K among her favorite brands, while her favorite foods include okonomiyaki, 100% fruit juice, and Perrier.
Koda Kumi’s favorite Japanese artists are Toshinori Yonekura and Sukima Switch, while her favorite Western artists are Christina Aguilera, Nelly, Pink, and Pharrell Williams. She has said that something she cannot be without is love, that the ‘kori kori’ of her waist is her favorite part of her own body, and that ‘no smoking & no alcohol’ is something often unexpected about her. She also says lies and deception are unacceptable, notes that her special ability is talking until her voice goes hoarse, and identifies herself as the older sister of misono.
