On the DOUBLE: Where is the TikTok Viral "Strange Things" J-R&B Singer Today?

Here’s everything you need to know about the Japanese R&B act DOUBLE and where they are today.

DOUBLE’s introduction to listeners in the West has been far different from what long-time J-R&B listeners know. For many, it’s been her viral hit “Strange Things” which has spread across platforms since 2024. But past that, many don’t know DOUBLE’s past and collaborations, being one of the first artists to bring American-style R&B to Japan and where she is now.

DOUBLE’s back catalogue remains a popular choice for J-R&B fans.

With a sense of nostalgia for the 2000s and longing for “simpler times” these days, it’s not surprising that people are delving to learn more about Japanese R&B through DOUBLE.

Although she’s not as active in the music industry as most artists, her discography has revitalised the next generation to listen and learn of her influence within J-R&B in the late 90s and 2000s. Today marks 14 March, which is DOUBLE’s birthday, so I wanted to take a look back at the music and moments that defined her legacy and what she’s doing right now.

Double Trouble

If you aren’t aware, DOUBLE began as a sibling duo. Older sister, Sachiko and younger sister, Takako Hirasawa – whom most know as DOUBLE today – hail from Niigata and debuted in 1998 with the song, For Me. The song carries the same gentle mood as café music on a rainy afternoon.

In May 1999, just days before the group’s first album, Crystal, Sachiko unfortunately passed away from a brain hemorrhage. While Takako took a break, the album went on to rank #2 on the Oricon charts with over 600,000+ copies sold.

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The album itself, thanks to the sisters, sparked an influence on other artists such as Crystal Kay, Namie Amuro and Heartsdales. Without a doubt, Crystal is DOUBLE’s finest work in my opinion, each track captures the sound of its era while remaining timeless. New listeners can easily indulge in songs such as Little Things You Do, Free Style and Sweet Time and fall under the album’s spell.

Sachiko’s legacy lives on amongst fans and Takako herself, with online accounts such as fan_of_sachikohirasawa archiving older media such as footage from an interview and live performance and her sister dedicating the song, Angel to Sachiko.

The bittersweet connection serves as a reminder that while Takako carried on making music with the group name in honour of her sister, Sachiko’s voice and influence were crucial in shaping J-R&B back then. Remembering those who have passed but still shape the future and the next generation is just as vital, and that’s why Sachiko’s legacy is so important.

DOUBLE in the music video for “Black Diamond.”

Shaping the Sound

Takako, who now performs solo as ‘DOUBLE’, began making waves in 2000 after her hiatus and returned with the song U or the English version, HATERS from her self-titled second album, DOUBLE. It was particularly noticeable that there are strong R&B influences such as Mary J Blige, Janet Jackson, and TLC, and through collaborations later on.

This is how I found out about her: with the song Black Diamond with Namie Amuro in 2008, and again, Count 3 with my favourite 2PM member, Jun.K on her last album, Woman.

Back in those days, DOUBLE’s discography was inaccessible to me, even through platforms such as Limewire, MegaUpload and 4shared. On top of that, DOUBLE didn’t do many interviews or photoshoots unless mandatory and would prefer to stay in the studio and release bop after bop.

So I missed out on songs from another key album of hers, VISION, at the time. This album was a pinnacle in having a mixture of tunes such as Strange Things, Let’s Get Together, Should Have Tried, You Got To and Who’s That Girl remains some of the best tracks on the album.

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joefromyoutube has been enriching audiences with his love of DOUBLE.

Going Viral

Up until early 2025, I was enamored with Crystal Kay and regarded her more as the undisputed queen of J-R&B. Like DOUBLE, she’s got a strong discography of R&B earlier in her career. But now, it’s clear to me DOUBLE also holds that title.

For many, joefromyoutube videos via Tiktok, Instagram and YouTube were their gateway to DOUBLE’s discography. I saw his reels on Instagram of “Strange Thing” and “Little Things You Do” and it wasn’t until early 2025, when I realised her full discography was online that I took a real dive into it.

Her discography stretches wide like a landscape of sound, rich with shifting influences and moods. From the warm pulse of R&B (I’m in Love + Love of Mine), dancehall-inspired (on the double + Reflex) and softer-like songs at times (Sunset, Why Do You Go). Each album has its own flavour like Wonderful and Reflex, and there’s musical versatility with each track aging like fine wine. There’s just something for everyone.

And while there’s albums and songs that drift in and out of people’s memories, it has been more than a year and DOUBLE’s music has remained a constant companion to me daily. She’s a testament to how enduring influence her artistry holds over me.

Where is DOUBLE now?

It’s difficult to find out about many Japanese artists who disappear for years, and DOUBLE was an exception until recently. I’ve been able to find out she sometimes DJ’s under the name DJ Lilly so I’m hoping to go to an event where she plays.

And last year she performed at OPEN MIC with Full of Harmony singing handle and Let’s Get Together. Her voice sounds the same, and she seems to be doing well, but also keeps to herself which is admirable in this surveillance and AI-centric climate we’re in.

I would love for DOUBLE to release another album, but the reality is, one feels more hopeful than anticipatory, especially since her last album was in 2011. And her last notable song, Luv You More, was a collaboration in 2024.

Rather than an endless stream of work that doesn’t resonate with the artist, DOUBLE’s discography feels very cultivated, with each song shaped through her motif and vocals. In that sense, DOUBLE’s legacy won’t fade with time. If anything, it’s beginning to be rediscovered and continues to speak volumes to a new generation.

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