Ryuichi Ogata

Ryuichi Ogata
緒方龍一
Ryuichi Ogata at 2014 MTV Video Music Awards Japan
Born	(1985-12-17) December 17, 1985 (age 39)[1] Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan
Nationality	Japanese
Other names	Ryuichi Dravil
Occupations	Singer rapper guitarist
Years active	2001–2020 2021-present
Musical career
Genres	J-pop rock
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Member of	All City Steppers
Formerly of	W-inds Radio Foundation
Website	www.ryuichiogata.com

Ryuichi Ogata (緒方 龍一, Ogata Ryūichi, born December 17, 1985), also known mononymously as Ryuichi[2] or Dravil, is a Japanese singer, rapper, and guitarist. In 2001, he rose to fame as a member of the Japanese boy band W-inds as the group's dancer, back-up vocalist, and rapper. In addition to his activities with W-inds, Ogata also played guitar and provided back-up vocals for the rock bands Radio Foundation and All City Steppers.[2]

In 2020, Ogata briefly retired from the entertainment industry from health problems. In 2021, he returned as a solo singer, performing under the stage name Dravil.

Career

2001-2020: W-inds, Radio Foundation, and All City Steppers

See also: W-inds and All City Steppers

Ogata began taking dance classes at Sapporo with his older sister and met Ryohei Chiba there. In 2000, Ogata, along with Chiba, passed auditions held at their dance school to join Keita Tachibana and form the boy band w-inds. Although initially chosen to be a dancer, Ogata later contributed to their songs as a back-up vocal and rapper. During the Prime of Life Tour in 2004, Ogata rapped and sang his first and only solo song, "Energy."

Ogata joined independent rock band Radio Foundation in 2006 as their lead guitarist. Shortly after he left in 2009, Radio Foundation's lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Kenma Miyaoku died from a heart attack on July 12, 2009,[2][3] prior to recording their debut album.[4] Radio Foundation released the music video for "Brain Washing", directed by Shota Matsuda, as a tribute to Miyaoku a year after his death.[5] Ogata paid tribute to him at W-inds's 2010 concerts.

In 2013, Ogata formed the rock band All City Steppers with guitarist and vocalist Leo Imamura from the band The John's Guerilla, and his childhood friend, bassist Ryuki Maeda from the band Terror Familia. He was reacquainted with both of them during Miyaoku's funeral. Ogata provided guitar and backing vocals for the band.[2] Their debut single, "Precious Girl", was released on August 21, 2013, and peaked at No. 31 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.[6] Their first album, Sexy Virgin Riot, was released on March 5, 2014, and peaked at No. 36 on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart.[7]

On June 1, 2020, Ogata announced that he was retiring from entertainment due to developing a psychosomatic disorder, leaving him prone to experiencing stress and anxiety.[8]

2021-present: Solo career

In March 2021, Ogata announced he was returning to the entertainment industry under the stage name Dravil, releasing his debut solo single "All Together" / "Reborn."[9]

Filmography

Films

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2001	Star Light	Himself	Cameo
2002	Nurse no Oshigoto: The Movie	Soccer player	Cameo

Radio

Year	Title	Notes
2000–2008	w-inds.'s Windy Street

References

1. "緒方龍一のプロフィール" [Ryuichi Ogata's profile]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved January 20, 2020.
2. "Ryuichi（w-inds.）所属の新バンドALL CITY STEPPERS デビュー決定". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). June 14, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
3. "緒方龍一前樂隊主唱宮奧謙馬心臟病去世(組圖)" (in Chinese). Sina Corp. July 20, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
4. "宮奥謙馬 （Kenma Miyaoku）1985 – 2009". Tokyo Dandy. July 16, 2009. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
5. "Radio Foundation – Brain Washing PV". Tokyo Dandy. July 12, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
6. "オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2013年08月19日～2013年08月25日 31～40位". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved September 17, 2018.
7. "オリコン週間 アルバムランキング 2014年03月03日～2014年03月09日 31～40位". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved September 17, 2018.
8. "ｗ－ｉｎｄｓ．緒方龍一脱退 ストレスから心身症に". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). May 31, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
9. "跨海視訊訪／緒方龍一最近熱衷的事物竟是看這個 後篇". Yahoo! News Taiwan (in Chinese). March 3, 2021. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2020.

External links

• Official website