Griot

Griot (株式会社グリオ) is a Japanese music production company headquartered in Sangenjaya, Setagaya, Tokyo. Founded on February 20, 1990, with capital of 8 million yen, it began as a music production firm founded by arranger Motoki Funayama, synthesizer programmer Hiroshi Sukegawa, and recording engineer Saburo Nakamura under the theme "designing sound." The company initially focused on CD audio production commissioned by record companies and music for corporate clients such as instrument manufacturers. Over the decades, Griot expanded into numerous areas of the music and entertainment business. It participated in Japan's first communication karaoke project in 1992, produced MIDI data for karaoke, operated pre-production and recording studios, managed songwriters, and ran music publishing. In the 2000s, it moved into mobile content with ringtone and ringtone-song services such as @ClubMelo and @RealMelo, and later REALMUSIC. It also produced opening ceremonies for major sports events including the Japan Series and the World Volleyball Championship, and organized concerts in Shanghai. Griot operates its own music label, LOCARNO, launched in 2004, and has released CDs including the official song of Nippon Professional Baseball, "DREAM PARK." The company has also produced albums for artists such as Ensemble Konoha and TV Tokyo's "THE Karaoke Battle" compilation. Its current representative director is Saburo Nakamura. Griot is a member of JASRAC, the Tokyo Music Business Association (Ongakujigyo-sha Rengokai), and the Japan Mixer Association (JAREC). As of the latest available information, Griot remains a private company active in music production, event production, mobile content, and overseas relations, with a corporate vision centered on professional creativity, communication, innovation, design, and long-term trust.

Griot was established on February 20, 1990, in Ohashi, Meguro, Tokyo, with capital of 8 million yen. It was founded by arranger Motoki Funayama, synthesizer programmer Hiroshi Sukegawa, and recording engineer Saburo Nakamura as a music production company under the theme "designing sound." The company initially focused on producing CD audio for record companies and creating music for corporate clients such as instrument manufacturers. In 1992, Griot participated in the industry's first communication karaoke project, providing consulting from planning and promotion to audio production, contributing to the birth and spread of communication karaoke. In 1993, capital was increased to 10 million yen and the headquarters moved to Shinmachi 2-7, Setagaya, Tokyo, where a pre-production studio was built and the company began managing composers and lyricists and engaging in music publishing. In 1995, a MIDI data production studio for communication karaoke was established, producing over 600 songs per year. In 1996, the headquarters moved to Shinmachi 2-2, Setagaya, and a digital recording studio was built, allowing in-house production from CD planning to audio creation. In 1997, capital increased to 16 million yen and a CD-ROM production department was formed; the company also produced digital photo collections of famous photographers such as Shuntaro Akiyama and Masaya Nakamura, publishing five CD-ROM photo books. In 1998, Griot produced opening ceremonies for the Japan Series (organized by Nippon Professional Baseball) and the World Volleyball Championship. In 1999, it began planning and producing a photographer series (now titled "The Photographer") for Fujifilm's official website. In 2000, with the start of i-mode ringtone services, Griot began producing ringtone data; its artist Hiromic Ladder released a CD from Pioneer LDC; and it won an ACC Special Award for Shiseido CM music. In November 2000, it launched its own ringtone official site @ClubMelo on DDI Pocket/KDDI. In 2001, @ClubMelo launched on DOCOMO, and in 2002 on J-Phone. In 2002, the ringtone voice site @RealMelo launched on KDDI, and Griot handled sound production for the UNICEF Charity Concert 2002 in Shanghai. In 2003, capital increased to 24 million yen, and the ringtone song site @RealMelo launched on Vodafone. In 2004, Griot hosted the Sony Network Walkman XOUNZ 2004 at Shanghai Rojam, hosted a concert by Mayumi Itsuwa with the New Japan Philharmonic, produced opening ceremonies for the Pacific League playoffs and the Japan Series, launched the LOCARNO label, and released the official Nippon Professional Baseball song "DREAM PARK" from Griot label. In 2005, it produced the opening ceremony for the Sanyo All-Star Game 1st game, launched ringtone full sites REALMUSIC and Saikyou Club-kei, moved its headquarters to Sangenjaya, Setagaya, and began planning and producing MSN music content "MSN CORE TRANCE." In 2006, REALMUSIC launched on DOCOMO. The history page continues beyond 2006, indicating ongoing activities in music production, mobile content, and event production. As of the latest available information, Griot remains active under the leadership of Representative Director Saburo Nakamura, with capital of 24 million yen, and is a member of JASRAC, the Tokyo Music Business Association, and JAREC.

• Founded in Ohashi, Meguro, Tokyo with capital of 8 million yen.

• Participated in the industry's first communication karaoke project.

• Capital increased to 10 million yen; headquarters moved to Shinmachi, Setagaya; began managing composers and music publishing.

• Established MIDI data production studio for communication karaoke, producing over 600 songs annually.

• Headquarters moved to Shinmachi 2-2, Setagaya; built digital recording studio.

• Capital increased to 16 million yen; formed CD-ROM production department; published five CD-ROM photo collections.

• Produced opening ceremonies for Japan Series and World Volleyball Championship.

• Began planning and producing 'The Photographer' series for Fujifilm's official website.

• Started ringtone data production; launched @ClubMelo on DDI Pocket/KDDI; won ACC Special Award for Shiseido CM music.

• @ClubMelo launched on DOCOMO.

• @ClubMelo launched on J-Phone; @RealMelo launched on KDDI; handled sound production for UNICEF Charity Concert 2002 in Shanghai.

• Capital increased to 24 million yen; @RealMelo launched on Vodafone.

• Launched LOCARNO label; released official NPB song 'DREAM PARK'; hosted Shanghai Rojam event and Itsuwa Mayumi concert; produced opening ceremonies for Pacific League playoffs and Japan Series.

• Produced All-Star Game opening ceremony; launched REALMUSIC and Saikyou Club-kei; moved headquarters to Sangenjaya; began MSN CORE TRANCE.

• REALMUSIC launched on DOCOMO.

• Produced 'THE Karaoke Battle 5th Anniversary BEST' compilation.

• Released Ensemble Konoha's first album 'Tadaima - Konoha Aishou Meikyokushuu'.

Professional music production and entertainment company with a focus on creativity, design, and long-term trust.

• Music production services

  Composition, arrangement, studio recording, and narration recording.

• Music label (LOCARNO)

  In-house label launched in 2004, releasing CDs including NPB official song 'DREAM PARK'.

• Event production

  Planning and production of events and stage performances, including sports opening ceremonies.

• Mobile content

  Ringtone and ringtone-song services such as @ClubMelo, @RealMelo, and REALMUSIC.

• Overseas relations

  Music projects and events in overseas markets, notably Shanghai, China.

1. 1Griot official websitegriot-music.co.jp
2. 2Griot HISTORYgriot-music.co.jp
3. 3Griot ABOUTgriot-music.co.jp
4. 4Griot BUSINESS STYLEgriot-music.co.jp
5. 5Wikidata: Griotwikidata.org