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FOR YOUR GRAMMY® CONSIDERATION

When I Decided Not To Die

Album Version

Shihori

Best Asian Pop Music Performance

Ikitai

=

I want to live

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The Story & Inspiration

Stripped of her dignity by severe childhood bullying, a young girl made a pivotal choice: instead of seeking revenge through death, she would live, survive, and fulfill her dream of becoming a singer.
 

That child’s brave decision saved her future—and today, as an accomplished artist, Shihori uses her music to reach back and embrace that young girl.
 

Driven by this time-transcending journey of self-salvation, "When I Decided Not To Die" features the raw, visceral Japanese refrain "Ikitai" ("I want to live")—a triumphant anthem celebrating the resilience of the human spirit.

Credits

Songwriting & Lyrics: Shihori

Arrangement: Shinya Saito, Shihori

Mixing Engineer: Yoad Nevo

Mastering Engineer: Ken Lewis
Recording Studio: Apex Arts Studios

English Vocal Accent Reduction Coach: Jonathan Mireles (Audio Mech Productions)

Michelle Kobayashi
 


Manager:Rashi Ambashta

Project Advisors:

Shana Ballard, Ms Meka Nism


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GRAMMY® is a registered trademark of The Recording Academy.⁠

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Shihori

J-Pop Singer-Songwriter

SHIHORI is an LA-based J-pop singer-songwriter from Japan, best known for the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure fan theme “Holy Steel” (25M views on YouTube), as well as her work on anime such as FAIRY TAIL and Mahouka Koukou, and video games including League of Legends, Omega Strikers, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang!, Call of Duty × Gundam, and Path to Nowhere × JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: STONE OCEAN.

She composes and performs both solo material and music for film, TV, anime, and games, and is known as an energetic performer with strong stage presence who delivers empowering and inspiring messages to audiences.


With repeated Top 3 placements on the Oricon Chart and 13 Gold Disc-certified works as a songwriter, she built a proven career in Japan. She originally debuted in 2007 under the stage name Sena, charting at No. 5 on the Oricon Daily Chart and No. 8 on the Weekly Chart. In 2018, she relocated to the United States, where she has since expanded her international presence through extensive live performances, including serving as lead vocalist on the charity single “The Real Folk Blues,” which reached No. 6 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart.

Born deaf in one ear and with ASD, she transforms her lived experiences into music that inspires people to embrace who they are.


While much of her commercial success has come through songwriting and collaborations, Shihori is now strategically focusing on translating her proven hitmaking ability into her own artist brand—unlocking the full potential of an already established global audience.


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