Kohaku Uta Gassen 2009 lineup announced
Funky Monkey Babys are some manner of hip hop group, which means they "rap" over string-heavy, heart-warming J-Pop tracks.NHK has announced the performing artists for its annual New Years' Eve TV special Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Battle). 2009 marks the 60th year.
The highlights: hipster singer Kaela Kimura and otaku heroine Nana Mizuki will be appearing. Ayaka will be making her final performance before her long-planned career hiatus in 2010 to battle Graves' disease. And rock band Remioromen will make their first appearance, along with homegrown hip hop sensation Funky Monkey Babys.
And like every year, there will also be lots and lots of enka singers -- whom we should thank for creating perfect opportunities during the broadcast to go to the bathroom, change the channel or otherwise socialize with friends and family.
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