Ryuichi Sakamoto was a genius Japanese musician, composer, and producer who has been active in the music industry for over four decades. He first gained international recognition as a member of the electronic music group Yellow Magic Orchestra in the late 1970s and has since become known for his work as a solo artist and renowned for his prolific film scores and collaborations with other musicians.

Sakamoto's music was known for its experimental, avant-garde sound, which incorporated elements of electronic, classical, and traditional Japanese music. He released numerous albums throughout his career, including the critically acclaimed "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" soundtrack, which featured his hit single "Forbidden Colours."

In addition to his music career, Sakamoto was involved in a number of environmental and humanitarian causes. He was a vocal advocate for sustainable energy and worked with organizations such as Greenpeace and the Rainforest Foundation.

Sakamoto was also recognized for his contributions to music and culture. He won multiple awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Score for his work on the film "The Last Emperor," and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Yellow Magic Orchestra.

On March 28, 2023, Sakamoto passed away at the age of 71 from a long battle with cancer. His influence on music and culture will continue to be felt for years to come.

Learn more about Ryuichi Sakamoto here.

SOLO ALBUMS

1. Thousand Knives (1978)
2. B-2 Unit (1980)
3. Left-Handed Dream (1981)
4. Ongaku Zukan (1984)
5. Esperanto (1985)
6. Futurista (1986)
7. Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia (1986)
8. Neo Geo (1987)
9. Beauty (1989)
10. Heartbeat (1991)
11. Sweet Revenge (1994)
12. Smoochy (1995)
13. 1996 (1996)
14. Discord (1997)
15. BTTB (1999)
16. Comica (2002)
17. Elephantism (2002)
18. Chasm (2004)
19. Out of Noise (2009)
20. Playing the Piano (2009)
21. Three (2013)
22. Async (2017)
23. 12 (2023)