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DDD (song)

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Released
  
December 21, 2005

Recorded
  
2005 (Japan)

Length
  
4:15

Format
  
CD digital download

Genre
  
Dance-pop R&B

Label
  
Avex Avex Music Creative Inc. Rhythm Zone S.M. Entertainment

"D.D.D." (stylized as D.D.D. feat. SOULHEAD) is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Kumi Koda, taken from her second greatest hits album , Best: Second Session (2005). It contains guest vocals from Japanese music duo, Soulhead. It was written by Soulhead members and sisters Yoshika and Tsugumi, with production being done by Octopussy. The song is Koda's first collaborative effort since her single "Hot Stuff with Japanese rapper KM-Markit month prior. As part of Koda's 12 Month Single releases, "D.D.D." premiered on December 21, 2005 as the third single from the album. The CD cover sleeve has Koda wearing a black mini-dress and headdress. The cover sleeve is to represent the country United Kingdom, and its symbolism of Britannia.

Contents

Musically, "D.D.D." is a dance song that borrows numerous musical elements such as R&B. The song borrows a 4-bar melody from the Missy Elliot and Rockwilder's remake of "Lady Marmalade". The song is sung in half Japanese and English language. The song received favourable reviews from music critics, who commended the song's production and song writing. The composition and Soulhead's collaboration was also complimented.

Restricted to 50,000 units, "D.D.D." reached number five on the Japanese Oricon Singles Chart, and sold over 48,000 units in that region. The song also reached number five on the Japanese Count Down TV Singles Chart. The accompanying music video for "D.D.D." was shot in Japan; it features Koda and Soulhead dancing in a cave, with individual scenes of them with men in a jail cell. To promote the single, it has featured on several concert tours conducted by Koda, including the Second Sessions Tour and her 2013 Japonesque Tour. A variation of the single, entitled "XXX", featured on Soulhead's single "Pray" in 2006.

Background and composition

"D.D.D." was written by the members and sisters of Japanese musical duo Soulhead; Yoshika and Tsugumi, with production being done by Octopussy. Avex approached Yoshika and Tsugumi to feature as featuring artists under Soulhead for "D.D.D", which they accepted. The song is Koda's first collaborative effort since her single "Hot Stuff with Japanese rapper KM-Markit month prior. "D.D.D." was one of three songs from Koda's greatest hits album Best: Second Session to have included featuring artists; the other two songs were "Candy" with Mr. Blistah, and "Kamen" with Tatsuya Ishii. "D.D.D." is also one of four songs from Best: Second Session not co-written by Koda; the other four are "No Regret", "Ima Sugu Hoshii", and "Kamen". It was recorded in mid 2005 at Avex Studio in Tokyo, Japan.

Musically, "D.D.D." is a dance song that borrows numerous musical elements such as R&B. The song borrows a 4-bar melody from the Missy Elliot and Rockwilder's remake of "Lady Marmalade", which features singers; Elliot, Mya, Pink, Lil' Kim, and Christina Aguilera. The song is sung in half Japanese and English language, both performed equally by Koda and Soulhead respectively. The title "D.D.D." is an abbreviation for triple diamond, which was quote by several journalists when it was pre-released. In February 2006, a variation of the single, entitled "XXX", featured on Soulhead's single "Pray" in 2006. This version credits Koda as the featuring, and is inspired by groove music.

Release and artwork

As part of Koda's 12 month single releases, "D.D.D." premiered on December 21, 2005 as the third single from the album. The single was released in two formats; a stand-alone CD single and an album digital release. The CD single includes the original composition and the instrumental version. The CD cover sleeve has Koda wearing a black mini-dress and headdress. For each twelve month single releases, the single art works feature Koda representing different cultures and countries; for the cover sleeve of "D.D.D.", it represents the country United Kingdom, and its symbolism of Britannia.

Critical responses

"D.D.D." received positive reviews from most music critics and reviewers. A staff reviewer from CD Journal was positive towards the song's production by Octopussy and song writing by Yoshika and Tsugumi. The reviewer complimented the "twisted" rhythmic and catchy composition, and praised the "flow" of the singers vocals. Overall, the reviewer complimented the " capabilities of nature" within the song's production. A staff reviewer from the Japanese Amazon.com store was positive towards the song's production and the vocals of each singer; they labelled the song a "girl anthem". In March–April 2012, an online poll was hosted on Popjustice by fans ranking their favourite single by Koda. With over 70 singles from her back-catalogue listed, "Pop Diva" ranked at 11 with four people rating it ten points, and one rating it the lowest score at four.

Commercial performance

In Japan, "D.D.D." debuted at five on the Japanese Oricon Weekly Chart with an estimated 42,548 units in its first week. "D.D.D." managed to reach higher than "Birthday Eve" which charted at six, but was one of her lowest charting singles. The song lasted for five weeks on the chart, and sold over 48,000 units; this was one of her best selling limited singles from Best: Second Session alongside "Birthday Eve", "Feel", and "Candy". "D.D.D." entered at number five on the Japanese Count Down TV Chart. It fell to number 49 the following week, and lasted two weeks in the top 100 chart.

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Best: Second Session.

  • Kumi Koda – vocals, background vocals
  • Yoshika (Soulhead member) – vocals, background vocals, songwriting
  • Tsugumi (Soulhead member) – vocals, background vocals, songwriting
  • Octopussy – production, composing, arrangement
  • Avex Trax – Koda and Soulhead's record label, management
  • Avex Music Creative Inc. – Koda and Soulhead's distribution label
  • Rhythm Zone – Koda and Soulhead's record label, management
  • S.M. Entertainment – Koda and Soulhead's distribution label
  • Recorded in Tokyo, Japan, 2005
  • Alternate Versions

    Currently, there are three renditions of D.D.D. feat. SOULHEAD:

    1. D.D.D. feat. SOULHEAD: Found on the single (2005) and corresponding album BEST ~second session~
    2. D.D.D. feat. SOULHEAD [Instrumental]: Found on the single (2005)
    3. D.D.D. feat. SOULHEAD [Pink Chameleon's Remix]: Found on Beach Mix (2012)

    References

    DDD (song) Wikipedia