lecca

Overview

lecca (pronounced "Rekka"; born February 26, 1979) is a Japanese reggae singer and politician, and a former member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly (one term). Her real name is Reina Saito, and she used the name Reina Saito (斉藤れいな) in her political work. Born in Koto, Tokyo, she graduated from Waseda University's School of Political Science and Economics. She debuted independently in 2005 and made her major debut in 2006 with the mini-album "Dreamer".

Career

In 1999 she enrolled at the Plus Study Music School, studying vocal training, dance and music theory, and in 2000 began performing on the club scene around Tokyo.
After graduating in 2002 she spent six months in New York and Toronto, working in local club scenes. Her style leaned toward reggae during this period.
She returned to Japan in 2003 and resumed activity under the name Rekka (烈火). In 2004 she took part in reggae singer PANG's mini-albums as an MC and composer.
In 2005 she released her first album "Rekka" (烈火), which reached No. 10 on HMV's indie reggae and ska chart, marking her indie debut. That year she also contributed to PANG's first album with MEGARYU.
In April 2006 she released the mini-album "Dreamer" and made her major debut. From the album "URBAN PIRATES" in August 2006, she released an album every year. "City Caravan" (2008) reached No. 18 on the weekly Oricon chart.
In 2009 her first single "For You" was strongly supported in Hokkaido, topping the local cable request chart for six consecutive weeks. The album "BIG POPPER" reached No. 5 on Oricon's daily chart. "My measure" became the theme song of the TV drama "Gine: Sanfujinka no Onnatachi", and she was named USEN's most-requested artist that year.
In April 2010 she released her third single, "TSUBOMI/Snow Crystals", her first collaboration with Kyushu Otoko in two years. "TSUBOMI" took No. 1 on USEN's overall J-POP chart before its release, an unusual feat.
Other albums include "Step One" (2012), "ZOOLANDER" (2012), "TOP JUNCTION" (2013), "tough Village" (2014) and "High Street" (2017); other mini-albums include "Mado no Mukou" (2008) and "Hakobune ~~ballads in me~~" (2011).
In September 2019 she released "team try", her first new song in two and a half years, followed in November by "Shonen", written for her friend, Yomiuri Giants player Shinnosuke Abe.
On February 28, 2024 she released "LIBERTY ERA", her first album in about seven years, and held the "lecca LIVE TOUR 2024 'LIBERTY ERA'" at Zepp venues in five cities from May 10 to June 8.

Political career

She entered the political school Kibo no Juku in October 2016. In July 2017 she ran for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly for Tomin First no Kai in the Minami-Tama district and won first place with 32,525 votes. In January 2019 she left the party, citing unclear decision-making, and formed the group "Independent Tokyo Mirai". She ran in 2021 with the Constitutional Democratic Party's endorsement but finished third and lost. After her 2017 win she named childcare waiting-list measures, especially surveying and supporting unlicensed nurseries, as a priority.

Musical style

Her style turned toward reggae during her time in New York and Toronto, and she works in J-POP and J-R&B with a reggae foundation. She has collaborated with many artists, including PANG, MEGARYU, Kyushu Otoko, Yusuke and MOOMIN.