Original Ai

Original Ai (stylized in all upper cased lettering) is the second studio album by Japanese–American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on July 23, 2003, by Def Jam Japan. The album features guest appearances and collaborations from Dabo, American rapper Joe Budden and Sphere of Influence.

Four singles were released from Original Ai. The lead single "Last Words" became Ai's best performing single on the Oricon singles chart until her 2005 single "365".

Background
Ai previously released her debut studio album, My Name Is Ai in 2001 under BMG Japan. Following its very little commercial success, Ai moved to Def Jam Japan and became the first woman signed to the label. Compared to her previous label, Ai stated she felt more at home with Def Jam Japan. Her first release under the label was the lead single "Last Words", which peaked at number 27 on the Japanese Oricon singles chart. The second single "Thank U" was released in June 2003, peaking at number 37 on the Oricon singles chart.

Impact
Original Ai was released in a time where very little female artists were in the hip hop scene in Japan. In 2021, OKMusic's editorial department described Original Ai as "a fine work that shows the high potential of Ai". The journalist noted Ai made history as the first woman signed to Def Jam's Japanese division and helped pave the way for the hip hop and R&B scene in Japan to grow.

Track listing
Notes


 * $undefined$ signifies a co-producer
 * Tracks 1, 9 and 13 are titled in Japanese.
 * Tracks 2, 5, 6, 10, and 12 are stylized in all capitals.
 * "2Hot" interpolates Kool & the Gang's 1979 song "Too Hot" written by Brown.
 * "Summer Time" interpolates R. Kelly's 2002 song "Ignition (Remix)" written by Kelly.

Personnel
Credits adapted from album's liner notes and Tidal.

Musicians
 * Ai Carina Uemura – vocals
 * Cartsen Lindberg – instrumental (4)
 * Joachim Svare – instrumental (4)
 * Mine-chang – electric guitar (5)
 * Michico – background vocals (7)
 * DJ Miz – cuts (8)
 * Damon Bennet – keyboard (8), flute (10)
 * Swing-O – keyboard (8)
 * Eric Harvey – cuts (10)
 * John Kegler – bass guitar (10)Technical
 * Bob Horn – engineering, mixing (1, 12)
 * Yukiko Matsushita – engineering (2, 6, 7)
 * Sumiya Ishikawa – engineering (2)
 * Chisaki – mixing (2)
 * Troy Staton – engineering, mixing (3)
 * Joachim Svare – engineering, mixing (4)
 * Carsten Lindberg – engineering, mixing (4)
 * Yoshiaki Onshi – engineering, mixing (5, 11)
 * Makoto Hoshino – rap recording (6)
 * Chris Conway – mixing (6)
 * Bob Iadeluca – mixing (7)
 * Swing-O – chorus arrangement (8), programing (8)
 * Masato Watanabe – mixing (8)
 * Blair Wells – engineering (9)
 * Chris Conway – mixing (9)
 * Michael Fountain – engineering (10)
 * Stephanie Stokes Fountain – engineering (10)
 * Carlos "Storm" Martinez – engineering (10)
 * Takeshi Hirata – engineering (11)
 * Masaki Shmizu – engineering assistance (11)
 * Chris Gehringer – masteringVisuals and imagery


 * Hiroaki Doi – art direction, design
 * Toru Wada – design
 * Satoshi Minakawa – photography
 * Rie Inada – hair, makeup
 * Noriko Gotoh – stylist
 * Teknical – tag
 * Mayuko Sudo – cooridination