Ryuichi Ogata, also known monomously as Ryuichi, is a Japanese former singer, dancer, rapper, and guitarist associated with Rising Production. In 2001, he rose to fame as a member of the pop groupW-inds as the group's dancer, back-up vocalist, and rapper. In 2013, he formed the rock bandAll City Steppers and is their backing vocalist and guitarist.
Career
Ogata began taking dance classes at Sapporo with his older sister and met Ryohei Chiba there. In 2000, Ogata, along with Chiba, passed auditions held at their dance school to join Keita Tachibana and form the boy band w-inds. Although initially chosen to be a dancer, Ogata later contributed to their songs as a back-up vocal and rapper. During the Prime of Life Tour in 2004, Ogata rapped and sang his first and only solo song, "Energy."
2006–2009: Radio Foundation
Ogata joined independent rock band Radio Foundation in 2006 as their lead guitarist, but left in 2009. Shortly after he left, Radio Foundation's lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Kenma Miyaoku died from a heart attack on July 12, 2009, prior to recording their debut album. Radio Foundation released the music video for "Brain Washing", directed by Shota Matsuda, as a tribute to Miyaoku a year after his death. Ogata paid tribute to him at W-inds's 2010 concerts.
In 2013, Ogata formed the rock band All City Steppers with guitarist and vocalist Leo Imamura from the band The John's Guerilla, and his childhood friend, bassist Ryuki Maeda from the band Terror Familia. He was reacquainted with both of them during Miyaoku's funeral. Ogata provided guitar and backing vocals for the band. Their debut single, "Precious Girl", was released on August 21, 2013, and peaked at No. 31 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart. Their first album, Sexy Virgin Riot, was released on March 5, 2014, and peaked at No. 36 on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart. They will be releasing their second album, Partyage, on October 3, 2018. On June 1, 2020, Ogata announced that he was retiring from entertainment due to developing a psychosomatic disorder, leaving him prone to experiencing stress and anxiety.
