[Vocaloid term] What is an utaite (cover singer)?

Last updated:2024/8/5

Festival-loving girlMizuki Imae
I got totally hooked on BUMP OF CHICKEN after my best friend introduced them to me in junior high, and that’s when I woke up to music. In high school, a senior led me into the world of melodic hardcore, and I fell for it completely. Heavily influenced by the boyfriend I was dating back then, I’ve been a huge fan of 10-FEET from then until now. After graduating from my days as a hairstylist—spent staring down wigs every day—I now work staff for studios, live houses, and wedding sound, spending my days hunting for new bands. Despite being out at festivals and shows all year round, I’m still a hopeless kid who can’t even do a two-step.

The term “utaite” is something you hear more often in recent years.

It’s already an established term in the Vocaloid scene, but I don’t think you hear it much in other fields.

Since it’s a word that’s often heard yet not well understood, I’d like to explain what “utaite” means.

What is an utaite?

Vocaloid songThe often-seen “I tried singingAre you familiar with the video titled “ ”?

thisPeople who sing existing songs and upload them to video-sharing sites (vocalists) are collectively referred to as “utaite.”。

People known as so-called 'utaite' can be anyone from the general public, and since it’s a very easy way to stream for those who love singing, many people use it.

The difference between a singer and a utaite

http://o-dan

net/ja/

We refer to the vocalist in the original recording of a song (often a professional) as a “kashu” (singer), whereas amateurs who sing covers of existing songs are called “utaite.”

Basically, the terms are often differentiated like this to distinguish between them.

Also, in the case of a Vocaloid song, the original creator (Vocaloid producerThere are cases where it can only be used within the scope permitted by the copyright holder, so you need to be careful when creating a “covered it” singing video as a vocalist.

Singer and original creator

http://o-dan

net/ja/

In Vocaloid songs, the term “honke” (original) mainly refers to versions sung by the Vocaloid characters themselves.

world-renownedHatsune Mikuor something like that,Megurine Lukaand/or; such as; or (used to list examples)GUMIVarious characters like these are sung about.

The ones who cover and upload those songs are called utaite (singers), and some of them are very skilled and popular, so there are times when an utaite becomes more popular than the original.

This is what you might call surpassing the original.

Recommended singer

There are many amazing utaite whose singing skills rival those of professionals, so I’d like to introduce a few of my recommended singers.

seriously, girl

https://www.

youtube.

com/watch?v=QQPVQFyL0_Y

First of all, this oneseriously, girlMr./Ms.

Not only does she seem to have the vocal ability to succeed as a singer-songwriter or a band’s lead vocalist, but I also think her expressiveness is incredible.

kurokumo

https://www.

youtube.

com/watch?v=iQEgd0B1rC8

kurokumoI am Mr./Ms. ____.

The high notes are so beautiful that I want to listen to them over and over.

When you listen to it a cappella, it’s incredible…

Mafumafu

https://www.

youtube.

com/watch?v=eq8r1ZTma08

MafumafuI am Mr./Ms. ____.

That powerful singing voice is going to be addictive.

Amatsuki

https://www.

youtube.

com/watch?v=naiWWxJ9XNY

AmatsukiI am Mr./Ms. ____.

He’s male, but I think he has a gentle singing voice, and he’s very good at the dynamic contrast between low and high notes that you often hear in Vocaloid songs.