In the middle of 2008, one of the top US music producers, PHARRELL WILLIAMS(The Neptunes) and his close friend NIGO®, the producer of the street clothing brand A BATHING APE® and is also a member of TERIYAKI BOYZ® (theme song from the film “Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift”) came together to hold an audition STAR BAPE® SEARCH to seek a female HIPHOP/R&B artist. The audition was aimed at locating a DIVA who can make an impact in the music industry not only in the Far East but globally. The grand winner was to release a record with a major label, be fully produced and backed by PHARRELL WILLIAMS(The Neptunes) and NIGO®. The audition attracted entries from all over the Asian countries in hope for this dream opportunity. On 13th August STAR BAPE® SEARCH FINAL STAGE was held at UNIT Daikanyama, Japan and the winner was chosen, Manami. ????A BATHING APE®????????????RIP SLYME?ILMARI?RYO-Z?m-flo ?VERBAL?WISE???TERIYAKI BOYZ®?????????NIGO®????????No.1????????????PHARRELL WILLIAMS(The Neptunes)????????????HIPHOP/R&B ???????????????STAR BAPE® SEARCH???????????????????? ???????????????????DIVA(??)????????????????????????????PHARRELL WILLIAMS(The Neptunes)?NIGO®??????????(B)APE SOUNDS™??????????????????????????????????? ?????8?13?????UNIT???????STAR BAPE® SEARCH FINAL STAGE????????WINNER???????Manami??????????????