Heartsdales
Heartsdales
Comprised of sisters Sugiyama Yumi (杉山ユミ) and Sugiyama Emi (杉山エミ) (who went by the stage names Rum and Jewels), the duo was a Japanese-American pop and hip-hop duo that made their debut in 2001.
The sisters were both born in Tokyo, Japan, with Emi being the older sister (born December 4, 1976) and Yumi, the little sister (born December 17, 1981), but immigrated to New York with their parents shortly after Yumi was born, but would return to Japan in 1995.
In 2001, they were discovered on a TV audition program in Japan called Asayan after they sent in a demo to the show. After winning the program, they signed with Avex Japan and debuted with the name Heartsdales, which is an homage to Hartsdales, New York – a suburb of the big city.