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I discovered Ayu right around the same time I first became interested in Japanese music (other than the songs I had listened to from various anime that made their way to the US). More specifically, it actually began with an interest in Utada Hikaru; I had heard her "Simple and Clean" off of the Kingdom Hearts soundtrack, and after hunting for more of her music I decided to look for other Japanese singers as well. The US mainstream market was becoming so tiresome, and the music was starting to lack feeling to me.
The first song I ever heard of Ayu's was "Evolution". I found it on some Sailor Moon fansite ages ago, and was excited to find a new Japanese artist. The artist had put a little blurb about who Hamasaki Ayumi was at the top, and named her the biggest sensation in Japan. So, I listened to it. I promptly disliked it and shut any doorways of interest to her.
I later heard "Dearest" that was used for Inu-Yasha, and still didn't like her music. I thought she was over-hyped and couldn't understand what on earth people enjoyed about her voice or her music.
In the summer of 2006, I was in Japan and did a homestay in Kyushu for a week. My host mother discovered I liked Utada Hikaru and recorded the 2006-06-16 Music Station for me. When I returned to the States I sat down and watched the entire show to find more new artists to listen to.
That was the first time I ever saw Hamasaki Ayumi perform, and my jaw dropped. I don't know what it was exactly but she just seemed to sparkle and glow with passion as she sing. "Blue Bird" was an upbeat song, less emotional then some of her other hits, but I could still see how she poured everything into her performance. Plus, I liked the song and found it catchy.
I listened to it for about a month, deciding that was the only song of hers I enjoyed, but after that I listened to more of her music from the Secret album and I really fell in love. It was neither US music nor Utada Hikaru music, but something entirely unto itself. After that, I asked for various albums for Christmas and birthday presents, and overtime I watched performances of hers online and was just mesmerized by what she could do.
Now I'm just an addict. She's one of only three artists I've ever wanted to see perform live (the others being the Spice Girls and Tohoshinki--saw the Spice Girls!). To this day, I do not like the songs "Evolution" or "Dearest" no matter how much I listen to them, though they're not repulsive as I once thought of them.
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