[Enfluerage]

This was a really good reply, full of well-thought out ideas. I think fundamentally, our way of thinking greatly differs though. Here's my comments.

Firstly I wrote that post for a specific audience - that is, someone who would want to spend some time to read a relatively long post, and maybe share/comment on ideas.

If someone "skim reads" this and is shocked by certain expressions I used, then I offer no apologies. For example, a classic line is "I regret going to that restaurant, because other places don't seem as good anymore"... Is a very good compliment. Take away the second half of the sentence and it is an insult.

Originally Posted by emiko

I just have a few scruples...
I don't agree that she dumbs down her songs...it's kind of an odd principle also, "to dumb down"...the concept of what is "dumb"...her English albums are different from her Japanese ones, less simple, and more for humor...which actually reveals in itself a sophistication, that I think you realise...but...it didn't really come across too well.
---------------------------------

I think "dumbs down" is the correct expression, which implies the person is sophisticated and it has a positive connotation (for the person doing the "dumbing down"... It's a line used fairly typically, for example "Make sure you dumb down that technical report, otherwise non-technical people won't understand it" The line I didn't use is "selling out", because that has a negative connotation.

And I don't really agree with the whole idea that Utada Hikaru is an American...at least, completely an American. She is an American completely, on paper, but her life has given her two cultures, Japanese and American, and I think the fact that, for the most part, her entire musical career, and that of her parents', was formed in Japan says a lot, because regardless if she knows our culture or not, it still makes her, musically, Japanese.

I like the idea that you have, and I know what you are trying to say, and I know it's something that Hikki finds particularly funny...but in the real world of munny and business, no one else really finds it funny or quirky. To big name western companies, she is Utada Hikaru, Japanese Singer celebrity only. The fact that she is American...really isn't THAT important, except for the fact that it's good she doesn't have an Asian accent.

It's not really that important of a point, but I think it should be remembered because you really push push push the idea of Hikki being an American...as if she's an American like every other American celebrity produced, like Mariah, Michael, etc., and she really is not.

I don't really see Hikki as an American star because she has not survived in their industry...and I don't really like that she thinks it's funny that people think she is native Japanese. You know...it's a little crass for people to be like "oh your english is so good", but it's not really unbelievable for people to think she is a native from Japan...when...her whole career has been in Japan...and she's of Japanese descent...and all of her songs are in Japanese lol

I guess there's a significant difference here.. and not just because I wrote Hikaru Utada and you wrote Utada Hikaru.

That is, I believe that a person's nationality is determined (in order) by:
1) Citizenship
2) Where the person lives
3) Place of birth

That is, an American citizen born in America and lives in America is no less an American just because she speaks a foreign language, is popular overseas or looks Japanese. I myself am an Australian citizen who lived most my life in Australia. I am equally amused when someone comes up to me and say "Wow your English is good!".

To carry this thought further, I consider the language, culture, traditions of a person to be part of the country he/she currently has nationality of. Like Hikaru Utada isn't similar to Mariah Carey or Beyonce (who uses image highly). She's more similar to other Americans like Yuna Ito and Lena Park, who found fame overseas. Just because an artist is famous overseas shouldn't be a factor that determines nationality. For example, Orianthi couldn't break into the Australian market when she started. These days she plays Michael Jackson's songs and very American-sounding music. But I consider her Australian. In any case, Hikaru's debut album and her latest album is in English. If you get someone who has never listened to Beyonce or Hikaru Utada before... Ask them to compare "Broken-Hearted Girl" and "Apple & Cinnamon".

Lastly, the principles of non-racial discrimination is precisely what I am writing about. Of course, it's just a joke whether I write Hikaru Utada or Utada Hikaru.... But in the larger scheme of things, how would you feel if you were an American citizen born in America and lives in America - but are told "You are not American?"

Another thing about that is that, Hikki is really very confident, and she knows herself and has pride in herself, and is sure of her work. That is not a bad thing, but, because she has an affinity to do things only her way, and see things from only her perspective, it does lead her to kinda...be a little arrogant about the way she goes about making her music. IMO I don't think it's a good thing that hikki doesn't care about her image so much. It's good that, she's been successful, and not had to...but I think her letting go of the "polish" as I call it, doesn't really help her that much, and it certainly doesnt help her be successful in other industries.

This is her job. And just like everyone else in the world, there's a certain dress code, and code of conduct that you go through. I think she has been lucky enough to bypass it in ways, and that a lot of us fans are so diehard that we don't care...but, if you just try to imagine how amazing she could be, if she was the full of talent person she is, AND she always looked amazing, AND she was always doing amazing things, and she was always in the news...I mean...it can only help her.

So while you might praise that she doesn't really care for those things...it is just my opinion, that, that's not really something people should be jumping for joy about.

It seems long...but it isn't really...you have a lot of really good points...I really only had tiny problems with those three elements.

What you wrote was very good. This is why I really really admire Hamasaki Ayumi, who always emphasises how she is a professional and how she really cherishes the opportunity that she has to be a singer. This actually is what my article REALLY is about. Comparing the singer who had everything with the singer who had nothing.

That being said, I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing Hikaru Utada chose this path. If she'd been somone that just sold 100k her career, I'm sure she'd also be happy ... She doesn't need the money anyway.

About the bias...you have to understand that a lot of things, and the way you say them, do come off that way...I kinda give you the benefit of the doubt, because I see more of what you are trying to say...but don't be surprised if people get angry by certain things...like the "talentless ayu" thing lol

Yepz, as I mentioned above, if someone skim-reads I wrote and gets annoyed, I offer no apologies whatsoever. I would be surprised though if someone who read & understood what I wrote got annoyed hahaha.