Quote:
Originally Posted by visionfactory
Namie is still a fashion icon in Japan, she gets more mainstream magazine coverage than Ayu, who lost that status long ago and now it's only a fashion icon for old gyarus. As opposed to Ayu, Namie is a recognized icon by younger and newer generations.
Also, Namie already hit the very bottom in 2003-2004 when she hardly could sell 50,000 copies a single
|
And let's keep in mind, during that time, selling 50k was worse than today selling 500 copies. Artists like KOKIA, who have consistently undersold their entire career, are now charting higher with the same sales year after year.
In Namie's defense though, Queen of Hip-Pop was one hell of a record. I think she did an amazing job of transitioning her sound rather than releasing GENIUS 2000 then coming out with something like PLAY the following year.
Note about Koda: The sexual stuff was present on TAKE BACK. She just got more scandalous over time rather than more sexual. But let's be honest here, I think Koda is the only person who could pull off outfits like the one she wore for ECSTACY. So, in a way, I'm glad she got risqué enough to not make a video like ECSTACY seem jarring for fans.