Your Top 10 Asian Artists of 2008 So Far

[Celaphorce]

Simple make a top 10 of the artists you think are very deserving of this year.

You can post explanations as to why you think so and such.

I hope this thread will be popular!!!

1. alan: With her 5 elements single release I thought it would be a "flop" with mediocre songs, but to be honest it was AMAZING, all the songs on the singles were jewels in and of themselves. She's definitely one of the best female artists in Japan currently, and even though there were 7 releases, 1 of which is a digital single, you won't be disappointed with any of her music.

2. Namie Amuro: She's had a phenomenal year by far, I would normally state her as #1 but alan was more deserving. Namie has release 6 new songs this year, 1 of them being a collaboration with Double, and with PLAY last year her popularity started to peak again, and upon the release of 60s70s80s us fans knew another "Amura Boom" was here. With Best Fiction reaching heights she hasn't had in a long while shows that she is still a prominent female artist in Japan.

3. Utada Hikaru: I love Hikki to death, she's definitely one of my faves even though I do think some of her music sounds the same, and yet some doesn't. This year she released an extraordinary album Heart Station, and I was blown away! Even with 3 releases this year she is still one of the top 5 imo for 2008 as an artist.

4. Ami Suzuki: I just fell in love with Amigo last year I believe, and it doesn't take much to impress me with music, I knew when she and Nakata were to do an entire album together that it would be simply amazing. With 2 singles and 2 albums released this year she should have sold more than she ultimately did. Dolce was a jewel and a definite 7/10, and Supreme Show is just a 20/10, Hopefully she'll regain the recognition as an artist she once had.

5. ayaka: I LOVE her so much, she's great, with four releases this year I can't help but just be amazed by her. Once again another artist who knows how to release singles and albums properly. Although her album FM is better than STTS, it seems to me STTS had stronger singles, and with her 2nd collaboration with Kobukuro known as Anata To it's a sure thing that when those 3 are put together you're sure that the single will be amazing!!

6. Koda Kumi: Even though her statement earlier on this year put her in a rut, it didn't stop Kuu from putting out great material! Kingdom was an amazing album, honestly I could say it should have been top 3 of this year! Moon was an okay single, then Taboo came along and I was WOWED again by Kuu. Stay With Me which is coming up is a typical Kuu ballad, very pretty. Even though she's had her fair share of ups and downs this year, Kuu is definitely one of the best this year!

7. misono: With 4 releases total this year and 1 upcoming release I was skeptical if I would like anything this year. Misono has been one of my favorite artists since their debut, and even though she will prolly never have another song like VS I'm still satisfied with what she gives. Her album this year was a decent 6.5/10 the best song on the album imo is Misono-Aji a GREAT opening track, so with that said she is my #7 artist of the year.

8. Anna Tsuchiya: Miss Virgin Cat has given me what I like to call hot flashes...lol Crazy World, Cocoon, Virgin Cat, and Nudy Show! I just can't help but wonder why it is she gives me chills all the time. She is by far one of the best artists I've come across and the way she can juggle different genres of music is amazing. Great job Anna!!!

9. BoA: With her American debut this year, she has just been on fire. Eat You Up, The Face, Vivid, and Be With You. Although I'm not a fan of TF I do love a few tracks from the album, and her single releases this year, she was originally my 6th choice of this year, but after TF I dropped her a few spots. Still she is a great artist, and hopefully she'll go back to her Korean roots sometime soon.

10. Ai Otsuka: With her 5th anniversary this year I was very excited for good releases but to much dismay one of her singles was lackluster RS/OxT the only song I enjoyed from that single was Sora To Kujira. Then KN came along and I fell in love!!!, and with the album Love Letter being leaked so soon I listened to it and only found I liked 3 other tracks aside from the singles... at least she's had a better year than Ayu imo!

Please post, I'd love to see everyone else's opinions!

[ka♡ri.]

1. ARASHI:
Because everything they released this year has been amazing! And the charts prove it! They've done so well this year and deserve all of their success because they are the best boyband in Japan! I hope their success will continue on for a long time because they are amazing! I love them!

2. Ayumi Hamasaki:
Because she's the cool queen!!! <3 Everything she's done this year has been amazing! Everything she does is amazing! I love her!!

3. Wonder Girls:
Because they are the best thing in Korea! Every song is so catchy and good wow! I love them and so does Asia!!!

4. Big Bang:
Because Seungri, GD, and Taeyang are hot OK. And also because some of their English Japanese-released songs are great and Remember is a fantastic album!!

5. Hikaru Utada:
Because HEART STATION is a great album wow! I loved every song! Plus she sings some of my fave drama theme songs!!

6. ayaka:
Because she has the best voice in Japan! I love Sing to the Sky and only a few songs from her boring first album! She's so great!!

7. Anna Tsuchiya:
Because she's a crazy psycho ***** and I love her!

8. BoA:
Because THE FACE is great! Eat You Up is OK and will probably fail in America but at least she has THE FACE!

9. Kumi Koda:
Because MOON sucked so I had to drop her some spaces OK. But TABOO was great for like a month omg! It was the jam! But then she releases stay with me and I kinda don't like her again! Why does she do these things?!

10. Namie Amuro:
Because BEST FICTION was good for fans who don't rly care to buy her other stuff like me! So I bought it so I never have to buy another Namie CD! She's cool and all but I still don't think she deserved those sales! I don't rly like her that much so she shouldn't sell well! But still congrats to her! Finally people like her again wow!

[MemorialAddress]

I can't come up with a list of 10 artists, since there aren't 10 artists / groups who have really done anything that great (IMO) this year. So here's my top 3!

1. Namie Amuro
I love everything Namie releases, and I've loved her ever since think of me came out. She's my all time favorite, and always will be! <3

2. alan
alan has had really great songs, and I like just about every one of them that she's released. Nothing else to really say...other than: I also love her single covers!

3. Kuroki Meisa
She released one of my favorite songs of the year! So I think she deserves to be on my list =)

The End!

[Celaphorce]

^OMG totally agree with you on alan's covers, they have to be some of the best avex has EVER had!!!

[Beauty4123]

1. ARASHI

i only got into them starting from february, but as some may know, i'm still a HUGE fangirl, and even if i wasn't, that dosen't stop me from saying that all the singles they've released this year are EXCELLENT (well, maybe "one love" isn't my best a-side, but i still love it, lol ). the sales even prove how amazing they did this year, so i'm extremely happy that they've had their success and hopefully even more will come in 2009. i love these boys like CRAZY, so i wish them all the luck.

2. NEWS

i only got into them in april, but unlike some people () i loved SUMMER TIME, taiyou no namida, and happy birthday. even "color" is a great album, so i'm honestly satisfied with how they did in 2008.

3. KAT-TUN

i only got into them in may, but DON'T U EVER STOP is amazing, and so is LIPS, white x'mas, and their queen of pirates album. i love all these singles and i'm so proud to be a fan. (kame FTW )

4. Hey Say JUMP!

"dreams come true" was just soo catchy that i HAD to be a fan of this group. "your seed" and "mayonaka no shadow boy" are awesome, so i can't wait for their debut album, hopefully soon.

5. Kanjani8

i didn't like them at first because of their cracked up songs, lol, but i seriously wouldn't wanna hear any other type of songs from them. i totally love "wahaha" and "musekinin hero" (ryo nishkido FTW

6. Koda Kumi
7. UVERworld
8. GIRL NEXT DOOR
9. Utada Hikaru
10. Ami Suzuki

[♥ you!]

1) Maki Goto

Been at the top of my list since 2002..not about to change now. Also no surprise that avex begged her to join them!

2) Ami Suzuki
DOLCE and Supreme Show...amigo fans have been spoiled this year

3) flumpool
Where has this band been all my life? EVERYONE BUY THEIR CD NOW.

4) Namie Amuro
5) Utada Hikaru
6) SMAP
7) Anna Tsuchiya
8) KAT-TUN
9) Ayumi Hamasaki
10) Koda Kumi

[Luv ~Venus~]

1. Epik High
Their two albums (Pieces pt.1 and LOVESCREAM) was off da chain. My gawd! Just mindblowing music. They upped their music ability this year. LOVESCREAM was soooo deep. It touched my heart. Tablo = If you haven't tried them out then you definitely to try them out.

2. Wonder Girls
Best damn girl group in Asia. LITERALLY! They spit on Perfurm, SNSD, Brown Eyed Girls, Momusu, and other girl groups that are FAIL imo. j/k I do think that are better than them. So Hot = national anthem for girls/women all over the world. I luffed everything they have released this year and I definitely think JYP is a producing god. I hope next year will be an AEWSOME year for them.

3. DOUBLE
OMG! This chic did it so damn hard this year. BEST COLLABORATIONS = BEST best album of 08. LITERALLY! I luffed every track and Black Diamond was to damn loveable. I definitely think people should show her more respect and give her props because she really did an impressive job this year. IMO, she did better sales than Namie. Both albums were great but BEST COLLABORATIONS owned BEST FICTION.

4. Yu Yamada
Although it took like 2 years for her finally release her debut album, I must say that it was hella worth it. lol I luffed EVERY TRACK on the album. fiesta!fiesta! = I hate that she wasn't fully recognized for MYSIC because it was hella excellent coming from a debuting artist. I hope that in the near future. her music will be more popular as she is as an actress.

(And um, I hope her and Shun Oguri get hitched soon. They are like the best couple in Japan right now. They are so cute together. )


5. Utada Hikaru
Hope you guys aren't suprise that she's not my #1 artist this year. I think Hikki has been fantastic this year. Heart Station was great and enjoyable album. Prisoner of Love made me luff this chic even more. The song is just so damn irresistible. Gawd, it fitted so well with Last Friends (best drama this year. ). Everytime it came on, I had to sing along with Hikki...while crying because of the stuff Sanosuke did to his girlfriend whose name I srsly can't remember and what that gay girl whose name I can't remember either, had to go through to deal with her sexuality. .....well, anyway. Hikki really did a fantastic job this year...I just wish she did something BETTER for her 10th anniversary. =/

6. Bi Rain
My baby back with a killa album. Rainism was sexy hawt ok. Love Story was so damn catchy and I luffed the pv. The choregraphy to Rainism (pv) was luff. I wish I could do what he done. It was hot. I hope he'll release his english material soon. I was mad that he "postponed" his english career.

7. Koda Kumi
Despite MOON ever being released from her, Kuu really impressed me this year. Kingdom really sucked me into finally admitting I liked her. The singles from the album were her best releases since Secret and the tour was awesome. IMO, Kuu really redeemed herself with TABOO. I hate that she got such lackluster sales for it but MOON got a better sales. So unfair. lol Stay with me was okay. It's just a basic ballad that you'd typical like if you are a J-pop fan. I can't wait til info about her new album is released. It's gotta be epik.

8. Namie Amuro
Namie did fantastic this year. Her comeback was huge. 60s70s80s = best single of the year. After 60s70s80s still had its momentum of hawtness, I thought that Sexy Girl/Do Me More would be just as hawt but IMO, they were complete garbage. =/ It just FAILED in so many ways. I was really hoping for her to release a studio album instead of a Best this year..and I must admit that I thought it was going to fail so hard...but I was proven wrong. After reading a post of Rocky Raven's that made complete sense, he made me see that BF was a justifible release. I just hope that she'll release a studio album next year and just be as quite as she is now with her music.

9. BoA
THE FACE is honestly one of her worst albums ever released but not in a bad way. I really luved THE FACE. Lose Your Mind = best song on TF All the tracks were great and showed a new side of BoA. I just hope that once she head back to da east, she'll begin to work on her Korean material. *prays for a new korean album from her*

10. Crystal Kay
Kuri-chan's singles this year were awesome. Color Change was an okay album but I was just really impressed with the new style that she was modeling. lol Namida no Saki ni = pure luff I really luved that song as it was so hip 'n kewl. The pv sucked but hey, at least song wasn't. lol ONE was pretty and I luff the video. Kuri looks so pretty. I hope that her next album has better and have better sales.

[KarenPang]

in no particular order (exluding ayumi in the list since she's 1 of my faves downpat) :

1) BREAKERZ
2) ARASHI
3) KAT-TUN
4) NEWS / Tegomass
5) Anna Tsuchiya
6) Koda Kumi
7) GIRL NEXT DOOR
8) alan
9) L'Arc~en~Ciel
10) abingdon boys school

it's so hard to cram artistes into top 10 lists

[Raiu-Ayu]

1. Namie Amuro
I only started to like Namie when PLAY came out as I really wasn't a fan of her style of music until I heard Hide&Seek But 2008 has definitly been Namie's year so far. 60s70s80s was just totally amazing and Do Me More has become one of my favorite songs

2. TETRA-FANG
A seriously under-rated and under-promoted band!! Destiny's Play was a really good song and a good way for them to debut. The only problem is that KOJI (Koji Seto, vocal) sounded kinda bored but has improved with the newer songs. Individual-System is seriously catchy I defy anyone to listen to this song and not like it!! The SUPERNOVA mini-album totally rocked!! SUPERNOVA and Innocent Trap are the best songs there and Message is really sweet Roots of the KING is pretty cool too

3. AAA
They got their first #1 single with MIRAGE (albeit it holds the record for the lowest sales of a #1 single lol) but its good and a nice way to start the year Their best album was amazing!!! I have the huge box version and its so great!!! BEYOND was pretty crap to be honest but One Night Animal kinda made it worth it. MUSIC!!! is a good summer song and ZER0 is just the *****!! lol

4. SID
I only found them about a month ago but I totally love them now!!!! They're a kinda rock visual-kei group with a jazzy feel. Their album Sentimental Macchiato is really great. Yuuwaku Collection (which I'm listening to right now ) is their best song so far this year I think Their b-side collection album is pretty good too. Their first major single release Monokuro no Kisu has to their best single yet

5. NEWS
YES!! Nyu-su Color seriously rocks my world!!!! All their songs this year have totally rocked (especially BAMBINA thanks to Tego and his "Bambina! Oh oh baby baby yeah!!" lol) Color is an amazing album too!! Yamapi's engrish in MOLA just makes we want to eat him up

6. Ayumi Hamasaki
As much as I love ayu she hasn't been as good as others this year Mirrorcle World rocked and everything and GREEN is fantastic but I wish we could have had more new material (especially given that Mirrorcle World is just an extended Mirror)

7. BoA
Not really a great fan of BoA but Eat You Up really got me into her

8. Koda Kumi
Again not a good year for Ku. Kingdom almost bored me to death and MOON just made me want to sleep. I though that with the fantasticness that is TABOO things would pick up but now Stay With Me is just a snorefest for me

9. Epik High
Didn't think I would like these guys but when I heard One is was just so in love with it that I had to check them out and now I think they rock

10. Minwoo (M)
Love his new album M RIZING its so addictive

[Luv ~Venus~]

^Yaaaay! Another Epik High fan. I'm so happy that they are on your list.

[Beauty4123]

Originally Posted by KarenPang

in no particular order (exluding ayumi in the list since she's 1 of my faves downpat) :

1) BREAKERZ
2) ARASHI
3) KAT-TUN
4) NEWS / Tegomass
5) Anna Tsuchiya
6) Koda Kumi
7) GIRL NEXT DOOR
8) alan
9) L'Arc~en~Ciel
10) abingdon boys school

it's so hard to cram artistes into top 10 lists

karen, dear...how come arashi is second in your list?

#1 Utada Hikaru - Obviously the best Asian artist of 2008. Her album was yet another masterpiece, her singles have been incredible and she has basically dominated the female singer scene for me.

#2 Suzuki Ami - Her singles "ONE" and "can't stop the DISCO" were excellent, as was most of DOLCE and all of Supreme Show. Loved her this year!

#3 Big Bang - What a fantastic year for them, as well. They managed to come out with new mini albums and albums that were all really great. They seemed to also improve their English by a lot! Loved this year for BB!

#4 SHINee - SHINee debuted this year and made an incredible impression on me! What a fantastic group! I loved them so much

#5 Wonder Girls - Wonder Girls also turned out to be one of the biggest forces in music this year, and I loved everything they did. Absolutely fantastic! They're "so hot"!

#6 Koda Kumi - Koda Kumi managed to really redeem herself later this year with "Taboo" after the horrible MOON single. Good job, Kuu-chan!

#7 Tohoshinki - T was a great album, and Mirotic was simply amazing. Everything they did seemed so great to me! Wow!

#8 Tae Yang - Even though he's a part of Big Bang, I had to include him here. I absolutely adored his mini solo album!

#9 Hamasaki Ayumi - "Mirrorcle World" is the song that saved Ayumi for me. Absolutely adored it! Good job, Ayu-chan!

#10 Perfume - Wow, loved their singles this year! Great job with GAME too.

[Kobayashiwoof]

1. DOUBLE - Queen of RnB has made a huge impact this year. With 2 BEST of compilations out with nothing but A grade quality, except BLACK DIAMOND - pure utter crap.

2. Emi Hinouchi - Despite being a very low key artist, she is releasing her anticipated sophomore album. She has had 2 tear jerking ballads this year with Ai Dake Ga and I Love You with an enjoyable Kataomoi.

3. Koda Kumi - She is a top artist but has struggled this year, with a self suspension, lackluster summer single, phenomenal dance single and a mediocre winter ballad. I just hope she will rise to the top again with her new album TRICK.

4. Foxxi misQ - These girls have been growing as artists and never fail to impress me with their single releases. They have had the upbeat XBF, first ballad single Say You Love Me ~Mahou no kotoba~ and their poppy Last Christmas. The girls are very consistent with presenting themselves as serious artists and not just as the Destiny's Child of Japan.

5. Anna Tsychiya - She may of had a REALLY boring year but her 2nd full length album was fantastic. No filler tracks and all but A-side single quality. I just hope she starts releasing more frequently.

Not in any order really. BUt 2008 has been a really disappointing year with J-pop/Music. Nothing has stood put so much. My only hit for 2008 was Koda Kumi's TABOO.

[Celaphorce]

Originally Posted by Luv ~Venus~

9. BoA
I just hope that once she head back to da east, she'll begin to work on her Korean material. *prays for a new korean album from her*

YOU LITERALLY TOOK THE WORDS OUTTA MY MOUTH!!!

[AyuGAME]

This year list is full of new debuter...love it...

1. Ayumi Hamasaki
although she just released 3 new song this year, but i have the opportunity to watch her concert, and saw her in person, SHE JUST SO PRETTY AND BEAUTIFUL!!! and so far her new song is so COOL!!! so she still top my list

2. Alan
she really a promising singer...i put a lot of hope on her, hopefully she can manage her carier and made it being a super jpop star. i love all of her song...

3. Shota shimizu
another promosing singer...usually i hate RnB, but his song is so different...i love it and i love his voice too

4. MiChi
i really love [PROMISE] and can't stop listening to that song...can't wait to hear her new song and how she will manage her carier

5. Hata motohiro
not a really new singer, he just released his 2nd album, 2weeks ago, his popularity is kinda ok...hope he can maintain it and become more popular next year...his song is so relaxing...

6. Hitoto You
She definitely not a new artist, but when i hear her [tsunaide te] single, i just fall in love with her song, since then i keep listening to that song, and searching of her discography...but definitely [tsunaide te] is really all time favourite song for me...

7. ASUKA
shiro tsubaki...beni tsubaki...i just love that song to death!!! i still hear to that song everyday!!! its top my playlist in the second place with more than 500 times played. really wonderful song...although she really has a small chance to become a superstar, but i will support her no matter what...

8. UVERworld
my fav jrock band, for this year [koishikute] make me love that band even more...

9. Stephanie
not a good year for her...she kinda slow down...and [changin'] is kinda boring for me...but she release a debut album, and i kinda like that album, hopefully she can do better next year...

10. Fukuhara Miho
another new debuter with strong voice, i love himawari and yasashii aka, change is not bad too...lookin forward for her future release

and HOME MADE KAZOKU become my fav hip hop group, along with ARASHI become my fav boysband

sorry for my english...XD

[CoriKaru]

1.Utada Hikaru
2. Perfume
3. Suzuki Ami
4. Namie Amuro
5. Tsukiko Amano
6. Kumi Koda
7. BONNIE PINK
8. Capsule
9. BoA Kwon
10. Crystal Kay

[TITANIC]

Originally Posted by Raiu-Ayu

10. Minwoo (M)
Love his new album M RIZING its so addictive

woow another Minwoo fan

Spoiler:

do you know where to download his latest album?

my list

1. Ayumi Hamasaki
because of mirrorcle world, the briliant song I love her so much. if she dint release MW i think ayu isnt in my top 5 favorite artist

2. Ami Suzuki
she release a great songs this year, ONE, CSTD, flower, Bitter, the WeekEND and many more and she's more beautiful than before

3. Ayaka
smart girl and made STTS became sooooooooo wonderful album and worth to buy.

4. SPEED
Yaiiiiiiy they reunited. I thought reunite is something impossible for them but again. there's nothing impossible
they sing a great song

5. GReeeeN
Kiseki made me so in love with them.

6. Koda Kumi
WOOOOOOOOOOOW at TABOO. this is her best song ever

7. Alan
5 elements and RED CLIFF is the best.

8. NewS
heheh SUMMER TIME is great song and their Pacific tour is their best DVD

9. Namie Amuro
woho at 60s70s80s. WHAT A FEELING is her best song this year.beside that collaboration with DOUBLE

10. Arashi
truth is their best single ever.. i really love that song

[milky_way]

1. Namie Amuro
2. EXILE
3. Anna Tsuchiya
4. Big Bang
5. Perfume
6. Koda Kumi
7. F.T Island
8. Ayumi Hamasaki
9. Hello! Project
10. Ami Suzuki

[Meat Pao]

I'm not really good with words so i'm just making a list

1) ayumi hamasaki
2) Utada Hikaru
3) Namie Amuro
4) ayaka
5) Crystal Kay
6) Koda Kumi
7) Ai Otsuka
8) Perfume
9) MISIA
10) Mika Nakashima

[Yum!Fruit_Salad!]

1. HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR
2. Leah Dizon
3. alan
4. Ami Suzuki
5. Dir en grey
6. Perfume
7. UVERworld
8. Anna Tsuchiya
9. Ayumi Hamasaki
10. LM.C