[2008] This Japanese artist = This English Artist

[ImpactBreaker]

Originally Posted by Banzai!!

..I.. do not see that at all I haven't seen anyone that really compares to either of them, but definitely not that match for me.

I think it's hard to make comparisons because, it's not just about the music, or image, the culture is mixed in with all that too.
I definitely don't see the Ayu-Madonna comparison either. Sure, they're both fabulous, and have fans all over the world, but their music is really different, and Madonna's always been a lot riskier. Ayu always makes it look elegant, ya know? I guess you can compare artists by their fame and success, but I don't know if that's really something worth comparing People who don't know them will be looking for similarities in styles and music.. and that wont be there.

Yeah, you can pick several parameters for comparison, but in my opinion, some of them won't play much importance in the comparison. (I don't know who's the King of JPOP but I doubt he sounds or is anything like Michael Jackson, so saying he's the jpanese Michael Jackson just because he revolutionized japanese pop wouldn't make that much sense imo).
I'd make my comparisons following this parameter: If I had a friend who was obsessed for Madonna and wanted to listen to a simillar japanese artist, who would I recommend? I'd definitely not recommend ayu (I could recommend her, but not saying to him that there's this japanese artists that resembles Madonna), because I'm sure he wouldn't find much simillarity in both at all. I dunno...

[♥ you!]

I don't see how Ayu = Madoona too <_<. Unless this is being based ONLY on success. Even then it wouldn't really work cause Madonna debuted about 15 years before Ayu's debut.

[Damita]

Really? I thought the Aaliyah = Utada Hikaru one was great, they're pretty similar in their R&B works I think...

And this thread was inspired for exactly the reason you pointed out ImpactBreaker, a friend of mine asked me for Rihanna/Beyonce like Japanese artists and I got inspired to make a list of them. I did recommend someone who LOVES Madonna to Ayu, and they liked her a lot. When I was first checking Ayu out two years ago (first J-pop artist mind you) the title I got from her was "the Japanese Madonna" and it made me more interested in her, and I fell in love with J-pop from there. So you never know.

It's hard to find an exactly same artist, the closest I came to one as Misia = Mariah Carey because of both their ranges and styles of music (Pop/Hip-hop) but even they are very different. You don't see Misia running around topless in her videos and you don't see Mariah not performing on TV shows ever (in fact that's all she did for the first couple years of her career) but I still think they are very similar.

[*Petit*]

Most of the western artists mentioned are also part of the japanese scene so I think this is a little absurd. f.ex. mariah carey is super popular in japan , maybe even more so than many other places.

That TELEPATHY song is a little TOO similar to kylie's song though. WOW. Definetly inspired.

[ImpactBreaker]

Originally Posted by *Petit*

That TELEPATHY song is a little TOO similar to kylie's song though. WOW. Definetly inspired.

LOL have you also noticed avex is too cheap and you can notice the same red sofa used in the "Greatful days" PV in that TELEPATHY PV? (an AHS member pointed that out a few years ago LOL)

[Damita]

Originally Posted by *Petit*

Most of the western artists mentioned are also part of the japanese scene so I think this is a little absurd. f.ex. mariah carey is super popular in japan , maybe even more so than many other places.

Yes Mariah Carey is popular there and many other places but I don't understand how that's absurd...they release their English music there, it's not like they record Japanese music just for Japan.

[ImpactBreaker]

I personally can't see much how ayumi =madonna. Other than just being QUEEN OF POP where they live, and being fashion slaves and trendsetters, I really don't see any resemblance in ayu and madonna...they're so different in basically everything, attitude, songs, lyrics. Specially, music wise, they're nothing alike. I'm a huge fan of both, and I dunno.... I had a pretty hard time trying to pick a Madonna song that would resemble ayu's style of singing for her to cover in the Madonna tribute album thread, because none seemed to suit ayu or vice versa at all

[Bad Wolf]

Originally Posted by ImpactBreaker

I personally can't see much how ayumi =madonna. Other than just being QUEEN OF POP where they live, and being fashion slaves and trendsetters, I really don't see any resemblance in ayu and madonna...they're so different in basically everything, attitude, songs, lyrics. Specially, music wise, they're nothing alike. I'm a huge fan of both, and I dunno.... I had a pretty hard time trying to pick a Madonna song that would resemble ayu's style of singing for her to cover in the Madonna tribute album thread, because none seemed to suit ayu or vice versa at all

I agree with you whole-heartedly. I think the comparison resides only in how Madonna seems to have a lot of "staying" power in an industry that seems garnered for quick careers and times in the spotlight - but then again Madonna solidified most of that by being really controversial and Ayu kind of just relied on the music alone lol.

I don't really think there IS a Western counterpart for Ayu in any other regards besides how she's stayed around (and still in the public focus) for so long *shrug*

I'd agree with Kuu being paired off with Christina Aguilera during the "Dirrty" era, but she doesn't seem to be amping up that aspect of her style these days, so it's hard to really say. I'm not well versed in modern US pop acts (because I really don't care about them lmao).

Namie DOES seem to fit Beyonce, though.

... And I still think Angela Aki is Japan's Fiona Apple D:

I just can't think of anyone at all for Hikki. She's done the R&B thing like Aaliyah, experimental music like Bjork, and electronic/dance like Britney or Madonna. She's also got this boyish thing that almost reminds me of rocker chicks like Karen O and PJ Harvey. She's got so many different facets of different artists, maybe that's why I love her so

As far as Madonna / Ayumi comparisons... I don't see it at all. I know they're both the Queens in their respective countries (although that's becoming debated for both), their careers are soooooooooooooooooo different. Madonna has more in common with Kuu in my opinion.

I don't know if I see the Misia = Mariah comparisons. Misia has absolutely no soul in her voice, although she has a great set of pipes. I don't see her as hypersexual and Mariah, either, and she doesn't have the hip-hop chick status that Mariah does. Her success isn't that impressive, IMO, either, whereas Mimi is the best selling female artist in the US in the past 25 years.

While I know the artists don't match up, I think the Ayumi/Utada rivalry has a lot of similarities to the Mariah/Madonna rivalry. Two ladies battling for the crown!

[Luv ~Venus~]

Originally Posted by ImpactBreaker

I personally can't see much how ayumi =madonna. Other than just being QUEEN OF POP where they live, and being fashion slaves and trendsetters, I really don't see any resemblance in ayu and madonna...they're so different in basically everything, attitude, songs, lyrics. Specially, music wise, they're nothing alike. I'm a huge fan of both, and I dunno.... I had a pretty hard time trying to pick a Madonna song that would resemble ayu's style of singing for her to cover in the Madonna tribute album thread, because none seemed to suit ayu or vice versa at all

Originally Posted by Banzai!!

I think it's hard to make comparisons because, it's not just about the music, or image, the culture is mixed in with all that too.
I definitely don't see the Ayu-Madonna comparison either. Sure, they're both fabulous, and have fans all over the world, but their music is really different, and Madonna's always been a lot riskier. Ayu always makes it look elegant, ya know? I guess you can compare artists by their fame and success, but I don't know if that's really something worth comparing People who don't know them will be looking for similarities in styles and music.. and that wont be there.

Originally Posted by ♥ you!

I don't see how Ayu = Madoona too <_<. Unless this is being based ONLY on success. Even then it wouldn't really work cause Madonna debuted about 15 years before Ayu's debut.

Originally Posted by dddaiyamondo

As far as Madonna / Ayumi comparisons... I don't see it at all. I know they're both the Queens in their respective countries (although that's becoming debated for both), their careers are soooooooooooooooooo different. Madonna has more in common with Kuu in my opinion.

...you guys really can't see the comparison? O_O () IMO, their styles, fashion sense, music, etc. is just alike. Heck, they both were huge release maniacs when they were heading toward their peaks. They both do huge tours and rack in tons of cash. How can u guys not see that?! XD

Originally Posted by Banzai!!

..I.. do not see that at all I haven't seen anyone that really compares to either of them, but definitely not that match for me.

Originally Posted by Damita

Really? I thought the Aaliyah = Utada Hikaru one was great, they're pretty similar in their R&B works I think...

Originally Posted by dddaiyamondo

I just can't think of anyone at all for Hikki. She's done the R&B thing like Aaliyah, experimental music like Bjork, and electronic/dance like Britney or Madonna. She's also got this boyish thing that almost reminds me of rocker chicks like Karen O and PJ Harvey. She's got so many different facets of different artists, maybe that's why I love her so

C'mon are u guys serious about this too?! XD Please, just please don't tell me that Addicted To You and Are That Somebody didn't have nothing in common? *needs so screencaps so badly* Not only that, but they both sported the baggy jeans and pullovers. Their vocal range was the same as well as they music style. *cough* *Is just so surprise by yall comments especially Triple D's comments*

Originally Posted by dddaiyamondo

While I know the artists don't match up, I think the Ayumi/Utada rivalry has a lot of similarities to the Mariah/Madonna rivalry. Two ladies battling for the crown!

Well...we all know who won the rivalry between Hikki and Ayu....

[ImpactBreaker]

Originally Posted by Luv ~Venus~

...you guys really can't see the comparison? O_O () IMO, their styles, fashion sense, music, etc. is just alike. Heck, they both were huge release maniacs when they were heading toward their peaks. They both do huge tours and rack in tons of cash. How can u guys not see that?! XD

These reasons still aren't enough for me to think they're alike. Madonna has always been inclined for the dance type of pop, and has often been trying what's latest on the dancefloors. She also takes more risks on her careeer, working with completely different composers and trying different music styles: If you listen to Erotica and Bedtime Stories, you'll notice that, since she tries some RnB sounds and other different stuff. Songs like secret and Human Nature aren't anything ayu has ever tried. Also, Madonna seems to like controversial themes: interrracial relationships, sexual freedom, abortion, and even relates to religiosity in a rather controversial way, causing a lot of debates towards her actions. Her lyrics usually are centered towards things about American culture, taboos, and sometimes a few things about her personal life, like her relationship with her father but those personal things are usually restricted to her more personal albums (Like A Prayer, American Life, etc..)

On the other hand, ayu is nothing like that. ayu has done dance pop and trance stuff, but they're really different from what Madonna has experienced with. ayu experiments more with rock than Madonna does. When ayu uses themes like religion, she puts them in a rather classy non-controversial way. ayu does some type of music that have a lot of that unique JPOP feel in its root, something Madonna doesn't. ayu is a little more conservative on her careeer, and try to stick with her usual composers. ayu's lyrics are centered on love and affection and her relationship with the people she lives with, and her personal conflicts.

I have almost the entire Madonna discogrphy in actual physical albums (the only album from her i don't own is the EVITA soundtrack, but it's not like it will make a huge difference) and I own almost all of ayu music in mp3s, and I have to say their music are totally different. I listen to both for totally different reasons and moods. There's not a single ayu song I can relate to Madonna and not a single Madonna song I can relate to ayu in terms of resemblances.

On top of that, their vocals are nothing alike. and the lyrics, I don't even need to go there.

[Damita]

^ Wait, why did you quote me? I thought your comparison was very good To add to yours, keep in mind Timbaland who has produced some of Utada's music also produced Aaliyah's.

Originally Posted by dddaiyamondo

I don't know if I see the Misia = Mariah comparisons. Misia has absolutely no soul in her voice, although she has a great set of pipes. I don't see her as hypersexual and Mariah, either, and she doesn't have the hip-hop chick status that Mariah does. Her success isn't that impressive, IMO, either, whereas Mimi is the best selling female artist in the US in the past 25 years.

No soul? Have you listened to her mini-album "The Glory Day"? That is the exact definition of soul IMO. She has got compliments and has dueted with another queen of soul too (Erykah Badu). And I think she's a very sucessful artist, 30th best seller in Japan (top 5 or 10 for females), while Mariah being 16th best selling in the US (3rd for a female). No doubt Mariah has a more impressive resume because she has worldwide fame, especially in Japan when she is top international artist by far. But music-wise and voice-wise I think they are very similar.

Originally Posted by Damita

No soul? Have you listened to her mini-album "The Glory Day"? That is the exact definition of soul IMO. She has got compliments and has dueted with another queen of soul too (Erykah Badu). And I think she's a very sucessful artist, 30th best seller in Japan (top 5 or 10 for females), while Mariah being 16th best selling in the US (3rd for a female). No doubt Mariah has a more impressive resume because she has worldwide fame, especially in Japan when she is top international artist by far. But music-wise and voice-wise I think they are very similar.

Well I've listened to a few of her songs and I think their voices are just nothing alike. She's got a great technical voice but she doesn't really sing in the soulful R&B way that Mariah does. Her technique sounds more like Celine Dion's, although her music is somewhat Mariah-ish. As far as sales go, she's got a very impressive track record, but I don't know if she's very big still today. I think the difference is that Mariah was on top in 1990, and she's still fresh and hot, even to young kids, today. MC's still setting records and she just had her biggest single ever 3 years ago.

Mariah is also so into hip-hop and sexiness, which Misia is definitely not.

Not hating on Misia at all, she's a fantastic artist in her own right but I don't know if I think she's really comparable to Mimi.

[Damita]

Originally Posted by dddaiyamondo

Well I've listened to a few of her songs and I think their voices are just nothing alike. She's got a great technical voice but she doesn't really sing in the soulful R&B way that Mariah does. Her technique sounds more like Celine Dion's, although her music is somewhat Mariah-ish. As far as sales go, she's got a very impressive track record, but I don't know if she's very big still today. I think the difference is that Mariah was on top in 1990, and she's still fresh and hot, even to young kids, today. MC's still setting records and she just had her biggest single ever 3 years ago.

Mariah is also so into hip-hop and sexiness, which Misia is definitely not.

Not hating on Misia at all, she's a fantastic artist in her own right but I don't know if I think she's really comparable to Mimi.

Oh haha I know you aren't hating, though I have always thought they are similar. I think MISIA does have a more technical voice yes, though Mariah has gotten comments for that too, especially in her early career (when I think they were most similar vocally wise).

And yes you are right, Misia isn't big anymore like she used to be, her single sales are just not there and her albums do pretty well but not compared to her running mates for all-time best selling female (Namie, Utada, ZARD, Ayu) who came out about when she did or even before. and MC is still doing very well. But if I were to refer a Mariah Carey fan to someone it'd definitely be Misia, because vocally she's there with Mariah IMO and her music and trends are very similar. Misia has her ballads just like Mariah, and she also has some dancey tunes and pop/hip-hop ones. They both love to use those whistle notes too and both aren't very good dancers

Originally Posted by Damita

Oh haha I know you aren't hating, though I have always thought they are similar. I think MISIA does have a more technical voice yes, though Mariah has gotten comments for that too, especially in her early career (when I think they were most similar vocally wise).

And yes you are right, Misia isn't big anymore like she used to be, her single sales are just not there and her albums do pretty well but not compared to her running mates for all-time best selling female (Namie, Utada, ZARD, Ayu) who came out about when she did or even before. and MC is still doing very well. But if I were to refer a Mariah Carey fan to someone it'd definitely be Misia, because vocally she's there with Mariah IMO and her music and trends are very similar. Misia has her ballads just like Mariah, and she also has some dancey tunes and pop/hip-hop ones. They both love to use those whistle notes too and both aren't very good dancers

Haha, agreed on all points. The only weird thing is that I am a huge huge huge MC stan, but I only like Misia a little bit. Still respect her a great deal though, she's a true icon.

Originally Posted by sugarbasil

Hirai Ken=that guy from 98 degrees Nick Lan...something

Where is KarenPang? I don't know if she'll be happy that you're comparing Ken to Nick Lachey

[Sweet_Ai]

I don't really have any comparison of any artists because I usually don't take the time to compare artists, only find artists that have similar styles if I like the music.

I don't listen to Madonna, but I can say that I wouldn't consider AYU to be her Japanese version. One reason for that is because I like AYU and I would willingly listen to any artist that sounds like her but not Madonna, because I do not like Madonna. I also wouldn't consider Crystal Kay to be Janet Jackson because her stuff is way too popish sometimes. Maybe her older stuff but the ALL YOURS album and her most recent single sound nothing like Janet, well, at least of what I have heard of her.

I will make just one comparison I guess:

JAMOSA: Mary J. Blige

[sugarbasil]

JE boys=NSYNC/Backstreet Boys
Shiina Ringa=Flyleaf
Do As Infinity=Andrew Bird (haha!)/maybe the Shins
Koda Kumi=Willa Ford
Hirai Ken=that guy from 98 degrees Nick Lan...something

Originally Posted by sugarbasil

JE boys=NSYNC/Backstreet Boys

Um - totally not.

I like my Emi Hinouchi and Mariah Carey comparison.

[sugarbasil]

Originally Posted by KaoriNeko

Um - totally not.

I like my Emi Hinouchi and Mariah Carey comparison.

Haha, I wasn't really referring to their music, but their big fangirl base and their dance moves and poppy music and stuff. XD

[Banzai!!]

Originally Posted by sugarbasil

JE boys=NSYNC/Backstreet Boys

As much of a BSB fan as I was when I was young, that is a total insult to Arashi.



They have songs that make you feel good!! Just like , BSB and NSync are just a bunch of guys singing about the one girl. ¬¬