Britney Spears vs. Ayumi Hamasaki .....what do you prefer?

[*Petit*]

Originally Posted by kang daesung

Really? What's the difference? I don't see one. And if she's not the biggest singer on the planet, who is? Certainly not Ayumi

Sounds like some Ayumi fans are just jealous that Britney has made a comeback from poor sales (something Ayumi has not been able to do). Britney is more successful in the States and more popular than Ayumi has ever been in Japan, and for good reason.

Actually ayu's sales never really bombed, proven by so many things among others a constant achievements of numbr ones.

That aside, you are right, there's not that much of a difference. Actually I think the two of them, much more so than being entertainers or singers, they are personally responsible and attatched to the entertainment "brands" ayumi hamasaki and britney. In many ways they're much like Louis Vuitton, madonna, manchster united or nike if you like. They promote certain goods and have tons of people working for them in their name. It's not really "britney spears" as a person people like, it's the work that is made up by lots of people channeled, or presented by britney because, in return she's a person who is a great instrument in making the most money out of those people's production. One of the most important people responsible for britney's success is without a doubt max martin who produced virtually all of her biggest hits. For ayu, equally important people musically are HAL and DAI.

Personally I think that in japan people are much more aware of this, it's something out in the open. To me it seems like western artists are not or at least pretend, not to be aware. That, or as the fan faithfulness is lower, it may be more important for the producrs to find the next "Pretty face"/pretty voice" rather than to put a lot of effort into one person.

ANyways, ayu spoke openly about this in her talkasia interview. It boils down to her being a product. I think she realised this very early as her fame exploded so quickly and this is also why she has taken a much bigger part in her on "merchandise" (yes this includes everything from the brand of clothes she promoted to her concrts and CDs/DVDs). She has obiously emplyed some of the best marketing people in japan which helps her to keep her brand up to date and in demand.

IMO, and it's not really a critique, it's more the result of a personal choice we should respect, it didn't seem britny realised this. If she had, I don't think she would've done the things she did, because as all japanese artists repeat all the time, they will do anything for their fans and thank them ovr and over for buying their stuff. IMO many western artists lack this respect for the people supporting them and thus giving them their daily bread and butter.