Empress of J-Pop to withdraw from Japan, and focus on the US and Europe [Theory]

[NintendoHTF1242]

I believe this is all rumor.

But if she were to come to America, I'd only want her to come and do a concert so that big fans in America can go and see her. Not make an actual album in English.

[truehappiness]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

If Maxker was just some random poster, I would doubt it, but at least he has been around for a while.

Honestly, if its true though, I'm kind of dreading it. (for all the reasons others have mentioned) As well as the fact that it will probably not help her popularity in Japan any and if it fails (which history has shown it is likely to), she would likely be coming back to a smaller fanbase I think.

True, but his site hasn't exactly been known for providing the most accurate information [no offense, Maxker, haha.] like the Oricon sales figures with Ayu at the top with 30 billion, or the report that Together When.. sold millions of ringtones when it really only sold 750k and it linked to some random avex press release.. it was just really weird.

Here's his description of the situation:

The concert was indeed HUGE! (I was at the saturday one) My seat was less than 3 meters away from Max Matsuura, Ayu's assistant; Stan and her technical crew during the whole concert. Since we (I and my friend) was western, I even had the lucky opportunity to have a quick chat with Max and Stan.*hyper* It was sooooo awesome, and he's a really cool guy (but strict...I could't take a picture). I also said "Hi again" to her her friend Mika, (I met her before, in our hotel; The Westin Miyako Kyoto the week before the concert). She was really suprised to see me there ^^ she was near the circle stage, but visited the tecnical staff before the concert started, together with a woman suspicious similar to the rumored picture of Ayu's mom from the latest CDL. (She was wearing big Prada sun-glasses) ^^

We got a lot of attention from the staff, and other fans around us... one teamayu guy even photographet me and my friend togehter with Max.

and, hold on tight; I asked Max if Ayu would ever make a step outside Asia, and he said "She's training her language skills", and winked his eye, while Stan grinned!!! Stan speaks very american-english, is he from Hawaii or somthing?

[Bigtop]

Yeah, maybe she should stay in Asia, where opportunities are better, as I think her English skills might be fine but not sufficient enough to compete with more-popular Western artists from the United States, such as Miley Cyrus...

[mcluva420]

will we ever know what was the big decision she made?

[maze]

omg~ same date..

-----------------

You know me ...
11-07-2009 04h21

I do something or I do nothing, in any case is subject to controversy, and is it unfortunate? I am accustomed. And every time you agitated on forecasts or mere rumors, I say aah, when I reached well below the point where I could never go back, because every time I took my responsibilities and I have always argued right before me.
With reason, thinking that I am alone and have to know my own truth.
It's the same thing for the future.
Whatever happens, with regard to my own life and my own choices, I want to say, full of confidence in me.
For 13, it appears that the risk of rain getting smaller, and I also know what are the expectations of all members of the "TA" (*^_^*)
I was well broadcast the fact that you sent me many "teruterubôzu" (a kind of small lucky to keep the bad weather) (T_T)
So we too, we decided to put all that and we also manufacture.
I believe in destiny.
Not escape the inevitable, but we can influence its fate.
The energy of "TA3 reach to the heavens. Sure!
I may be selfish, but I decided that I, I live forever contemplating EVEN IN THE LANDSCAPE AND LOOKING AT THE SAME SPEED.



With our hands held not ever split ...

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

True, but his site hasn't exactly been known for providing the most accurate information [no offense, Maxker, haha.] like the Oricon sales figures with Ayu at the top with 30 billion, or the report that Together When.. sold millions of ringtones when it really only sold 750k and it linked to some random avex press release.. it was just really weird.

Ahh, I didn't know that was his site actually. Still though, it seems a pretty coincidental thing if he made it up then.

Originally Posted by Bigtop

Yeah, maybe she should stay in Asia, where opportunities are better, as I think her English skills might be fine but not sufficient enough to compete with more-popular Western artists from the United States, such as Miley Cyrus...

My opinion has pretty much always been that if Utada, who is a native speaker and technically American, can't make it in the US - then it is doubtful that any asian can, at least for the time being.

[Empry]

Originally Posted by noidea

@Empry
I'm sorry, my Firefox sometimes has problems with bolded text, it still shows it non-bolded for me someway...But well, even if she did not went to Europe, she had many PVs with european sets(examples:momentum, Together When..., Days(i think), rainy day, Beautiful Fighters.......) recently showing her interest in Europe and she already showed her interest in the world really early for example in the complete DT01, and now that her english is improving I think that she really is preparing to either come to America and Europe more often or to launch a debut here(though the first option is way more likely of course), I actually think all the PVs with european sets would have been filmed in europe if she had the time(and wasnt momentum even filmed somewhere in europe? I remember shots of the city out of the air)

I see. It's ok.
To be honest, I don't see the setting of all these PVs as an indication for Ayu's interest in European countries. For example, she had often used Christian symbols in her PVs but it doesn't mean that she is a Christian.

I would rather say that the French fans who met up with her when she was filming Mirrorcle World and who were asking her about an possible concert, were the ones who have gave her an idea that she would be very welcome in France (at least to a group of people). Aside from that some other well-known Japanese musicians have been coming to give concerts in Paris. One of them being L'arc en Ciel. It would be great, if Ayu and her management were considering the idea of having one or two concerts outside of Asia but that is wishful thinking.

As a fan, I would really like to see her continue her career in Japan (and Asia as well), since that is where her biggest fanbase is. But I would really love if she gave one concert in Paris and another in NYC or LA so that her oversea fans would have the opportunity to see her live. Aside from that the creation of an international TA fanclub would be something else that I really wish for.

And she didn't go overseas for the momentum PV shooting. Otherwise this would have been mentioned in the DD Diary. And the opening shot over the city that you are talking about, looks rather like a photo to me where particle effects have been added.

[Polyrhythm]

Ayu in US= not the slightest chance at all. I may think she's awesome but I can safely say that atleast 99% of the country would find her tacky

Ayu in Europe= maybe in France. They're more open minded. Kanon Wakeshima had some successful concerts in Paris didnt she? Then again, there are places like Germany where she tried and failed (German singles)

I dont know how I feel about Ayu being in the world music scene. I just dont picture it happening.

[critter333294]

Originally Posted by Bigtop

Yeah, maybe she should stay in Asia, where opportunities are better, as I think her English skills might be fine but not sufficient enough to compete with more-popular Western artists from the United States, such as Miley Cyrus...

Agreed.


I think one of the main reasons Utada was able to (somewhat) break out in the American industry was her perfectly unaccented english. She may be Japanese, but she sounds American, and familiar, which is of course what people here like. BoA may be able to speak english, but to me she just sounds like some asian girl trying to sing outside of her native language. I feel as if that was one of her major downfalls in trying to make a debut here. I see the same thing happening to Ayu if she tries to do an english album. She can take as many classes as she wants, but she's not going to sound native.

[Polyrhythm]

Originally Posted by critter333294

Agreed.


I think one of the main reasons Utada was able to (somewhat) break out in the American industry was her perfectly unaccented english. She may be Japanese, but she sounds American, and familiar, which is of course what people here like. BoA may be able to speak english, but to me she just sounds like some asian girl trying to sing outside of her native language. I feel as if that was one of her major downfalls in trying to make a debut here. I see the same thing happening to Ayu if she tries to do an english album. She can take as many classes as she wants, but she's not going to sound native.

Well Rhianna doesnt have such nice English if you ask me....and she's insanely popular....her music is pretty close to BoA's in style. I think BoA has the right attitude and style but her English needs work (though it is improving A LOT). Utada has her unique lyrical abilities and great knowledge of music...and flawless English....but in the end...lets be honest...it comes down to one thing that stands in their way: They're Asian and people wont look past that...which kinda sucks. Being Asian myself I would like to see an Asian artist make it big in the U.S but its not likely to happen for a while. Or atleast untill Utada gets her game plan together

[Maxker]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

If Maxker was just some random poster, I would doubt it, but at least he has been around for a while.

Honestly, if its true though, I'm kind of dreading it. (for all the reasons others have mentioned) As well as the fact that it will probably not help her popularity in Japan any and if it fails (which history has shown it is likely to), she would likely be coming back to a smaller fanbase I think.

Yes, that's correct. But she's known for having one of the most faithful and suporting fanbases in Japan. (of the female artists of course).

Max told me and my friend "She's training her language skills", while Stan smiled in the backround. But she has done this at least since the start of 2005... I remember a TA post mention of a english test/training on a airplane some years ago. Or maybe it was a blog post at Mika's site..hmm

truehappiness: haha, yeh, I know. But that's partly because we post everything that has to do with Ayu, also rumors and not so credible articles from other forums (mainly chinese). sometimes the information turns out true, others not.
For some reason, people have a tendency to ignore the "Rumor" comment, and post our stuff as "news", on other forums/sites. >.<

[Empry]

Originally Posted by xheartstation

Then again, there are places like Germany where she tried and failed (German singles)

Those CDs were never released under the name "Ayumi Hamasaki" and didn't get any promotion (although some people told me that they have seen the Depend on with the Svenson & Gielon Mix once a German music channel). I don't think you can call this a failure.

[truehappiness]

truehappiness: haha, yeh, I know. But that's partly because we post everything that has to do with Ayu, also rumors and not so credible articles.

In that case, you need to write in HUGE RED BOLD LETTERS:
"THIS IS UNCONFIRMED" haha. Because seriously, people need that.

[zoomzoom]

I wouldn't mind if she really went for it, as long as she stays true to herself and doesn't get caught up in having people tell her to be a certain way to succeed. If anything it would be a great chance to actually see her if she came here.

She most likely wouldn't do too well though unfortunately, all of the factors mentioned work against her. And her name is really foreign sounding, it's like "ew, is she Chinese?" -.-

[Butterknife]

I think a lot of people are probably scared for her to debut in america, because of the past failures of other asian artists.. BoA, and Utada are only small shadows of their popularity in asia. I know I feel hesitant for Ayu to do this too.. I don't want to see her fail..

If she makes this decision.. I hope she knows english WELL. Lisps/engrish will definitely put her at odds with the american music industry. She just needs to perfect the sound of her english, and learn the language very well. There's a lot of pressure.. But she's so talented.

[Polyrhythm]

But what kind of music would she do here? Ayu doesnt have an ounce of Hip Hop or R&B in her (just the way I like her) and those are basically the styles of the current generation...unless we're counting vomit-inducing kiddie pop artists like Miley Cyrus.

[SunshineSlayer]

Just another interesting point about the article - it mentions hiroo. This is, once again, the same small district that I always stay at and had long heard rumors that she owned at least one apartment there. Her mothers store is also located there. I would say at least that part of the article is accurate. It's also a place where mostly foreigners reside. (basically the foreigner and celebrity district)

Originally Posted by Butterknife

I think a lot of people are probably scared for her to debut in america, because of the past failures of other asian artists.. BoA, and Utada are only small shadows of their popularity in asia. I know I feel hesitant for Ayu to do this too.. I don't want to see her fail..

Several others have tried too - Dreams Come True, NOKKO (Rebecca lead singer), Nakamori Akina, and Seiko Matsuda all tried and failed.

Of everyone, believe it or not, SEIKO actually came the closest to making it big. In the early 90s she had a single in the billboard hot 100(#54 USA, #2 Canada) - I remember hearing it on the radio and seeing the video and everything. It was a duet with Donnie Wahlburg from New Kids on the Block. That sounds cheesy now, but back then it was basically the equivalent of Ayumi releasing a single with Justin Timberlake today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfqH-LNX5CI

[roanmy]

Originally Posted by Dan.C

Hope not.

I prefer a retired and housewife Ayu which from time to time holds a concert/do a promotion/releases a single just for the fun of it, rather than a complete deaf Ayu caused from a Euro/US career.

She most likely won't go deaf. If she did, she would've done it already, right? Given it's just one ear, and we've never heard of any trouble with the other. Many artists have also been around much longer than her and has their hearing in order. I think most likely she was predisposed to have an ear-problem in hear left ear.

[truehappiness]

It's rather funny how people still think that her touring was what 'caused' the hearing loss, haha.

[noidea]

Originally Posted by Empry

Those CDs were never released under the name "Ayumi Hamasaki" and didn't get any promotion (although some people told me that they have seen the Depend on with the Svenson & Gielon Mix once a German music channel). I don't think you can call this a failure.

Especially because Connected was the most succesful japanese single in Germany EVER, coming at place 82(i think) in the german single charts and one of the remix singles even got a very high(somewhere in the top 5 i think) dance chart position, i think it was a m remix.
I think for concerts and rereleases of her japanese albums(in the way many J-Rock bands do, without promoting them of course, only releasing and a little internet and concertpromo) she could fill halls in some european countrys, I think the countrys with most japanese artists coming there are Germany, France and Britain. In these 3 countrys I think she could sell her albums and fill concerts ina way in which she would NOT make a minus, but also without earning much money.

@truehappiness
If youre talking about the stress of touring, than I think thats definitly not the reason, but the volume on stage and while rehearsals is really, really harmful. Especially because a) she has dancers, so they need monitors on stage and b) when rehearsing, she sometimes walks around in front of the stage watching her double, where its even louder