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

[critter333294]

Originally Posted by xheartstation

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

Well yes, Rihanna does have an accent. However if you listen to her music, how much accent do you hear? None. BoA's accent comes out in both her speaking and singing. That certainly makes a difference to the listener.

Originally Posted by ストロボ・EdGE

Do you really think a person singing in Japanese would be popular to the American mass? ( ) Why would she even sing in Japanese to American people? Yeah, I can totally imagine that in American radio.

Oh and I totally agree. It's crazy to think that the American mass would listen to something that's not in english.......especially in Japanese. I couldn't count how many times I played something in japanese for a friend. They almost always looked at me like WTF and said "Turn that chinese **** off". Americans do not want to hear anything that's not in english besides the occasional spanish song.

[JackieRos]

Originally Posted by Furashubakku

^ Wasn't Uroboros received well? I know it got to 112 on the billboard, which isn't bad.

it got 114 ccording to wiki
and they got #1 onTop Heatseekers


i really like it that they tour in usa the tickets sell out quick

[crea_spain]

if this goes ahead she should make an English version of Who... to sing live in London or Paris

[kendelle]

Originally Posted by Mirrorcle

Goodness, everyone's so negative about the possibility of her coming to the US. Negative about everything. Picky about everything. ;_;

If she is deciding on writing an English album, she'd write the lyrics and probably have them analyzed for grammar mistakes. I'm sure she knows that she'd have to be PERFECT at English (By the way, BoA probably would've done better, maybe up to how Utada did, if she could speak English perfectly. Anyone see an English BoA interview? It's way to obvious she doesn't speak English fluently)

I really don’t see it working THAT well. Ayu has never had her lyrics analysed before, even her vocals on songs like “White Christmas” and “Someday my Prince will come” were dubious at best. It’s Ayu. She’s a perfectionist, if she was ever going to seek help in singing in English, it would have been for songs originally written in that language.

I just look at examples of English in NEXT LEVEL, Energize’s lyrics aren’t exactly ‘fluent’ and I remember many English-speaking Japanese jumped on her incorrect grammar (double plural in “Boys/Girls-tachi”)

We're not trying to be negative (or I don't THINK we're trying to be) but we have to face it that if fluent Utada can't make it, what chance does Ayu have with her Engrish?

I'd still support her having a go, as it gives some of us a better chance to see her live, but I don't think she'll do well in the charts.

[jbrat2219]

I honestly hope this isn't true. I would dread the idea of Ayu trying to break the western market. I'd probably even cry ;_;. The music world in the states, regardless of quality, is so heartless and cold. Sure she may have a fan base here, but the average person may not receive her very well. And this may sound silly, but I don't image that I'd take insults against her very well from the common crowd who don't even know her outside of "some random Asian woman." I'm so comfortable with the "I love Ayu!" "Who?" situation in my life now hahaha.

Not to mention, she's half deaf! Her vocals are NOT top notch live majority of the time. People would tear her apart *dies.* She might do pretty well in Europe. But please Ayu, PLEASE don't come to America >_<;

Sorry if I don't make any sense! Or my feelings are based on generalizations or whatever but the thought of this sends me into irrational thinking and fear LOL.

[visionfactory]

OMG they mentioned the diamond toilet AGAIN.......

that was just a missunderstanding from ayu's friend blog @_@

can't trust this article

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by Furashubakku

^ Wasn't Uroboros received well? I know it got to 112 on the billboard, which isn't bad.

That's worse than Utada did actually. So no, I wouldn't say thats too great considering the amount of time they have spent trying to build a fan base.

@jbrat: I totally agree with those sentiments as well.

[Lady Alterna]

LOL This article is so fake. Didnt ayumi say herself that she has no interest in debuting in America? Or was that Namie? Either way, its bad idea if she does. Its gonna flop harder the BoA's album. I don't want her to debut here anyway. She's too good for American music and with a beautiful voice like that, she could use it to debut somewhere else. Like Europe. I really wished Utada and BoA debuted there first instead of America.

As for the marriage, its funny that no one in japan has caught her out with a guy yet somehow the Chinese gets wind that she's getting married. Yea I so believe it.

Originally Posted by critter333294

Well yes, Rihanna does have an accent. However if you listen to her music, how much accent do you hear? None. BoA's accent comes out in both her speaking and singing. That certainly makes a difference to the listener.

Rihanna only has an accent when she's talking like in an interview or something.

[zyoeru]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

That's worse than Utada did actually. So no, I wouldn't say thats too great considering the amount of time they have spent trying to build a fan base.

That kinda sucks.
Well I'm sure what'll be will be. Thanks for the debate. Haha I kinda enjoyed having my arse beat.

[minna]

I think this is a rumor, afterall isn't it the second time this year?!

Originally Posted by Beauty4123

personally, i hope ayumi just sticks to japan. that goes for other artists as well. i don't think it's worth trying to make it big here, honestly. if utada, who's actually american, couldn't do it two times in a row (even though "this is the one" is pretty mainstream), do you really think ayumi would? maybe she'd have a chance in europe, but i wouldn't even bother with america. but that's just my opinion, lol. she'll be really criticized and hated with all the stereotypical comments from haters or random people (like BoA last year on one of these blogs that i read), and i don't think it's worth it to just come here for that. i personally dislike the music industry here, anyway, haha.

so that's just my 2 cents.

I agree with you lisa. You said what I think lol

I think she should stay in japan. I don’t think she really has a chance in America. She will be critizced like the other ones that tried before. She is the empress of Jpop, but I doubt people will care. I think she’ll just waste her time. I would hate to read comments like the ones lisa is talking about.

However, if her decision was to do a world tour, I would be more than happy. Hopefully, her decision would also involve the making of a TA international.

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by Furashubakku

That kinda sucks.
Well I'm sure what'll be will be. Thanks for the debate. Haha I kinda enjoyed having my arse beat.

lol. No problem.


Watch this big decision turn out to be about buying a cat or something.

[zyoeru]

^ Yeah or buying that toilet.

[JackieRos]

yeah i agree in the not so good part but still
they touring in america
their saku video went to #1 in mtv2
they are know here
so i hope their sales increase
they haven released anything since 2008 but
that beats flopping and doing nothing about it

[crea_spain]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

lol. No problem.


Watch this big decision turn out to be about buying a cat or something.

ROFL

[k21sh3n]

I truly hope that this is just another rumor .. not trying to be all negative.. but what would be her difference point there if she really decide to go for it? I mean, in Asia her strength points are her ability to write lyrics, her sense of fashion, the image that has been shaped by Avex and sometimes extravagant lifestyle..

unfortunately, in US those points likely won't work.. lyric? I don't think it'd still be that meaningful in English, sense of fashion? it may be considered to be cool or awesome in Asia, but it'd be considered to be "weird" in US, image? I don't think Avex will use the same effort as they did back then in Japan and extravagant lifestyle? there are many other singers that's crazier..

so it'll be better for her to just stay in Asia.. Asia itself is a very very big piece of cake already, for her and for Avex, she's already lost her hearing and can't afford to lose the other.. just leave the US market for Hikki or BOA for God's sake

[Justex]

May I quote my most favorite Ayu-sentence of all times:
If people will listen, I will go anywhere in the world.

So I've always supported the idea of Ayu going overseas. If she's sincere about it and stays true to herself (rather than trying too hard to appeal to a mainstream public) there's definitely a chance it could work out and she could reach a lot of new fans here, which can't be a bad thing.
And heck, I can't wait for the day my friends no longer call her Suzuki Kawasaki (which was a mistake at first, but has already become a running gag though XD).

[chu-lips]

but for d apearance look......ayu owns......she's so caucassian.....lol....

[Mirrorcle]

Okay, after two seconds of thoughtful planning, I have thought of how Ayu would successfully debut in the US:

Step 1: Make album (Japanese or English).
Step 2: Hire some super-obessed Ayu fans to go break into radio-stations all across the US and play her songs.
Step 3: If Step 2 fails, hire the super-obsessed fans not already in jail to break into TV stations and play her music videos.
Step 4: If Step 3 fails, then her music might at least spread through jails, becoming popular with fellow inmates?

[Estella]

Hmmmm well i think it would be great if Ayu simply did an international tour, i'd be wayyy up for that.
But English album.. not sure, I think we should trust that Ayu will make the best decision for her, she and her team are not stupid, i think thats why she hasn't released in the U.S. before. Seriously though, so what if she tries and fails, its all a learning experience etc etc.

On another note, in the alternative scene, various overseas acts have made a moderate success, such bands as Shonen Knife were played on the radio and performed at touring festivals in the 90's here in Australia.

Also its all about promotion, and working at it! Neither Utada or BoA have promoted themselves enough! They need work and work, release heaps of singles and most importantly music videos (as pop music has become mostly visual medium in the last 10 years) until they finally break though, its ridiculous to think that releasing one single they will make it huge immediately.. rarely any U.S artists even do that.

Anyway in conclusion, whatever Ayu chooses to do, i support it!

[stepho_chan]

man, so many people have tried to make it in America...Europe, i can see. I mean, i hope she does well here, i really do, but i'm very skeptical about it...I was psyched when i heard BoA and Utada were going to try it here, but i was so sad when i saw how poorly they've been doing...Although it does make me happy when i see their albums in the stores.

But if Ayu gets the right connections, she'll do amazing, i just know it.