A Tribute to Hamasaki Ayumi

[Chibi-Chan]

After another upcoming wave of unsatisfied fans und people who were sreaming "Ayu goes downhill" I thought it's time to remember for a change that Hamasaki Ayumi is called 'the Empress of J-Pop' and to criticize some of the critics. (^.~)

If we look at Ayu's career we see a Cinderella Story, a poor girl who comes to a big city, gets famous, loved, rich and becomes the Queen of J-Pop. And to achieve that she hadn't only to marry the prince, she had to walk that way alone, to become strong, to work very hard and, most important, to be an emancipated, self-confident woman.

Even though Ayu has managed to stay at the top of the charts for almost twelve years she had on her way a lot of self-doubts, as we can read in her lyrics. And after staying twelve years in the music industry she released just as much studio albums. Every year she gives us a new album with new material we can love, like, dislike and criticize. Every album is distinguished from the other and has more or less fans. But Ayu fans tend to forget that she puts always all her heart in her works and criticize in a way which is, I think, disrespectful.
It may be that someone doesn't like the last albums, and of course everyone is allowed to point the reasons out. But this "Ayu is going downhill since..." attitude is, in my opinion, disrespectful. Not only against Ayu, also against all other fans who like those songs. People tend to state their opinions as facts, like "'ANGEL'S SONG' and it's video is crap" or "'MOON' PV is in fact boring". Their are even people out there who actually use the word 'fact' in their statements. Most people find 'NEXT LEVEL' video boring, but their were people saying they enjoyed it. Fans aren't made, against the expectations, to like all stuff an artist does. But fans should be able to show enough respect for what others may like and what their favorite artist puts a lot of heart and work into.
I remember fans saying "Ayu is going downhill since 'MY STORY'" and "I absolutely dislike 'MY STORY'". And today people pray for another album like 'MY STORY' - I think it's ironic and paradox in the same way. And of course don't forget all the hate for 'RAINBOW' when it was released.
Same goes for concerts, videos, magazines - all was better in the past. In 2002 all before 2002 was better, in 2003 all before 2003 was better... in 2010 all before 2010 was better.
Also her voice has been criticised a lot. But her voice has changed her whole career. You can already hear a diffrence between 'A Song for xx' and 'LOVEppears'. Furthermore don't forget Ayu's deafness on her left ear. It isn't easy to have perfect vocals and being half deaf. Please show more respect for Ayu trying so hard and don't giving up and stop claiming she should stop singing 'evolution' or 'Boys & Girls'. By the way, her vocals in 'Boys & Girls' in 'Concert Tour 2000 A' aren't better than today.
Moreover most artists change vocal wise.

But despite all the hate for all new works Ayu always manages to make thousands of people buy her singles, albums and to go to her concert shows. That alone should be proof enough that Ayu isn't in fact going downhill.

And remember: someone, who is called for such a long time "the Empress of J-Pop", has written music history.