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

[Minttulatte]

I don't know what to say. I'm not personally very fond of the idea of Ayu becoming a worldwide pop star. I just feel like she should stay in Asia. I don't know. I'm okay if she really wants to do it, but I hope that she'll get more success than BoA and Hikki. And she would still write her lyrics herself. But anyway, we'll see about that. To be true to you I'm kind of curious about this actually. Even if I'm not fond of the idea, I still want to know what she's up to.

[FuNsTyLe]

Yeah se does write her own lyrics, which is good. But it doesn't really matter in the US/EU anyway if you do that or not.
Only way I can see Ayu making it abroad is promo promo promo, they have to really put BIG money into promoting her, I'm not talking local radio stations and internet websites, but really big stuff, like get her on Superbowl or something...
She has the looks and style to make it, voice... Well, if she doesn't sound too squeaky it will be ok I g, but
So basically, they need to put tons of money into this, release the right type of music and just get people's attention... I dunno really but that's just my 5 cents...
It would be awesome if she made it

[Harisufanforever]

I could accept the fact, if she really wanted to.

However, I think there is one band who could make it big in America/or Europe. The band that I am talking about is Monkey Majik. Why? First of all, The lead vocalists are White, Canadian, and speak/sing in English. However, I think they could debut in America if they wanted. They have already done a few lives in Canada.

[octolina]

this could explain the recent big changes to Ayu. Everything about her. Perhaps she is preparing to appeal to a new audience?

and somehow i think she has a greater chance to make it... more than Hikki and BoA. I think Ayu has something very captivating about her.

[polka-dot-jewel]

I don't know if Ayu should try to have an international career (she is a bit old to really start one), but maybe she should just do an international tour. She could stop in various countries (US, UK, Australia, France, Canada, Mexico, etc.) and have a concert or two in each place. It could always be a tour where it's basically like a "thank you" to the international fans who have stuck with her, whether they've been fans of hers for a long time or not.

True, it would be harder to do one (especially in countries where English isn't really a spoken language), but if she were to do something like this, I'm confident she'd be able to pull through.

[mangoo_x3]

a toliet covered with diamonds, what if you they fall in the toliet?

ughh please let this be fake. if not, im really getting tired of hearing how ayu spends her money but yet NEVER hearing her donating whatsoever.


I also do not know how will Ayu even make it in the US market because her songs are very DIFFERENT, it probably wouldn't attract alot of new fans in my opinion.

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by mangoo_x3

a toliet covered with diamonds, what if you they fall in the toliet?

ughh please let this be fake. if not, im really getting tired of hearing how ayu spends her money but yet NEVER hearing her donating whatsoever.


I also do not know how will Ayu even make it in the US market because her songs are very DIFFERENT, it probably wouldn't attract alot of new fans in my opinion.

Well we had 2 Asian pop stars trying to merge into American mainstream market with nothing to stand out besides the fact they're Asian, so the fact her music is different could be a good thing

[octolina]

Originally Posted by mangoo_x3

a toliet covered with diamonds, what if you they fall in the toliet?

ughh please let this be fake. if not, im really getting tired of hearing how ayu spends her money but yet NEVER hearing her donating whatsoever.


I also do not know how will Ayu even make it in the US market because her songs are very DIFFERENT, it probably wouldn't attract alot of new fans in my opinion.

About the toilet: I think it's laminated with a plastic polymer cover over the diamonds. Otherwise, it would be real prickly to sit on it. And I also think it's not real diamonds. Something could be lost in translation, they could have meant jewels or something else.

And I think if she were to release a US single, it would not be a song like Jewel or Curtain Call. Methinks it would be a little like Sparkle, or Lady Gaga/Madonna/Kylie Minogue style songs. Her team would compose something to appeal to the US market, definitely.

[hanabiwings]

Mmm... I think she is perhaps readying herself to enter a new market. I don't know if that means a new music market or a new entertainment industry. Couldn't it merely be an expansion further into Asia that she is preparing for? That is: an expansion of activity outside of Japan. Or perhaps she is readying herself for something outside of singing. Either way, if I'm reading this right, it would seem that Hamasaki herself was writing on her BBS those two messages quoted (about being nervous and making a decision and so on). But it needn't mean something like either retirement or expansion, right?

I don't know if she could make it in the US. The European market appears, to my eyes, to be a little more forgiving when it comes to different styles, backgrounds, and so on. In any case, of course I would wish her well in any endeavor she embarks upon. And, of course, I secretly wish that she would get super-popular in my home country (the States). But I hope that she capitalizes on her popularity in Asia as it is already an established market for her.

When trying to tap a market such as the United States, promotion appears to be a decisive factor; Utada's 2004 effort, though edgy and varied enough to 'make it' on some level (in the opinions of many music lovers I've talked to), the lack of promotion seemed to be a great problem. Her 2009 effort has a much more mainstreamed sound, which she crafted with several songwriters despite her usual self-produced methods. I've heard Utada a lot on satellite radio, and she was featured on MTV several times on some television shows, I understand. But major promotions (such as live singing on morning television) were few. BoA, I've also heard on satellite, but her promotion appears to be even less than Utada's. Both of these artists have demonstrated talent in their respective niche markets in Asia. The problem seems to be, in my estimation (and not backed up by statistics or empirical study--forgive me!), a lack of concentrated promotional efforts. But this has long been an issue for Japanese artists, and other artists from Asia, when they attempt to break into the U.S. Dreams Come True had an album from VIRGIN Records that was poorly promoted. They have the talent and sound to capture at least a niche market in adult easy listening. But it didn't happen. I'm convinced that promotion campaigns have to be rather significant to break into the market from outside of the country. Artists with less appeal (charisma, talent, uniqueness, etc.) and a better PR machine seem to fare better. But I'm rambling. ^^;

[~*Mabushii*~]

Maybe she just decided to do a couple of shows here? There's enough fans here I'm sure to try put a couple of shows.. even in Japanese, and maybe throw in some English there for fan service?

[lividlillies]

As far as moving to an American market, I have to agree with everyone who's saying, "That's a bad idea." To me, Utada's English albums seem... pardon me, but... kind of vulgar. Almost every song in "This Is The One" mentions sex or cheating or both. The sound is awesome and stuff, but if Ayu wrote that stuff and sang it...

I'm not sure if I'd buy an album that was such a shift from her usual style. Part of her allure, to me, is the fact that she writes such meaningful lyrics.

For her to make a move and end up changing her style... it'd be suicide. It wouldn't get her any fans here and it'd destroy a lot of the fanbase she has built up.

Now, if she came over for a single NYC concert or something... *o* Even though I live in Canada, I'd make a way to be wherever that concert was. For real.

Actually, I don't think that'd be such a bad idea. It could be a way for her to acknowledge her fanbase overseas and stuff... But, you know, I'm just dreaming. ^^;

[Crystal_Ageha]

Ugh. Ayumi Hamasaki would NOT make it in the US. Absolutely no chance unless, for some odd reason, US music takes a full 180. >_< Now Europe, on the other hand... There certainly is a chance. But for some reason, I've always hoped that Ayu would just stay in Asia. Of course, I would LOVE it if she did a few overseas concerts for her fans!! But not a full debut. I know she would, at least in the US, fail horribly, and I don't want to see that. I don't want her to go through that. She's too good to waste her time on people who won't even give her a glance.

[panda87]

Originally Posted by hidekirby

Mmh... I may be the only one but I would prefer her to stay in Asia...

you're not alone. i prefer her in asia. not another BoA and Utada. she will only be used to suck money out of then kicked back to Asia. if she does come here, i hope she doesn't give a cheesy impression like the past two. it's humiliating. she truly has to be herself b/c i honestly didn't feel that rawness from BoA and Utada. dear lord... *shakes head*

[Polyrhythm]

Originally Posted by panda87

you're not alone. i prefer her in asia. not another BoA and Utada. she will only be used to suck money out of then kicked back to Asia. if she does come here, i hope she doesn't give a cheesy impression like the past two. it's humiliating. she truly has to be herself b/c i honestly didn't feel that rawness from BoA and Utada. dear lord... *shakes head*

Hi I dont know about BoA but Utada didnt give a "cheesy" impression here in the U.S. She sounded purposeful, educated, and most importantly humble. . She actually had a significant impact here if you ask me being the first Japanese artist to break the billboard top 100 in more than 20 years.