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

[Ayumi27]

After a long decade of hard work, she is free to explore other markets or do whatever she wants with her life and career... but I really hope she doesn't release an english album!

[polka-dot-jewel]

I wouldn't be surprised if she has bought an apartment in Hiroo. Her Mom lives and works in Hiroo, so if she does have one, I wouldn't be surprised if it was so she could be close to her Mom (at times).

I know people who liked both BoA's and Utada's album, but it all has to do with promotion. If it isn't being promoted, and it the artist isn't so popular (esp. here in America), then it probably won't do well. But, yes, it's funny how Ayu is brought up around other J-Pop artists here in America, haha.

But, like Max said, Ayu IS practicing up on her language skills, so maybe she is preparing to take her career to the "next level" aka moving to more English-speaking places (England, USA, Canada) or other places around the world.

If she does try to perform or release music (or do both) around the world... it's very hard to say where she'll start first. Europe holds more Japanese music concerts, but Ayu has been to the USA many, many times and loves it there. She has a very interesting look, something foreigners both love and hate, and people are always very intrigued by it, so they may check out her music just because of it. They may check it out because she is known as the Queen of J-Pop, too.

In my opinion, if she WERE to release something worldwide, she might be better off with doing another "best of" compilation. She can put either her favorites or her biggest hits on a CD or two, and then have an international tour promoting it.

[Andrenekoi]

It's just me that think that Hikki's american career kind of... screams "hikki"?

[JackieRos]

in europe they accepted well alot of japanese artist like:
kana, Mois dix Mois, Dir en grey
i bet they will accept ayu well too or is it just the j-rock genre?

dir en grey is making debut concerts in Italy and the Czech Republic
hopefully they have the same luck

[zyoeru]

Originally Posted by (me)JackieRos

in europe they accepted well alot of japanese artist like:
kana, Mois dix Mois, Dir en grey
i bet they will accept ayu well too or is it just the j-rock genre?

dir en grey is making debut concerts in Italy and the Czech Republic
hopefully they have the same luck

As far as I'm aware, no J-pop act as tried to become famous in Europe, they all to America, which in my opinion is a very bad idea. Europe is a better starting place than the US is...but that's just how I see it.

[JackieRos]

^and i agree with you

ayu's drizzly singles did goo IMO
German DJ Playlist#21,
Official Dance Charts 40#18, DDC#12
Also it entered the german single charts at place #89

[blackmage]

If she did decide to make a decision like going into European countries and the states, I hope its just to do a world wide tour. Nothing like making an English debut or any of that nonsense. I love Ayu, just I don't particularly see her making it outside of Asia.

[Aisha_Angel]

Great article, thanks for sharing!

I've had jury duty this week (for the first time I might add) so I'm still catching up with the little bit of news we got this week.

Getting back to the point, IDK if Ayumi will come over to the US at all anytime in the near future. If I were her producer, I would advise against it because part of the main reason why BoA and Hikki...oh and lets not forget SE7EN, can't get the exposure they need is because of the STATE of the American music industry. Compared to Japan, we (the US) no longer have the television outlets for music anymore. If you wanna look at music videos on MTV, you'd have to wake up at 5/6 am, while on VH1 3 am-10am (I think) is the slot for their videos. BET is just a hot mess, FUSE mostly caters to rock music (not that it's not a good thing), and CMT is for country music.

Things have changed so much here that is difficult for a debuting artist that comes from this country to get a kick start. Sure promotion has to be a little more creative these days (Hell, Taylor Swift used her MySpace to generate her career). But it's nowhere near as simple as it used to be, nor does that same creativity guarantee the necessary exposure needed to sell. Look at how famous Shakira became after her US-debut, but look at the amount of exposure and video rotations she received from MTV and VH1. So far to my knowledge, she is the only foreign act in modern music to establish a successful career in the US with English as a second or third language.

Europe would be a much better area for Ayumi to start in. From what I have seen, their music scene is much more open to new and innovative products (musicians). If she arms herself with the right producers, learns to control her accent a little, and comes out with the right song she'll find a great amount of success in EU.

[Maxker]

Originally Posted by Furashubakku

As far as I'm aware, no J-pop act as tried to become famous in Europe, they all to America, which in my opinion is a very bad idea. Europe is a better starting place than the US is...but that's just how I see it.

I agree. It is possible that this is just what Ayu and Avex has in mind. The visit to Paris last year and the attention they received from the French fans. I think it opened Ayu's/Max's eyes, that there is a possible market outside of the United States.

and .. (hahaha), her favorite photographer and good friend Kazuyoshi Shimomura is based in France, and has good contacts in the cultural sector in Europe. I don't know if that can be an influencing factor when Ayu and Avex considers possible new debut markets.

[ストロボ・EdGE]

I don't want her to come to America. BoA and Utada tried it and have (so far) failed, and I don't want to see that happen to her too.

She'll just be wasting her time.

[IYFreak]

Originally Posted by ストロボ・EdGE

I don't want her to come to America. BoA and Utada tried it and have (so far) failed, and I don't want to see that happen to her too.

She'll just be wasting her time.

I agree completely

[JackieRos]

ストロボ・EdGE: yeah that is true but maybe she should just release a single or something

[Evolution7/4]

I agree, simply just do the tours and concerts no english cds. I was excited when I initially read this for the sole reason that I may be able to see her in concert, meet her at a signing sessions, etc.

[polka-dot-jewel]

Originally Posted by Aisha_Angel

Getting back to the point, IDK if Ayumi will come over to the US at all anytime in the near future. If I were her producer, I would advise against it because part of the main reason why BoA and Hikki...oh and lets not forget SE7EN, can't get the exposure they need is because of the STATE of the American music industry. Compared to Japan, we (the US) no longer have the television outlets for music anymore. If you wanna look at music videos on MTV, you'd have to wake up at 5/6 am, while on VH1 3 am-10am (I think) is the slot for their videos. BET is just a hot mess, FUSE mostly caters to rock music (not that it's not a good thing), and CMT is for country music.

Things have changed so much here that is difficult for a debuting artist that comes from this country to get a kick start. Sure promotion has to be a little more creative these days (Hell, Taylor Swift used her MySpace to generate her career). But it's nowhere near as simple as it used to be, nor does that same creativity guarantee the necessary exposure needed to sell. Look at how famous Shakira became after her US-debut, but look at the amount of exposure and video rotations she received from MTV and VH1. So far to my knowledge, she is the only foreign act in modern music to establish a successful career in the US with English as a second or third language.

Shakira used to be really, really famous here. Sure, people know her name, but she doesn't release quite as much stuff anymore, nor do I hear her music on the radio. Even though Enrique Iglesias was born in America, he mostly speaks Spanish, and his records, both in Spanish and English, are very popular here. Same with Ricky Martin (though he wasn't born in the USA).

And I agree about music on television. Our biggest music performing show, TRL, was canceled last year. Late-night talk shows usually have a performer each night, but obviously, those come on late at night. To see videos, most people either watch it on On Demand, somehow catch it on TV, or just watch just it on the internet. If Ayu were to come to America, she'd be better off with internet promotion, or even late night promotion. Of course, she COULD make an appearance on Good Morning America or the Today Show, as well.

[Coelacanth]

Originally Posted by Furashubakku

I see where you're coming from. But Ayu only has that calibre in parts of Asia. If she's planning on making it in the West, we have to be shown she's prepared to work for it.

True that. I guess she would need support from her overseas fans if she were to debut in the West, but I'm not sure how supportive I would be of such a drastic career move.

Originally Posted by polka-dot-jewel

I know people who liked both BoA's and Utada's album, but it all has to do with promotion. If it isn't being promoted, and it the artist isn't so popular (esp. here in America), then it probably won't do well. But, yes, it's funny how Ayu is brought up around other J-Pop artists here in America, haha.

I don't like Utada's Japanese material, but I think This Is The One is a great record. It seems friendly for mainstream, too.

I think it's hard to say whether or not it's being promoted enough. I mean, I've heard her on the radio.. I've seen ads on all major websites.. I've seen her on display in Border's/Target/Best Buy.. Sure, she's not being completely shoved in our faces but I do think her record company is doing their part.

I feel that if the mainstream doesn't like This Is The One, then Ayu doesn't have a chance in hell - unless of course she pulls out some crazy gimmicks like Gaga.

[Maxker]

Originally Posted by ストロボ・EdGE

I don't want her to come to America. BoA and Utada tried it and have (so far) failed, and I don't want to see that happen to her too.

She'll just be wasting her time.

But, don't you people forget somthing. Ayumi Hamasaki is neither Utada or BoA, she is "Ayu", known as the "The Empress of J-pop", and even better, recently the media is nicknaming her "The Supernova Of Asian Entertainment". She is clearly the biggest female artist in Japan in the last 10 years. Utada might have sold much, but maybe she is just too anonymous for Europe and the U.S, she's even pretty anonymous home in Japan.

Anonymous is the opposite of what Ayu is. She's a product, a easy-selling brand. (you like it or not .. ) If Avex runs the same strategy in Europe, with the cover-shoots, impressive tv-lives, posters and sales stands outside the record stores, they are almost guaranteed to be noticed. The only thing she needs is a dance hit, without BoA's "Engrish" included.

[waterballoon]

Thank you Maxker! You, SunshineSlayer & truehappiness have made really good points in the past few pages... and I THINK this might be true after all.

Kazuyoshi Shimomura is based in France yes... this might also be why she traveled to Paris to film Mirrorcle World. Coincidentally, Mirrorcle World was Shimomura's first Ayu PV.

Just one thing though - if she were to really focus in the West, I hope she wouldn't release albums in English - seeing as how her English is comprehensive... but a full album in English seems really hard for her...

And also, I think Ayu's album music style is gonna be a little too new and fresh for the west. Very few mainstream American singers actually have interludes in their albums... I'm really afraid and worried that if she focuses on the west, she's gonna fall very hard...

And about the retiring - if she really has a secret boyfriend... I don't know. She dated Tomoya Nagase for 7 years, and she only got ready for marriage like on the 6th year or so. Assuming she's faithful and knew this secret boyfriend after her break-up, then it seems kinda unlike her to jump into marriage, barely a year after knowing this guy.

I'm on the fence on this whole issue, so we'll see how things go.

Thank you again, Maxker. I love the news you post around here!

[ren0210989]

as always these news are doubthable, but it would really be interesting to see Ayu come to Europe
and like it was said, J-music is pretty well accepted in europe, unlike the US; she could get some attention from european fans

BoA and Utada have shown us that J-pop fails in america, so i'll keep my hopes up and wish she won't waste her time and energy for america and use it for europe

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

yeah, this is what I'm thinking^^
She is already being officially released on the west btw (itunes)

In terms of Visual Kei bands...It really just depends on how you measure success. Most only go outside of Japan because of the fact that they really aren't well known inside Japan to start with. Its amazing how Visual Kei fans in the US/Europe know all these obscure bands that no one really cares about in Japan, yet they've never heard of B'z or Mr. Children.

Even so, most Visual Kei bands have niche audiences overseas at best. Dir en Grey would be closest to mainstream popular, but even they really haven't achieved that.

And people still keep on mentioning BoA and Utada as the only examples of asian artists trying to and ultimately failing to really make it big in the US and/or European department. But as I mentioned before, the list is actually quite a bit longer than just those two, so the hurdle is set even higher for making it happen.

[zyoeru]

Originally Posted by blackmage

Nothing like making an English debut or any of that nonsense. I love Ayu, just I don't particularly see her making it outside of Asia.

Well, I think she wouldn't have to make an English debut. If she can talk fluently in English to give interviews, she shouldn't have to sacrifice her lyrics to be in English.

Originally Posted by Aisha_Angel

Europe would be a much better area for Ayumi to start in. From what I have seen, their music scene is much more open to new and innovative products (musicians). If she arms herself with the right producers, learns to control her accent a little, and comes out with the right song she'll find a great amount of success in EU.

You're completely right. We're open to a lot of new styles of music and I think that with the right marketing she could do well. She should set up a myspace, an official facebook, all those social networking sites, word of mouth. I really think that viral marketing is the way to go with many artists making it like that these days.

Originally Posted by ストロボ・EdGE

I don't want her to come to America. BoA and Utada tried it and have (so far) failed, and I don't want to see that happen to her too.

She'll just be wasting her time.

Hikaru and BoA failed because in my opinion they were trying to be something they were not. Hikki even said she wasn't going to write in her usual style. She sold herself out, as did BoA. I think that if Ayumi went in there and decided to sing in her native language, but give interviews in fluent English it could work.

Originally Posted by waterballoon

And also, I think Ayu's album music style is gonna be a little too new and fresh for the west. Very few mainstream American singers actually have interludes in their albums... I'm really afraid and worried that if she focuses on the west, she's gonna fall very hard..

Interludes mean nothing, if the music is good and the publicity is right people will eat it up and actually I've seen many mainstream instrumentals.

Originally Posted by ren0210989

as always these news are doubthable, but it would really be interesting to see Ayu come to Europe
and like it was said, J-music is pretty well accepted in europe, unlike the US; she could get some attention from european fans

BoA and Utada have shown us that J-pop fails in america, so i'll keep my hopes up and wish she won't waste her time and energy for america and use it for europe

As I said before, Europe is the place to start, not the UK just yet, but take France, Germany, etc then come over to the UK then go to America when she has all of Europe.

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

In terms of Visual Kei bands...It really just depends on how you measure success. Most only go outside of Japan because of the fact that they really aren't well known inside Japan to start with. Its amazing how Visual Kei fans in the US/Europe know all these obscure bands that no one really cares about in Japan, yet they've never heard of B'z or Mr. Children.

Even so, most Visual Kei bands have niche audiences overseas at best. Dir en Grey would be closest to mainstream popular, but even they really haven't achieved that.

And people still keep on mentioning BoA and Utada as the only examples of asian artists trying to and ultimately failing to really make it big in the US and/or European department. But as I mentioned before, the list is actually quite a bit longer than just those two, so the hurdle is set even higher for making it happen.

I know that when my dad was younger X Japan and Loudness were big in America and the UK, in fact my dad loves Loudness~. So I think it's possible to make a debut and make it work...