Post by the boy wondering on Apr 18, 2011 22:36:46 GMT
THE
Utada Hikaru:
Whilst to most Westerners' she is known as 'the woman who sung the end theme to Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts 2', in Japan she would be better known as the 'best selling solo artist of all time [in Japan] and one of the best selling artists on Earth in the last decade.' One cannot, and should not, take a glance at Japan's music scene and not consider Utada Hikaru - chances are she was number one on the Oricon chart last time you checked the damn thing. You'd be hard-pressed to find a Japanese karaoke bar which didn't play her music. Heck, her final live performance (before her announced hiatus) was broadcast live on national Japanese television - this is an honour only reserved for the biggest.
suggested listening:
FYI Mr. Lawrence
Travelling
Heart Station <3
Exodus '04
Sakura
Colors <3
Ayumi Hamasaki:
Where does one begin with Ayumi Hamasaki? Comparisons to Madonna immediately come to mind - they are both iconic stars who aren't known for their spectacular vocals but rather for the visuals they create for each music era. This is true for Ayu, as she is called by fans, who has gone from a muse bringing peace to Earth for her 2005 album 'I Am...' to a British doll for her 2010 album 'Rock n' Roll Circus'. However, Ayumi has also garnered much respect (and sales) for her autobiographical lyrics through which she voiced her feelings on her personal romancec to being objectified by her record label. Ayumi, like her ballad-prone counterpart Utada, is too an incredible success. Ms Hamasaki is the second best-selling artist in Japan - and on Earth.
suggested listening
I Am...
Connected
Naturally
Evolution <3
Koda Kumi
The bullet-dodging (or so she claimed in her song Lollipop) pop-star is most famous for her Ero-Kawaii style. What is Ero-Kawaii you ask? The term translates in to erotic-cute, a fashion movement in which women tan, wear short skirts and revealing tops, wear hair extensions, walk in high heels and have long acrylic nails. Koda Kumi is not only famous for ero-kawaii - she popularised it! Her music took a turn for the sexy after her conservative image failed to garner her sales - the image change was a success winning her legions of followers, fashion awards and album sales. Whilst Kuu-chan might not sing about topics like world peace in her R&B laced pop numbers, her lyrics on sex and blatant sexuality shouldn't be slammed - that would be Eurocentric. If anything Koda Kumi is more revolutionary than Hamasaki or Hikaru - the ideal woman in Japan is seen to be vulnerable, cute and respectful and Kumi goes against this with her pouting and hip-shaking. For many young women in Japan Kumi is emancipating from this ideal.
suggested listening:
Hot Stuff feat. K-M Markit
That Ain't Cool feat. Fergie from The Black Eyed Peas
Okay <3
Pop Diva
Juicy
Lollipop <3