I agree with you, Ayu going mainstream isn't exactly something I just dream of.

If it means a better understanding of diversity in music for EVERYONE, then sure, but I mean, there's way too many people who just, can't accept other music nd they have to prove to the death that their taste is better. Even with jpop, look at all the arguments between Kuu and Ayu fans. Does it really have to be this way? I was on youtube watching kuu, and someone said, "omg, there really is an argument on every koda kumi forum..." Why? Is it really necessary?

I personally don't think any type of music needs saving, as long as there are people who listen, they should be allowed to without being laughed at. It's getting ridiculous.

I don't care about her saving anything, I just want her to release globally so I can go to my local CD store and buy her records/DVD's

wow that article was impressive..... Ayu we DO need you!!!!

when people ask me what music i listen to, i tell them japanese and korean music....and they think i'm weird....simply because i live in america...

american music has become so bland in my opinion.....it's sad, i have nothing against rap. but it has become such a big thing among youth these days...

Like someone else said, country which is something i don't listen to, is still a genre of music that I respect ...because the lyrics are meant for the people and are more filled with empathy and emotion. and are not about sex drugs and violence.......i tried for two years to listen to american music, after awhile i got fed up with it......although there are some american artists that really fo have talent and good music, but there arn't that many

It would be nice if ayu tried the us market

even when im 80 i'll still be listening to ayu's music!!!!

you took the words right out of my mouth haha :P

very interesting article! i wish more people would be more open as he was about listening to other types of music

As for Utada, I think another reason for her not being successful in the US, aside from poor promotion and a way too experimental album, had a lot to do with her lyrics. They either made no sense or they were to cliche ("This is my Exodus '04") Everyone who was looking for something different than "My milkshake makes all the boys come round" got "You're easy breezy and I'm Japaneasy." :/ Plus, the PV was just like any other girl pop star PV out there. :embarrassment

I can kind of understand the bit about how "cutting edge" he thinks her PVs are. One of the first PVs I saw from her was "endless sorrow", and I was blown away; there are few American PVs I can think of that have that kind of meaning, and when I'm jaded over the American music scene, those few are forgetten. Here is Ayu, an artist that puts that much meaning into all of her lyrics and many of her PVs, and who has some deal of control over her career. The first year I listened to her, I kind of felt the same.

Of course, the more I listen to Japanese music, the more I realize that there are just as many meaningless PVs (some of Ayus have been flops IMO) and manufactured (for lack of a better word) artists as there are here in the US.

The ONLY way I would want to see Ayu in the US is if she can communicate well enough in English to make lyrics just as powerful (because for me, and I'm sure for other fans as well, her lyrics are a big part of why we like her. For me, they are largely what has kept me listening to her all this time, even through her down spells) and I would not want her to change her image to fit the sex-object female pop singer that is popular in American music right now, or any other trend. If staying herself meant her only being moderately successful, or more successful underground, all the better, I say.

I didn't want to quote everything you said and you pretty much summed it up in that sentence.
But yeah, I agree with you.

I think if Ayu were to try break into the US market singing in English, she'd have some vocal lessons and whatever to try help her shake some of her accent.

I also think one of the reasons Utada failed was that she tried to change herself into something that I don't think she is - like with "Easy Breezy" or whatever that song is called [I've only heard a few songs from Exodus], it was so different to her JP stuff which I think was a really bad move.

As for the article - I actually thought it was pretty interesting and I liked it a lot. Almost makes me want to write something like that and submit it to my school newspaper, haha.

I agree that American and western music is stagnant and I think Ayu would be a breath of fresh air but I doubt she would become a huge star. I understand what the article is saying, compared to western videos where all you see is boy or girl groups with very little clothing writhing on tables or dance floors, Ayumi's videos always have meaning. I would of course like her to be successful in everything but is kind of cool when you say you like Ayumi Hamasaki and you have to explain it. Saying that I would like her to release some english version songs as well.

Ayu is more American than people think she is.

That would probably explain her enormous popularity in Asia.

Going to America would do nothing for her or Americans.

yes because they are brainwashed from the radio, which i think was slightly part of the point about Western Music needing saving. People conform to one/two genres, adopt an image, and stick with it nowadays. people, as well as music, have lost identitiy in the US. Everyone thinks they're being original, but they just aren't. Even Namie and Koda have adopted slightly Western style songs, but Ayumi has stayed fairly true to her music and it's themes. Given a few newer songs have started to have a slightly Western edge (Startin', Bold & Delicious), Ayumi is still the frontrunner for changing the music industry. I have already gotten at least 7 people at my new job interested in Ayumi, Namie, Koda, and Gackt. And they listen to the same brainwashed pop in the US as everyone else.

I think the US is dying for something TRULY original and different, they just haven't found it yet on a massive scale. I think that people have gotten used to the boring music and have just accepted it won't change, but really they are dying inside for something new (Like when the Spice Girls came to the US it was an explosion). I think if we all banded together to get Ayumi's name out (like post on every forum we belong to, upload videos to youtube, etc) I thinkm we could make a serious impact on Ayu and her career. Who knows, maybe our efforts will give Ayu and her manager the boost they need to start considering a US release. Nothing is impossible, as long as people are dedicated enough to work on it.

Everyone should get their friends, coworkers, and family members addoicted to Ayu. I've gotten 7 ppl at work, my mom, my sister (who's 32 years old) my 4 yr old niece (hey why not start while shes young) and a few other people addicted to ayu. It CAN happen.

^^It isn't the music, it is the people. I'm glad that you found people open enough to accept the music. It has yet to happen for me.

I've only got 1 person to like Ayu :weep

Total failure.

That must have been me :innocent