How Ayumi can save Western Music
 

I'm not sure how many or if any of you have seen this.
I found this article pretty fascinating.

I wish it would happen. That would just be awesome.

Too bad there's a very slim chance.

I've got two friends at work interested in giving J-pop and J-rock a whirl, though, so... (one who's into rock music. I suggested Miz, Do As Infinity, a couple Ayu rock songs, and Koda Kumi's Ningyo-hime)

The 1st paragraph is so touching. Even though im not Ayumi. lol

Nice article, and I generally agree with what it says, but the problem is, is that the people in America don't necessarily even think that the music industry needs saving. Of course there are select groups of people that just get tired of it, but for the majority of Americans, and especially the American youth, the music industry is fine.

Whether or not this is an opinion that is spawned from ignorance (for, of course, how do you know there is anything better out there if you don't know ANYTHING about it), is unknown...but it may just be that the styles are too different. Since we are small...there are styles present in American music that are almost beaten in...and anything else...sounds...just wierd sometimes to the point of sounding bad. I mean, for example, how can a person, who's been trained that Beyonce and Whitney Houston are the ideal of vocalists possibly get used to Ayu's voice...or mai's, or Ai Otsuka's...

Let's not even get started on the language barrier...it's just a lost cause.

Obviously it would be hypocritical to say that there isn't anything wrong with the American music industry...but to the people who love it...why should it change? Your opinion? What does that matter, when artists are continually making millions of dollars when they release a cd, bad or not, or when people continually pay attention to the music scene...online, or through broadcasts...voting on different polls...selling out concerts...There is always someone who loves the industry...and if that one person does, you can almost guarantee it, that there are about 50 million other people who love it too.

The only downfall (or benefit) is the fact that there IS a language barrier. With this barrier, there's a gaurantee sell of at least 100,000 CDs if advertised with a translation, and subtitles on the chorus or something. Just something to entice the people.

But as one of the youth, I'm one of the few who thinks the music industry needs to be saved. Before, songs like "YMCA" that actually had a meaning, and that's (corny) inspirational had topped the charts. Now to look at mainstream music these days, it's impossible to believe the %#$!@ that they sing about. To think that our industry relies on sex, drugs, and money to sell.

I may not like it, but one of the few respectable genres is country. I personally really don't like it, but it's the kind of genre that is weak to save our music, yet has the best meaning to it.

I think the best way is to really get someone well-known to cover a song first (Startin', GAME, INSPIRE), then release her to the US.

this is a very positive article about ayu. i am very pleased that ayu is catching online popularity on youtube! this can pave way for the western breakthrough for ayu!

and where was this article posted?

May I ask where this comes from?

I'm amazed at the quality of the article reguarding Ayumi, however the article appears to somewhat be taking up this advantage of praising Ayu rather than adressing this "problem with Western Music", which I still don't understand fully...

Nevertheless, thanks for the great read :D

I think the article is meant to be more to do with Ayu than anything else.
Anyway, here is the link to where I got it.
http://lietv.com/ayumilietv.htm

Not that there's much saving to be done for the American music industry anyway. Lots of great stuff already come from there. The Japanese music industry indoubtedly have it's own faults too, I'm sure. Like the Grand Taishou award thingy and record companies bribing for awards.

Anyway, it'd be really great if Ayu recorded in English. Probably 6 months on intensive English lessons first. Then maybe she can try... Although I don't know how she'll write songs in English as she's really a Japanese at heart. It's like learning Japanese and trying to be poetic with it.

I agree that there is great stuff coming out of the U.S but the whole Hip-Hop, Rap thing has become way out of hand. Plus most of there female popstars (putting this as polite as I can) are air headed, fat crackWhor*s.

AND GOD!! I hope Kevin Federline dies.

You're right. I can't stand the rap crap going on in the US and somehow saturates airwaves all around the planet.

Good female artistes are plentiful, but popstars.. The only one I like for now I guess would be Gwen Stefani. x__x Kylie's releases never got big in the US since CGYOMH.

Pretty much summarized all of it, striking me by awe again, I love you :).

Though it would be an improvement for American music to get some Japanese influences.

lol. Gwen Stefani is the only female pop singer from America that I like.
As for Kylie, sometimes I think alot of American's would'nt recognise good music if it smashed them in the face. I mean come on! The US is the only nation on this planet where Kylie is not on megastar status.

Not the Americans on this board, they obviously have taste.

Emiko pretty well hit the nail on the head, I could not agree more.

Really nice article, even if it is over simplified. And I agree, American music needs saving fast. I doubt it will be a Japanese artist that saves it though.

Well, someone needs to pop up and do it soon :|

I stopped paying attention to Western music years ago.

I think that as the jpop "undrground movement" will increase we might see some bands heavily influenced by j-rock. THat's proably the way jpop will "save" amercan music, not by making japanese artists take over the market. ALso, country music which is a very big market in the US doesen't really need any saving by jpop. Just like "J-Pop" in general woulden't be anything without the heavy western influences, both american and euro influences (f.ex. eurobeat) but still i performed by japanese artists.

The aritcle was very, very well written and I feel like this author has pointed out some of the main reasons exactly why I listen to j-pop. I just had to put Ayumi Hamasaki on full volume after reading.. XD

As long as she doesn't take over Justin Timberlake or Korn, or any of the metal scene, I don't care. But I really doubt she'll ever go into the Western Music Scene. It's just a wish that will probably never come true.

I just hope that no American artists start randomly covering Japanese songs in English.. x.x That's like the worst way to bring it over here.. especially if its badly done..

I'm not sure the author of the article really understands American tastes. Based on what my co-workers like to listen to on the job, Ayu's music would never be accepted.

Plus, so many people I know have the stereotype in their head of all Japanese singers sounding squeaky and annoying... So many people ask me, "Why the hell do you listen to Japanese Music?!" or they think it's so awfully weird.

But it would be nice to see some Ayumi in peoples nicknames on MSN. I don't like seeing 10 year olds on my MSN having nicknames with "Futuresex" or words that bring women down as shuts.

"Ayumi Hamasaki. American music needs you. Come on over, baby."

Sweet, but...

I don't want it to happen. Too much stress for Ayu.

I think a lot of singers wouldn't be accepted in America. It's just too different :<

-pokes at Ayu, Mika Nakashima, Ai Otsuka-

I think that's part of his point though - that so many people have bad taste in music right now but mainly because they don't realize that there may be something better out there. :)

I don't think it's people's tastes really.. it's just.. a lot of people just listen to what's 'in'.. right?

Sexyback, Milkshake, a bunch of Black Eye Peas songs.. so much radio airplay.. x.x

I don't think anyone would accept Sakuranbo. My friend listened to it and she said "WOW O___O That was weird! Now lets never speak of that again!"

I think Ai Otsuka is the kind of music that people really think of when they think "Japanese music."

Referring to Ponpon and like SMILY that is.

Basically we might see the same thing that happened to cartoons (when profitability increases and it becomes a mainstream fashion) , the american record companies picks up certain aspects of the style and makes their own version, like PowerPuff girls, samurai jack etc etc etc.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this article.. IF Ayu's music would be well-promoted in america I think it might really be able to do all this

I think with Japanese animation it took quite a while. From the 80s until now.. but the boom didn't happen until like 2001.

Since they've been releasing some Japanese music here since then, I think that there IS an audience, but it's not that large of an audience.

That's true. But because it's "in" doesn't make it good music or even what the people want to hear. The record companies dictate what becomes popular by paying stations to play the songs non-stop, thus making them the "in" song. These songs are never "in" based on their merit as actual songs but "in" because the record company decided that is the song they are going to get behind the most. It's a sucky state of affairs all around.

I hope America NEVER tries to imitate Morning Musume. :<

-I <3 them-

Am I the only one who thinks "good music" is completely subjective? What may be trash to one may not be to another. While you might not think someone knows good music, they may think otherwise (even if it baffles you).

Granted, I'd personally prefer effort, honest-to-god hard work, to be put into more music nowadays here as it seems to be so half-assed.


....That being said.... I still wouldn't mind the influences of Japanese pop music seeping into our music. Even when genres are being shared between the countries, I tend to prefer how it goes in Japan - like I'd take Namie's Queen of Hip-Pop over most R&B/hip-hop/pop hybrids released in the U.S. (although it may be partly because I can ignore her lyrics for the album... which, based on translations I've come across, kind of suck)

Then again America has pretty much screwed up when it comes to incorporating Eastern influence into western animation so far (the Powerpuff Girls. Honestly...), but maybe I'm biased. Maybe they'll improve with time.

I dunno.

This article, my previous response, and everyone else's responses make me confused and blah blah I need to get back to sleep.

I agree, it IS about taste. What I miss though is the ability to combine genres, the chameleon switching between genres without people screaming that the artist is "bought off" or "left her oul" etc. I also think mixing genres from the past (like crooner music) with mor up to date beat no one in the west has managed as well as the japanese. The mix of el guitars and synth and acoustics also bring something special to the songs. And not to forget the ever awesome gutiar solos. So I think japanese music has kept a lot of the best from each era in western (and eastern) music, things that just wen't "out of fashion" here.

nice article, where is it from?

i think this guy is blinded by his new love for ayumi. i love her too and all and i enjoyed the article, but i think he's living in a fantasy world. ayumi would never be successful in the U.S. if she was as amazing as he thinks then all my friends would have long ago become fans of her music, but none of them have. ayumi is great, but she's no greater than a lot of other bands out there. her PV's are nice as well, but they're not as cutting edge as he seems to think. i dunno, i appreciate what he's saying, but i just think he's being a bit irrational.

Somehow that seems so true. Ayu can never be a Cassie or PCD. Cassie is :heart for now though. Soulless, robotic and dead but very catchy and addictive.

Ayu's music is quite special, it's a fusion of a whole lot of genres yet it isn't experimental. I wonder what is she classified under. I don't think any artistes like her has ever existed in the west. Maybe Gwen Stefani...

Mika would never make it big in Billboard that's for sure eventhough she's amazing and she deserves every bit of attention she get.

I think the only one for now who may have a small chance?

Namie. If CAN'T EAT, CAN'T SLEEP, I'M SICK were done in English, I think it'd be a surefire hit. Her hip-pop (not hip-hop, thank god) style seems closest to what we hear over on American radio (aside from... emo) - I think Koda would be next, her or BoA (although not BoA's post-OUTGROW singles).


Mika is great from what little I've hear. She deserves success so much - but America would shun her so fast.

Ai, as much as I've grown to really like her, wouldn't have a prayer. Her voice would piss people off.

Ayu? I just classify her styles as mixtures. Dance, pop, trance, rock, retro - to say the least. She does have ehr own mixture of sounds. So do other J-poppers. I think that's why the music sounds sop special to us - we can't easily label it.

Oh yeah, Namie. Her music is so Western, I forgot. Yes, Mika would be largely ignored. Or if she did find her audiences, she'd end up as another Bjork/Tori/PJ.

LOL, Ai. I can hardly imagine.

Angela Aki would have a chance if she follows the Sarah Mclachlan route with the ballads and adult radio invasion. Her power ballads are so listenable and western enough for Americans. Yuna Ito also has big potential.

Utada's chance was wasted. It was devastating to watch her album not climb charts and take over the world by storm. I will always hate Def Jam for it. Amazing but very underpromoted album.

And are we agreed that Shimatani is a lost cause? No one really even cares about her anymore in Japan. I think she'd crash and burn in America, sadly.

I wonder how Crystal Kay would do? I haven't heard much of her music. Mainly Make You Mine, but it was the English version (which could've been a big American hit if done right).

You know what? I'll just say it.

zomg top 3 American crossover J-Pop artists Miz Olivia Lufkin Ai Otsuka ^_________^ kekekekekeke

Oh Miz, but I thought she was German. Don't know what the fuss was about, she seemed pretty average. Olivia really can do it with her experimental rock thingy. She can beat the crap out of rock artistes with her music.

Doesn't Puffy AmiYumi count?

Oh, no, Miz is Japanese. She speaks English too, and she mainly does her music stuff (promo shoots, recording, and all) in Sweden.

I think she's cool though.

How bout we replace her with Tsukiko Amano? (May as well go with someone nobodys ever heard of. I can't even remember ho the girl sounds. Tsukiko, that is)

Get Anna Tsuchiya overseas Slappin' those naughty american bodies and at least she'd create a LOT of fuzz in the american media. She could do a duet with marylin manson next.

I like Tsukiko. But I only heard two of her songs, both from Fatal Frame. Both are godly. She makes this weird rock music so rich in atmosphere.

Ooh, Miz works in Sweden? She's very pretty but I never got to like Bittersweet.

WOW...the article was really touching

You are right in saying this but don't forget, one's taste is easily influenced by others like the music trends (about violence, drugs, sex, etc.) of the country and the top of the charts, as well as peer influences.

So the writer feels that the American music needs saving, because violence drugs and sex is bad, but is influencing the people, who then wants more of such music, and profit driven companies would produce more of such music, which lead to more influence, and the people would want more of such music.......... well you get my point.

Maybe I get your point, (maybe I don't).

For example, I played Onimusha dawn of dreams. There's a four-year-old character inside called Minokichi, who would always call the main character 'Soki' in a whiny tone: Soki dono~~~~~~~. There's a english voiceover in the game but I daren't try. Just imagine someone did a " Master Soki~~~~~" in the same whiny tone.... ooooh my poor goosebumps....

The language is just different. So it'd be hard to 'incorporate Eastern influence into western animation' needless to say do a good job.

Back to the topic: I really dunno whether Ayu can make it into the western music industry... The writer want Ayu in cause she can make some impact on the music culture and people's taste (more mature and less vulgar?). But whether this can succeed or not...... well...... I just think Ayu made a wise choice in focusing on Asia's market first... Its easier and the more important reason is : I'm in Asia!!! haha:D

Okay I need some sleep too

Nice article. Glad to see another new fan of Ayu..

Although she wouldn't stand a chance.

I just wish someone like Shiina Ringo would appear in the US music scene. Sure, there's Bjork..but not even a lot of people like her (I mean she has a fanbase - but not huge) and even then, I think Ringo is more radical than she is, so yeah..people would just think she's an insane psycho woman.

There IS good stuff coming out of America - however no one has really got my attention that has just made me say: WOW.

To me one of the main attractions of jpop is the igh pitched voice. I'm one of the people who can actually enjoy a good "W" song (if the msic is good too) and liking the way they sing. For some people these girly voices are awful. In the west these voices have been in fashion from time to time. Last time was the super happy bubblegum dance craze with me&my and Aqua.

Very interesting article. :)

Really? What song may I ask if anyone can tell me?

There is no "problem" with Western Music. If there was a problem, why are the make millions and millions?

Besides, there is a lot of awesome music produced here, it's just not mainstream.

Like Dream Theater!

a veerrry cute and inspiring article. I'm in looove with the last line xDD.

But! I totally agree with what emiko said; especially the parts about...just the WAY and STYLES or singing are so different between American idols(o_o;lol) and Japanese Idols. It would extremely hard, if not possible, to have that style generally accepted in America because of what most people's perceptions of "good and correct" singing is. Or how pop shouldn't get too radically "out of place" (My example of this is Utada Hikaru....however...I don't think she was advertised too well...I never saw a single ad for her out here, nor did local radio stations have her songs../hmm). So yea, even Hikki, in all her lyric writing and arranging skills, couldn't please, so to speak, the American culture.......then again..she DID debut w/ Easy Breezy...>>;;. But! Then again, as she said, is was only experimental.

And also, I don't even think Ayu WANTS to try to create a name for herself in America just because....maybe Japanese and Japan are just closer to heart than any country or language could ever be, and she'd wantto share that with ones who appreciate that and adore her for that.

So yea :3 there're my 2 cents~

I wish it would happen but saddly I don't think that it will. It was interesting and touching to read though. Oh, and I didn't know that Ayu only weighed 88pounds!

Of course it is subjective, but I don't think that most people in general look beyond what's "in" at the time - they apparently seem to be happy to take what the record companies spoon feed them instead of branching out on there own to expand their knowledge of what else is out there. So while they may like what they are listening to, they really don't have much to compare it to. That's how I see it anyways.

There is no salvation for American music.

:roflmao I really get your point.

Born To Be... was technically used for the Olympics. Technically because it was only featured on one TV channel while other channels had their own songs.

I think that Ayu would be a Cher or Madonna if she were to debut in the U.S., if you know what I mean LOL;

I don't think so... well, she wouldn't manage that breakthrough.

At all. Sadly.

Do you know what I meant? Look at Cher and Madonna's fanbases and get back to me. ;D

Huge, diverse and loyal for a very very very long time... yeah, but would she be able to get that in the US?

She managed in Japan... but overseas?

Na.

It's kind already been discussed why, too much that's too different in her kind of music.

I don't believe that American music requires any saving, especially from Japanese artists. I feel that some people look upon the Japanese with rose colored glasses. The industry is filled with crappy, flavor of the month pop acts with some truly talented artists sprinkled in between, just like the American and European industry. I mean, take a look at the Asian Music section. Most of the artists in those threads are not popular, when you sit down and think about it. They don't sell like the Ayumi's or the Kumi's or the Hikaru's.

There are many fantastic American artists out right now, too many to count. Some are big sellers, some are pretty indy. You have to look for the good stuff. Take hip hop music for example. If you're going to judge a whole genre by whatever the next one-hit wonder is putting out, then you are just as ignorant as any American who would right off Japanese music based on listening to one crappy artist. I know of so many rappers with brilliant material that aren't recognized because there music isn't "radio-friendly".

So at the end of the day, American music does not need saving. People need to start buying the cds of lesser known artists so they can gain the sells of the more catchy, pop artists.

MARTIN.

I am not talking about the size of their fanbases. :|
Think hard!

Ahhh... wishful thinking :).

Anthony, diversity? I'm at a loss, a bit. Lol. Hard to think hard when someone woke you up after like 3 hours of sleep D:


edit,
nvm lol, thanks for telling me what my current state of mind didn't catch ;).

Very interesting and well written article. Everything that was stated in that article about Ayu, I fully agree to.

^I think almost any fan would, she's being praised a lot, hehe.

But yeah, the article is well written, even though it's something written by a mortal man like you and me. Someone with dreams like us, hehe.

I know :( . But I guess I do my part by actually buying the cds of the less popular singers and downloading the music of the popular ones........illegally......

I'd become a less popular singer if anyone would buy my CDs XD ... no problem with me!

immel - Milkshake [cover of Kelis']~
200yen <3

http://youtube.com/watch?v=z_LazFrEqj8
The song. :|

I haven`t listened to the radio since January. LOL. I worked at the zoo in the summer and the radio was on and I heard some songs, but I really, really haven`t listened to the radio since January. I think the last CD I bought from an American artist was the Pussycat Dolls and that was back in February I think. Well, Gwen Stefani is coming out with a second CD, a follow up to her solo debut. And her band No Doubt is comming out with a CD too. So I`m gonna buy both of them. But dag, I listen to so much Japanese music. LOL. Maybe I should go back to listening to the radio, to see what`s new.

I've seen another video with Kelis' milkshake as it's music...

it was...





:puke

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard

lalalalala...warm it up

lalalalala...the boys are waiting

LOL

While I would love to see Ayu be successful in the American market, I can't see that ever happening. Far too many people would be turned off immediately due to the language barrier and that would be it for them.

But yes, the current music industry in America is ridiculously recycled and poor in quality :(

That sucks. Maybe some other Japanese artist should try it first before Ayu. LOL. Cause we don`t want Ayu to go down. We want her to be successful.

Yeah, it`s a shame the language barrier is a big issue. If it`s not in English, they`re like ******* that.

Well Utada tried it but due to very poor promotion that was a complete flop. It's too bad since Exodus was actually quite a good album.

I wish there was some way foreign music could be introduced to America and not get turned down because of the language. I mean, it`s ok for other countries to be introduced to new cultures and new cultural music.

UGH! Wishful thinking - It would never happen

Even IF ayu released something in the US it would never be accepted in the mainstream :paperbag

^ that's a good point....but i can't help but think...it's sad that, based on fanbase, people would like artists differently.....I don't like the concept..but it's all perception and i do it too X_x;; but meh,

Now I really don't think Utada's album flopped due to 'a lack of promotion'. It was simply too experimental of an album to make a debut with. I couldn't imagine any of those songs being played on American radio.. I give her props for the album, but if you're going to break into an American market, at least do your research.

I think, really, the only way for foreign music to break through is with Hip-Hop/R&B.. I think it will break certain stereotypes and give Asian artists some street cred. Ayu won't do it.

I do agree with that, BUT the big difference to me is, is that often lets say the Top 25 in Japan I actually consider to be the best songs out there at the time usually. Whereas the Top 25 in the US at any given moment I usually think are crap. So in Japan as opposed to the US, you generally do not have to go out there and dig for the good stuff - the good stuff is what is marketed to you. Whereas in the US I think it tends to be the opposite.

I also agree that the artist w/ the best shot of breaking (even more so than Hikki) had, is Namie. Her look and her style both musically and fashion wise would fit, plus she actually does have the talent.

In the U.S, I think it takes a lot less talent to sell well and it takes more.. good producing..

Most of my friends that I have introduced Ayu to love her and there all teenagers like me.

There's good and horrible artists everywhere. There's people who can't tell their you know what from their elbow when it comes to composing and actually writing their own lyrics.

Then, there's the talents in every country. Although I believe America is VERY, very dim right now and probably will be from now on, you cannot forget their past of rock gods and musical geniuses.

America's music INFLUENCED the world. America was the first country to introduce rock and roll, which now is a genre everywhere. Especially in Japan.

Just because somebody is of a different race doesn't make them any better. A lot of Japanese artists suck, like Americans too.

Also, there is no salvation for America at this point.

Hm, I don't like the majority of what tops the charts in Japan. It's just a differ in opinion and musical tastes.

Am I the only one who get's what he means?

I do agree with you. It's kind of like Bjork, fantastic music but I couldn't possibly see it being played on the radio anytime soon as it's far too experimental. I just think that even including Simple and Clean on the album and having promoted it with that song would have boosted sales. Still, we'll never know.

I think taste (bad or good) is rather relative, and it's all in the eye of the beholder.
Many Japan number 1's are crap imo. I can't stand ORANGE RANGE nor SOUTHERN ALL STARS that much. Japan's pop is quite different from US pop so there surely will weigh on which top 25 one person will like the most imo.

Took me some time, but I did eventually :D. ... with some help... lol.

that's cool..

who's lance berry? hehe

^ probably some nobody writer. But he likes Ayu so it's all good.

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/20/bumpzu9.gif

OMG! I have been dying to use this emoticon like you would not believe.

American music needs more than just saving, and Kylie Minogue sucks anyway, i dont like her, but she's is better than this american ********. Ad, wtf? language barrier. I hear people singing spanish songs all the time, and when i ask them what it means, they have no idea! language isnt a problem for americans. they are to stupid to realize were stupid. [i live in america, all americans on this forum excluded.] Ayumi could do well here, shes fairly known on the middle east coast. A lot of people know her name, but only a few like hermusic.

It's true that Ayu is a great role model, both as a person and a musician, but I don't think Western music is in need of any saving. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I don't think Western music is AS bad as most Asian music fans seem to think. There's actually a handful of very good English artists.

I just want this ugly rap phase to die out now like pop in the 90's. Even if pop music was all fake and giddy, at least it didn't promote bad ideas, just bubblegum lyrics. :/

Not even ayu could save western music lawl.

There is a small chance of her coming over here, but I pretty sure she wont translate her current songs into english and sing them in english. i think she will write new songs in english IF she ever came here.

If any j-pop artist would come over to the US is Utada Hikaru.

She already has...she released a 2004 English album, "EXODUS", but it didn't do very well :no

I like your metaphor Deli, but sometimes I do feel, that, especially when I am around teenagers at my high school, they do love this water with no flavor. I mean, they go crazy over it.

Could it be that they are just ignorant? That all of us here who have found Jpop, have found something better, and so, we know to "belittle" to an extent the other music that isn't as good?

I mean, when I said earlier that people do not want Western Music to be saved, I meant that. I go around town and on the radio and MTV and all that crap, and everyone loves artists like Fergie and Black Eyed Peas and rappers like 50 cent and crap, and not only that, but recently I've noticed that around here where I live, people have gotten deeper into Rap music, supporting colors and crap (if you guys know what I mean). Not only the Rap and hip hop, but even with Rock too. I must say that those who like Rock do seem to have better tastes and understanding of diversity in music, but yet, they are still listening to such people like Fall out boy and the Killers, and I mean, crap I would never listen to...and they LOVE it. They listen to it all the time, and are always talking about their artists and bands and new releases etc.

This ignorance factor, I think is responsible for a lot of things in the US. I mean, think of all the stereotypes against Japan, I was watching Mad TV once, and they had a skit where they showed a fake Japanese group made up of two girls. And their song was full of words like "rainbow" and "lollipop" and "cute", and on the screen everything was colorful, with rainbows and flowers. The girls were dressed decora style and they kept giggling and singing in super high pitched voices. And at the end, the girls were like, "This song represents the suffering of the coal miners in Japan..."

When I watched this, I just thought, is this what they really think? And then I thoght to myself, well, if the American youth doesn't think this about jpop already, they do after watching this skit...

I don't know if the American populace can ever overcome the extreme stereotypes linked to music, not only Japanese, but whole genres, like Trance, and this, is like what Deli said, it's just not safe.

I agree 100%.

They had a J-pop special show on YTV here in canada and all they showed was videos that were just like that, stupid girls with bright colours and cute things...they never showed anything from japan that actually had a good meaning or anything relativly close to western stuff to get people interested just nonsense videos.

flouridated :laugh

Yes, you are right, they all immediately dismiss it. I've had experiences when, even though they thought it sounded good, they just dismissed it anyway, like, perhaps simply because it wasn't popular (here) it wasn't worth listening to.