Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocky Raven
How well do u know about Namie career in 2000s, especially in 2004,2005,2006 eras? Had you watched any programs she was in back then to see how people actually react every time they seeing her? "Best Buzz Asia 2004" & "Most Impressive Performing Artist in Asia 2005" award do mean something.
Having a niche range of listeners didn't mean that she lost her image or popularity, because I was originally a fan of Ayu before I knew Namie, and I was also introduced to Namie in her "low period" (2003), but she conquered me with her urban Western influence music quality & un-kawaii image. You said there's a shock of generations, yes, myself was shock. So for me Image does count.
Until now it has been 11 years, and yes, she's been remaining her popularity along the way, no matter how hard you try to prove her not.
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I know Namie since 2002, and she was pretty much seen as a has been back them by everyone that wasn't part of her fanbase. I even remember her fans (usually people who followed her since the 90's) complaining that they missed when she was at the top of the game. She kept around because she had, as you said, a niche, and even when she was at her lowest, she was still regarded as a strong live performer (something that isn't much different with Ayu nowadays), but to the general public, her popularity wasn't that big.
Now, you can say whatever you want, her sales from 2000 to 2005 can't really be faked, can they? It wasn't until Queen of Hip Pop that things started changing for her... And I remember people regaining interest on her on that era.