Quote:
Originally Posted by orbitalaspect
Makes you wonder how all these people must feel about Namie now? She didn't just make a comeback, she did the absolute impossible in Japanese music: She came back and blew up in popularity at a time idols like Ayu (who debuted as Namie was losing popularity) were fading into obscurity. I would feel like a total jackass if I were the guy asking her if she had a good year 20 years ago... I'd probably be humiliated to be seen in public, all these people potentially looking at me like, "Well, now she's had FUCKING 10 OF THEM. FUCKING 10 GREAT FUCKING YEARS AND COUNTING!"
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I'm sure it's not even a thought on his mind.
Don't get it twisted -- Namie has had an admirable comeback story, and is no doubt one of the most successful female artists these days, but her current fame is very different from what her fame used to look like. She was
the trend-setter in her hey-days and had a huge cultural impact (ganguro/yamanba/gal-culture), now she is exceptional at following trends and riding their popularity. Along the way, she's also lost most (if not all) of her edge, and her "personality" (both musically, and in terms of her persona -- i.e. getting her tattoos removed, never speaking about her personal life, etc.).
But ultimately, success is not the same as respect (and that's not just for Namie). She's popular and does very well (and makes some damn catchy music), but I personally have never spoken to any Japanese who speak about her with respect or reverence for her skill/artistry/etc.
(And not to derail, but shade as you may try, being an idol was never Ayu's image or the way she was promoted).