Ayumi's reputation in Japan

[microphone]

Hello Ayumi fans!

I came across a rather offending video about Ayumi. The author claimed that Ayumi copies singers all over the world. The examples in the video were as innocent as wearing similarly fashioned gloves or striking a model pose. I did not buy any of it.
However, one comment left me wondering about Ayumi's reputation in Japan. This user accused Ayumi of borrowing lyrics from Japanese poets and Enka singers. I do remember reading something about it in an old Japanese gossip article. So, my question is how much of it has been investigated? I asked for proof to this user and he refused to answer me clearly. I suspected he is just a disturbed anti-fan but I couldn't help but remember the old article. Until I see some concrete proof, Ayumi remains the greatest lyricist in pop music. (In my opinion, of course.)

I asked two Japanese students about Ayumi and they both said her lyrics are calming like beautiful poetry. They were not fans, however. They kept commenting on her age... I'm guessing this accusation isn't a popular subject but then again, I've only asked two people.

What are your thoughts?

[Raiu-Ayu]

I think like anyone ayu has people that like her and people that don't. Its a fact of life: not everyone is going to like you. Unfortunately when youre famous those that don't like you feel a strange need to discredit you -_-' Such is life I suppose

So ayu's reputation is going to be different in terms of who you speak to.

But there are a few things that the Japanese music industry and people in general agree on about ayu:

- Her lyrics are known to be quite beautiful, which is how she got to be so famous in the first place. People saying her lyrics are awesome aren't just saying it; she is known for it

- She has reached a similar level in Japan as Madonna has in Western music: she was huge in her time, her popularity has died down but she still has many followers and is a huge influence in music

[microphone]

Thank you for your post but I'm wondering if there is any evidence. I don't believe the accuser commented just to disagree with Ayumi's success. Hopefully, he is just a bitter troll.

[Andrenekoi]

Ayu has copied some stuff during her career... a lot of stuff she released between A Best and Rainbow borroed a lot from 1997-2001 Madonna releases, for example.

Lyric wise, I read some coments, but always stupid stuff like a verse on a whole song, or the same theme as an old poem (what's quite normal to do)

[emi♡]

lol I hear people in Japan always talk about how oooolllddd she is.

meh. I think Ayu has a fairly good rep in Japan...I've heard things over the years, like, what happened between her and Max and Avex, and that it kinda dropped her down a little bit...

and I think there are a lot of people in Japan who have a problem with the way she looks...

but I mean, I don't think there's anything big. And I've never really heard anything bad about her lyrics.

I don't think she's popular at all anymore though...but it's not necessarily a bad thing...

[SURREAL__RAINBOW]

lol about the old thing, they must feel that way about her because she's been around for so long, and always releasing new things, etc.

I don't know much about the lyrics thing though.

[jbrat2219]

^ I think you're right. I don't know how you can look at Ayu and think she's old.

She looks like my GRANDMA.

[SURREAL__RAINBOW]

yeah, more than her being old I think they mean her popularity or career?

Because my Japanese friends also think of ayu as old, but because of her music. They mentioned their favorite songs, and they were all like 10 years old lol (Boys & Girls, evolution, Dearest, HANABI)

So career-wise, she's quite old

[Miidoriness]

Well... In my opinion, AYUMI IS A LEGEND!!! Yes! she's old for the music industry but Madonna is old!! That lady is in her 50's and she's still working and her fans still loves her. I don't see the problem... because that's just me... I like singers who actually CAN sing and has a MEANINGFUL songs rather than *cough* idol groups nowadays *cough* (BUT THAT'S JUST MY OPINION)

And of course once you're a public figure... EVERYONE has something to say about you. HONESTLY, I still listen to Ayu's OLD SONGS and still loving it because it's beautiful T^T

Despite of other people says about Ayu... I still LOVE her!! I don't care if she's old. I don't care if she had surgery and blah blah blah...

Ayumi had shaped Japan's music industry and I know that she sincerely writes those lyrics ^^

[truehappiness]

Yeah, most of the Japanese people I have spoken to have said that Ayu has been around for a while and isn't necessarily liked by too many people nowadays because of that. However, they don't really hate her or anything, she just isn't "relevant" to them. They all seem to like her usual classics [M, appears, BLUE BIRD, evolution, etc.] and rarely casual listeners also know of her more recent tracks or album tracks.

[Andrenekoi]

Well... this is the normal thing to happen after the peak...

You still have a fanbase, you still is influential to other artists, and u still sell out ur concerts... but the hits will get more and more time in between xD

Edit: And remembering that by japanese culture standarts, a 30 years old woman IS old

[jbrat2219]

^ Poor grandma ayu ;_____;

[YUKARI]

according to Best Artist 2010's statistics, she's mainly popular among 50-64 years-old grandfathers and 20-34 years old women I was surprised to see she's not popular among teenagers.

yeah, they call her "old", cause she's been in the spotlight for more than a decade.

[jyujiw]

Japan has a strong closed mind when we're talking about ages.
A 30 years woman it's OLD to them... it's a little bit crazy for our general standards, but, well, we're talking about a culture.
Ayumi has reached her peak, declined fame, but has quite a influence in the music even nowadays. Her past and achievements can't be ignored, but at the same time, it's this past which avert new fans...
Quite a complicated situation I think.

[Zeke.]

It's so weird to me reading this because I follow Ayu and to me it would seem she still is around a lot and people would know more but I guess the peak is what people remember.

EDIT: And also, Ayu's sales are always in the top come years end. Ayu may not be as popular or sell as much as she used to, but who the HELL is? Lol. I really don't see anyone else in the spotlight. One might also mention Namie, who is older than Ayu even, and her sales are stronger in recent years.

[Not Fade Away]

^this

I always thought it was so awesome that Namie came back at 30 and like...kicked the charts in the butt haha.

But you're absolutely right, even if Ayu has lost popularity or whatever, she wouldn't still have #1 singles and albums every year.

Ayu was extremely popular during her prime and then maintained that popularity. Namie was extremely popular during her prime, lost her fanbase, reinvented the music she wanted to do, and then came back and became really popular again.

It's just interesting and....awesome? lol, yeah it's definitely awesome

[microphone]

Most of you missed my question (Well, I don't expect careful readers on AHS) but I will assume this accusation is baseless for now. Thanks everyone.

[koumori]

Originally Posted by xLitax

She looks like my GRANDMA.

lol omg

Originally Posted by microphone

Most of you missed my question (Well, I don't expect careful readers on AHS) but I will assume this accusation is baseless for now. Thanks everyone.

Oh, I was going to reply..but I guess not then...I'm not a careful reader, you're right. Glad people could help

[Kanzaki]

microphone, we're not saying anything about the "accusations" because they're obviously unfounded and pretty stupid. Had it been true that she was outright stealing from other artists, it would've been known. The folks who made/mixed her songs has been loaning a little here and there, but she's not been stealing songs.