Ayu "versus" Koda Kumi

[ImpactBreaker]

Originally Posted by MC Tatsujin

*slaps until dead*

Anyway, I think its simple. Ayu losing popularity. T_T I think she should retire after another album and a greatest hits compilation. At least her greatest hits compilation in the future could sell 10 million and beat Hikki's Fist Love record.

Why should her retire? that makwes no sense. When she were to come back again her grave would just be dug up, because artists in Japan who take long breaks usually get lost into oblivion. Plus that's totally not "ayu", I mean she's not a coward.

Originally Posted by MC Tatsujin

But then she would keep on releasing stuff that don't sell very well and sales would keep on declining until Avex drops her. That's worse.. I dunno, Ayu hasn't told us how important CD sales is to her.

So What? artists like hitomi still produce music even though her singles sell as much as 3333 copies overall. No big deal. and avex hasn't dropped hitomi FYI

[sexysaucestar]

Originally Posted by ayu_fan929

funny how BoA hasnt been mentioned, although it seems her popularity looks like its going down, BoA is still the only artist other than ayu to have 2x million selling albums (and 1x 900k+). but, she still has a good long career ahead of her, maybe she will reinvent herself?

Koda's popularity surge could just be phase, or it could be for real. Looking at the next album sales and also, the one after that would determine if shes here to stay.

As for Otsuka Ai, i dont think her popularity could go much higher. maybe a bit higher when she releases a best album, but i think she will probably stay where she is, popularity wise.

I haven't heard much about BoA* lately too...but she is still relatively young in the music industry...so she does have time to reinvent and whatnot.

I liked Otsuka Ai with her "Sakuranbo" song but nothing else was outstanding/unique to me. We'll have to see where shes goes in the future.

[*Petit*]

I never really saw how koda was RnB.She has released a couple of RnB like songs, but most of her stuff is more or less disco-pop with a bit of funkiness. Like, how many of her limited releases are truly Rnb?

One thing that isen't metioned is that her voice also sets her apart from the rest of japanese artists. She doesen't sing in the really high pitched idol voice that most pop-artists do in Japan. Her voice sounds more "earthy".

Compared to Ai Ootsuka who has a more or less "traditional" sound.

[Mad_Cactuar]

But the drama and media attention would be nice.

"Ayumi Hamasaki To Retire! Last Album In Stores - A ULTIMA"

This can sell like a billion, no? And then Avex would announce that they decided not to retire her, and continue.

When she were to come back again her grave would just be dug up, because artists in Japan who take long breaks usually get lost into oblivion.

So true.

[Sweer]

Originally Posted by MC Tatsujin

"Ayumi Hamasaki To Retire! Last Album In Stores - A ULTIMA"

This can sell like a billion, no? And then Avex would announce that they decided not to retire her, and continue.

this sounds like an evil mastermind plan, its brilliant ever thought of conquering the world?

[bluegie]

Originally Posted by MC Tatsujin

But the drama and media attention would be nice.

"Ayumi Hamasaki To Retire! Last Album In Stores - A ULTIMA"

This can sell like a billion, no? And then Avex would announce that they decided not to retire her, and continue.

I'm so sure that lots of people will burn that "A ULTIMA" if avex lies...


Talking about BoA (how come this thread turns to be a Avex female artists vs. ayu instead of kumi vs. ayu? LOL)... she's not that young in the music industry. she debuted in 2001 (in Japan... i'm not sure about korea tho), so she's been there for 4.5 years at least. She's my least fav avex singer on my list (namie ayu kumi ai boa). I just dunno why but everytime I hear her singing she just sounds like korean... Her korean accent is quite obvious compared to some other korean singing jpops (e.g., Younha). The reason she got over 900K sales on Valenti simply because the music industry wasn't that bad at that time. If Ai-chan released her first album a year or two eariler probly she would get a bigger sales. that applies to kumi's best album as well. I'm sure she would have got at least 2 million sales guarantee in 2003 or so..

[ayu_fan929]

^well shes young compared to other rising stars in avex (koda/ai). she just turned 19 2months ago. she got 900k+ on her DEBUT album. yea, sales have declined but as u said, she is krn, so that makes it even more special. VALENTI/BEST OF SOUL did go past the million. but if ai did release her album a yr or 2 earlier, it could of generated bigger sales or it couldve stayed the same.....

[bondingo]

I really don't know if I can see Koda taking Ayu's place. I know that (miss)understood's sales aren't anything spectacular but she's still selling much more than many other artists. And like it was said before, Koda's Best album sold much better than a regular album would because it is a best album and those always sell very well. Look at Ayu's A BEST. Sure, Ayu's peak may have been back during I am times, but I'm sure that she isn't going to just fade out. I do like Koda though. She has a great voice and her whole sexual image is entertaining (I never get tired of the Shake It PV), so maybe with Japan's ever-changing pop culture she may dominate the market. Only time will tell ^_^

[bluegie]

yeah... the SHAKE IT pv is surely one of the best videos on Earth . It's seems really ****ty yet we love watching it from time to time. I say "it seems ****ty" instead of "it's ****ty" because when I watch her videos, I judge them by how good the dance skills and the way of using body language, rather than how sexy she is in the videos. Sure she loves showing her body (esp her upper parts), but in a beautiful way instead of "hey man look at my boobs dun you wanna touch me" feel.

Oh my, I dunno BoA isn't 20 yet. She's been in the industry for too long that I forget she's that young. I dun use artists' ages to decide whether they're young or not (esp the JPN artists). For example, most morning musume members (such as nacchi, maki, rika, etc.) are considered as "older" artists but their are quite young in reality (rika and maki are around 21ish).

How old is Ai-chan btw? 22 or 23?

[LacusClyne]

Originally Posted by bondingo

And like it was said before, Koda's Best album sold much better than a regular album would because it is a best album and those always sell very well. Look at Ayu's A BEST. Sure, Ayu's peak may have been back during I am times, but I'm sure that she isn't going to just fade out.

maybe if ayu had another best-album, she could gain more popularity? best album can do wonders, since it's a compilation of the best songs, people who never like ayu before might just get intersted. like me, i start to be an ayu fan when A-best was out.

[chibi_sunny]

i dont think Koda is that great (sorry Koda-fans!) but i definitely like Ayu's music better. i dont know...some of Koda's best songs doesn't seem that good...and her image is well, you know, reminds me of Western artists...

[ayu_fan929]

Originally Posted by bluegie

Oh my, I dunno BoA isn't 20 yet. She's been in the industry for too long that I forget she's that young. I dun use artists' ages to decide whether they're young or not (esp the JPN artists). For example, most morning musume members (such as nacchi, maki, rika, etc.) are considered as "older" artists but their are quite young in reality (rika and maki are around 21ish).

How old is Ai-chan btw? 22 or 23?

both ai n koda r turning 24 this yr. theres always the age factor in the jpop industry. i mean, there will be less and less ppl that will be your fans as one starts to age. like ayu, as she grows older, the younger generation mite not like her cos of the age difference etc. they will turn to some1 younger to idolize or w/e. so, wut im saying is both ai n koda mayb running out of time to acheive wut ayu has acheived. only BoA stands a chance, but i think its a rather small 1.

Originally Posted by LacusClyne

maybe if ayu had another best-album, she could gain more popularity? best album can do wonders, since it's a compilation of the best songs, people who never like ayu before might just get intersted. like me, i start to be an ayu fan when A-best was out.

not all best albums can do wonders. if you release at the wrong time, or if you release too many of them then it really isnt any good. i think though, timing is key in releasing a best album. n personally, i dont think nows the time for ayu to release a best album.

[krishna]

Originally Posted by LacusClyne

maybe if ayu had another best-album, she could gain more popularity? best album can do wonders, since it's a compilation of the best songs, people who never like ayu before might just get intersted. like me, i start to be an ayu fan when A-best was out.

I'm not sure that releasing another best album will increase ayu's popularity.Look at Namie,her 2nd best album "Love Enhanced Single Collection" only sold 330k(if i'm not mistaken) and her popularity didn't increase when she released the album.also,look at B'z 2nd best album "The Best Pleasure II".Although it has sold more than 1 million,it doesn't increase B'z popularity and the sales are declining quite fast.

[lotusoka]

Maybe after years of seeing Ayu's face on every corner, people want a change? Just a thought.

Someone can only remain on top for so long, it doesn't mean they are going to have to totally leave the scene or not contribute at all to fashion/art/culture.

[LacusClyne]

then how about ayu taking a music break for a year and make a comeback? people won't be sick of her, they will be missing ayu like mad.then, her album and singles might sell.

[AyuGAME]

japan don't like a long break for their artist
so ayu was take a good step to keep her single and album come out in the short time...
the problem is the material of the song...but i really believe that startin' can be a good start in 2006 and rise her popularity
i believe her next best compilation will be a bomb...!!!

[Raleigh]

Originally Posted by MC Tatsujin

But then she would keep on releasing stuff that don't sell very well and sales would keep on declining until Avex drops her. That's worse.. I dunno, Ayu hasn't told us how important CD sales is to her.

As far as I know Avex doesn't drop artists unless they want to or they sell really poorly. Some artists don't sell well and they still release albums/singles. Plus after all the only thing that matters to me that she releases high quality material to me.

I don't get it how artists must retire just because they're not ultra popular. Ami didn't and Namie didn't either. Did it occur to you that maybe Ayu sings because she loves to do so and not because she's the queen?

[Mad_Cactuar]

Originally Posted by Demure_Dusk

I don't get it how artists must retire just because they're not ultra popular. Ami didn't and Namie didn't either. Did it occur to you that maybe Ayu sings because she loves to do so and not because she's the queen?

She always makes it sound like a horrible torture chamber though. I read some articles here at AHS in the library section and I see she isn't the cheeriest pop star around..

But I changed my opinion! I want her to keep on releasing stuff! Avex should work harder and promote her to death! Who cares if the sales are bad as long as she is happy with the items she makes.

[elepop]

Why the comparasion with Koda Kumi? Yes, of course her career is rising because of the whole 12 singles and best-of thing. But "secret" didn't do great. And I'm still very much confused about why "Butterfly" won for the most important award in Japan. avex trax have dropped Ayu for a few years now. They don't concentrate on Ayu anymore, it's Kuu they are putting their effort on. Notice how Kuu's singles are so logically marketed? The marketing is crazy. Since when did they do that for Ayu? I don't even remember. Since "I am..." maybe?


Anyway, I'm so freaking sick of people still complaining about Ayu's sale. So sick of it...

[Maiku]

Anyway, I'm so freaking sick of people still complaining about Ayu's sale. So sick of it...

it shows that they have no faith in ayu at all..can we even call them Fans ? Rofl