[Article] Channel NewsAsia - I used to be a "tomboy": J-pop queen Ayumi Hamasaki

[KarenPang]

In town for the Singapore edition of a-nation, Japan's largest music and fashion festival, the J-pop queen also said she is keen to return for a solo concert.



SINGAPORE: She is considered a style icon across Asia, but J-pop queen Ayumi Hamasaki said she was not a "girly girl" but a "tomboy" in school. She also confessed that she spent most of her time in school alone.

Hamasaki revealed this as she met local media on Friday (Oct 17), a day ahead of a-nation - one of Japan's largest music festivals. The event is making its first foray overseas this year - to Singapore and Taiwan.

Fielding questions in English, Hamasaki said she will be performing a mix of new and old songs at the concert on Saturday. The 36-year-old celebrated her 15th year in showbiz last year and continues to be one of the best-selling artistes in Japan. She pens the lyrics to all her songs and is known to keep a tight control over her music and ever-changing image.

"Whatever the musical style, I always get inspiration about how I want to be in my lyrics and image, so I don't really care if it's trendy or not. That's my style," Hamasaki said. She added that she is hoping to return to Singapore for her solo concert.

a-nation will feature Japanese hiphop duo m-flo and several other groups from Japan and Taiwan such as GENERATIONS. Homegrown singer Stella Seah will be the opening act. Another highlight is a Japanese fashion show at the Marina Bay Sands' MasterCard Theatres.

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