[Namie Amuro] ♬♫♪◖Don’t you know that she's a fighter? the 93rd thread ◗♪♫♬

[melissalove]

^ this is by far the biggest fail live I have ever seen. I felt so bad for her

[Rocky Raven]

It's today, 17th Mar of 1999, the release day of single "RESPECT THE POWER OF LOVE", Namie lost her mother.

[Miduhyo]

^ That is really one of the most tragic stories I've heard. I can't even imagine to begin what that felt like for her/for her family. Did it seriously happen when she released RESPECT THE POWER OF LOVE?

[kotora]

Originally Posted by S4MU3L

Apparently this was big news at that time. She was divorcing with SAM, the media was destroying her and talking crap about her because the divorce and the mc asked her in a shady way "so did you have a good year??" .

Also there were/are rumous that the staff cut her sound, thats why she start to sing the bridge but suddenly stops, and after that she just look at her right, where the screen are (you can see at 1:05), so she can follow the song trough the lyrics.

CAN YOU CELEBRATE? is a song about her marriage with SAM. It was big.

And then her divorce with SAM, it was big too.

That video at 1:40, she wants to kill everyone...

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by Miduhyo

^ That is really one of the most tragic stories I've heard. I can't even imagine to begin what that felt like for her/for her family. Did it seriously happen when she released RESPECT THE POWER OF LOVE?

Yes, it happened on its release day so several promotional appearances for it got cut. She had already been performing it on TV a week or two prior or in appearances that were prerecorded so there are some tv performances of it, but quite a few less than she normally had during that era.

Namie's step father was also attacked but survived. It was her uncle in law that did it and although that news article doesn't say it, his suicide was successful and he died the same day.

[ilovekodaa]

i need a ticket for KYOTO in April ): !!!!!!!

[chocopockymaster]

Originally Posted by ilovekodaa

i need a ticket for KYOTO in April ): !!!!!!!

Then you should probably check Ticket Camp and have a friend in Japan buy one for you.

[thinkingoutloud89]

^I tried Ticketcamp for Kyoto and lost the lottery - so no, they are through.

[chocopockymaster]

Originally Posted by thinkingoutloud89

^I tried Ticketcamp for Kyoto and lost the lottery - so no, they are through.

...huh? Ticketcamp is a reseller website and there are tickets listed for the Kyoto shows on the 17th and 18th. If you didn't win the lottery to buy them when they went on sale "officially" then Ticketcamp is pretty much your only shot.

[thinkingoutloud89]

ah okay, then I mixed something up.

edit: is there an english site for ticketcamp?

[chocopockymaster]

Originally Posted by thinkingoutloud89

ah okay, then I mixed something up.

edit: is there an english site for ticketcamp?

No. And, you need to have a Japanese mobile number in order to confirm your registration with the site and you'll be communicating in Japanese with the sellers, so it'll be difficult unless you have a friend that can conduct the transaction for you.

It's kind of a pain in the ass but with Namie, because the tickets are digital, it's one of your only options.

[lfe.]

Originally Posted by thinkingoutloud89

ah okay, then I mixed something up.

edit: is there an english site for ticketcamp?

Just run the website through Chrome so you can use the auto translate extension in the top right. Or there are websites with guides on how to visually navigate through ticketcamp.

I'm trying to plan my next Japan trip around a next possible Namie tour. Do the tour announcements / first tour dates start in Sept/Oct?

[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!"

[voltron]

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!"

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).

[thinkingoutloud89]

^hmm I felt like she has a lot more personality than others - and a aura of untouchability

I actually think it is very similar - but not as impactful yes - to her heydays. Her demography of fans pretty much shifted with her while still catching young females. Thats a feat.!

[voltron]

^ I guess to me, I agree that she gives off an "untouchable" aura, but it's because her personality is very distant/guarded/subdued. I think it's something that a lot of popstars worldwide benefit from -- giving enough personality to be cute or liked, but not enough to be too controversial, never having opinions that are too strong, etc. -- never doing anything that will put anyone off, because it's just so non-offensive.

I know this forum skews young at times, but I wonder if anyone else in this thread was around during her hey-days and can offer their insights too. To me it is night and day, but I'm also willing to admit that my opinion could be the outlier there.

[EndOfTheWorld]

Originally Posted by voltron

^ I guess to me, I agree that she gives off an "untouchable" aura, but it's because her personality is very distant/guarded/subdued. I think it's something that a lot of popstars worldwide benefit from -- giving enough personality to be cute or liked, but not enough to be too controversial, never having opinions that are too strong, etc. -- never doing anything that will put anyone off, because it's just so non-offensive.

I know this forum skews young at times, but I wonder if anyone else in this thread was around during her hey-days and can offer their insights too. To me it is night and day, but I'm also willing to admit that my opinion could be the outlier there.

I think I would agree with this. I was just a baby when Namie Amuro was a rising star but I think it's true. She seems to only show as much of her personality as necessary. Sometimes she seems almost lifeless or a robot pop star these days.
She also does follow the trends very well. I feel like that is one of the biggest reasons for her rejuvenated popularity. She successfully adapted to current modern trends in Jpop. But she no longer creates or sets new trends. But in her defense. I don't think any pop artist ever has been able to maintain their peak popularity and be at the forefront of popular music for decades. Even the most successful and most influential artists always lose popularity eventually. But some can maintain a certain amount of relevance.
I also don't think Ayu was ever an idol. I do think that in the 90's and early 2000s that she was marketed similar to idols with tons of promo and merchandise and just overall saturation in music and pop culture. Ayu is way above idols. I consider her a "singer/songwriter", if we are using labels.

[ahtka-chan]

I'm very happy with this conversation happening here. It's rare to see people analyzing pop stars and artists in general above "good/bad ~ successful/flop" labels.

<3

[S4MU3L]

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!"

Theres a message here for 2004-2005 talking shit about Namie and is GOLD, hope I can find it cause its hilarious.

And Namie is not respected??? please....

[Rocky Raven]

Originally Posted by voltron

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).

Every single Japanese person here in Vietnam (including my japanese teacher) knows and respects Namie a lot. Because for them she stands firmly as an independent woman and a music living legend who never shows off luxury lifestyle (blog/self-attentional drama message/long freaking colorful nails...etc...). She just simply stands out from all other Japanese mainstream artists with her cold and silent life.