what made/makes ayu so famous o_o

[jonneh]

I first got into Ayumi back when I heard "Depend on You", (from the Thousand Arms video game soundtrack) which is funny because that's a song I don't really care too much for anymore.

I think what really draws me to her is her as a person - she's a really great person, especially for being a celebrity, an international one at that. I agree that her voice is probably like drinking certain alcoholic beverages - an aquired taste. I like it, though. I also like how she (usually) doesn't just write about pointless ****, and instead most of her songs have meaning to them. I also really enjoy her show "AYU READY?" - I love how fun she is, and how the show is very relaxed and laid-back, just chilling with the guests. In almost every (if not literally every) episode I've seen, it's basically just Ayu hanging out with whomever she has as guests that day/night, eating different types of food, and playing little games. It's also a great way to learn some new japanese - just like listening to her sing is as well. I guess it doesn't hurt that she's been extremely adorable ever since she was sixteen years old on Idol, but you know.

[love_destiny_J]

Definitely her image. And how different she is from other artistes.

[angelwing886]

Originally Posted by ayumisrael

Have no idea, i can tell you what drew me to her and eventually turn to a fan.

- it her lyrics - mainly
-her songs - mainly
-her voice - mainly
-her as a person
-the way she looks

same here

[xCHELLy]

Her lyrics is what got me into Ayu.
Then it'd be her songs and creativity. The others too XD like image, eyes, etc

[STRAWBERRYSUGAR]

-her lyrics? Maybe.
-her songs? Yes.
-her voice? Yes.
-her as a person? Maybe. Some like her, some don't.
-the way she looks? Mainly.

[baka-ranger]

The first thing I love about Ayu is of course her lyrics, she's one of the VERY few artists that has lyrics that can touch me and relate to me...I even sometimes cry when I read them O__O *sniff*T^T*sniff*
She got the whole package basically and I reckon she'll always be my favourite singer even when I'm eighty(if I live that long =D)

-her songs: I love how she has different styles and genres of music, she's meant to be the Empress of JPop but I also love all her rock(even though it isn't necessarily classified as rock=__=) and her ballads of course! Its great how her muusic ranges, even my friends who knew nothing about JMusic and only listen to rap and Hiphop thought Ayu was great...and this is with them not understanding a single word of what shes saying or even knowing who they were listening to XD(They were listening to evolution by the way=D)

-her voice: I just love Ayu's voice, basically my whole grade depises me for loving her voice, saying its not the best they've heard and all that stuff...but thats what I love about her. Her voice is different and if it was perfect I'd seriously get bored of it quickly cause its not quirky or cute AT ALL D<. I can tell Ayu's voice from every other J-Artist, she may be mainstream but she doesn't really fit into the mainstream types ya know?

-her as a person: She seems REALLY nice on her lives so I'm guessing Ayu's a great person in real life..sure she may have some bad sides but who doesn't. Even if she was a total *****(which I don't think she is cause she's like my Ayu=D), I'd still respect her cause shes still acting as a good role model for others and sending good messages across..umm do I make sense?

-the way she looks: This was the first thing that drew me to her when I was little and when my brother used to be a fanboy for Ayu lmfao..not really but yeah
I still remember watching the Boys and Girls PV and thiking OMG SO PWETTIII( This was like grade 1 and 2 so don't mind me)

-her style: she's my fashion icon, although I don't really copy her style, I admire her style A LOT...like I wonder how many dresses ayu's worn in her life O___O , well she can pull off almost anything and I still think she's SUPER PWETTI even tho I'm an old fart now=P

[Aggar]

I think it's because of her unique performances . . Like M from A museum
and of course her songs

[DestinyWishes]

I was drawn by her voice, her music, her lyrics and the fact she's unique in many ways! In a good way of course!

[Jwiz]

Most importantly; her lyrics and songs...second will be her looks.

[jasjasss]

Her screeching singing style
HAHAHAHHA
that hurts ur ear =)

[Yoake]

I think that Ayu is so famous because she is Ayu!
I like her personnality: To cry when she songs or to laugh when she forgets her lyrics!
I like all of her performance because they're all singular!
I like her songs because she tells us a part of her life as a friend!
I like her hairstyles because I can choose one of them when I want change my own hairstyle!
I like Ayu because when I listen to her songs I feel good. She gives me hope when I cry.

Love Ayu she's the best^^

[se7entheaven]

it's simple
just her name : ayumi hamasaki

[naxxo.licious™]

Originally Posted by twilightnight

I've always been questioning this.

is it her lyrics?
her songs?
her voice?
her as a person?
her fashion sense?
the way she looks?
all of the above?

Deffinitely all of above. Well, maybe it depends on where you are. For example for japanese people, or people who understand japanese, it would be her lyrics.
For us, maybe it could be her music. For metrosexuals (like me XD!!) it could be her sense of fashion too. Idon't know. It's just a whole, you know. I can't imagine an ayu without any of the characteristics you mentioned above.

[aYuH-evolution]

Originally Posted by se7entheaven

it's simple
just her name : ayumi hamasaki

Haha, you're hilarious. XD But I think it's all of the above. =]

[ayumixfan]

hmmm.. all these factors make her famous, but I think she was lucky she released Boys and Girls XD! If she never released that song I don't think she could've gotten to where she is today >_<! That song REALLY captured japan's attention XD and she still performs it today probably due to its popularity. I dunno maybe I'm wrong but I think that song is what made her famous XD

[~*Mabushii*~]

is it her lyrics? Yes, they're amazing
her songs? Yes, for the most part, I would say I love 97% of her songs
her voice? Yes, despite it's flaws, it's real, it's HER, and it's.. just.. it is..
her as a person? She is adorable, sweet, and just so strong. She inspires me and astonishes me
her fashion sense? sometimes she has terrible fashion TO ME, but she's always changing, always growing and it's amazing
the way she looks? Well, she is beautiful, and always different

Really it's the entire package, I look up to her so much, and as I said for the most part her music is amazing. I'm so happy to have had Ayu in my life since 2000
all of the above?

[music_*]

I first fell in love with her songs, then I got to know her lyrics. But what really made me love her was how sincere she was - in her work, in her songs and to us, her fans. I love the fact that she's human. (Just look at the NHK Interview)
Of course, her looks matter too. ^.^

[4ever*ayu]

ayu changed people's lives through her music, lyrics, personality and style...

At 23, Ayumi Hamasaki, Ayu to fans, is the most powerful figure in Japanese pop music. She's sold more records than any other musical act for two years running in the world's second-largest music market. Her frequent makeovers determine the course of fashion. Her huge black eyes peer out from billboards in every corner of the country. Fans memorize her lyrics, transform into Ayu clones and swear she's changed their lives. Marketers clamor for her endorsements, borrowing her name and image to peddle everything from cell phones to doughnuts.

And this is why she's different from other artist ...

Like her megastar predecessors Seiko Matsuda, Akina Nakamori and Namie Amuro, Hamasaki's fame was spun out of the air by clever marketing. But Hamasaki is the rare J-pop queen who has seized her own power, wielding it to control her career right down to the fonts on her tour posters and the makeup on her oft-photographed face. For fans, the story of her by-the-bootstraps climb to pop royalty makes her even more worthy of idolatry.

http://www.time.com/time/asia/featur...aki/cover.html

She control everything about her own image as Ayumi Hamasaki.

[Bad Wolf]

I agree with basically everything everyone has said here - even the Tsunku joke XD - but I'd also like to add that I think the reason Ayumi has succeeded to such heights is that she has heart. There's more soul and more effort in her lyrics and the production of herself as an image (which she controls) than I think I've seen for any other pop act in either Japan or America. You can tell just by looking at her that she has more creativity and credibility than half the artists around today (with the obvious exceptions).

What drew me to her was that she still maintained herself as a full-fledged person without turning into a soulless product.

[Lanz16]

There are 3 things why Ayu is SO famous for me and around the world:

#1. Her talent:
She's really different from the female artist, Jpop or not, I've ever knew.
She writes her own lyrics for her songs which I like the most.
I like the way she sings, the song genre she used, and the way she portray her songs into a real art form not just a mere entertainment.


#2. Image:
For me, image is the most important thing for an artist to have.
She was so wholesome to everyone, even elementary kids will like her(I think).
Some people think of her as a role-model and a good example for the youth who wants to dream just to be like her.
She doesn't shed skin like some(or most) western pop artist to sell.

Instead, she uses her talent to draw attention to her.

Oh! One thing that I like about her is that she wasn't a "get-wild-and-crazy-to-get-attention-to-the-media" type of person like Britney Spears does which I hate the most.

But in Ayu's case, we can talk about her upcoming summer single(I hope) and her upcoming 10th year Asia tour and not the break-up between the TOKIO-guy(I can't remember his name >X-[).

You know what I mean:
People will tend look and focus at the negative side of the artist than the positive.

Lastly;

#3. Her Personality:
Ayu was just like an average funny-and-friendly girl except that she was an Icon of Japan's music industry.
She was so friendly towards her fans, her staffs, and to her Team Ayu members(I mean the back-up dancers, back-up singers, and her band).
I've never seen an artist who was so so sincere to the songs he/she sings.
Its very few who knew the genuine art of singing: singing through the heart and learning the content of the lyrics and not the usual singing we knew nowadays.

*whew*
That's was long.
And that's it!