Should Ayumi take a hiatus?

[douggn]

I think if she really wanted a break she would of taken one, she has the money. But she loves doing what she does and as long as it is what she wants

[saigodansu]

The poll question isn't "does she want to?" or "does she still love being a workaholic?" it's "should she?" and the answer is yes. But a break won't solve all the problems, even replacing her staff won't. She needs to go to another company that finds better ways to promote their singers. Or quit while she is young enough to enjoy life on the money she has made already.

[channy]

Originally Posted by saigodansu

... a break won't solve all the problems, even replacing her staff won't. She needs to go to another company that finds better ways to promote their singers

I highly doubt she can possibly leave Avex behind her and continue her career with another music label at ease. She depends on Avex and Max a lot, in fact, the brand "Ayumi Hamasaki" still remains being the accomplishment of people that made her big.

It is not like Ayu sits there on her throne granting Avex the joy of working together with her. It's the other way around because Avex is her employer, the source of all financial possibilities from the very beginning of her career on.

Elaborating the brand's distinctive image through aggressive marketing, especially during the first years, as well as opening doors to important and experienced professionals of the music industry can be viewed as key functions for Ayu's career which then would succeed as the result of several benefits Avex has been providing her with to this day.

[saigodansu]

You're overthinking it too much. They are also the reason so many japanese can't stand Ayumi Hamasaki the brand or the person anymore because of the things they have her do for promotion. Not all the damage that's been done to her reputation is repairable, but what is can only be repaired apart from Avex, not with them.

[mizuki-7]

Did you know the idols of the 80's like Seiko Matsuda & Akina Nakamori ? what Ayu has done is nothing in term of scandals in comparison especially Seiko ! And this last one has changed billion times of record label and it has changed nothing to what people thinking of her and even if she don't sell a lot since the last decade she still remains as an eternal idol well respected !

All that to say even if she changes record label I don't think it will change something ... Further more Ayu will never leave Avex because of Max matsuara and Avex will never want to separate from Ayu since even if she don't sell like before she stays in the top 3 singers who generate the most money to the company since the begining of her carrier besides to be the singer who brought the most cash since the establishment of Avex.

Tbh why people don't like Ayu today is also because she was the top singer of the begining of the new century and just like Britney now she is considered like an has been because she is not fresh that's all it's like that in each countries ... when Ayu slayed the charts in the begining of 2000 Namie was considered like an has been (before her big come back) and when Namie slayed the charts in the mid 90's Seiko was considered like an Has been ! it's an endless cycle...

[No_Doubt]

No, but she should fire her staff.

[marty]

I think a hiatus would be risky, maybe, since the japanese market is so reckless, fast and full! No, I don't think Ayu needs one, but I think that it'd be good she becomes at least a little bit more focused, taking matters a little bit more in her own hands like before, instead of leaving it in Avex staff hands. Even if she understandably doesn't feel like having that level of perfectionism like before anymore, I think she relies a little too much on the others nowdays.