1. Ayumi Hamasaki Olivia Irvin

2. Early Life  Ayumi was raised by her mother and grandmother  She was born in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan  Born October 2, 1978  At just seven years old, she began her modeling career  She was eventually dropped because she was “too short”  After being dropped by her agency, she dropped out of school and began singing and dancing at disco clubs  Ayumi was raised by her mother and grandmother  She was born in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan  Born October 2, 1978  At just seven years old, she began her modeling career  She was eventually dropped because she was “too short”  After being dropped by her agency, she dropped out of school and began singing and dancing at disco clubs

3. Early Life  Ayumi was originally inspired by the rap genre, which explains the Western influence in her music  She met Max Matsuura at one of the disco clubs she danced at, and he became her producer  She was sent to New York to start vocal training  Max suggested she try writing her own lyrics  Ayumi was originally inspired by the rap genre, which explains the Western influence in her music  She met Max Matsuura at one of the disco clubs she danced at, and he became her producer  She was sent to New York to start vocal training  Max suggested she try writing her own lyrics

4. Rise to Fame  “Poker Face” was the name of Ayumi’s first single  The song was a hit  She released three other singles following this, all of while were more popular than the first.  Her third single made it to the top ten on the Oricon weekly charts  Her debut album “A Song For xx” was a hit with her fans  They loved the heartfelt lyrics she wrote  It remained on the charts for weeks  “Poker Face” was the name of Ayumi’s first single  The song was a hit  She released three other singles following this, all of while were more popular than the first.  Her third single made it to the top ten on the Oricon weekly charts  Her debut album “A Song For xx” was a hit with her fans  They loved the heartfelt lyrics she wrote  It remained on the charts for weeks

5. September 11  The reason I chose Ayumi as my favorite artist, is because she has such good intentions for her music and isn’t afraid of the consequences of what the critics might think  For example, after September 11 occurred, she completely shifted the theme of her album “I Am…” and dedicated it to those who died or lost loved ones in the event.  The album had themes of faith and world peace  Some of the songs incorporated English in them, and some had characteristics of rock music  The reason I chose Ayumi as my favorite artist, is because she has such good intentions for her music and isn’t afraid of the consequences of what the critics might think  For example, after September 11 occurred, she completely shifted the theme of her album “I Am…” and dedicated it to those who died or lost loved ones in the event.  The album had themes of faith and world peace  Some of the songs incorporated English in them, and some had characteristics of rock music

6. Ayumi and Her Fans  During the time Ayumi was at her peak, 12 cm disks were becoming a trend  She was able to store more data in them, and included remixes of her singles in the disks  She also launched a promotional campaign for “Rainbow”  Those who bought the album online could access a password-protected website that had the instrumental version of the track “Rainbow”  Today, her music is available on iTunes or to stream on websites such as YouTube or Google Play.  During the time Ayumi was at her peak, 12 cm disks were becoming a trend  She was able to store more data in them, and included remixes of her singles in the disks  She also launched a promotional campaign for “Rainbow”  Those who bought the album online could access a password-protected website that had the instrumental version of the track “Rainbow”  Today, her music is available on iTunes or to stream on websites such as YouTube or Google Play.

7. Influences  As stated before, Ayumi was influenced by Western music from the start  She originally tried to get into the rap game, but was unsuccessesful  Regardless, Western influences are still very apparent in her music  She constantly tried to keep up with the current trends in music  It is hard to find the Japanese influences in Ayumi’s music because keeping up with the current trends does not always mean including Japanese influences in her music.  As stated before, Ayumi was influenced by Western music from the start  She originally tried to get into the rap game, but was unsuccessesful  Regardless, Western influences are still very apparent in her music  She constantly tried to keep up with the current trends in music  It is hard to find the Japanese influences in Ayumi’s music because keeping up with the current trends does not always mean including Japanese influences in her music.

8. Ayumi Today  Today, Ayumi is known as the queen of J-Pop  She continues to release new music  Her most recent album is titled “Colours”  Within the first week of it’s release, it has sold 39,295 copies  It placed 5 th on the Oricon album chart  She has 15 albums to date, and has appeared in 10 films  Today, Ayumi is known as the queen of J-Pop  She continues to release new music  Her most recent album is titled “Colours”  Within the first week of it’s release, it has sold 39,295 copies  It placed 5 th on the Oricon album chart  She has 15 albums to date, and has appeared in 10 films

9. Conclusion  Ayumi had to go through many hardships to get where she is today  She was dropped by several agencies before she found her calling  The queen of J-Pop is still releasing music and touring the world for her fans  She has a big heart and continues to show that through her music  Ayumi had to go through many hardships to get where she is today  She was dropped by several agencies before she found her calling  The queen of J-Pop is still releasing music and touring the world for her fans  She has a big heart and continues to show that through her music