Ayumi Hamasaki

Japanese singer, songwriter, and actress

Ayumi Hamasaki (Japanese: 浜崎あゆみ Hamasaki Ayumi; born October 2, 1978) is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and former actress. She is also called Ayu by her fans, and called the "Empress of Pop" because her music is very popular in Japan. She was born and raised in Fukuoka. When she was fourteen, she moved to Tokyo and began her career as an actress in 1993. In 1998, she was signed to the label Avex Trax and released a number of singles that were successful. In 1999, she released her first studio album A Song for XX which was very successful and made her popular in Japan.

Ayumi Hamasaki
浜崎あゆみ
Ayumi Hamasaki in Taiwan on March 2007
Ayumi Hamasaki in Taiwan on March 2007
Background information
Birth name浜崎 あゆみ, 浜崎歩[1] (Hamasaki Ayumi)
Also known asAyu, Crea
Born (1978-10-02) October 2, 1978 (age 45)[2]
OriginFukuoka, Japan
GenresPop, electronic dance, rock, classical, R&B
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, record producer, composer, actress, model, spokesperson
Years active1993-present
LabelsNippon Columbia (1995)
Avex Trax (1998–present)
Drizzly (2002–2004)
Websitewww.avexnet.or.jp/ayu

Because she changes her appearance and artistry very often, she is popular in other parts of Asia like China, Singapore, and Taiwan. Many of her songs are used in commercials and advertisements. She often appears in some of these.

Before she joined Avex Trax, she released a single and an album both called Nothing From Nothing. But these did not become popular. Since she debuted in 1998 with "Poker Face," Hamasaki sold more than 50 records in Japan. This puts her as one of the highest ranking singers in the country.[3] She holds many records as a female singer. These include the most number-one hits and highest sales.[4]

Personal life

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Hamasaki dated Tomoya Nagase (a singer and actor) since her short acting career. They announced they were dating in 2001.[5] Six years later, there were rumors that Hamasaki and Nagase were going to get married. But on July 13, 2007 Hamasaki said that they had broken up. She did not say why, but she said that they will stay as friends.[6]

In 2008, Hamasaki revealed that she had become deaf in her left ear. This was because of tinnitus or Ménière's disease.[7][8] She said that she had the condition in 2006 and that problems with her ear started in 2000.[9] Hamasaki stated that she wants to continue singing. She said that she would "not give up" on her fans and that "as a professional", she wanted to "deliver the best performance for everyone".[9][10] January 1,2011, to marry a fan club site Ayumi Hamasaki 'TeamAyu' reported the fan.

Discography

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Studio albums

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Compilations

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Singles

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References

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  1. "Talent Directory: Hamasaki Ayumi". Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2009-03-06. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  2. "Ayumi Hamasaki's Profile (Avex)". Avex Network. Archived from the original on 2005-12-17. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  3. "Japanese pop singer Ayumi Hamasaki deaf in left ear". BBC News Agency. January 7, 2008. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  4. (in Japanese) "A Great Achievement — Hamasaki Ayumi Ties with Akina Nakamori for the Achievement of Five Crowns". Oricon. July 24, 2007. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  5. Takeuchi Cullen, Lisa. "Empress of Pop". Time. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2008-01-13. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  6. "Ayumi Hamasaki and Tokio's Tomoya Nagase break up". Japan News Review. July 14, 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-01-21. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  7. "Japanese pop singer Ayumi Hamasaki deaf in left ear". BBC News Agency. January 7, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2008.
  8. Connell, Ryan (January 27, 2008). "Pushing 30, rivals circling, and now deaf in one ear: it's tough at the top for Ayu". Sunday Mainichi. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  9. 9.0 9.1 "Singer Ayumi Hamasaki says she has lost hearing in her left ear". Japan Today. January 8, 2008. Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2008. (Archived version)
  10. "Japan's pop princess 'Ayu' goes half deaf". Agence France-Presse. January 6, 2008. Archived from the original on February 18, 2008. Retrieved February 2, 2008.

Other websites

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