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Meiko Kaji is more known as an actress from "Lady Snowblood" and "Female Prisoner Scorpion" series. She was the star of Japanese movies of the 70s but often made songs for the films she starred in. Quentin Tarantino, inspired by her movies, featured her 2 most famous songs in "Kill Bill", which generated new wave of her popularity. She is a brilliant actress but also is a gifted singer, even though she never considered herself that way. Her tender and warm voice is soothing and her songs are charming and nostalgic. Unfortunately, most of her albums were released on LPs and only 3 of them were released on CDs and are available. But that makes them even more precious among true music lovers. Meiko's music is really worth of your time, even if you're not a fan of Japanese music. Because when she starts to sing you forget you don't understand Japanese. Besides, enka genre is stunningly beautiful and way better than any modern music. Unofficial MySpace with most popular songs. Unfortunately she has no videos but here are couple of simple fan vids to hear her songs:

Onna negai uta

 

 

Japanese never sounded so good before! I was never a huge fan of J-music, even though I was familiar with it, but Ayumi seriously won my heart. She is that kind of an artist that leaves majority of people enchanted with her talent, nice looks and on-stage charisma. That's why she's number 1 top-selling artist of Japan for 10 years already and manages to have fans all around the world. Watch out, because you may become one of them too!

Her career started at the age of 19 with a debut single "Poker Face". While usual J-pop artists were writing lyrics about love, Ayumi had her own approach to the lyrics, which caused her wide popularity - those were the themes of self-doubt, loneliness and hope that touched the hearts of young generations in Japan. Since then she's received my titles such as Japan's female solo artist with the most number-one singles, first Japanese artist to have her first original eight studio albums top the Oricon charts, Japanese female artist with the most number-one singles, most Top 10 singles, highest singles sales, and most million-seller singles, etc etc. Additionally, she's known for her huge spectacular shows for which she is often compared to Madonna (Madonna was always Ayumi's major music influence but I'd say Ayumi has more in common with French pop diva Mylene Farmer). Her latest show, recently released as "Asia Tour 2007 ~ Tour of Secret ~" on DVD, was her first Asian tour and her latest studio album "Guilty" was released in iTunes stores in 26 countries, first time ever for the Japanese artist.

But not everything is smooth for Ayu as it may seem. In January 2008 Ayumi officially stated that she completely lost hearing in her left ear and was diagnosed with this 2 years earlier. The reason of loss in unknown but mentioned to be inoperable. Therefore, her second Asia tour, starting in this April, is going to be very intensed for her. But as she still wishes to continue her singing career "till the last breath", nothing is impossible for this brave little girl. We admire her courage and strength, and wish her luck and inspiration for further musical feats! And please, Ayu, take care of yourself!

Thanks to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayumi_Hamasaki for some information. 
Thank you, Sheep Hunter. RIP, my friend.

Marionette. A bit of rock from "Guilty" (2008)


Alterna is very stylish concept video from "(miss)understood" (2006)

Evolution is an eternal hit song from "I am" (2002). She composed the music herself here BTW