Namie Amuro

Namie Amuro
MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2008
MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2008
Background information
Birth name Amuro, Namie
Born September 20, 1977 (1977-09-20) (age 32)
Origin Okinawa, Japan
Genre(s) R&B, J-hip hop, J-pop
Occupation(s) Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Actress
Instrument(s) Singing
Years active 1992–1995 (group)
1995–present (solo)
Label(s) Toshiba-EMI (1992–1995)
Avex Trax (1995–present)
Associated acts Super Monkey's
Suite Chic
Website http://www.avexnet.or.jp/amuro
In this Japanese name, the family name is Amuro.

Namie Amuro (安室 奈美恵 Amuro Namie?, born September 20, 1977) is a Japanese singer, dancer, and former child actor/singer, who, at the height of her popularity, was referred to as the "Teen Queen [of Japan]" and the "Queen of Japanese pop music".[1][2] Born in Naha, Okinawa, Amuro debuted at the age of fourteen as an idol in the girl group Super Monkey's. Though mostly unsuccessful, the group gained popularity during their final year together with the single "Try Me: Watashi o Shinjite" (1995). Amuro left Toshiba-EMI after releasing two more singles; she continued her music career as a solo singer with the then-small indepedent label Avex Trax. Under the guidance of producer Tetsuya Komuro, Amuro quickly became a commercial success, producing several million-selling records and starting several fashion trends. Her single "Can You Celebrate?" (1997) became the Japan's biggest selling single by a solo female artist. However, in late 1997, Amuro put her career on hold to focus on her pregnancy and engagement.

She returned to music in 1998 with the number-one single, "I Have Never Seen", but faced slowly declining sales. She unofficially severed ties with Tetsuya Komuro in 2001, shortly after taking on the project Suite Chic that would transform her from a pop idol to a R&B artist. Since reinventing herself, Amuro has achieved newfound interest. Her latest studio album, Play (2007) debuted at top of the charts and was followed by "60s 70s 80s" (2008), her first number-one single in ten years.[3]

Over a decade since her musical debut, Amuro has remained one of the longest surviving popular female acts in Japan. She is the only Japanese female artist to have achieved a Top 10 single each year for fourteen consecutive years.[4] She also continues to successfully combat social stigma as a divorced, working, single mother.[5] On July 30, 2008, Amuro released her first greatest hits album, Best Fiction, since transitioning to R&B music. It spent six consecutive weeks at the number-one position on the Japan's oricon weekly charts[6], and was elected as "the best album of the year" at the 50th Japan Record Awards.[7] Later this year, she is touring Japan in support of the album. Estimates predict that she could play to an audience as high as 400,000, potentially the largest audience of her career.[8]

Contents

Biography

Early life and career

Namie Amuro was born in Naha, Okinawa, raised solely by her mother, Emiko Taira, as she had divorced when Amuro was four.[9] Taira worked as a nursery school employee and bar hostess to support her children.[10]

Amuro did not have ambitions to become a performer early in life; she wanted to become a flight attendant. However, at twelve, while visiting a friend, Amuro was discovered by Masayuki Makino, the owner of Okinawa Actors School, a performing arts school.[11] Amuro eventually joined the school; after only two years of study, Makino placed her in an idol group called Super Monkey's [sic] with five other girls. They debuted in September 1992 on Toshiba-EMI. A year later, against Emiko Taira's wishes, the group relocated to Tokyo.[9]

The Super Monkey's were largely unsuccessful and constantly changed members. They changed their group name to Namie Amuro with Super Monkeys in 1994 to reflect Amuro's individual rising popularity. Aside from group activities, she had bit parts in television dramas and small films. "Try Me: Watashi o Shinjite", produced by Italian eurobeat producer Dave Rodgers[12] and Max Matsuura[13], was released on January 25, 1995, peaking at the number-eight position and charting for 25 weeks on the oricon weekly chart.[14] The other four members of the Super Monkey's formed their own group, MAX.[15] Amuro released two more solo singles under Toshiba-EMI before movin to Avex Trax herself.[16]

1995-1997: Commercial success

Amuro's debut single under Avex, "Body Feels Exit", was released in October 1995 after she switched record labels.[17] The single was the first produced from her working relationship with producer Tetsuya Komuro. A second Komuro-produced single, "Chase the Chance" was released two months later. It become her first number-one[18], million-selling single.[19] She won the Golden Arrow Award 1995.[20]

In the first half of 1996, Amuro accumulated million-selling singles - "Don't Wanna Cry" and "You're My Sunshine".[21] Her studio album Sweet 19 Blues, released on July 22, 1996, was a commercial success, selling over three million units.[22] Amuro's popularity increased as well: she became a fashion icon, starting a trend called Amuraa characterized by tanned skin, dyed hair, miniskirts and boots.[23][24] On November 27, 1996, she released the single "A Walk in the Park"[25], which also sold over a million copies.[21] At the end of 1996, Amuro won the Grand Prix Award, the highest honor at the Japan Record Awards, for her song "Don't wanna cry", making her the youngest artist to have won the award.[26] She made Okinawa more popular in Japan and many people from Okinawa such as Speed followed her.[27] The members of Speed said that the Okinawa Actors School was changed by her influence.[28]

Amuro's first single of 1997, "Can You Celebrate?", eventually sold 2.29 million copies, making it the best-selling single by a solo female artist in Japan.[29] That year, after the release of another single, "How to Be a Girl", and a second album, Concentration 20, Amuro toured Japan's four domes in the summer. On August 3 of that year, the sales of Amuro's records reached 20 million.[16]

In the fall, Amuro announced at a press conference that she had married Masaharu Maruyama (also known as Sam of the band TRF), and was three months pregnant.[30] At the end of the year, she won the Grand Prix Award at the Japan Record Awards again for "Can You Celebrate?"[31] and made her final appearance on Kouhaku Uta Gassen before beginning her one-year hiatus from the music industry.[32]

1998–2001: Personal and professional struggles

After giving birth to her son, Haruto, in 1998, Amuro returned to music with the single "I Have Never Seen". She made her first televised appearance on Kouhaku Uta Gassen days later performing a tearful rendition of her hit "Can You Celebrate?".[33] On the Oricon Weekly Chart, the new single debuted at the top position.[34] However, at that time new singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada revolutionized the Japanese music industry, and Amuro began to re-focus her career.[35]

Amuro's following single, "Respect the Power of Love", was released on March 17, 1999; on the same day, news broke out that her mother had been slain in Okinawa. Upon hearing the news, Amuro canceled her promotional schedule and flew back to Okinawa in order to identify her mother's body.[9] A week later, the single debuted at the number-two position, being beaten out by "Dango 3 Kyodai".[36] A third comeback single, "Toi et Moi", was used for the Japanese animation movie Pokémon: The Movie 2000.[37]

The following single "Something 'bout the Kiss" featured production by American Hip-hop/R&B producer Dallas Austin.[38] Austin, along with longtime producer Tetsuya Komuro, produced her first album since her hiatus, Genius 2000, released in January 2000. The album still debuted at the number-one position on the Oricon weekly chart.[39] She spent the first half of 2000 touring in support of the Genius 2000 album. After the tour, she released a single, "Never End", in July. The single was used as part of the G8 summit taking place in Okinawa, Japan that year.[40] It was commissioned by late Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, who asked Tetsuya Komuro to write a song conveying "a vision of harmony and interaction in the world in the 21st century".[41] Obuchi later asked Amuro to perform the single at the summit.[42]

Amuro's next studio album Break the Rules, released on December 20, 2000, was not able to top the Oricon weekly charts, peaking at the number-two position.[43] Starting in March, 2001, Amuro toured Japan in support of Break the Rules[44]; the tour ended in May.[45] In August, Amuro released the single "Say the Word". For the first time, she wrote the lyrics herself.[46] The single also unofficially marked an end to the working relationship between her and longtime producer Tetsuya Komuro.[47] However, in December she worked with Komuro for the last time on a "Lovin' It", a single released as part of Avex's Song+Nation charity project. The single featured hip-hop artist VERBAL of the group m-flo.[48]

2002–2004: Image change

On March 13, 2002, she released her new greatest hits album Love Enhanced Single Collection[49], but the songs were re-arranged from those original versions.[50] In July 2002, Amuro was divorced from Sam.[51] On September 11, 2002, "Wishing on the Same Star", written by Diane Warren, was released[52], peaking at the number-two position on the oricon weekly chart.[53] The song was originally sung by Keedy in 1991.[54]

From December 2002, fully immersed into the Japanese R&B scene releasing music in the musical project Suite Chic, she collaborated with several of Japan's popular hip hop and R&B artists such as Verbal, Zeebra, Dabo and DJ Muro.[55] They released two singles, an original album and one remix album before ending the project in 2003. She later said that after the project she had begun to do what she had wanted to do.[56]

Amuro returned to solo activities on her own with the single "Shine More", released on March 6, 2003.[57] The subsequent single "Put 'Em Up", released on July 16, 2003, was produced by Dallas Austin.[58] On October 16, 2003, the double a-side single "So Crazy / Come" was released. "So Crazy" was written by American R&B producers Full Force.[59] "Come", used for the Japanese anime InuYasha[60], was a re-arranged song from Sophie Monk.[61] At the end of the year, she released her first original studio album in three years, Style.[62]

From November 29 2003[63] to April 11 2004[64], she performed on the Namie Amuro So Crazy Tour Featuring Best Singles 2003-2004.[65] In May, she also toured Taipei, Taiwan[66] and Seoul, South Korea.[67] Shortly after the tour, she released the ballad "All for You"; this was followed by the double a-side single "Girl Talk / The Speed Star", released on October 14, 2004. The single debuted at the top position on the Oricon daily chart[68] and reached the number-two position for the week, making it her first Top 3 single in two years.[69]

At the end of 2004, Amuro chose not to appear on Kōhaku Uta Gassen though she had been invited to perform at the event.[70] She had previously attended the coveted event nine years in a row.[71] Amuro tended to regain popularity, but she did not want to obtrude herself on public anymore.[5]

2005–2006: New beginning

MTV Asia Aid, Bangkok, Thailand 2005

Following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake disaster in Southeast Asia, Amuro participated as the only Japanese representative at MTV Asia Aid in February 2005.[72][73][74] She donated ¥10 million (approximately USD$90,000) to UNICEF for children who were affected by the disaster.[75]

On April 6, 2005, she released the single "Want Me, Want Me". The song was a well-received hit at home debuting at the number-two position.[76] In May 2005, following a three year split from her former husband Sam, it was reported that she would take back full custody of their child, Haruto.[77] In August, it was reported that she officially did that.[78]

On May 29 of that year, she performed at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan for the fourth consecutive year in a row. She received two awards, "Best R&B Video" and "Most Impressive Performing Asian Artist", making the first artist to receive awards four years in a row at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan.[79] She took home the "Inspiration Award Japan" in 2002, "Best Collaboration" in 2003, "Best R&B Video" for 2004, and 2005 as well as "Most Impressive Performing Asian Artist" in 2005.[80]

On July 13, 2005, she released her sixth original studio album,Queen of Hip-Pop. In collaboration with MGM Studios, Amuro used the Pink Panther character in the album; a female panther counterpart was created for the album as well.[81] When the album was completed, Amuro said that she had not been able to sing the songs very well yet.[82]

In September 2005, Amuro held her seventh national tour, Space of Hip-Pop. Shortly after the start of her tour, she announced that she would contribute to the Japanese theaterical release of Sin City. After viewing the movie, Amuro made an offer to the Japanese distribution company to sing its theme song; the company, feeling that her image fit the movie, accepted her offer.[83][84] Director Robert Rodriguez was impressed by the song and asked to be a part of it; he can be heard saying "Welcome to Sin City" towards the end of the song.[85] The theme song, "Violet Sauce", was later released as part of a double a-side single, "White Light / Violet Sauce", on November 16, 2005. Shortly after the single, she released Filmography 2001-2005 a compilation of twelve of her music videos from 2001 to 2005.[86]

Amuro collaborated with Zeebra, AI, and Mummy-D on Zeebra's album The New Beginning, released on February 15, 2006, in a song called "Do What U Gotta Do".[87] On May 17, she released the double a-side single "Can't Sleep, Can't Eat, I'm Sick / Ningyo", which debuted at the number-two position on the oricon weekly chart.[88] In August 2006, she began her tour Namie Amuro Best Tour "Live Style 2006". On September 17, she performed to an audience of 12,000 at Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.[89] She stated that she would do the performance greater than ever before in 2007.[90]

2007–present: Revived popularity

Amuro's next single, "Baby Don't Cry", released on January 24, 2007, was used as the theme song of a Japanese Drama Himitsu no Hanazono.[91] On the oricon weekly chart, "Baby Don't Cry" debuted at the number-three position and she achieved a Top 10 single each year for thirteen consecutive years, breaking the solo female artist's record in Japan by Kyōko Koizumi and Shizuka Kudō.[92] It sold over a million ringtone digital downloads[93], ranking at #7 on the RIAJ 2007 yearly ringtone sales charts.[94] Amuro's 32nd single, "Funky Town", was released on April 4, 2007. The song is produced by Michico and T.Kura. She was also featured on M-flo's album, Cosmicolor, in a song titled "Luvotomy".[95]

Her 7th studio album, Play, was released on June 27, 2007. The album includes 12 songs, 4 of which are single tracks. The album was said to reflect Amuro's new style, and featured a rock number, and a chic slow song.[96] One of her new songs, "Top Secret" was used as the theme song of the drama series Prison Break Season 2 in Japan.[97] Play took the number-one spot on the Oricon Weekly Chart Rankings, becoming her first number-one album in over 7 years, with her last number-one occurring in 2000 with her album, Genius 2000.[98] It is also her fourth studio album to reach the number-one position. Play spent two consecutive weeks at the number-one position.[99] From August 18, 2007, to February 27, 2008, she performed her concert tour in Japan Namie Amuro Play Tour 2007-2008[100] which consisted initially of 53 performances[101] but was increased by 12 performances to 65 performances, making this her biggest tour in terms of number of performances by far.[102]

Amuro's first single of 2008, released on March 12, was an image song for the new Vidal Sassoon marketing campaign Fashion x Music x VS.[103] The title of her new single was confirmed to be "60s 70s 80s", and contained three songs - "New Look", "Rock Steady", and "What A Feeling". These songs have a modern twist from the '60s, '70s, and '80s. The single debuted at the number-two position on the oricon weekly charts with over 114,000 copies sold.[104] In the second week the single gained the number-one spot for that week, making it her first number-one single after 9 years and 3 months since I Have Never Seen.[105] On the oricon single sales chart, "60s 70s 80s" charted number-eight in the first half of 2008.[106]

On March 25, 2008, Amuro has won the prize for "Best Female Video" for "Hide & Seek" at Space Shower TV music video awards 08.[107] "Hide & Seek" also won the prize for "Best R&B Video" at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2008 which was conducted at the Saitama Super Arena on May 31.[108] In May 2008, Amuro also has done a collaboration with Double in a song called "Black Diamond".[109] On the ringtone download sales chart, it earned double-platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[110] On July 26, about 25,000 people attended the a-nation '08 and saw her performance.[111] This was the first time she was invited to perform on it in seven years.[112] On July 31, she took part in the Double's concert.[113]

Amuro released her third greatest hits album Best Fiction on July 30, 2008. It featured all her singles from 2002's "Wishing on the Same Star" to the recently released "60s 70s 80s". It also featured 2 new songs, "Sexy Girl" and "Do Me More". "Sexy Girl" was the theme song for NHK drama Otome no Punch that aired on June 19, and the other called "Do Me More" was the campaign song for Vidal Sassoon.[114] Best Fiction sold 681,000 copies on the first week and debuted at the number-one position on the oricon weekly charts.[115] Within its third week, Best Fiction outsold a million copies, and Amuro became the only artist who produced million-selling albums in the oricon chart for three decades of her teens, twenties, and thirties.[116][117] Best Fiction eventually spent six consecutive weeks at the number-one position, becoming the first album to do so in over 14 years since the Dreams Come True's 1993 album Magic.[118] Best Fiction sold over 1.4 million copies.[119] In addition, it became the second best selling digital-format album by Japanese artists behind Hikaru Utada's Heart Station on the iTunes yearly album charts in Japan.[120] Best Fiction won the award for "the best album of the year" at the 50th Japan Record Awards.[121]

On October 25, 2008, Amuro also started a tour called Namie Amuro Best Fiction tour 2008-2009 at the Makuhari Messe.[122][123]

Influence

Early in her career, Amuro's music consisted of mostly dance-pop songs, typical of her then-producer Tetsuya Komuro.[124] In later years, however, Amuro began incorporating elements of R&B and hip-hop; producer Dallas Austin[125] as well as Amuro's involvement in Avex's Suite Chic project were pivotal in her musical evolution.[56] By her albums Style and Queen of Hip-Pop, Amuro had moved away from dance music and focused mainly on hip-hop and R&B tunes.[109]

At the height of her popularity, Amuro was known as a fashion leader in Japan; her style, which included mini-skirts and platform boots started the "Amuraa" craze in Japan, in which girls across Japan copied aspects of Amuro's look, including her clothes, tanned skin, hair, and "pencil thin eyebrows".[126] Also among the fads that Amuro popularized were body wire (nylon accessories that resemble tattoos), baggy socks, and skin-baring clothes.[127][128][129] Additionally, Amuro is often credited with starting the Ganguro trend, as it has its roots in Amura.[130] Amuro's "idol" status contributed to her prominence in the media in the mid-nineties; at one point, Amuro hosted her own television show in addition to promoting various products through commercials as well as appearing on a television show "almost every night".[1][5]

Discography

Main article: Namie Amuro discography

Studio albums

  • 1995: Dance Tracks Vol.1
  • 1996: Sweet 19 Blues
  • 1997: Concentration 20
  • 2000: Genius 2000
  • 2000: Break the Rules
  • 2003: Style
  • 2005: Queen of Hip-Pop
  • 2007: Play

Compilation albums

  • 1998: 181920
  • 2002: Love Enhanced Single Collection
  • 2008: Best Fiction

Concerts and tours

Filmography

Drama

Films

Drama Theme Songs

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tracey, David (December 10, 1996). "New Teen Queen Reigns in Japan". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved on July 1, 2008.
  2. ↑ Herskovitz, Jon (January 17, 1998). "Japan's Stardom School; Pop Phenoms Get Their Start in an Okinawa Mall". The Washington Post: B.08. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/25425479.html?dids=25425479:25425479&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=JAN+17%2C+1998&author=Jon+Herskovitz&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Japan%27s+Stardom+School%3B+Pop+Phenoms+Get+Their+Start+in+an+Okinawa+Mall&pqatl=google. Retrieved on 2008-09-05. 
  3. ↑ "Namie Amuro tops music chart for 1st time in a decade". Japan Today (2008-03-26). Retrieved on 2008-08-10.
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  11. ↑ Tim Larimer (2000-07-24). "The Songbird Who Made Okinawa Cool". TIME Asia. Retrieved on 2006-09-30.
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  31. ↑ (Japanese) "第39回日本レコード大賞". Japan Record Award. Retrieved on 2008-10-28.
  32. ↑ (Japanese) "第48回紅白歌合戦". Nikkan Sports. Retrieved on 2008-10-28.
  33. ↑ (Japanese) "第49回紅白歌合戦". Nikkan Sports. Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
  34. ↑ (Japanese) "Oricon Weekly Single Charts for the second week of January 1999". oricon. Retrieved on 2008-10-28.
  35. ↑ (Japanese) "ジャネット・ジャクソンへのオマージュ". Nikkei Business Publications (2008-09-25). Retrieved on 2008-11-05.
  36. ↑ (Japanese) "Oricon Weekly Single Charts for the first week of April 1999". oricon. Retrieved on 2008-10-28.
  37. ↑ "Pokemon 2000 - The Movie". Anime News Network. Retrieved on 2008-10-31.
  38. ↑ "Namie Amuro - Something 'Bout The Kiss". Discogs. Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
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  40. ↑ "Okinawa diary". guardian.co.uk (2000-07-24). Retrieved on 2008-10-31.
  41. ↑ "Kyushu-Okinawa Summit 2000 Reference Materials". Retrieved on 2007-01-16.
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  44. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵　ニュー・アルバム・リリース＆コンサート・ツアーが決定". vibe-net.com (2000-12-05). Retrieved on 2008-10-28.
  45. ↑ (Japanese) "namie amuro tour 2001 break the rules". goo. Retrieved on 2008-10-28.
  46. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵～2003". TV Station. Retrieved on 2008-11-05.
  47. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵『超豪華なベスト盤とセルフプロデュースの軌跡を語る！』". oricon (2008-07-30). Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
  48. ↑ "Forgiven but not forgotten". The Japan Times (2002-01-23). Retrieved on 2008-10-28.
  49. ↑ (Japanese) "Love Enhanced -Single Collection". HMV Japan. Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
  50. ↑ (Japanese) "10年以上の〈FOREPLAY〉 その１". bounce.com (2007-07-05). Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
  51. ↑ "Pop idol Namie Amuro divorces". Daily Times (2002-07-19). Retrieved on 2008-10-28.
  52. ↑ "Namie Amuro - Wishing On The Same Star". Discogs. Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
  53. ↑ (Japanese) "Oricon Weekly Single Charts for the fourth week of September 2002". oricon. Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
  54. ↑ (Japanese) "Wishing On The Same Star". goo. Retrieved on 2008-11-25.
  55. ↑ (Japanese) "SUITE CHIC". bounce.com (2003-02-20). Retrieved on 2008-08-10.
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 (Japanese) "安室奈美恵". bounce.com (2008-07-31). Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
  57. ↑ "Namie Amuro - Shine More". Discogs. Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
  58. ↑ "Namie Amuro - Put 'Em Up". Discogs. Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
  59. ↑ "Namie Amuro - So Crazy / Come". Discogs. Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
  60. ↑ "The Best of Inuyasha, Vol. 2". Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
  61. ↑ "Steve Holtje’s Top Ten — February 4". The Big Takeover (2007-02-04). Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
  62. ↑ (Japanese) "STYLE". Tsutaya. Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
  63. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵、ニュー・シングルは本格R＆B！　全国ツアーも決定". BARKS News (2003-10-08). Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
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  65. ↑ (Japanese) "Namie Amuro So Crazy Tour Featuring Best Singles 2003-2004". HMV Japan. Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
  66. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵～2005". TV Station. Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
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  68. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵、約6年ぶりの首位なるか？". oricon (2004-10-14). Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
  69. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵、約2年ぶりのTOP3！". oricon (2004-10-19). Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
  70. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵も辞退！出演交渉前に通知". sponichi (2004-11-25). Archived from the original on 2004-11-27. Retrieved on 2008-10-31.
  71. ↑ (Japanese) "ＳＭＡＰ辞退　紅白出場歌手決まる". Asahi Shimbun (2004-11-24). Archived from the original on 2004-12-10. Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
  72. ↑ "MTV Asia Aid a huge success". unicef (2005-02-03). Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
  73. ↑ "Global stars play Asia Aid show". BBC (2005-02-03). Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
  74. ↑ "Simple Plan Travel to Thailand to Help Tsunami Victims and Families". WMC News (2005-01-24). Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
  75. ↑ "Namie Amuro donates Y10 million to child victims in Sumatra". Japan Today (2005-03-12). Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
  76. ↑ (Japanese) "Oricon Weekly Single Charts for the third week of April 2005". oricon. Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
  77. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵に長男親権移行、 SAMも同意". Nikkan Sports (2005-05-12). Archived from the original on 2005-05-14. Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
  78. ↑ "安室、ＳＡＭから長男の親権取り戻していた". Sanspo (2005-08-23). Archived from the original on 2006-02-18. Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
  79. ↑ (Japanese) "安室４年連続受賞！オレンジレンジも３冠－ＭＴＶ　ＶＭＡ". sanspo (2005-05-30). Retrieved on 2008-08-10. Internet Archive copy.
  80. ↑ (Japanese) "安室２冠　４年連続受賞". Sports Hochi (2005-05-29). Retrieved on 2008-08-10. Internet Archive copy.
  81. ↑ (Japanese) "そっくり!可愛い!!ナミエパンサー". Sports Hochi (2005-07-06). Retrieved on 2008-11-05. Internet Archive copy.
  82. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵 Special Interview". oricon (2005-07-13). Retrieved on 2008-08-10.
  83. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵、初の洋画イメージソングを歌う!". Oricon (September 9, 2005). Retrieved on 2008-09-05.
  84. ↑ (Japanese) "OnGen、安室奈美恵「Violet Sauce」を先行配信～シン・シティ日本版イメージソング". RBB Today (September 30, 2005). Retrieved on 2008-09-05.
  85. ↑ (Japanese) "シン・シティ映画サントラ配信中!【OnGen：国内最大級の音楽ダウンロードサイト】". Ongen. Retrieved on 2008-09-05.
  86. ↑ "Namie Amuro - Filmography 2001-2005". Discogs. Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
  87. ↑ (Japanese) "ZEEBRA、AI、安室奈美恵、Mummy-Dとのコラボ曲をニューアルバムで披露". BARKS News (2006-01-13). Retrieved on 2008-10-31.
  88. ↑ (Japanese) "Oricon Weekly Single Charts for the first week of June 2006". oricon. Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
  89. ↑ (Japanese) "安室が全国ツアー東京公演で熱唱 (Amuro sings enthusiastically at a national tour performance in Tokyo)". oricon (2006-09-18). Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
  90. ↑ "“ひっそり”とデビュー15年を迎えていた安室奈美恵", Cyber Agent (2006-11-18). Retrieved on 2008-06-19. 
  91. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵 Baby Don’t Cry". goo. Retrieved on 2008-10-31.
  92. ↑ (Japanese) "Amuro Namie, Kyon Kyon, Shizuka Kudo! #1 Female Successive Top 10 Placing". Oricon. Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
  93. ↑ (Japanese) "レコード協会調べ　5月度有料音楽配信認定". Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved on 2008-08-18.
  94. ↑ (Japanese) "2007年有料音楽配信チャート（通称：レコ協チャート）（「着うた（R）」）". Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved on 2008-11-29.
  95. ↑ (Japanese) "COSMICOLOR". HMV Japan. Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
  96. ↑ (Japanese) "安室『Play』ダントツの人気！". HMV Japan (2007-06-05). Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
  97. ↑ (Japanese) "プリズン・ブレイク". FOX Japan. Retrieved on 2008-10-10.
  98. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵、7年5ヵ月ぶりに首位返り咲き". oricon (2007-07-03). Retrieved on 2008-10-09.
  99. ↑ (Japanese) "安室＆GReeeeN強し！アルバム1位、2位は先週と変わらず！". oricon (2007-07-10). Retrieved on 2008-10-10.
  100. ↑ (Japanese) "namie amuro PLAY tour 2007【SCHEDULE】". Avex. Retrieved on 2008-12-03.
  101. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵が大胆なコスプレに挑戦!?". oricon (2007-06-05). Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
  102. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵、過去最長のロングツアーがDVD化". natalie (2007-12-20). Retrieved on 2008-08-10.
  103. ↑ "安室奈美恵、夢のコラボで新曲初披露". oricon (2008-01-18). Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
  104. ↑ (Japanese) "Oricon Weekly Single Charts for the fourth week of March 2008". oricon. Retrieved on 2008-10-28.
  105. ↑ (Japanese) "安室９年３カ月ぶりにオリコン１位獲得". Sports Daily Online (2008-03-25). Retrieved on 2008-08-07.
  106. ↑ (Japanese) "上半期ランキング特集『2008年 上半期シングルランキング』". oricon (2008-06-20). Retrieved on 2008-08-27.
  107. ↑ (Japanese) "SPACE SHOWER TV : ＜MVA08＞、BUMP OF CHICKENが史上初の３冠". BARKS News (2008-03-16). Retrieved on 2008-08-10.
  108. ↑ (Japanese) "マライアからファーギーまで、MTV VMAJ08授賞式". livedoor (2008-06-02). Retrieved on 2008-08-07.
  109. ↑ 109.0 109.1 Poole, Robert Michael (May 16, 2008). "R&B queen Double adds jewel to crown". The Japan Times Online. Retrieved on July 1, 2008.
  110. ↑ (Japanese) "レコード協会調べ　7月度有料音楽配信認定". Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved on 2008-11-07.
  111. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵a－nation初参加２万5000人悩殺". Nikkan Sports (2008-07-27). Retrieved on 2008-08-07.
  112. ↑ (Japanese) "ベスト盤が話題の安室､a-nation初参戦で新曲を初披露". MSN (2008-07-30). Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
  113. ↑ (Japanese) "DOUBLE、6年ぶり全国ライブで安室奈美恵とコラボ". oricon (2008-08-01). Retrieved on 2008-11-05.
  114. ↑ "Namie Amuro releases new masterpiece collection". natalie (2008-05-27). Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
  115. ↑ (Japanese) "安室ベスト盤が今年最高の初動売上68.1万枚でアルバム通算7作目の首位". oricon (2008-08-05). Retrieved on 2008-12-04.
  116. ↑ (Japanese) "安室、史上初３年代ミリオンアルバム達成！". sanspo (2008-08-19). Retrieved on 2008-08-19.
  117. ↑ (Japanese) "安室しか出来ない！史上初３年代ミリオン！". Sports Hochi (2008-08-19). Retrieved on 2008-08-19.
  118. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵の勢い衰えず！ドリカム以来14年8か月ぶりの6週連続首位". oricon (2008-09-09). Retrieved on 2008-09-09.
  119. ↑ (Japanese) "ＳＰＥＥＤ復活後初の大阪ライブ…２７日・読売テレビ系「ベストヒット－」". Sports Hochi (2008-11-24). Retrieved on 2008-12-03.
  120. ↑ (Japanese) "2008年、「iTunes Store」で最もダウンロードされた楽曲が発表". Barks (2008-12-03). Retrieved on 2008-12-03.
  121. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵がレコ大最優秀アルバム賞". Sports Hochi (2008-12-01). Retrieved on 2008-12-03.
  122. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵:ファンクラブ先行受付ご案内の発送に関して". Vision Factory (2008-08-19). Retrieved on 2008-10-28.
  123. ↑ (Japanese) "安室奈美恵、またもや新記録を達成". livedoor (2008-08-05). Retrieved on 2008-10-28.
  124. ↑ Hickey, David. "Namie Amuro biography at Allmusic". Allmusic. Retrieved on July 1, 2008.
  125. ↑ "Producer Austin Pardoned After Conviction". ArabNews (2006-07-05). Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
  126. ↑ Larimer, Tim (July 24, 2000). "The Songbird Who Made Okinawa Cool". Time.com. Retrieved on July 1, 2008.
  127. ↑ "Nylon Tattoos". Web Japan. Retrieved on July 1, 2008.
  128. ↑ "Baggy Socks". Web Japan. Retrieved on July 1, 2008.
  129. ↑ "Showing Some Skin". Web Japan. Retrieved on July 1, 2008.
  130. ↑ Todd Joseph Miles Holden. "Japan’s Mediated ‘Global’ Identities". Retrieved on 2006-09-30.

Further readings

External links

Namie Amuro
Albums
Dance Tracks Vol. 1 | Sweet 19 Blues | Concentration 20 | 181920 | Genius 2000 | Break the Rules | Love Enhanced Single Collection | Style | Queen of Hip-Pop | Play | Best Fiction
Singles
Body Feels Exit | Chase the Chance | Don't Wanna Cry | You're My Sunshine | Sweet 19 Blues | A Walk in the Park | Can You Celebrate? | How to Be a Girl | Dreaming I was Dreaming | Can You Celebrate? (Maxi Single) | I Have Never Seen | Respect the Power of Love | Toi et Moi | Something 'bout the Kiss | Love 2000 | Never End | Please Smile Again | Think of Me / No More Tears | Say the Word | lovin' it | I Will | Wishing on the Same Star | Shine More | Put 'Em Up | So Crazy / Come | Alarm | All for You | Girl Talk / The Speed Star | Want Me, Want Me | White Light / Violet Sauce | Can't Sleep, Can't Eat, I'm Sick / 人魚 | Baby Don't Cry | Funky Town | 60s 70s 80s
Other related articles
Super Monkey's | MAX | Suite Chic | Tetsuya Komuro
Persondata
NAME Amuro, Namie
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Maruyama, Namie
SHORT DESCRIPTION Japanese singer
DATE OF BIRTH September 20 1977
PLACE OF BIRTH Okinawa, Japan
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH