JapanSugoi

Before Ayumi Hamasaki, there was Namie Amuro, the first proclaimed “Queen of Jpop.” She was one of the most popular pop singers in Japan during the mid 1990s and still commands a following today.

Born and raised in Okinawa, she entered the Japanese pop music industry in 1992, with four classmates from her acting school to form the group called the “Super monkeys.” This group only had limited success but they did catch the eye of prominent producer Tetsuya Komuro.

In 1995, Namie subsequently left the group and both went over to Komuro’s Avex Trax label (SuperMonkeys became the group MAX). Namie’s first single “Body Feels Exit“, was followed by three consecutive million selling singles including “Chase the Chance,” “Don’t wanna cry,” and “You’re My Sunshine.” She then released the record breaking album Sweet 19 Blues.

Her musical success had also transcended into Japanese fashion culture with her signature tanned skinned, dyed hair, miniskirts and boots copied by countless Japanese teenage girls and young women.

After another successful single “How to be a girl” and a second album, “Concentration 20″ she shocked Japan when she announced at a press conference that she was three months pregnant and married Sam, a backup dancer with the popular group TRF.

After the birth of her daughter, Namie staged a comeback as an older, wiser, sexier R&B and Hip Hop Queen. She started working with American producers Dallas Austin and Full Force which resulted in her sixth album Queen of Hip Hop and which debuted at #2. Her latest 2006 single was released earlier this summer Can’t Eat, Can’t Sleep, I’m Sick and yes, she still looks good and can shake her thing.

For her full discography see here.

Namie Amuro Videos

Body Feels Exit (Live in Taiwan)

Can you celebrate

No (live version)

Sweet 19 Blues

Never End (live version)

Respect the Power of Love

Don’t Wanna Cry

Baby Don’t Cry

Really like Namie Amuro’s music? See more or purchase here.