Ayumi Hamasaki

Hamasaki Ayumi (浜崎 あゆみ, born October 2, 1978) is a Japanese singer originally from Fukuoka. In her homeland she is commonly called by her nickname Ayu, a nickname her 'Mommy' used to call her when she was small.

She is noted for her high-pitched voice, for an aversion to singing in the English language (which is rare among Japanese singers), and for writing her own lyrics. She is also known as one of Japan's most prolific recording artists, having released 24 albums and 34 singles as of September 2004. Also started to do her own music with the pen name 'CREA' named after one of her beloved dogs, her single 'M' was the first time she has ever done music and lyrics altogether.

At one point, four of Hamasaki's albums were among Japan's top ten best-sellers. She is also the only individual to win the Japan Recording Award (日本レコード大賞) three years in a row, in 2001 (for "Dearest"), 2002 (for "Voyage"), and 2003 (for "No way to say").

Before her musical debut in 1998 with the single "Poker Face," Hamasaki was a model, television and film actress. Even though her musical debut was in 1998, she released 1 album and 1 single in 1995 featuring her song Nothing from Nothing (rap genre which she stopped doing after 1995.)

Her music has been a popular starting point for techno and trance artists: a series of albums called ayu-mi-x has been released featuring many renowned DJ's from around the world.

Discography

Single

• poker face(1998/04/08)(8cm)
• YOU(1998/06/10)(8cm)
• Trust(1998/08/05)(8cm)
• For My Dear...(1998/10/07)(8cm)
• Depend on you(1998/12/09)(8cm)
• WHATEVER(1999/02/10)(8cm)
• LOVE -Destiny-(1999/04/14)(8cm)
• TO BE(1999/05/12)(8cm)
• Boys & Girls(1999/07/14)
• A(1999/08/11)
• appears(1999/11/10)
• kanariya(1999/12/08)
• Fly high(2000/02/09)
• vogue(2000/04/26)
• Far away(2000/05/17)
• SEASONS(2000/06/07)
• SURREAL(2000/09/27)
• AUDIENCE(2000/11/01)
• M(2000/12/13)
• evolution(2001/01/31)
• NEVER EVER(2001/03/07)
• Endless sorrow(2001/05/16)
• UNITE!(2001/07/11)
• Dearest(2001/09/27)
• Daybreak(2002/03/06)
• Free & Easy(2002/04/24)
• H(2002/07/24)
• Voyage(2002/09/26)
• &(2003/07/09)
• forgiveness(2003/08/20)
• No way to say(2003/11/06)
• Moments(2004/03/31)
• INSPIRE(2004/07/28)
• CAROLS(2004/09/29)

Re-released 12cm CD

• poker face(2001/02/28)
• YOU(2001/02/28)
• Trust(2001/02/28)
• For My Dear...(2001/02/28)
• Depend on you(2001/02/28)
• WHATEVER(2001/02/28)
• LOVE -Destiny-(2001/02/28)
• TO BE(2001/02/28)

Limited Edition Single

• H(2002/11/07)

Album

• A Song for XX(1999/01/01)
• LOVEppears(1999/11/10)
• Duty(2000/09/27)
• I am...(2002/01/01)
• RAINBOW(2002/12/18)
• Memorial address(2003/12/17)

Best Album

• A BEST(2001/03/28)
• A BALLADS(2003/03/12)

Remix

• ayu-mi-x(1999/03/17)
• SUPER EUROBEAT presents ayu-ro mix(2000/02/16)
• ayu-mi-x II version US+EU(2000/03/08)
• ayu-mi-x II version Acoustic Orchestra(2000/03/08)
• ayu-mi-x II version JPN(2000/03/08)
• ayu-mi-x II version Non-Stop Mega Mix(2000/03/29)
• ayu-mi-x III Acoustic Orchestra Version(2001/02/28)
• ayu-mi-x III Non-Stop Mega Mix Version(2001/02/28)
• SUPER EUROBEAT presents ayu-ro mix 2(2001/09/27)
• Cyber TRANCE presents ayu trance(2001/09/27)
• ayu-mi-x 4 + selection Acoustic Orchestra Version(2002/03/20)
• ayu-mi-x 4 + selection Non-Stop Mega Mix Version(2002/03/20)
• Cyber TRANCE presents ayu trance 2(2002/09/26)
• ayumi hamasaki RMX WORKS from SUPER EUROBEAT presents ayu-ro mix 3(2003/09/25)
• ayumi hamasaki RMX WORKS from ayu-mi-x 5 non stop mega mix(2003/09/25)
• ayumi hamasaki RMX WORKS from Cyber TRANCE presents ayu TRANCE 3(2003/09/25)

DVD

Video Clips

• HAMASAKI AYUMI(2000/03/29)
• vogue Far away SEASONS(2000/09/20)
• SURREAL(2000/12/13)
• M(2001/02/07)
• evolution(2001/06/13)
• A clips vol.2(2002/03/13)
• ayumi hamasaki COMPLETE CLIP BOX A(2004/02/25)

Live

• ayumi hamasaki concert tour 2000 A 第1幕(2000/09/27)
• ayumi hamasaki concert tour 2000 A 第2幕(2000/09/27)
• ayumi hamasaki countdown live 2000-2001 A(2001/06/20)
• ayumi hamasaki DOME TOUR 2001 A(2001/12/12)
• ayumi hamasaki ARENA TOUR 2002 A(2003/01/29)
• ayumi hamasaki STADIUM TOUR 2002 A(2003/01/29)
• ayumi hamasaki COMPLETE LIVE BOX A(2003/01/29)
• A museum ~30th single collection live~(2004/02/25)
• ayumi hamasaki ARENA TOUR 2003-2004 A(2004/09/29)

DVD Audio

• RAINBOW(2003/07/09)
• CAROLS(2004/09/29)

Others

• A VISUAL MIX(Playstation 1 software, 2001/12/13)
• 月に沈む(2002/11/13)

VIDEO

Video Clips Compilation

• A Film for XX(1999/09/15)
• A clips(2000/02/23)
• vogue Far away SEASONS(2000/07/12)
• SURREAL(2000/12/13)
• M(2001/02/07)
• evolution(2001/06/13)
• A clips vol.2(2002/03/13)

Live

• ayumi hamasaki concert tour 2000 A Scene 1 (2000/09/13)
• ayumi hamasaki concert tour 2000 A Scene 2(2000/09/13)
• ayumi hamasaki countdown live 2000-2001 A(2001/06/20)
• ayumi hamasaki DOME TOUR 2001 A(2001/12/12)
• ayumi hamasaki STADIUM TOUR 2002 A(2003/01/29)
• ayumi hamasaki COMPLETE LIVE BOX A(2003/01/29)