Quote:
Originally Posted by CelestialChild
In regards to other Jpop singers, I used to think the same way. Now I realize that many of them actually can sing, but they use certain nasally and/or high pitched sounds that are very popular with pop music right now. At first I thought Ayumi Hamasaki was horrible, [and some of her early songs I still don't like as much], but after really listening to her one day and watching her perform, I suddenly understand her appeal. She's now one of my favorites. I think perhaps with a lot of other singers it's a great deal of how we view them with western tastes than their lacking the skills to sing.
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I agree, and I've come to realize the same thing.
J-Pop Culture isn't the same as Western Pop Culture.
It isn't that female J-Pop singers generally can't sing, it's that they are performing according to their desired image -- which isn't necessarily a bad thing; performers are also artists.
In reality, all celebrities are at
our mercy.
It is particularly more difficult for those who put their reputations on the line for fame through artistic expression; therefore, it is wise to always be aware of one's own image.
And this doesn't just apply to J-pop...
J-Rock culture is also somewhat different from Western Rock culture.
[Back on topic]
I've listened to a lot of Utada Hikaru.
I think she's beautiful both in appearance and craft.
The first song I heard from her was "Simple and Clean" from the Kingdom Hearts commercial on TV.
Originally, I'd thought she was American, from the sound of her voice.
She is Japanese... Born in New York... So I wasn't entirely wrong.
