Ayumi Hamasaki, known as the "Queen of J-Pop," is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter who has been active in the music industry for over two decades. With her powerful voice and emotive lyrics, she has become one of the most successful and influential artists in Japan.

Early Life and Career

Born on October 2, 1978, in Fukuoka, Japan, Ayumi Hamasaki began her music career at a young age. She started writing songs at the age of 13 and released her debut single "Nothing from Nothing" in 1994. Her early work was heavily influenced by Western pop and rock music, but she soon developed her own unique sound.

Breakthrough

Hamasaki's breakthrough came with the release of her second mini-album "FIVE" in 2011. The album's title track "Progress" was used as a theme song for the popular video game "Tales of Xillia," and it became a massive hit, topping the Oricon charts for two weeks and selling over 220,000 copies. The album itself debuted at number one on the Oricon charts and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).

Marriage and Divorce

In 2011, Hamasaki married Manuel, a French-American businessman. However, their marriage was short-lived, as they announced their divorce in January 2012 after just 381 days. The reasons for their divorce were not made public, but it was reportedly amicable.

New Music and Tours

After her divorce, Hamasaki continued to release new music. In March 2012, she released her thirteenth studio album "Party Queen," which debuted at number two on the Oricon charts. She also embarked on a tour in support of the album, performing at various venues across Japan.

Best Album and Single

In August 2012, Hamasaki released her fourth best-of album "A SUMMER BEST." The album featured a new song called "You & Me," which became a hit single. However, the album itself was outsold by SMAP's latest album release on the same day.

Tour and Concert

Hamasaki continued to tour throughout 2012, performing at various festivals and concerts. She also made a special appearance at the Rock & Roll Concert at the Kissadan World Exhibition in October.

15th Anniversary

In April 2013, Hamasaki celebrated her 15-year anniversary as an artist by releasing a new single "Love." The song was a hit, debuting at number one on the Oricon charts. She also embarked on a special tour to mark the occasion, performing at various venues across Japan.

Ayumi Hamasaki is a talented and influential Japanese pop singer-songwriter who has been active in the music industry for over two decades. With her powerful voice and emotive lyrics, she has become one of the most successful and beloved artists in Japan. Despite facing personal challenges and changes throughout her career, Hamasaki continues to release new music and tour extensively, cementing her status as a true queen of J-Pop.

References

1. "Ayumi Hamasaki's 15th Anniversary Tour" (April 2013)
2. "Ayumi Hamasaki Releases New Single 'Love'" (April 2013)
3. "Ayumi Hamasaki Announces Divorce" (January 2012)
4. "Ayumi Hamasaki's 13th Studio Album 'Party Queen' Debuts at Number Two on Oricon Charts" (March 2012)
5. "Ayumi Hamasaki Releases New Best-of Album 'A SUMMER BEST'" (August 2012)
6. "Ayumi Hamasaki Embarks on Tour to Support Latest Album Release" (September 2012)

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