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Difference between revisions of "Hamasaki Ayumi"

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[[File:ayumi hamasaki promoting FIVE.jpg|thumb|380px|Hamasaki Ayumi promoting "[[Five (Hamasaki Ayumi)|FIVE]]" (2011)]]
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[[File:Hamasaki_Ayumi_BYE_BYE_promo_2.jpeg|right|450px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[Bye-Bye (Hamasaki Ayumi)|BYE-BYE]]" (2024)]]
  
 
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'''Hamasaki Ayumi ''' (浜崎あゆみ) is a [[J-Pop|Japanese pop]] star. She has had many chart-topping releases. With record sales of over 50 million copies, of which is in Japan alone, Hamasaki is one of Japanese music's highest earning performers and a legend in the industry. Her appearance and style has had a huge impact on Japanese fashion, even influencing countries in other parts of Asia. She is also an energetic performer, known for her intricate and flashy live shows.  
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'''Hamasaki Ayumi ''' (浜崎あゆみ) is a [[J-Pop|Japanese pop]] singer-songwriter. With record sales of over 50 million copies in Japan alone, Hamasaki is one of Japanese music's highest earning performers and a legend in the industry. Her appearance and style has had a huge impact on Japanese fashion, even influencing countries in other parts of Asia. She is also an energetic performer, known for her intricate and flashy live shows.  
  
After a rough childhood, Hamasaki was discovered by current [[avex trax]] president [[Wikipedia:Max_Matsuura|Matsuura Max]]. Ever since, she has had numerous number 1 releases and is consistently reinventing her image. In 2007 and 2008, Hamasaki expanded outside of Japan by holding 2 concert tours with show locations throughout Asia
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After a rough childhood, Hamasaki was discovered by current [[avex trax]] president [[Matsuura Max]]. Ever since, she has had numerous number 1 releases and is consistently reinventing her image. In 2007 and 2008, Hamasaki expanded outside of Japan by holding 2 concert tours with show locations throughout Asia
  
 
Hamasaki celebrated the release of her 50th single by leading up to the release in three parts. The three-single project began with "[[Moon / Blossom|MOON / blossom]]", followed by "[[Crossroad (Hamasaki Ayumi)|crossroad]]", and finally concluded with her 50th single, "[[L (Hamasaki Ayumi)|L]]".  
 
Hamasaki celebrated the release of her 50th single by leading up to the release in three parts. The three-single project began with "[[Moon / Blossom|MOON / blossom]]", followed by "[[Crossroad (Hamasaki Ayumi)|crossroad]]", and finally concluded with her 50th single, "[[L (Hamasaki Ayumi)|L]]".  
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==Profile==
 
==Profile==
* '''Stage Name:''' Hamasaki Ayumi (浜崎あゆみ), Hamazaki Kurumi (浜崎くるみ)
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* '''Stage Name:''' Hamasaki Ayumi (浜崎あゆみ), Hamazaki Kurumi (浜崎くるみ), CREA
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* '''Former Stage Name:''' AYUMI
 
* '''Birth Name:''' Hamasaki Ayumi (濱崎歩)
 
* '''Birth Name:''' Hamasaki Ayumi (濱崎歩)
* '''Nicknames:''' Ayu (あゆ), CREA
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* '''Nicknames:''' Ayu (あゆ)
 
* '''Birth Date:''' {{bda|1978|10|02|mf=yes}}
 
* '''Birth Date:''' {{bda|1978|10|02|mf=yes}}
 
* '''Birth Place:''' [[Wikipedia:Fukuoka Prefecture|Fukuoka Prefecture]], [[Japan]]
 
* '''Birth Place:''' [[Wikipedia:Fukuoka Prefecture|Fukuoka Prefecture]], [[Japan]]
 
* '''[[Blood Type]]:''' A
 
* '''[[Blood Type]]:''' A
* '''Height:''' 157cm (61.8 in; 5'1")
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* '''Family:''' 2 children, ex husband [[wikipedia:Manuel Schwartz|Manuel Schwartz]], ex boyfriend [[Nomura Maroka]]
* '''Weight:''' 40kg (88.18 lbs)
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* '''Labels:'''
* '''Measurements:''' 80cm-53cm-82cm (31.5 in-20.9 in-32.3 in)
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** [[Nippon Columbia]] (1995)
* '''Favorite Artists:''' [[Yamada Keiko|KEIKO]] ([[globe]]), [[Miyazawa Rie]], [[Matsuda Seiko]], [[Wikipedia:Babyface|Babyface]], [[Wikipedia:En Vogue|En Vogue]] and [[Tohoshinki]]
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** [[avex trax]] (1998-)
* '''Favorite City:''' New York
 
* '''Favorite Actors:''' [[Wikipedia:Nicolas Cage|Nicolas Cage]], [[Miyazawa Rie]]
 
* '''Favorite Movies:''' The Bodyguard, Betty Blue, Leaving Las Vegas
 
* '''People I Respect:''' People who have things I don't have.
 
* '''People I Dislike:''' Liars, people who don't say hello.
 
* '''Current Interest:''' Collecting white things for my room
 
* '''Favorite Food:''' Biscuits (maybe my staple diet!), cakes, chocolates, kimchi (Korean marinated cabbage)
 
* '''Favorite Things to Read:''' Most fashion magazines. Modern-language translations of the Manyo tanka poems are especially interesting. Poems of [[Giniro Natsuo]], [[Aida Mitsuo]], etc.
 
* '''Lessons:''' Piano, Japanese calligraphy (5th rank), abacus calculation, Japanese flower arrangement, Kumon-shiki study system
 
  
 
==Biography==
 
==Biography==
 
===Early Life===
 
===Early Life===
[[File:Hamasakiayumi.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hamasaki Ayumi (1995)]]
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[[File:Hamasakiayumi.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki Ayumi (1995)]]
  
 
Hamasaki Ayumi was born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1978. Her father left her and her mother behind when Hamasaki was only three years old. One night, Hamasaki awoke in the night and witnessed her father packing up his things. When she asked where he was going, he said he was leaving on a business trip. After wishing her father a safe journey and going back to bed Hamasaki never saw him again.
 
Hamasaki Ayumi was born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1978. Her father left her and her mother behind when Hamasaki was only three years old. One night, Hamasaki awoke in the night and witnessed her father packing up his things. When she asked where he was going, he said he was leaving on a business trip. After wishing her father a safe journey and going back to bed Hamasaki never saw him again.
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Dissatisfied with her job as an actress and an unsuccessful singer, Hamasaki quit work and moved in with her mother (who had recently moved to [[Tokyo]]).
 
Dissatisfied with her job as an actress and an unsuccessful singer, Hamasaki quit work and moved in with her mother (who had recently moved to [[Tokyo]]).
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[[File:Hamasakiayumi 1998.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Hamasaki promoting "[[Poker Face|poker face]]" (1998)]]
  
 
As a junior high student back home, Hamasaki was a initially a dedicated student. However, her interest in the curriculum soon disintegrated and with it, her grades. Once in [[Tokyo]] and living with her mother, Hamasaki attempted to return to school and enrolled in Horikoshi Gakuen, a high school for the arts. She dropped out after the first year.
 
As a junior high student back home, Hamasaki was a initially a dedicated student. However, her interest in the curriculum soon disintegrated and with it, her grades. Once in [[Tokyo]] and living with her mother, Hamasaki attempted to return to school and enrolled in Horikoshi Gakuen, a high school for the arts. She dropped out after the first year.
  
 
A jobless high school dropout, Hamasaki decided that her time was best to spent shopping in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibuya,_Tokyo| Shibuya] district of Tokyo and dancing at [[wikipedia:Velfarre|Velfarre]], a club owned by [[avex trax|Avex]]. One fateful night at Velfarre in 1997, Hamasaki was introduced to [[Wikipedia:Max_Matsuura|Matsuura Max]] (her future producer) by a friend. After hearing Hamasaki sing karaoke [[Wikipedia:Max_Matsuura|Matsuura]] told her she had a nice voice, but couldn't sing well. He wanted to send her to voice lessons and sign her to his label, [[avex trax]]. She found him to be shady and rejected the offer at first. However, Matsuura persisted and convinced Hamasaki to sign with the label in the following year.
 
A jobless high school dropout, Hamasaki decided that her time was best to spent shopping in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibuya,_Tokyo| Shibuya] district of Tokyo and dancing at [[wikipedia:Velfarre|Velfarre]], a club owned by [[avex trax|Avex]]. One fateful night at Velfarre in 1997, Hamasaki was introduced to [[Wikipedia:Max_Matsuura|Matsuura Max]] (her future producer) by a friend. After hearing Hamasaki sing karaoke [[Wikipedia:Max_Matsuura|Matsuura]] told her she had a nice voice, but couldn't sing well. He wanted to send her to voice lessons and sign her to his label, [[avex trax]]. She found him to be shady and rejected the offer at first. However, Matsuura persisted and convinced Hamasaki to sign with the label in the following year.
 
[[File:Hamasakiayumi 1998.jpg|220px|thumb|left|Hamasaki promoting "[[Poker Face|poker face]]" (1998)]]
 
  
 
Hamasaki was then sent to New York for voice lessons but rarely attended, having always had a problem with authority. She never told [[Wikipedia:Max_Matsuura|Matsuura]] that she ditched the lessons and went shopping in New York instead. While in New York she exchanged letters with Matsuura, oddly displaying a remarkable talent for expressing her feelings.
 
Hamasaki was then sent to New York for voice lessons but rarely attended, having always had a problem with authority. She never told [[Wikipedia:Max_Matsuura|Matsuura]] that she ditched the lessons and went shopping in New York instead. While in New York she exchanged letters with Matsuura, oddly displaying a remarkable talent for expressing her feelings.
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"[[Poker Face|poker face]]" was released on April 8th, 1998. Soon afterwards, she released her second single "[[You (Hamasaki Ayumi)|YOU]]". Neither release was a hit. However, Hamasaki's emotional lyrics resonated with the Japanese public and people began to take notice of her. Hamasaki's third single, "[[Trust (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Trust]]", managed to chart within the [[Oricon]] Top 10, coming in at #9. Her next two singles both charted within the [[Oricon]] Top 10.
 
"[[Poker Face|poker face]]" was released on April 8th, 1998. Soon afterwards, she released her second single "[[You (Hamasaki Ayumi)|YOU]]". Neither release was a hit. However, Hamasaki's emotional lyrics resonated with the Japanese public and people began to take notice of her. Hamasaki's third single, "[[Trust (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Trust]]", managed to chart within the [[Oricon]] Top 10, coming in at #9. Her next two singles both charted within the [[Oricon]] Top 10.
  
[[File:Asfxxpromo.jpg|230px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[A Song for XX|A Song for ××]]" (1999)]]
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[[File:Asfxxpromo.jpg|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[A Song for XX|A Song for ××]]'' (1999)]]
  
 
On January 1st, 1999 Hamasaki's debut album was released. Titled "[[A Song for XX|A Song for ××]]", the album reached number one on the [[Oricon]] album chart, selling over 1 million copies. Due to the success of the album, she received the Japan Gold Disc Award for Best New Artist.
 
On January 1st, 1999 Hamasaki's debut album was released. Titled "[[A Song for XX|A Song for ××]]", the album reached number one on the [[Oricon]] album chart, selling over 1 million copies. Due to the success of the album, she received the Japan Gold Disc Award for Best New Artist.
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Hamasaki's August 1999 single "[[A (Hamasaki Ayumi)|A]]" was initially released in five different versions (distinguished by different colors). To commeorate sales of 1 million copies, a version of the single with a gold colored disc was released. When sales reached 1.5 million copies, a special edition gold disc was released. The single sold over 1.6 million copies total, and is to this date her best-selling single.
 
Hamasaki's August 1999 single "[[A (Hamasaki Ayumi)|A]]" was initially released in five different versions (distinguished by different colors). To commeorate sales of 1 million copies, a version of the single with a gold colored disc was released. When sales reached 1.5 million copies, a special edition gold disc was released. The single sold over 1.6 million copies total, and is to this date her best-selling single.
  
[[File:LOVEppearspromoresize.jpg|left|240px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[Loveppears|LOVEppears]]" (1999)]]
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[[File:LOVEppearspromoresize.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[Loveppears|LOVEppears]]'' (1999)]]
  
 
Hamasaki Ayumi's second album, "[[Loveppears|LOVEppears]]", effectively solidified her status as "Japanese pop royalty". Released on November 10th, 1999 the album immediately reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts, where it remained for three consecutive weeks. The album sold 1,443,490 copies in 1999 making it the #15 album of that year. In 2000, the album sold 1,077,960 copies making it the #14 album of the year. In total the album sold 2,562,130 copies and charted for 64 weeks.
 
Hamasaki Ayumi's second album, "[[Loveppears|LOVEppears]]", effectively solidified her status as "Japanese pop royalty". Released on November 10th, 1999 the album immediately reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts, where it remained for three consecutive weeks. The album sold 1,443,490 copies in 1999 making it the #15 album of that year. In 2000, the album sold 1,077,960 copies making it the #14 album of the year. In total the album sold 2,562,130 copies and charted for 64 weeks.
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In April of 2000, Hamasaki released "[[Vogue|vogue]]", the first single in a special release project. "[[Vogue|vogue]]", "[[Far Away (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Far away]]", and "[[Seasons|SEASONS]]", were all released one month apart from each other and were marketed as a trilogy. The singles were very successful, with lyrics focusing on emotions on hopelessness, a reflection of Hamasaki's self disappointment with her past public image. Hamasaki described the lyrics as looking at her life from the front, the back, and the side respectively.
 
In April of 2000, Hamasaki released "[[Vogue|vogue]]", the first single in a special release project. "[[Vogue|vogue]]", "[[Far Away (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Far away]]", and "[[Seasons|SEASONS]]", were all released one month apart from each other and were marketed as a trilogy. The singles were very successful, with lyrics focusing on emotions on hopelessness, a reflection of Hamasaki's self disappointment with her past public image. Hamasaki described the lyrics as looking at her life from the front, the back, and the side respectively.
  
[[File:Dutypromoresize.jpg|right|220px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[Duty]]" (2000)]]
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[[File:ayu_promoting_duty.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[Duty]]'' (2000)]]
  
 
In September of 2000, Hamasaki's third album, "[[Duty]]" was released. With lyrics dealing with issues similar to those in the trilogy singles the album stirred emotions in many fans and became an instant success. "[[Duty]]" sold 2,603,550 copies in 2000, becoming the #2 album of the year and sold 2,904,420 copies in total. It is Hamasaki's best selling original studio album to date.
 
In September of 2000, Hamasaki's third album, "[[Duty]]" was released. With lyrics dealing with issues similar to those in the trilogy singles the album stirred emotions in many fans and became an instant success. "[[Duty]]" sold 2,603,550 copies in 2000, becoming the #2 album of the year and sold 2,904,420 copies in total. It is Hamasaki's best selling original studio album to date.
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However, the friction with her label grew greater once the release date was chosen. At the time, the two most successful singers in Japanese pop were Hamasaki and [[Utada Hikaru]]. [[Utada Hikaru|Utada]] was to follow up her massively successful debut album "[[First Love (Utada Hikaru album)|First Love]]" with her sophomore album, "[[Distance (Utada Hikaru album)|Distance]]". [[avex trax|Avex]] strategically placed the release of Hamasaki's best album within the same week as [[Utada Hikaru|Utada]]'s album. As a result, the media reported a heated rivalry between the two young female stars. Both Hamasaki and [[Utada Hikaru|Utada]] vehemently denied these claims stating that the rivalry was fabricated by their record labels. The album was promoted heavily and Hamasaki appeared on the covers of numerous magazines.
 
However, the friction with her label grew greater once the release date was chosen. At the time, the two most successful singers in Japanese pop were Hamasaki and [[Utada Hikaru]]. [[Utada Hikaru|Utada]] was to follow up her massively successful debut album "[[First Love (Utada Hikaru album)|First Love]]" with her sophomore album, "[[Distance (Utada Hikaru album)|Distance]]". [[avex trax|Avex]] strategically placed the release of Hamasaki's best album within the same week as [[Utada Hikaru|Utada]]'s album. As a result, the media reported a heated rivalry between the two young female stars. Both Hamasaki and [[Utada Hikaru|Utada]] vehemently denied these claims stating that the rivalry was fabricated by their record labels. The album was promoted heavily and Hamasaki appeared on the covers of numerous magazines.
  
[[File:A-bestpromo.jpg|left|220px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[A Best|A BEST]]" (2001)]]
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[[File:A-bestpromo.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[A Best|A BEST]]'' (2001)]]
  
 
"[[A Best|A BEST]]" was released on March 28th, 2001. In the first week, [[Utada Hikaru|Utada]]'s "[[Distance (Utada Hikaru album)|Distance]]" took #1. In the second week, the albums' positions flipped and "[[A Best|A BEST]]" claimed the top position. In the end, both albums were huge successes, with "[[A Best|A BEST]]" selling 4,295,353 copies (becoming Hamasaki's best selling album and the #6 best selling album in Japanese music history) and "[[Distance (Utada Hikaru album)|Distance]]" selling 4,472,343 copies (making it the #4 highest selling album in Japanese music history).
 
"[[A Best|A BEST]]" was released on March 28th, 2001. In the first week, [[Utada Hikaru|Utada]]'s "[[Distance (Utada Hikaru album)|Distance]]" took #1. In the second week, the albums' positions flipped and "[[A Best|A BEST]]" claimed the top position. In the end, both albums were huge successes, with "[[A Best|A BEST]]" selling 4,295,353 copies (becoming Hamasaki's best selling album and the #6 best selling album in Japanese music history) and "[[Distance (Utada Hikaru album)|Distance]]" selling 4,472,343 copies (making it the #4 highest selling album in Japanese music history).
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===Control over Career===
 
===Control over Career===
  
Prior to the release of "[[A Best|A BEST]]", Hamasaki Ayumi released the single "[[M]]" in December of 2000. It was her first single since the release of her album "[[Duty]]" as well as a turning point in her career. This was the first song whose melody she composed herself and it showed a definite stylistic shift for the singer. Hamasaki wrote the song and its lyrics under the name, CREA. Since this time in her career, nearly every single she released has reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] weekly charts. Following the controversy with "[[A Best|A BEST]]", Hamasaki saught similar control over her career and threatened to leave [[avex trax|Avex]] if she was not being treated "as a human being."
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Prior to the release of ''[[A Best|A BEST]]'', Hamasaki Ayumi released the single "[[M]]" in December of 2000. It was her first single since the release of her album "[[Duty]]" as well as a turning point in her career. This was the first song whose melody she composed herself and it showed a definite stylistic shift for the singer. Hamasaki wrote the song and its lyrics under the name, CREA. Since this time in her career, nearly every single she released has reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] weekly charts. Following the controversy with "[[A Best|A BEST]]", Hamasaki saught similar control over her career and threatened to leave [[avex trax|Avex]] if she was not being treated "as a human being."
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[[File:Iampromo.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[I Am... (Hamasaki Ayumi album)|I am...]]'' (2002)]]
  
 
On September 27th, 2001 Hamasaki released her 24th single and one of her most iconic songs, "[[Dearest]]". The single was a huge success, selling a total of 750,420 copies and charting at #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts. It was also used as the 3rd ending theme to the popular anime, ''[[InuYasha]]''. However, the lyrics and promotional videos were a direct depiction of Hamasaki's feelings towards the way she was treated during the "[[A Best|A BEST]]" controversy.
 
On September 27th, 2001 Hamasaki released her 24th single and one of her most iconic songs, "[[Dearest]]". The single was a huge success, selling a total of 750,420 copies and charting at #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts. It was also used as the 3rd ending theme to the popular anime, ''[[InuYasha]]''. However, the lyrics and promotional videos were a direct depiction of Hamasaki's feelings towards the way she was treated during the "[[A Best|A BEST]]" controversy.
  
 
In December of 2001, Hamasaki participated in [[Komuro Tetsuya]]'s charity drive, [[song nation]]. The song project, featuring other popular [[avex trax|Avex]] artists such as [[Koda Kumi]], [[BoA]], and [[Amuro Namie]], came together to help raise money for victims of the attack on the [[Wikipedia:World Trade Center|World Trade Center]] on September 11, 2001. Hamasaki collaborated with avex label-mate [[kco|KEIKO]] on the single, "[[A Song Is Born|a song is born]]". The single reached number #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts (the only one of the song nation singles to do so).
 
In December of 2001, Hamasaki participated in [[Komuro Tetsuya]]'s charity drive, [[song nation]]. The song project, featuring other popular [[avex trax|Avex]] artists such as [[Koda Kumi]], [[BoA]], and [[Amuro Namie]], came together to help raise money for victims of the attack on the [[Wikipedia:World Trade Center|World Trade Center]] on September 11, 2001. Hamasaki collaborated with avex label-mate [[kco|KEIKO]] on the single, "[[A Song Is Born|a song is born]]". The single reached number #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts (the only one of the song nation singles to do so).
 
[[File:Iampromo.jpg|right|210px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[I Am... (Hamasaki Ayumi album)|I am...]]" (2002)]]
 
  
 
On January 1st, 2002, Hamasaki released her fourth studio album "[[I Am... (Hamasaki Ayumi album)|I am...]]". Nearly every single track was composed by Hamasaki under the name CREA. The album had a different photo and lyrical concept at first but following the attacks on 9/11, Hamasaki revised the album to focus on issues like faith and world peace. The album reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts and sold 2,308,112 copies.
 
On January 1st, 2002, Hamasaki released her fourth studio album "[[I Am... (Hamasaki Ayumi album)|I am...]]". Nearly every single track was composed by Hamasaki under the name CREA. The album had a different photo and lyrical concept at first but following the attacks on 9/11, Hamasaki revised the album to focus on issues like faith and world peace. The album reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts and sold 2,308,112 copies.
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In August of 2003, Hamasaki Ayumi released her 30th single, "[[Forgiveness|forgiveness]]". To commemorate this release, a special concert titled ''[[A Museum ~30th Single Collection Live~|A museum ~30th single collection live~]]'' was held at [[Kokuritsu Yoyogi Kyougi-jo|Yoyogi National Gymnasium]].
 
In August of 2003, Hamasaki Ayumi released her 30th single, "[[Forgiveness|forgiveness]]". To commemorate this release, a special concert titled ''[[A Museum ~30th Single Collection Live~|A museum ~30th single collection live~]]'' was held at [[Kokuritsu Yoyogi Kyougi-jo|Yoyogi National Gymnasium]].
  
[[File:Memorialaddresspromo.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[Memorial Address|Memorial address]]" (2003)]]
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[[File:Memorialaddresspromo.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[Memorial Address|Memorial address]]'' (2003)]]
  
 
In December of 2003, "[[Memorial Address|Memorial address]]" was released. It is the first mini-album released by Hamasaki, with each song on the mini having its own [[PV]]. The album reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts, selling over 1 million copies and becoming the best selling mini-album by a female artist.
 
In December of 2003, "[[Memorial Address|Memorial address]]" was released. It is the first mini-album released by Hamasaki, with each song on the mini having its own [[PV]]. The album reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts, selling over 1 million copies and becoming the best selling mini-album by a female artist.
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Even with the "[[A Best|A BEST]]" controversy seemingly far behind her, Hamasaki still felt as if she was being treated as a product and not a person. She expressed feelings that her last two studio albums were rushed. It is about this time that her sales started on a gradual decline.
 
Even with the "[[A Best|A BEST]]" controversy seemingly far behind her, Hamasaki still felt as if she was being treated as a product and not a person. She expressed feelings that her last two studio albums were rushed. It is about this time that her sales started on a gradual decline.
  
[[File:Mystorypromo.jpg|right|230px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[My Story (Hamasaki Ayumi)|MY STORY]]" (2004)]]
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[[File:Mystorypromo.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[My Story (Hamasaki Ayumi)|MY STORY]]'' (2004)]]
  
This sense of dissatisfaction drove Hamasaki to begin work on her sixth studio album, "[[My Story (Hamasaki Ayumi)|MY STORY]]". In this album she wrote freely and honestly. As a result, the album had no set theme and instead focused on her emotions towards her career.
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This sense of dissatisfaction drove Hamasaki to begin work on her sixth studio album, ''[[My Story (Hamasaki Ayumi)|MY STORY]]''. In this album she wrote freely and honestly. As a result, the album had no set theme and instead focused on her emotions towards her career.
  
 
"[[My Story (Hamasaki Ayumi)|MY STORY]]" was released on December 15, 2004. The album reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts, selling 1,131,776 copies. This would be Hamasaki's last album to sell over 1 million copies in [[Japan]]. To promote the album, Hamasaki embarked on a tour titled "[[Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour 2005 A ~My Story~|ARENA TOUR 2005 A ~MY STORY~]]". It is her first tour to be based on an album.
 
"[[My Story (Hamasaki Ayumi)|MY STORY]]" was released on December 15, 2004. The album reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts, selling 1,131,776 copies. This would be Hamasaki's last album to sell over 1 million copies in [[Japan]]. To promote the album, Hamasaki embarked on a tour titled "[[Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour 2005 A ~My Story~|ARENA TOUR 2005 A ~MY STORY~]]". It is her first tour to be based on an album.
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Following the release of "[[My Story (Hamasaki Ayumi)|MY STORY]]", Hamasaki released 4 more singles: "[[Step You / Is This Love|STEP you / is this LOVE?]]", "[[Fairyland (Hamasaki Ayumi)|fairyland]]", "[[Heaven (Hamasaki Ayumi)|HEAVEN]]", and "[[Bold & Delicious / Pride]]". The "[[Fairyland (Hamasaki Ayumi)|fairyland]]" [[PV]] became one of the most expensive music videos ever made, "[[Heaven (Hamasaki Ayumi)|HEAVEN]]" was used as the theme song to the movie ''[[wikipedia:Shinobi: Heart Under Blade|Shinobi]]'', and "[[Bold & Delicious / Pride]]" became Hamasaki's 25th #1 single; tying her with [[Matsuda Seiko]] for the record of most #1 singles by a solo female artist.
 
Following the release of "[[My Story (Hamasaki Ayumi)|MY STORY]]", Hamasaki released 4 more singles: "[[Step You / Is This Love|STEP you / is this LOVE?]]", "[[Fairyland (Hamasaki Ayumi)|fairyland]]", "[[Heaven (Hamasaki Ayumi)|HEAVEN]]", and "[[Bold & Delicious / Pride]]". The "[[Fairyland (Hamasaki Ayumi)|fairyland]]" [[PV]] became one of the most expensive music videos ever made, "[[Heaven (Hamasaki Ayumi)|HEAVEN]]" was used as the theme song to the movie ''[[wikipedia:Shinobi: Heart Under Blade|Shinobi]]'', and "[[Bold & Delicious / Pride]]" became Hamasaki's 25th #1 single; tying her with [[Matsuda Seiko]] for the record of most #1 singles by a solo female artist.
  
[[File:Missunderstoodpromo.jpg|left|240px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[(Miss)understood|(miss)understood]]" (2006)]]
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Nearly two years after the release of ''[[My Story (Hamasaki Ayumi)|MY STORY]]'', Hamasaki released her seventh album ''[[(Miss)understood|(miss)understood]]''. The sound of this album is distinctly different from anything released by Hamasaki in the past. This is because many of the tracks were covers of demos songs composed by [[wikipedia:Roberto Rosan|Roberto "Geo" Rosan]] and intend for an album for [[wikipedia:Sweetbox|Sweetbox]]. Hamasaki liked the sound and asked for permission to cover some of the songs. She edited and rearranged some of the tracks, rewriting the lyrics until she liked the results.
  
Nearly two years after the release of "[[My Story (Hamasaki Ayumi)|MY STORY]]", Hamasaki released her seventh album "[[(Miss)understood|(miss)understood]]". The sound of this album is distinctly different from anything released by Hamasaki in the past. This is because many of the tracks were covers of demos songs composed by [[wikipedia:Roberto Rosan|Roberto "Geo" Rosan]] and intend for an album for [[wikipedia:Sweetbox|Sweetbox]]. Hamasaki liked the sound and asked for permission to cover some of the songs. She edited and rearranged some of the tracks, rewriting the lyrics until she liked the results.
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[[File:Missunderstoodpromo.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[(Miss)understood|(miss)understood]]'' (2006)]]
  
"[[(Miss)understood|(miss)understood]]" reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts. However, It became Hamasaki's first album to not sell over a million copies in [[Japan]].
+
''[[(Miss)understood|(miss)understood]]'' reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts. However, It became Hamasaki's first album to not sell over a million copies in [[Japan]].
  
 
On March 8th, 2006, Hamasaki released the single "[[Startin' / Born to Be...|Startin' / Born To Be...]]". The single became her 26th #1 single, breaking [[Matsuda Seiko]]'s record for most #1 singles by a solo female artist.
 
On March 8th, 2006, Hamasaki released the single "[[Startin' / Born to Be...|Startin' / Born To Be...]]". The single became her 26th #1 single, breaking [[Matsuda Seiko]]'s record for most #1 singles by a solo female artist.
  
[[File:Secretpromo.jpg|right|260px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[Secret (Hamasaki Ayumi album)|Secret]]" (2006)]]
+
Hamasaki's eighth album, ''[[Secret (Hamasaki Ayumi album)|Secret]]'', was released on November 29, 2006. At first it was meant to be a mini-album but Hamasaki changed her mind and wrote five more songs. It reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts but failed to sell over a million copies. However the album was a huge success throughout Asia, selling a total of 2,000,000 copies.
 
+
[[File:secret promo.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[Secret (Hamasaki Ayumi album)|Secret]]'' (2006)]]
Hamasaki's eighth album, "[[Secret (Hamasaki Ayumi album)|Secret]]", was released on November 29, 2006. At first it was meant to be a mini-album but Hamasaki changed her mind and wrote five more songs. It reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts but failed to sell over a million copies. However the album was a huge success throughout Asia, selling a total of 2,000,000 copies.
 
 
 
 
===Foray into Asia===
 
===Foray into Asia===
  
On February 28th, 2007 Hamasaki released two compilation albums, "[[A Best 2 -Black-|A BEST 2 -BLACK-]]" and "[[A Best 2 -White-|A BEST 2 -WHITE-]]". The compilations featured songs from "[[I Am... (Hamasaki Ayumi album)|I am...]]" through "[[(Miss)understood|(miss)understood]]". On the day of release, "[[A Best 2 -Black-|A BEST 2 -BLACK-]]" reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts. "[[A Best 2 -White-|A BEST 2 -WHITE-]]" charted at #2, making Hamasaki the first female artist in 36 years to occupy the #1 and #2 positions on the [[Oricon]] album charts. Sales of both albums combined totaled at 1,424,734 copies.
+
On February 28th, 2007 Hamasaki released two compilation albums, ''[[A Best 2 -Black-|A BEST 2 -BLACK-]]'' and ''[[A Best 2 -White-|A BEST 2 -WHITE-]]''. The compilations featured songs from ''[[I Am... (Hamasaki Ayumi album)|I am...]]'' through ''[[(Miss)understood|(miss)understood]]''. On the day of release, ''[[A Best 2 -Black-|A BEST 2 -BLACK-]]'' reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts. ''[[A Best 2 -White-|A BEST 2 -WHITE-]]'' charted at #2, making Hamasaki the first female artist in 36 years to occupy the #1 and #2 positions on the [[Oricon]] album charts. Sales of both albums combined totaled at 1,424,734 copies.
  
Hot on the heels of the success of "[[Secret (Hamasaki Ayumi album)|Secret]]", and the two compilations in Asian countries outside of [[Japan]], Hamasaki decided to go on a concert tour of Asia. "[[Asia Tour 2007 A ~Tour of Secret~ "Live + Documentary"|ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2007 A ~Tour of Secret~]]" was announced. The foreign fanbase was extremely excited by the announcement. Tickets for the shows in Hong Kong and Taipei sold out within 3 hours.
+
Hot on the heels of the success of ''[[Secret (Hamasaki Ayumi album)|Secret]]'', and the two compilations in Asian countries outside of [[Japan]], Hamasaki decided to go on a concert tour of Asia. ''[[Asia Tour 2007 A ~Tour of Secret~ "Live + Documentary"|ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2007 A ~Tour of Secret~]]'' was announced. The foreign fanbase was extremely excited by the announcement. Tickets for the shows in Hong Kong and Taipei sold out within 3 hours.
  
 
In July of 2007, Hamasaki released her first single in over a year, "[[Glitter / Fated|glitter / fated]]". The single included a short film shot in Hong Kong featuring [[Shang Yue]]. On July 13th, 2007 it was announced that Hamasaki had split with her long time boyfriend [[Nagase Tomoya]], whom she had been dating since 2001.
 
In July of 2007, Hamasaki released her first single in over a year, "[[Glitter / Fated|glitter / fated]]". The single included a short film shot in Hong Kong featuring [[Shang Yue]]. On July 13th, 2007 it was announced that Hamasaki had split with her long time boyfriend [[Nagase Tomoya]], whom she had been dating since 2001.
  
In December of 2007, Hamasaki released her first digital single "[[Together When...]]", which topped digital charts. On January 1st, 2008, Hamasaki Ayumi released her ninth album "[[Guilty (Hamasaki Ayumi)|GUILTY]]". Unlike with her past albums, Hamasaki stated that the writing process was not very emotional for her. The album is noticeably darker and more rock driven than her past work. The album reached #2 on the [[Oricon]] charts and is Hamasaki's first album to not top the charts at #1.
+
In December of 2007, Hamasaki released her first digital single "[[Together When...]]", which topped digital charts. On January 1st, 2008, Hamasaki Ayumi released her ninth album ''[[Guilty (Hamasaki Ayumi)|GUILTY]]''. Unlike with her past albums, Hamasaki stated that the writing process was not very emotional for her. The album is noticeably darker and more rock driven than her past work. The album reached #2 on the [[Oricon]] charts and is Hamasaki's first album to not top the charts at #1.
  
[[File:Ayu10thanniversary.jpg‎|thumb|240px|left|Hamasaki promoting "[[Mirrorcle World]]" (2008)]]
+
[[File:mirrocle-world.jpg‎|thumb|300px|left|Hamasaki promoting "[[Mirrorcle World]]" (2008)]]
 
===10th Anniversary===
 
===10th Anniversary===
  
 
To begin the celebration of Hamasaki's 10th anniversary in the music scene, [[avex trax|avex]] released "[[Mirrorcle World]]" on April 8th, 2008 exactly 10 years since her debut with "[[Poker Face|poker face]]" in 1998. The single reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts, making Hamasaki the only solo female artist to have a #1 single every year for 10 consecutive years.
 
To begin the celebration of Hamasaki's 10th anniversary in the music scene, [[avex trax|avex]] released "[[Mirrorcle World]]" on April 8th, 2008 exactly 10 years since her debut with "[[Poker Face|poker face]]" in 1998. The single reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts, making Hamasaki the only solo female artist to have a #1 single every year for 10 consecutive years.
  
Shooting for the "[[Mirrorcle World]]" [[PV]] took place in Paris, France.
+
Shooting for the "[[Mirrorcle World]]" [[PV|music video]] took place in Paris, France.
  
Hamasaki then embarked on her second Asia tour "[[Ayumi Hamasaki Asia Tour 2008 ~10th Anniversary~ Live in Taipei|ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2008 ~10th Anniversary~]]", which was used to promote "[[Guilty (Hamasaki Ayumi)|GUILTY]]". Footage for the concert DVD was recorded at the show in Taipei.
+
Hamasaki then embarked on her second Asia tour ''[[Ayumi Hamasaki Asia Tour 2008 ~10th Anniversary~ Live in Taipei|ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2008 ~10th Anniversary~]]'', which was used to promote ''[[Guilty (Hamasaki Ayumi)|GUILTY]]''. Footage for the concert DVD was recorded at the show in Taipei.
  
On September 10th, 2008 Hamasaki released "[[A Complete ~All Singles~|A COMPLETE ~ALL SINGLES~]]", a compilation album featuring all the A-side songs of all her singles. The album reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts and sold 852,259 copies, making it the third best selling album by a female artist in 2008, behind [[Amuro Namie]]'s "[[Best Fiction|BEST FICTION]]" and [[Utada Hikaru]]'s "[[Heart Station (album)|HEART STATION]]".
+
On September 10th, 2008 Hamasaki released ''[[A Complete ~All Singles~|A COMPLETE ~ALL SINGLES~]]'', a compilation album featuring all the A-side songs of all her singles. The album reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts and sold 852,259 copies, making it the third best selling album by a female artist in 2008, behind [[Amuro Namie]]'s ''[[Best Fiction|BEST FICTION]]'' and [[Utada Hikaru]]'s ''[[Heart Station (album)|HEART STATION]]''.
  
 
In December of 2008, Hamasaki released the single "[[Days / Green|Days / GREEN]]".
 
In December of 2008, Hamasaki released the single "[[Days / Green|Days / GREEN]]".
  
To close her 10th anniversary celebrations, Hamasaki held her annual countdown concert, this time titled "[[Ayumi Hamasaki Premium Countdown Live 2008-2009 A|ayumi hamasaki PREMIUM COUNTDOWN LIVE 2008-2009 A]]" and featuring many of her old hits.
+
To close her 10th anniversary celebrations, Hamasaki held her annual countdown concert, this time titled ''[[Ayumi Hamasaki Premium Countdown Live 2008-2009 A|ayumi hamasaki PREMIUM COUNTDOWN LIVE 2008-2009 A]]'' and featuring many of her old hits.
  
===NEXT LEVEL, Rock'n'Roll Circus, 50th single, Love songs, and engagement===
+
===10th-12th Albums, 50th Single, and Engagement===
 +
[[File:nlpromo.png|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[Next Level|NEXT LEVEL]]'' (2009)]]
 +
In February of 2009, Hamasaki released "[[Rule / Sparkle]]". "[[Rule (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Rule]]" was used as the theme song to the international release of the live action movie, ''[[Wikipedia:Dragonball_Evolution|Dragon Ball Evolution]]''. The single continued her long running streak of #1 singles.
 +
 
 +
On March 25th, 2009 Hamasaki Ayumi released her 10th album, ''[[Next Level|NEXT LEVEL]]''. It reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts and sold 379,989 copies. This time, her style was more electronic. The album also came in an USB format, a first for Hamasaki. The [[PV|music videos]] for "[[Next Level (song)|NEXT LEVEL]]" and "[[Curtain Call (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Curtain Call]]" were both shot in Los Angeles.
  
In February of 2009, Hamasaki released "[[Rule / Sparkle]]". "[[Rule (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Rule]]" was used as the theme song to the international release of the live action movie, ''[[Wikipedia:Dragonball_Evolution|Dragon Ball Evolution]]''. The single continued her long running streak of #1 singles.
+
To promote ''[[Next Level|NEXT LEVEL]]'', Hamasaki went on her ''[[Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour 2009 A ~Next Level~|ARENA TOUR 2009 A ~NEXT LEVEL~]]'', her first Arena Tour of [[Japan]] in two years.
  
[[File:Nextlevelpromo.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[Next Level|NEXT LEVEL]]" (2009)]]
+
In the summer of 2009, Hamasaki released her 46th single, "[[Sunrise / Sunset ~Love Is All~|Sunrise / Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~]]". It became her 44th single to chart within the top 10 on the [[Oricon]] charts, making Hamasaki the artist with the most top 10 singles ever in Japanese pop. Then in December, she released her 47th single "[[You Were... / Ballad|You were... / BALLAD]]". Both singles reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts.
  
On March 25th, 2009 Hamasaki Ayumi released her 10th album, "[[Next Level|NEXT LEVEL]]". It reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts and sold 379,989 copies. This time, her style was more electronic. The album also came in an USB format, a first for Hamasaki. The [[PV]]s for "[[Next Level (song)|NEXT LEVEL]]" and "[[Curtain Call (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Curtain Call]]" were both shot in Los Angeles.
+
On April 14th, 2010 Hamasaki Ayumi released her 11th studio album, ''[[Rock'n'Roll Circus]]''. The album was recorded in London, England. The [[PV]]s were shot in London as well. The album reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts, making Hamasaki the first solo female artist in 20 years to have 10 number 1 original studio albums.
  
To promote "[[Next Level|NEXT LEVEL]]", Hamasaki went on her "[[Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour 2009 A ~Next Level~|ARENA TOUR 2009 A ~NEXT LEVEL~]]", her first Arena Tour of [[Japan]] in two years.
+
[[File:Love_song.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[Love_Songs_(Hamasaki_Ayumi)|Love songs]]'' (2010)]]  
  
In the summer of 2009, Hamasaki released her 46th single, "[[Sunrise / Sunset ~Love Is All~|Sunrise / Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~]]". It became her 44th single to chart within the top 10 on the [[Oricon]] charts, making Hamasaki the artist with the most top 10 singles ever in Japanese pop. Then in December, she released her 47th single "[[You Were... / Ballad|You were... / BALLAD]]". Both singles reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts.
+
On July 14th, 2010 Hamasaki released her 48th single, "[[Moon / Blossom|MOON / blossom]]". The single reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts and is the first in a special release project of three singles leading up to her 50th single. The 49th single "[[Crossroad (Hamasaki Ayumi)|crossroad]]" was released on September 22nd, 2010 and the 50th single, "[[L (Hamasaki Ayumi)|L]]", was released one week later on September 29th. Her twelfth studio album, ''[[Love Songs (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Love songs]]'', was released in late December.
  
On April 14th, 2010 Hamasaki Ayumi released her 11th studio album, "[[Rock'n'Roll Circus]]". The album was recorded in London, England. The [[PV]]s were shot in London as well. The album reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts, making Hamasaki the first solo female artist in 20 years to have 10 number 1 original studio albums.
+
Both Hamasaki and avex president [[Wikipedia:Max_Matsuura|Max Matsuura]] confirmed via Twitter that ''[[Ayu-mi-x 7 Presents Ayu Trance 4|ayu-mi-x 7 presents ayu trance 4]]'' (Hamasaki's  first trance remix album since 2003) was in the works. The album was released in March 30, 2011, and three more remix albums were released on the same date. All the albums were compiled on the special release ''[[Ayu-mi-x 7 -Limited Complexe Box Set-|ayu-mi-x 7 -LIMITED COMPLETE BOX SET-]]'', also released on March 30.
  
On July 14th, 2010 Hamasaki released her 48th single, "[[Moon / Blossom|MOON / blossom]]". The single reached #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts and is the first in a special release project of three singles leading up to her 50th single. The 49th single "[[Crossroad (Hamasaki Ayumi)|crossroad]]" was released on September 22nd, 2010 and the 50th single, "[[L (Hamasaki Ayumi)|L]]", was released one week later on September 29th. Her twelfth studio album, "[[Love Songs (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Love songs]]", was released in late December.
+
On January 1, 2011, Hamasaki revealed through her TeamAyu blog that she would be marrying Austrian model/actor Manuel Schwartz (aka Mannie), who appeared in several of the [[PV|music videos]] from ''[[Love Songs (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Love songs]]''. On January 2nd it was announced that the couple had officially married at an obscure chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  
Both Hamasaki and avex president [[Wikipedia:Max_Matsuura|Max Matsuura]] confirmed via Twitter that "[[Ayu-mi-x 7 Presents Ayu Trance 4|ayu-mi-x 7 presents ayu trance 4]]" (Hamasaki's  first trance remix album since 2003) was in the works. The album was released in March 30, 2011, and three more remix albums were released on the same date. All the albums were compiled on the special release "[[Ayu-mi-x 7 -Limited Complexe Box Set-|ayu-mi-x 7 -LIMITED COMPLETE BOX SET-]]", also released on March 30.
+
===2nd Mini-Album, PV Compilation, and Divorce===
  
On January 1, 2011, Hamasaki revealed through her TeamAyu blog that she would be marrying Austrian model/actor Manuel Schwartz (aka Mannie), who appeared in several of the [[PV]]'s from "[[Love Songs (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Love songs]]". On January 2nd it was announced that the couple had officially married at an obscure chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
+
[[File:ayumi hamasaki promoting FIVE.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[Five (Hamasaki Ayumi)|FIVE]]'' (2011)]]
  
===~POWER of MUSIC~, 2nd Mini-Album, A CLIP BOX 1998-2011 and divorce===
 
 
After the release of ''[[Love Songs (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Love songs]]'', Hamasaki planned to go with her ''ARENA TOUR 2011 A ~HOTEL Love songs~'' to promote her album, but due to the Earthquake Disaster she felt that she needed a new concept on her show so she went on tour with ''[[Ayumi Hamasaki ~Power Of Music~ 2011 A Limited Edition|~POWER of MUSIC~ 2011 A]]'', a less commercial and more classic and intimate show that didn't aim to promote ''[[Love Songs (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Love songs]]''.
 
After the release of ''[[Love Songs (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Love songs]]'', Hamasaki planned to go with her ''ARENA TOUR 2011 A ~HOTEL Love songs~'' to promote her album, but due to the Earthquake Disaster she felt that she needed a new concept on her show so she went on tour with ''[[Ayumi Hamasaki ~Power Of Music~ 2011 A Limited Edition|~POWER of MUSIC~ 2011 A]]'', a less commercial and more classic and intimate show that didn't aim to promote ''[[Love Songs (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Love songs]]''.
  
 
In August of 2011, Hamasaki released ''[[Five (Hamasaki Ayumi)|FIVE]]'', her first mini-album in eight years. It reached #1 on the Oricon charts and sold 213,495 copies to date. Almost three months later the mini-album was released in a Blu-ray format, being this the first time she released an album on this format.  
 
In August of 2011, Hamasaki released ''[[Five (Hamasaki Ayumi)|FIVE]]'', her first mini-album in eight years. It reached #1 on the Oricon charts and sold 213,495 copies to date. Almost three months later the mini-album was released in a Blu-ray format, being this the first time she released an album on this format.  
  
On January, 01, 2012, Hamasaki released ''[[A Clip Box 1998-2011|A CLIP BOX 1998-2011]]'', containing all her [[PV]]s from 1998 to 2011 and also some bonus material like director's interviews.
+
On January, 01, 2012, Hamasaki released ''[[A Clip Box 1998-2011|A CLIP BOX 1998-2011]]'', containing all her [[PV|music videos]] from 1998 to 2011 and also some bonus material like director's interviews.
  
 
One year after her marriage, on January, 16, 2012, Hamasaki herself made a statement about getting a divorce due to her impossibility to live in USA since the Earthquake Disaster occurred on March, 11, 2011. She said that she felt rooted to Japan and couldn't leave the country in times like these so she choose her homeland instead of her marriage.
 
One year after her marriage, on January, 16, 2012, Hamasaki herself made a statement about getting a divorce due to her impossibility to live in USA since the Earthquake Disaster occurred on March, 11, 2011. She said that she felt rooted to Japan and couldn't leave the country in times like these so she choose her homeland instead of her marriage.
  
==Discography==
+
Hamsaki Ayumi's song "[[Evolution (Hamasaki Ayumi)|evolution]]" released back in 2001, will be used as the theme of the new [[Sawajiri Erika]] movie ''[[Helter Skelter (movie)|Helter Skelter]]''. The movie hit theaters on July 14th.
 +
 
 +
===Party Queen===
 +
 
 +
[[File:pqpromo.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[Party Queen]]'' (2012)]]
 +
 
 +
On February 8th it was released her third digital single, ''[[How Beautiful You Are|how beautiful you are]]'', followed one month later by her 13th studio album ''[[Party Queen]]'', being this the first time that she released an album without promotional physical singles. ''Party Queen'' was her second album not to reach the first position on the Oricon charts, and was also unable to sell over 100,000 copies on its debut week. To promote it she went on with the ''ARENA TOUR 2012 A ~HOTEL Love songs~'', a re-imagined version of the previous postponed show to fit with her new album concept.
 +
 
 +
On August 8th her sixth compilation album was released, ''[[A Summer Best|A SUMMER BEST]]'', and also failed to reach the first position on [[Oricon]] charts.
 +
 
 +
On November 14th Hamasaki made an update on her TeamAyu blog stating that she was in a serious relationship with her dancer Maro, who was featured on her "[[You & Me (Hamasaki Ayumi)|You & Me]]" [[PV|music video]]. On the next day Maro then confirmed the news on his own blog.
 +
 
 +
===15th Anniversary===
 +
 
 +
To celebrate her 15th anniversary in the music industry, Hamasaki announced that she would release five consecutive releases on the eighth of each month, starting from November to February of the following year. Her third and fourth mini-album, ''[[Love (Hamasaki Ayumi)|LOVE]]'' and ''[[Again (Hamasaki Ayumi)|again]]'', was released on November and December and ''[[Love (Hamasaki Ayumi)|LOVE]]'' was managed to certify gold by RIAJ. Her third release, ''[[A Classical|A Classical]]'', was her second classical album. Hamasaki's 14th studio album, also her fourth release, ''[[Love Again (Hamasaki Ayumi)|LOVE again]]'', with the inclusion of original mix songs from ''[[Love (Hamasaki Ayumi)|LOVE]]'' and ''[[Again (Hamasaki Ayumi)|again]]'', was released in February. Her last release of the project, Hamasaki released her ''[[Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour 2012 A ~Hotel Love Songs~|ARENA TOUR 2012 A ~HOTEL Love songs~]]'' concert in March.
 +
 
 +
On April 8, 2013 Hamasaki release her  ''[[Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2012-2013 A ~Wake Up~|COUNTDOWN LIVE 2012-2013 A ~WAKE UP~]]''. On April 13, Hamasaki will initiate her ''15th Anniversary TOUR ~A BEST LIVE~''. To choose the setlist for the show a special website was put online so anyone could vote for 3 songs per-day; all of her released songs were available for voting. On April 3rd the voting results were released consisting of 50 songs, including her only single that was never performed live, "[[Kanariya (Hamasaki Ayumi)|kanariya]]". It was also announced that the title of the commemorative song would be "[[Tell All (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Tell All]]".
 +
 
 +
===Motherhood, 22nd Anniversary, and Biopic===
 +
In January 2020, Hamasaki announced via her social media sites, that she gave birth to a baby boy. To celebrate her 22nd anniversary, she opened a TikTok Channel and various concert videos were uploaded on YouTube. In April 2020, a drama series based off the book ''[[M Aisubeki Hito ga Ite]]'', starring [[Anzai Kalen]] as Ayu, started to air. It shows the beginning of Hamasaki's career and focuses on how she met Max Matsuura, the dark side of becoming a star, and more. On the day the final episode aired, Hamasaki released the digital single "[[Ohia no Ki]]", her first musical release since 2018's ''TROUBLE'' and her first single since 2016.
 +
 
 +
Through her fanclub, she announced her second pregnancy on October 2, 2020.
 +
 
 +
==Japanese Discography==
 +
[[File:Evolution-Promo.png|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[Evolution (Hamasaki Ayumi)|evolution]]" (2001)]]
 +
[[File:Ayu-mi-x IV Non-stop Promo.png|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[Ayu-mi-x 4 + Selection Non-Stop Mega Mix Version|ayu-mi-x 4 + selection Non-Stop Mega Mix Version]]'' (2002)]]
 +
[[File:Hamasaki Ayumi - A Ballads Promo.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[A Ballads|A BALLADS]]'' (2003)]]
 +
[[File:Ballad -promo-.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[You Were... / Ballad|You were... / BALLAD]]" (2009)]]
 +
[[File:MOONBLOSSOMPROMO2.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[Moon / Blossom|MOON / blossom]]" (2010)]]
 +
[[File:Love Promotion.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[Love (Hamasaki Ayumi)|LOVE]]'' (2012)]]
 +
[[File:LOVE again promo.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[Love Again (Hamasaki Ayumi)|LOVE again]]'' (2013)]]
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[[File:Hamasaki Ayumi - Colours promo.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[Colours (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Colours]]'' (2014)]]
 +
[[File:AONEpromo.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting ''[[A One|A ONE]]'' (2015)]]
 +
[[File:Hamasaki Ayumi - Dreamed a Dream PROMO.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[Dreamed a Dream]]" (2020)]]
 +
[[File:Hamasaki Ayumi - Nonfiction Promo.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki promoting "[[Nonfiction (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Nonfiction]]" (2022)]]
 +
[[File:Ayumi_Hamasaki_25thanniversay_promo.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hamasaki Ayumi promoting ''[[Ayumi Hamasaki 25th Anniversary Live Tour|ayumi hamasaki 25th Anniversary Live Tour]]'' (2023)]]
 +
 
 
===Studio Albums===
 
===Studio Albums===
 
* [1999.01.01] [[A Song for XX|A Song for ××]]
 
* [1999.01.01] [[A Song for XX|A Song for ××]]
Line 218: Line 247:
 
* [2010.12.22] [[Love Songs (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Love songs]]
 
* [2010.12.22] [[Love Songs (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Love songs]]
 
* [2012.03.21] [[Party Queen|Party Queen]]
 
* [2012.03.21] [[Party Queen|Party Queen]]
 +
* [2013.02.08] [[Love Again (Hamasaki Ayumi)|LOVE again]]
 +
* [2014.07.02] [[Colours (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Colours]]
 +
* [2015.04.08] [[A One|A ONE]]
 +
* [2016.06.29] [[M(a)de in Japan|M(A)DE IN JAPAN]]
 +
* [2023.01.25] [[Remember You (Hamasaki Ayumi album)|Remember you]]
  
===Mini Albums===
+
===Mini-Albums===
* [1995.09.21] [[Nothing from Nothing (mini-album)|NOTHING FROM NOTHING]]
+
* [1995.12.01] [[Nothing from Nothing (mini-album)|NOTHING FROM NOTHING]] <small>('''AYUMI''')</small>
 
* [2003.12.17] [[Memorial Address|Memorial address]]
 
* [2003.12.17] [[Memorial Address|Memorial address]]
 
* [2011.08.31] [[Five (Hamasaki Ayumi)|FIVE]]
 
* [2011.08.31] [[Five (Hamasaki Ayumi)|FIVE]]
 +
* [2012.11.08] [[Love (Hamasaki Ayumi)|LOVE]]
 +
* [2012.12.08] [[Again (Hamasaki Ayumi)|again]]
 +
* [2015.08.05] [[Sixxxxxx|sixxxxxx]]
 +
* [2018.08.15] [[Trouble (Hamasaki Ayumi)|TROUBLE]]
  
===Compilation Albums===
+
===Best Albums===
 
* [2001.03.21] [[A Best|A BEST]]
 
* [2001.03.21] [[A Best|A BEST]]
 
* [2003.03.12] [[A Ballads|A BALLADS]]
 
* [2003.03.12] [[A Ballads|A BALLADS]]
Line 230: Line 268:
 
* [2007.02.28] [[A Best 2 -White-|A BEST 2 -WHITE-]]
 
* [2007.02.28] [[A Best 2 -White-|A BEST 2 -WHITE-]]
 
* [2008.09.10] [[A Complete ~All Singles~|A COMPLETE ~ALL SINGLES~]]
 
* [2008.09.10] [[A Complete ~All Singles~|A COMPLETE ~ALL SINGLES~]]
 +
* [2012.08.08] [[A Summer Best|A SUMMER BEST]]
 +
* [2013.09.30] [[mu-mo Gentei Hamasaki Ayumi 2013 Summer Best 3|mu-mo Gentei ☆ Hamasaki Ayumi 2013 SUMMER BEST 3]] (限定 浜崎あゆみ) <small>(Digital)</small>
 +
* [2013.09.30] [[mu-mo Gentei Hamasaki Ayumi 2013 Summer Best 6|mu-mo Gentei ☆ Hamasaki Ayumi 2013 SUMMER BEST 6]] (限定 浜崎あゆみ) <small>(Digital)</small>
 +
* [2014.11.26] [[Winter Ballad Selection|WINTER BALLAD SELECTION]] <small>(Digital)</small>
 +
* [2015.03.18] [[A Theme Songs -Drama Edition-|A THEME SONGS -Drama edition-]] <small>(Digital)</small>
 +
* [2019.06.19] [[Rainy Season Selection|RAINY SEASON SELECTION]] <small>(Digital)</small>
 +
* [2019.08.21] [[Anime & Game Selection|ANIME & GAME SELECTION]] <small>(Digital)</small>
 +
* [2021.04.08] [[A Ballads 2|A BALLADS 2]]
 +
 +
===Live Albums===
 +
* [2012.03.28] [[Ayumi Hamasaki ~Power of Music~ 2011 A Limited Edition (album)|ayumi hamasaki ~POWER of MUSIC~ 2011 A LIMITED EDITION]] <small>(Digital)</small>
 +
* [2013.09.18] [[Ayumi Hamasaki 15th Anniversary Tour ~A Best Live~|ayumi hamasaki 15th Anniversary TOUR ~A BEST LIVE~]]
 +
* [2014.03.12] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2013~2014 A ~Setlist Original Ver. Vol.1~|ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2013-2014 A ~setlist original ver. vol.1~]] <small>(Digital)</small>
 +
* [2014.03.12] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2013~2014 A ~Setlist Original Ver. Vol.2~|ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2013-2014 A ~setlist original ver. vol.2~]] <small>(Digital)</small>
 +
* [2019.02.25] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Live Tour -Trouble- 2018-2019 A Set List|ayumi hamasaki LIVE TOUR -TROUBLE- 2018-2019 A SET LIST]] <small>(Digital)</small>
 +
* [2019.04.26] [[Ayumi Hamasaki 21st Anniversary -Power of A3- Set List|ayumi hamasaki 21st anniversary -POWER of A^3- SET LIST]] <small>(Digital)</small>
 +
* [2019.09.11] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Trouble Tour 2019-2020 A -Misunderstood-|ayumi hamasaki TROUBLE TOUR 2019-2020 A -misunderstood-]] <small>(Digital)</small>
  
 
===Remix Albums===
 
===Remix Albums===
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* [2001.09.27] [[Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix 2|SUPER EUROBEAT presents ayu-ro mix 2]]
 
* [2001.09.27] [[Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix 2|SUPER EUROBEAT presents ayu-ro mix 2]]
 
* [2001.09.27] [[Cyber Trance Presents Ayu Trance|Cyber TRANCE presents ayu trance]]
 
* [2001.09.27] [[Cyber Trance Presents Ayu Trance|Cyber TRANCE presents ayu trance]]
* [2002.03.20] [[Ayu-mi-x IV + Selection Non-Stop Mega Mix Version|ayu-mi-x IV + selection Non-Stop Mega Mix Version]]
+
* [2002.03.20] [[Ayu-mi-x 4 + Selection Non-Stop Mega Mix Version|ayu-mi-x 4 + selection Non-Stop Mega Mix Version]]
* [2002.03.20] [[Ayu-mi-x IV + Selection Acoustic Orchestra Version|ayu-mi-x IV + selection Acoustic Orchestra Version]]
+
* [2002.03.20] [[Ayu-mi-x 4 + Selection Acoustic Orchestra Version|ayu-mi-x 4 + selection Acoustic Orchestra Version]]
 
* [2002.09.26] [[Cyber Trance Presents Ayu Trance 2|Cyber TRANCE presents ayu trance 2]]
 
* [2002.09.26] [[Cyber Trance Presents Ayu Trance 2|Cyber TRANCE presents ayu trance 2]]
 +
* [2003.09.25] [[RMX Works from Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix 3|ayumi hamasaki RMX WORKS from SUPER EUROBEAT presents ayu-ro mix 3]]
 +
* [2003.09.25] [[RMX Works From Cyber Trance Presents Ayu Trance 3|ayumi hamasaki RMX WORKS from Cyber TRANCE presents ayu TRANCE 3]]
 
* [2003.09.25] [[RMX Works from Ayu-mi-x 5 Non-stop Mega Mix|ayumi hamasaki RMX WORKS from ayu-mi-x 5 non stop mega mix]]
 
* [2003.09.25] [[RMX Works from Ayu-mi-x 5 Non-stop Mega Mix|ayumi hamasaki RMX WORKS from ayu-mi-x 5 non stop mega mix]]
* [2003.09.25] [[RMX Works From Cyber Trance Presents Ayu Trance 3|ayumi hamasaki RMX WORKS from Cyber TRANCE presents ayu TRANCE 3]]
 
* [2003.09.25] [[RMX Works from Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix 3|ayumi hamasaki RMX WORKS from SUPER EUROBEAT presents ayu-ro mix 3]]
 
 
* [2005.03.24] [[My Story Classical|MY STORY Classical]]
 
* [2005.03.24] [[My Story Classical|MY STORY Classical]]
 
* [2008.03.26] [[Ayu-mi-x 6 -Gold-|ayu-mi-x 6 -GOLD-]]
 
* [2008.03.26] [[Ayu-mi-x 6 -Gold-|ayu-mi-x 6 -GOLD-]]
Line 255: Line 310:
 
* [2011.04.20] [[Ayu-mi-x 7 Presents Ayu Trance 4|ayu-mi-x 7 presents ayu trance 4]]
 
* [2011.04.20] [[Ayu-mi-x 7 Presents Ayu Trance 4|ayu-mi-x 7 presents ayu trance 4]]
 
* [2011.04.20] [[Ayu-mi-x 7 Presents Ayu-ro Mix 4|ayu-mi-x 7 presents ayu-ro mix 4]]
 
* [2011.04.20] [[Ayu-mi-x 7 Presents Ayu-ro Mix 4|ayu-mi-x 7 presents ayu-ro mix 4]]
* [2011.04.20] [[Ayu-mi-x 7 -Limited Complexe Box Set-|ayu-mi-x 7 -LIMITED COMPLETE BOX SET-]]
+
* [2013.01.08] [[A Classical]]
 +
* [2015.01.28] [[Love Classics|LOVE CLASSICS]]
 +
* [2015.12.23] [[Winter Diary ~A7 Classical~|Winter diary ~A7 Classical~]]
 +
* [2018.08.20] [[Trouble (Instrumental/Acapella)|TROUBLE (Instrumental/Acapella)]] <small>(Digital)</small>
 +
* [2021.10.08] [[Cyber Trance Presents Ayu Trance -Complete Edition-|Cyber TRANCE presents ayu trance -COMPLETE EDITION-]]
 +
* [2021.11.17] [[Cyber Trance Presents Ayu Trance 2 -Complete Edition-|Cyber TRANCE presents ayu trance 2 -COMPLETE EDITION-]]
 +
 
 +
===Box Sets===
 +
* [1999.08.11] [[Ayu-mi-x Box Set|ayu-mi-x BOX SET]]
 +
* [2011.04.20] [[Ayu-mi-x 7 -Limited Complete Box Set-|ayu-mi-x 7 -LIMITED COMPLETE BOX SET-]]
 +
* [2020.12.25] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Best Live Box A|ayumi hamasaki BEST LIVE BOX A]]
 +
 
 +
===Re-released Albums===
 +
* [2016.03.28] [[A Best|A BEST -15th Anniversary Edition-]]
 +
* [2019.11.10] [[Loveppears|LOVEppears / appears -20th Anniversary Edition-]]
  
 
===Singles===
 
===Singles===
* [1995.12.01] [[Nothing from Nothing (single)|NOTHING FROM NOTHING]]
+
* [1995.09.21] [[Nothing from Nothing|NOTHING FROM NOTHING]] <small>('''AYUMI''')</small>
 
* [1998.04.08] [[Poker Face|poker face]]
 
* [1998.04.08] [[Poker Face|poker face]]
 
* [1998.06.10] [[You (Hamasaki Ayumi)|YOU]]
 
* [1998.06.10] [[You (Hamasaki Ayumi)|YOU]]
Line 283: Line 352:
 
* [2001.07.11] [[Unite!|UNITE!]]
 
* [2001.07.11] [[Unite!|UNITE!]]
 
* [2001.09.27] [[Dearest]]
 
* [2001.09.27] [[Dearest]]
* [2002.03.06] [[Daybreak]]
+
* [2002.03.06] [[Daybreak (Hamasaki_Ayumi)|Daybreak]]
 
* [2002.04.24] [[Free & Easy]]
 
* [2002.04.24] [[Free & Easy]]
 
* [2002.07.24] [[H (Hamasaki Ayumi)|H]]
 
* [2002.07.24] [[H (Hamasaki Ayumi)|H]]
Line 309: Line 378:
 
* [2010.09.22] [[Crossroad (Hamasaki Ayumi)|crossroad]]
 
* [2010.09.22] [[Crossroad (Hamasaki Ayumi)|crossroad]]
 
* [2010.09.29] [[L (Hamasaki Ayumi)|L]]
 
* [2010.09.29] [[L (Hamasaki Ayumi)|L]]
 +
* [2013.12.25] [[Feel the Love / Merry-go-round|Feel the love / Merry-go-round]]
 +
* [2014.10.01] [[Terminal (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Terminal]]
 +
* [2014.12.24] [[Zutto... / Last Minute / Walk|Zutto... / Last minute / Walk]]
  
 
===Digital Singles===
 
===Digital Singles===
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* [2011.12.21] [[Happening Here (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Happening Here]]
 
* [2011.12.21] [[Happening Here (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Happening Here]]
 
* [2012.02.08] [[How Beautiful You Are|how beautiful you are]]
 
* [2012.02.08] [[How Beautiful You Are|how beautiful you are]]
 +
* [2013.04.08] [[Tell All (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Tell All]]
 +
* [2014.01.27] [[Pray (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Pray]]
 +
* [2014.05.14] [[Hello New Me|Hello new me]]
 +
* [2015.07.01] [[Step by Step (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Step by step]]
 +
* [2016.09.30] [[We Are the Queens|We are the QUEENS]]
 +
* [2020.07.05] [[Ohia no Ki]] (オヒアの木; ''Ohia Tree'')
 +
* [2020.07.31] [[Dreamed a Dream]]
 +
* [2020.08.09] [[My All (Hamasaki Ayumi)|MY ALL (Chinese version)]]
 +
* [2021.03.12] [[Haru yo, Koi (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Haru yo, Koi]] (春よ, 来い; ''Spring, Come'')
 +
* [2021.04.08] [[23rd Monster]]
 +
* [2022.04.22] [[Nonfiction (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Nonfiction]]
 +
* [2022.07.01] [[Summer Again (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Summer Again]]
 +
* [2022.11.18] [[Mask (Hamasaki Ayumi)|MASK]]
 +
* [2024.03.25] [[Jidai (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Jidai]] (時代; ''Era'')
 +
* [2024.04.08] [[Bye-Bye (Hamasaki Ayumi)|BYE-BYE]]
  
===Compilation / Other===
+
===Digital Downloads===
* [2001.12.12] [[A Song Is Born|a song is born]] ('''Hamasaki Ayumi''' & [[kco|KEIKO]])
+
* [2014.10.01] [[XOXO (Hamasaki Ayumi)|XOXO (Plug Air Ver.)]]  
* [2010.12.22] [[Urata Naoya]] - [[Dream On|Dream ON]] feat. '''[[Hamasaki Ayumi|ayumi hamasaki]]'''
+
 
 +
===Concert Singles===
 +
* [2014.05.30] [[XOXO / Terminal]]
 +
* [2014.06.12] [[Angel / Lelio]]
 +
* [2014.07.03] [[What Is Forever Love / Now & 4Eva|What is forever love / NOW & 4EVA]]
 +
* [2017.09.06] [[Words|WORDS]]
  
 
===Remix Singles===
 
===Remix Singles===
* [2000.12.06] [[The Other Side One: Hex Hector|the other side ONE: Hex Hector]]
+
* [2000.12.06] [[The Other Side One ~Previously Unreleased Version~|the other side ONE ~previously unreleased version~]]
* [2001.01.31] [[The Other Side Two: Junior Vasquez|the other side TWO: Junior Vasquez]]
+
* [2001.01.31] [[The Other Side Two ~Previously Unreleased Version~|the other side TWO ~previously unreleased version~]]
* [2001.01.31] [[The Other Side Three: Thunderpuss, Soul Solution|the other side THREE: Thunderpuss, Soul Solution]]
+
* [2001.01.31] [[The Other Side Three ~Previously Unreleased Version~|the other side THREE ~previously unreleased version~]]
* [2001.01.31] [[The Other Side Four: System F, Vincent De Moor|the other side FOUR: System F, Vincent De Moor]]
+
* [2001.01.31] [[The Other Side Four ~Previously Unreleased Version~|the other side FOUR ~previously unreleased version~]]
 
* [2001.11.21] [[Excerpts from Ayu-mi-x III CD001|excerpts from ayu-mi-x III CD001]]
 
* [2001.11.21] [[Excerpts from Ayu-mi-x III CD001|excerpts from ayu-mi-x III CD001]]
 
* [2001.12.13] [[Excerpts from Ayu-mi-x III CD002|excerpts from ayu-mi-x III CD002]]
 
* [2001.12.13] [[Excerpts from Ayu-mi-x III CD002|excerpts from ayu-mi-x III CD002]]
Line 330: Line 422:
 
* [2001.12.26] [[Excerpts from Ayu-mi-x III CD005|excerpts from ayu-mi-x III CD005]]
 
* [2001.12.26] [[Excerpts from Ayu-mi-x III CD005|excerpts from ayu-mi-x III CD005]]
 
* [2001.12.26] [[Excerpts from Ayu-mi-x III CD006|excerpts from ayu-mi-x III CD006]]
 
* [2001.12.26] [[Excerpts from Ayu-mi-x III CD006|excerpts from ayu-mi-x III CD006]]
 +
* [2014.06.18] [[EDMA]] <small>(Digital)</small>
  
 
===Re-released Singles===
 
===Re-released Singles===
Line 341: Line 434:
 
* [2001.02.28] [[To Be|TO BE]]
 
* [2001.02.28] [[To Be|TO BE]]
 
* [2002.11.07] [[H (Hamasaki Ayumi)|H]]
 
* [2002.11.07] [[H (Hamasaki Ayumi)|H]]
 
===German Singles===
 
* [2003.04.07] [[Connected]]
 
* [2003.10.27] [[M]]
 
* [2004.03.08] [[Depend on You|Depend on you]]
 
* [2004.10.02] [[Naturally (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Naturally WIPPENBERG REMIXES 1]]
 
* [2004.10.16] [[Naturally (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Naturally WIPPENBERG REMIXES 2]]
 
* [2005.04.18] [[Appears|appears]]
 
* [2005.11.17] [[Unite!|UNITE!]]
 
  
 
===Vinyls===
 
===Vinyls===
====Official Remix Vinyls====
 
 
* [1999.06.05] [[Depend on You|Depend on you]]
 
* [1999.06.05] [[Depend on You|Depend on you]]
 
* [1999.06.19] [[A Song for XX (song)|A Song for ××]]
 
* [1999.06.19] [[A Song for XX (song)|A Song for ××]]
Line 367: Line 450:
 
* [1999.07.17] [[You (Hamasaki Ayumi)|YOU]]
 
* [1999.07.17] [[You (Hamasaki Ayumi)|YOU]]
 
* [1999.08.11] [[Ayu-mi-x Box Set|ayu-mi-x BOX SET]]
 
* [1999.08.11] [[Ayu-mi-x Box Set|ayu-mi-x BOX SET]]
* [xxxx.xx.xx] [[Boys & Girls]]
+
* [1999.xx.xx] [[Whatever (Hamasaki Ayumi)|WHATEVER]]
* [xxxx.xx.xx] [[Appears / Immature]]
+
* [1999.xx.xx] [[Boys & Girls]]
* [xxxx.xx.xx] [[Fly High (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Fly high]]
 
 
* [1999.10.06] [[A (Hamasaki Ayumi)|A -side NYC]]
 
* [1999.10.06] [[A (Hamasaki Ayumi)|A -side NYC]]
 
* [1999.10.06] [[A (Hamasaki Ayumi)|A -side TYO]]
 
* [1999.10.06] [[A (Hamasaki Ayumi)|A -side TYO]]
 
* [1999.10.18] [[Super Eurobeat J-Euro 1|SUPER EUROBEAT J-EURO 1]]
 
* [1999.10.18] [[Super Eurobeat J-Euro 1|SUPER EUROBEAT J-EURO 1]]
 +
* [2000.xx.xx] [[Boys & Girls|Boys & Girls ~ayumi hamasaki concert tour 2000]]
 +
* [2000.xx.xx] [[Appears / Immature|appears / immature ~ayumi hamasaki concert tour 2000]]
 +
* [2000.xx.xx] [[Fly High (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Fly high ~ayumi hamasaki concert tour 2000]]
 
* [2000.01.28] [[Appears / Whatever|appears / WHATEVER]]
 
* [2000.01.28] [[Appears / Whatever|appears / WHATEVER]]
 
* [2000.03.22] [[Appears|appears]]
 
* [2000.03.22] [[Appears|appears]]
Line 387: Line 472:
 
* [2001.09.26] [[Excerpts from Ayu-mi-x III:AD002|excerpts from ayu-mi-x III:AD002]]
 
* [2001.09.26] [[Excerpts from Ayu-mi-x III:AD002|excerpts from ayu-mi-x III:AD002]]
 
* [2001.09.26] [[Excerpts from Ayu-mi-x III:AD003|excerpts from ayu-mi-x III:AD003]]
 
* [2001.09.26] [[Excerpts from Ayu-mi-x III:AD003|excerpts from ayu-mi-x III:AD003]]
 +
* [2002.07.13] [[Daybreak (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Daybreak]]
 +
* [2002.07.13] [[Dearest (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Dearest]]
 
* [2008.04.09] [[Part of Me / Decision|part of Me / decision]]
 
* [2008.04.09] [[Part of Me / Decision|part of Me / decision]]
 
* [2008.04.09] [[Alterna / Beautiful Fighters|alterna / Beautiful Fighters]]
 
* [2008.04.09] [[Alterna / Beautiful Fighters|alterna / Beautiful Fighters]]
Line 398: Line 485:
 
* [2008.04.09] [[Moments / Ourselves|Moments / ourselves]]
 
* [2008.04.09] [[Moments / Ourselves|Moments / ourselves]]
  
====North American Vinyls====
+
===Videos===
* [1999.xx.xx] [[Boys & Girls]]
 
* [2001.05.27] [[Appears|appears]]
 
* [2001.06.12] [[Kanariya (Hamasaki Ayumi)|kanariya]]
 
* [2001.08.12] [[Duty (song)|Duty]]
 
* [2001.08.12] [[Evolution (Hamasaki Ayumi)|evolution]]
 
* [2001.09.16] [[M]]
 
* [2001.09.xx] [[Trauma]]
 
* [2001.10.xx] [[Monochrome (Hamasaki Ayumi)|monochrome]]
 
* [2001.xx.xx] [[Too Late (Hamasaki Ayumi)|too late]]
 
* [2001.xx.xx] [[Boys & Girls ]]
 
 
 
====German Vinyls====
 
* [2002.11.15] [[Connected|Connected (Part 1)]]
 
* [2003.02.29] [[Connected|Connected The Remixes]]
 
* [2003.09.06] [[M|M (Part 1)]]
 
* [2003.09.26] [[M|M (Part 2)]]
 
* [2003.11.02] [[M|M (Part 3)]]
 
* [2004.01.16] [[Depend on You|Depend on you Svenson & Gielen Remixes]]
 
* [2004.02.26] [[Depend on You|Depend on you (Part 2)]]
 
* [2004.09.02] [[Naturally (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Naturally (Part 1)]]
 
* [2004.09.16] [[Naturally (Hamasaki Ayumi)|Naturally (Part 2)]]
 
* [2005.02.17] [[Appears|appears Armin van Buuren Remixes]]
 
* [2005.10.04] [[Appears|appears The Remixes]]
 
* [2005.10.21] [[Unite!|UNITE! (Part 1)]]
 
* [2005.10.24] [[Unite!|UNITE! (Part 2)]]
 
 
 
====International Vinyls====
 
* [2002.06.12] [[Connected]] (Belgian Vinyl)
 
* [2004.05.05] [[M]] (Spanish Vinyl)
 
 
 
===VHS / DVD / Blu-rays===
 
 
* [1999.09.15] [[A Film for XX]]
 
* [1999.09.15] [[A Film for XX]]
 
* [2000.02.23] [[A Clips|A clips]]
 
* [2000.02.23] [[A Clips|A clips]]
 
* [2000.03.29] [[Ayumi Hamasaki (DVD)|AYUMI HAMASAKI]]
 
* [2000.03.29] [[Ayumi Hamasaki (DVD)|AYUMI HAMASAKI]]
 
* [2000.07.12] [[Vogue Far Away Seasons|vogue Far away SEASONS]]
 
* [2000.07.12] [[Vogue Far Away Seasons|vogue Far away SEASONS]]
* [2000.09.13] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 A Daiichi Maku|ayumi hamasaki concert tour 2000 A Daiichi Maku]] (第一幕)
+
* [2000.09.13] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 A Daiichi Maku|ayumi hamasaki concert tour 2000 A Daiichi Maku]] (第一幕; ''First Act'')
* [2000.09.13] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 A Daini Maku|ayumi hamasaki concert tour 2000 A Daini Maku]] (第二幕)
+
* [2000.09.13] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 A Daini Maku|ayumi hamasaki concert tour 2000 A Daini Maku]] (第二幕; ''Second Act'')
 
* [2000.12.13] [[Surreal|SURREAL]]
 
* [2000.12.13] [[Surreal|SURREAL]]
 
* [2001.02.07] [[M]]
 
* [2001.02.07] [[M]]
Line 452: Line 508:
 
* [2006.03.23] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2005-2006 A|ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2005-2006 A]]
 
* [2006.03.23] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2005-2006 A|ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2005-2006 A]]
 
* [2006.11.01] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour 2006 A ~(Miss)understood~|ayumi hamasaki ARENA TOUR 2006 A ~(miss)understood~]]
 
* [2006.11.01] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour 2006 A ~(Miss)understood~|ayumi hamasaki ARENA TOUR 2006 A ~(miss)understood~]]
* [2008.03.12] [[Asia Tour 2007 A ~Tour of Secret~ "Live + Documentary"|ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2007 A ~Tour of Secret~ "LIVE + DOCUMENTARY"]]
+
* [2008.03.12] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Asia Tour 2007 A ~Tour of Secret~ "Live + Documentary"|ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2007 A ~Tour of Secret~ "LIVE + DOCUMENTARY"]]
 
* [2008.06.18] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2007-2008 Anniversary|ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2007-2008 Anniversary]]
 
* [2008.06.18] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2007-2008 Anniversary|ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2007-2008 Anniversary]]
 
* [2009.01.28] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Asia Tour 2008 ~10th Anniversary~ Live in Taipei|ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2008 ~10th Anniversary~ Live in TAIPEI]]
 
* [2009.01.28] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Asia Tour 2008 ~10th Anniversary~ Live in Taipei|ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2008 ~10th Anniversary~ Live in TAIPEI]]
Line 462: Line 518:
 
* [2011.07.20] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2010-2011 A ~Do It Again~|ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2010-2011 ~do it again~]]
 
* [2011.07.20] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2010-2011 A ~Do It Again~|ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2010-2011 ~do it again~]]
 
* [2012.01.01] [[A Clip Box 1998-2011|A CLIP BOX 1998-2011]]
 
* [2012.01.01] [[A Clip Box 1998-2011|A CLIP BOX 1998-2011]]
* [2012.03.21] [[Ayumi Hamasaki ~Power Of Music~ 2011 A Limited Edition|ayumi hamasaki ~POWER of MUSIC~ 2011 A LIMITED EDITION]]
+
* [2012.03.21] [[Ayumi Hamasaki ~Power of Music~ 2011 A Limited Edition|ayumi hamasaki ~POWER of MUSIC~ 2011 A LIMITED EDITION]]
 +
* [2013.03.08] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour 2012 A ~Hotel Love Songs~|ayumi hamasaki ARENA TOUR 2012 A ~HOTEL Love songs~]]
 +
* [2013.04.08] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2012-2013 A ~Wake Up~|ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2012-2013 A ~WAKE UP~]]
 +
* [2013.10.30] [[Ayumi Hamasaki 15th Anniversary Tour ~A Best Live~ (video release)|ayumi hamasaki 15th Anniversary TOUR ~A BEST LIVE~]]
 +
* [2014.04.30] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2013-2014 A|ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2013-2014 A]]
 +
* [2014.10.22] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Premium Showcase ~Feel the Love~|ayumi hamasaki PREMIUM SHOWCASE ~Feel the love~]]
 +
* [2015.04.08] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2014-2015 A Cirque de Minuit ~Mayonaka no Circus~|ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2014-2015 A Cirque de Minuit ~Mayonaka no Circus~]] (真夜中のサーカス; ''Midnight Circus'')
 +
* [2015.10.28] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour 2015 A Cirque de Minuit ~Mayonaka no Circus~ The Final|ayumi hamasaki ARENA TOUR 2015 A Cirque de Minuit ~Mayonaka no Circus~ The FINAL]] (真夜中のサーカス; ''Midnight Circus'')
 +
* [2016.12.21] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour 2016 A ~M(a)de in Japan~|ayumi hamasaki ARENA TOUR 2016 A ~M(A)DE IN JAPAN~]]
 +
* [2019.09.04] [[Ayumi Hamasaki 21st anniversary -Power of A^3-|ayumi hamasaki 21st anniversary -POWER of A^3-]]
 +
* [2020.08.26] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2019-2020 ~Promised Land~ A|ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2019-2020 ~Promised Land~ A]]
 +
* [2020.12.25] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Best Live Box A|ayumi hamasaki BEST LIVE BOX A]]
 +
* [2021.01.27] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Trouble Tour 2020 A ~Saigo no Trouble~|ayumi hamasaki TROUBLE TOUR 2020 A ~Saigo no Trouble~]] (~サイゴノトラブル~)
 +
* [2021.09.08] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Music for Life ~Return~|ayumi hamasaki MUSIC for LIFE ~return~]]
 +
* [2022.08.17] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Asia Tour ~24th Anniversary Special @ Pia Arena MM~|ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR ~24th Anniversary special @PIA ARENA MM~]]
 +
* [2023.07.01] [[Ayumi Hamasaki 25th Anniversary Live|ayumi hamasaki 25th Anniversary LIVE]]
 +
* [2024.03.13] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Unreleased Live Box A|ayumi hamasaki UNRELEASED LIVE BOX A]]
 +
 
 +
===Compilations / Other===
 +
* [1998.11.26] ''[[AVEX 10th Anniversary Presents avex The Album|AVEX 10th Anniversary Presents avex THE ALBUM]]'' (#4 "A" ([[Togashi Akio|m.c.A.T]] & '''Hamasaki Ayumi'''))
 +
* [1999.08.04] ''[[Anniversary Special Super Eurobeat Request Count Down 100!!|ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL SUPER EUROBEAT REQUEST COUNT DOWN 100!!]]'' (Disc 3 #1 "Depend on you (EXTENDED POWER MIX)", #2 "poker face (EXTENDED POWER MIX)", #3 "Trust (MELODIC REMIX)", #4 "WHATEVER (EURO POWER MIX) ", #5 "YOU (SENTIMENTAL MIX)")
 +
* [2000.08.02] ''[[Super Eurobeat Vol.110|SUPER EUROBEAT VOL.110]]'' (CD3 #1 "Depend on you (EXTENDED POWER MIX)", #2 "monochrome (ayu-ro Extended Mix)", #3 "WHATEVER (EURO POWER MIX)", #4 "poker face (EXTENDED POWER MIX)", #5 "too late (Euro-Power Mix)", #6 "kanariya (Power Mix)", #7 "Trauma (Eurobeat Mix)", #8 "TO BE (Eurobeat Mix)", #9 "immature (Sweet Mix)", #10 "End roll (ayu-ro Extended Mix)", #11 "appears (Aggressive Extended Mix)", #12 "YOU (Aggressive Mix)", #13 "Trust (A Eurobeat Mix)", #14 "Boys & Girls (A Eurobeat Mix)", #15 "Fly high (Euro-Power Mix)")
 +
* [2001.12.12] '''Hamasaki Ayumi''' & [[kco|KEIKO]] - "[[A Song Is Born|a song is born]]"
 +
* [2002.03.06] ''[[Song+Nation 2 Trance|song+nation 2 trance]]'' (#1 "a song is born (tatsumaki remix)")
 +
* [2002.12.26] ''[[Stories -Love Ballade Selection-|STORIES -LOVE ballade selection-]]'' (#1 "Dearest (Original Mix)")
 +
* [2003.10.01] ''[[Love Stories II|LOVE STORIES II]]'' (Disc2#2 "LOVE ~since 1999~" <small>(Hamasaki Ayumi & [[Tsunku]])</small>)
 +
* [2003.12.17] ''[[A-nation '03 Avex Summer Festa|a-nation '03 avex summer festa]]'' (#20 "ourselves", #21 "Greatful days", #22 "HANABI - episode II -", #23 "July 1st")
 +
* [2004.02.04] [[m.c.A・T]] - ''[[Returns!]]'' (#9 "A ~La French mix~" feat. '''Hamasaki Ayumi''')
 +
* [2004.07.28] ''[[A-nation '04 Best Hit Summer|a-nation '04 BEST HIT SUMMER]]'' (#2 "Greatful days")
 +
* [2004.11.17] ''[[a-nation '04 Best Hit Summer Live!!|a-nation '04 BEST HIT SUMMER LIVE!!]]'' (#17 "INSPIRE", #18 "HANABI", #19 "Boys & Girls", #20 "July 1st")
 +
* [2005.03.30] ''[[Gazen Parapara!! Presents Super J-Euro Best]]'' (#1 "INSPIRE (Energy Inspire Remix)")
 +
* [2005.03.30] ''[[Super Best Trance Presents Super J-Trance Best]]'' (#1 "CAROLS (S.T.F.remix)")
 +
* [2005.07.27] ''[[A-nation '05 Best Hit Selection|a-nation '05 BEST HIT SELECTION]]'' (#2 "INSPIRE")
 +
* [2005.10.26] ''[[a-nation '05 Best Hit Live|a-nation '05 BEST HIT LIVE]]'' (#16 "STEP you", #17 "HANABI", #18 "flower garden" & "July 1st")
 +
* [2006.11.08] ''[[a-nation '06 Best Hit Live|a-nation '06 BEST HIT LIVE]]'' (#15 "Startin'", #16 "evolution", #17 "Boys & Girls", #18 "BLUE BIRD")
 +
* [2006.11.08] ''[[Beautiful Woman]]'' (#14 "Boys & Girls")
 +
* [2007.11.07] ''[[a-nation '07 Best Hit Live|a-nation '07 BEST HIT LIVE]]'' (#17 "1 LOVE", #18 "fated", #19 "glitter")
 +
* [2008.07.23] ''[[Summer Freak by a-nation]]'' (Disc 1 #12 "BLUE BIRD", Disc 2 #12 "BLUE BIRD (PV)")
 +
* [2008.11.26] ''[[a-nation '08 ~avex All Cast Special Live~|a-nation '08~avex ALL CAST SPECIAL LIVE ~]]'' (#18 "Mirrorcle World", #19 "A Song for xx", #20 "Greatful days", #21 "fairyland", #22 "HANABI", #23 "AUDIENCE", #24 "Boys & Girls", #25 "July 1st")
 +
* [2009.07.29] ''[[a-nation '09 BEST HIT SELECTION]]'' (Disc 1 #1 "glitter" Disc 2 #1 "glitter (PV)")
 +
* [2009.11.18] ''[[a-nation '09 Best Hit Live|a-nation '09 BEST HIT LIVE]]'' (#17 "Rule", #18 "A Song for xx", #19 "BLUE BIRD", #20 "Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~", #21 "July 1st")
 +
* [2009.12.23] ''[[CDTV No.1 Hits ~Koi Uta~|CDTV NO.1 HITS ~Koi Uta~]]''  (#1 "glitter")
 +
* [2009.12.23] ''[[CDTV No.1 Hits ~Naki Uta~|CDTV NO.1 HITS ~Naki Uta~]]'' (#12 "Voyage")
 +
* [2009.12.23] ''[[CDTV No.1 Hits ~Age Uta~|CDTV NO.1 HITS ~Age Uta~]]'' (#14 "Boys & Girls")
 +
* [2009.12.23] ''[[CDTV No.1 Hits ~Tomo Uta~|CDTV NO.1 HITS ~Tomo Uta~]]'' (#1 "evolution")
 +
* [2010.11.24] ''[[a-nation '10 Best Hit Live|a-nation '10 BEST HIT LIVE]]'' (#18 "Microphone", #20 "crossroad", #21 "Boys & Girls", #22 "July 1st", #23 "THX A LOT")
 +
* [2010.12.22] [[Urata Naoya|URATA NAOYA]] - "[[Dream On|Dream ON]]" feat. Hamasaki Ayumi
 +
* [2011.04.27] [[DJ Hello Kitty]] - ''[[Everybody Dance!]]'' (#3 "STEP you (THE YOUNG PUNX! Remix Edit)")
 +
* [2011.12.14] ''[[a-nation for Life]]'' (#20 "Last angel", #21 "Dream ON" with [[Urata Naoya]], #22 "Another song" with Urata Naoya, #23 "Why...", #24 "Greatful days~BLUE BIRD", #25 "WOW WAR TONIGHT" with Urata Naoya, #26 "July 1st")
 +
* [2012.01.11] ''[[.Love Tender|.LOVE tender]]'' (#1 "Days")
 +
* [2012.02.15] [[DJ AYAMA]] - ''[[Voices in the Distance II|VOICES IN THE DISTANCE II]]'' (Disc 1 #2 "BLUE BIRD (DJ Amaya's Angel at Dawn Remix)", #10 "forgiveness (DJ Amaya's Angel at Dawn Remix)")
 +
* [2012.02.29] ''[[One Scene -Love So Sweet-]]'' (#1 "Voyage")
 +
* [2012.03.07] ''[[Dramatic Tunes]]'' (#1 "Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~")
 +
* [2012.07.11] ''[[Helter Skelter Original Soundtrack]]'' (#23 "evolution")
 +
* [2012.08.22] ''[[Climax Love Story Dai 2 Sho]]'' (#1 "SEASONS")
 +
* [2012.10.17] ''[[Million -Best of 90's J-Pop - Blue|Million -Best Of 90's J-Pop - Blue]]'' (#6 "Boys & Girls")
 +
* [2012.11.02] ''[[Tales of Xillia 2 Original Soundtrack|TALES OF XILLIA2 ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK]]'' (Disc 3 #10 "Tada Hitori Kimi no Tame Nara ~ Song 4 u ~", #14 "Shinjiteru Shinjirareteru ~ Song 4 u ~")
 +
* [2012.12.09] [[m-flo]] - ''[[m-flo DJ Mix "Bon! Enkai"|m-flo DJ MIX "BON! ENKAI"]]'' (#11 "STEP you (THE YOUNG PUNX! remix)")
 +
* [2013.03.13] ''[[TRF Tribute Album Best|TRF TRIBUTE ALBUM BEST]]'' (CD2 #1 "teens "Acoustic Version"")
 +
* [2013.03.13] ''[[a-nation 2012 stadium fes.]]'' (#20 "evoLLANTE (BRILLANTE~evolution)", #21 "HANABI ~episode II~", #22 "Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~glitter~BLUE BIRD~Greatful days", #23 "You & Me")
 +
* [2013.10.02] ''[[Love Uta]]'' (#13 "Voyage")
 +
* [2014.03.26] [[m-flo]] - ''[[Future Is Wow|FUTURE IS WOW]]'' (#6 "My Way" + Hamasaki Ayumi)
 +
* [2014.12.09] ''[[Utada Hikaru no Uta]]'' (#4 "Movin' on without you")
 +
* [2015.12.16] ''[[globe 20th -Special Cover Best-|#globe 20th -SPECIAL COVER BEST-]]'' (#4 "Many Classic Moments")
 +
* [2019.04.10] ''[[Tetsuya Komuro Archives T Selection|TETSUYA KOMURO ARCHIVES T SELECTION]]'' (#9 "a song is born (浜崎あゆみ & [[kco|KEIKO]])", #13 "You & Me")
 +
* [2019.04.10] ''[[Tetsuya Komuro Archives K Selection|TETSUYA KOMURO ARCHIVES K SELECTION]]'' (#12 "crossroad / Original Mix")
 +
* [2019.04.10] ''[[Tetsuya Komuro Archives EX|TETSUYA KOMURO ARCHIVES EX]]'' (#10 "Love song")
 +
* [2020.03.04] ''[[Odore Japan!|Odore JAPAN!]]'' (#28 "Boys & Girls")
 +
* [2020.01.12] ''[[Avex ga Tomaranai 90s Vol.01|avex ga Tomaranai. 90s vol.01]]'' (#1 "Boys & Girls")
 +
* [2020.01.12] ''[[Avex ga Tomaranai 90s Vol.02|avex ga Tomaranai. 90s vol.02]]'' (#1 "poker face")
 +
* [2020.01.12] ''[[Avex ga Tomaranai 90s Vol.03|avex ga Tomaranai. 90s vol.03]]'' (#1 "appears")
 +
* [2020.01.12] ''[[Avex ga Tomaranai 00s Vol.01|avex ga Tomaranai. 00s vol.01]]'' (#1 "evolution")
 +
* [2020.01.12] ''[[Avex ga Tomaranai 00s Vol.02|avex ga Tomaranai. 00s vol.02]]'' (#15 "SURREAL")
 +
* [2020.01.12] ''[[Avex ga Tomaranai 00s Vol.03|avex ga Tomaranai. 00s vol.03]]'' (#15 "SEASONS")
 +
 
 +
==UK Discography==
 +
===Vinyls===
 +
* [2000.01.28] [[Appears / Whatever|appears / WHATEVER]]
 +
* [2001.07.21] [[Monochrome (Hamasaki Ayumi)|monochrome]]
 +
* [2002.01.15] [[M (Hamasaki Ayumi)|M e.p.]]
 +
 
 +
==USA Discography==
 +
===Vinyls===
 +
* [2001.xx.xx] [[Boys & Girls|BOYS & GIRLS]]
 +
* [2001.05.27] [[Appears|appears]]
 +
* [2001.06.12] [[Kanariya (Hamasaki Ayumi)|kanariya [canary]]]
 +
* [2001.08.12] [[Duty (song)|Duty]]
 +
* [2001.08.12] [[Evolution (Hamasaki Ayumi)|evolution]]
 +
* [2001.09.xx] [[Trauma]]
 +
* [2001.10.xx] [[Monochrome (Hamasaki Ayumi)|monochrome]]
 +
* [2001.xx.xx] [[Too Late (Hamasaki Ayumi)|too late]]
 +
* [2003.01.24] [[Boys & Girls ]]
 +
 
 +
==Belgian Discography==
 +
===Singles===
 +
* [2002.12.15] [[Connected]]
 +
 
 +
===Vinyls===
 +
* [2002.06.12] [[Connected]]
 +
 
 +
==German Discography==
 +
===Albums===
 +
* [[Ayu-Trance]] <small>(''unreleased'')</small><ref>Offizielle Charts [https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-11332 AYU-TRANCE], in German </ref>
 +
 
 +
===Singles===
 +
* [2003.04.07] [[Connected]]
 +
* [2003.10.27] [[M]]
 +
* [2004.03.08] [[Depend on You|Depend on you]]
 +
* [2004.10.18] [[Naturally| »Naturally WIPPENBERG REMIXES«]]
 +
* [2005.04.18] [[Appears|»appears«]]
 +
* [2005.11.17] [[Unite!|UNITE!]]
  
===Other DVDs===
+
===Vinyls===
 +
* [2002.11.15] [[Connected]]
 +
* [2003.02.29] [[Connected|Connected Talla 2XLC Remixes]]
 +
* [2003.09.06] [[M|M]]
 +
* [2003.09.26] [[M|M Part 2]]
 +
* [2003.11.02] [[M|M limited edition]]
 +
* [2004.01.15] [[Depend on You|Depend on you Svenson & Gielen Remixes]]
 +
* [2004.02.05] [[Depend on You|Depend on you DJ SHOG remixes]]
 +
* [2004.09.02] [[Naturally (Hamasaki Ayumi)| »Naturally WIPPENBERG« REMIXES 1]]
 +
* [2004.09.16] [[Naturally (Hamasaki Ayumi)| »Naturally WIPPENBERG REMIXES 2«]]
 +
* [2005.02.17] [[Appears|appears Armin van Buuren Remixes]]
 +
* [2005.03.10] [[Appears|appears The Remixes]]
 +
* [2005.10.21] [[Unite!|UNITE! (Part 1)]]
 +
* [2005.10.24] [[Unite!|UNITE! (Part 2)]]
  
* [2011.12.14] [[a-nation for Life]] (#20 ''Last angel, #21 Dream ON with Urata Naoya, #22 ANother song with Urata Naoya, #23 Why..., #24 Greatful days~BLUE BIRD, #25 WOW WAR TONIGHT with Urata Naoya, #26 July 1st'')
+
==Spanish Discography==
 +
===Vinyls===
 +
* [2004.05.05] [[M]]  
  
 
==Publications==
 
==Publications==
 
 
===Magazine Covers===
 
===Magazine Covers===
  
Line 475: Line 655:
  
 
===Calendars===
 
===Calendars===
 
 
* [2000.XX.XX] Calendar 2001
 
* [2000.XX.XX] Calendar 2001
 
* [2001.XX.XX] Calendar 2002
 
* [2001.XX.XX] Calendar 2002
* [2002.XX.XX] Calendar 2003
+
* [2002.11.XX] Calendar 2003
 
* [2003.XX.XX] Calendar 2004
 
* [2003.XX.XX] Calendar 2004
* [2004.XX.XX] Calendar 2005
+
* [2004.12.10] Calendar 2005
* [2005.XX.XX] Calendar 2006
+
* [2005.11.26] Calendar 2006
* [2006.XX.XX] Calendar 2007
+
* [2006.11.19] Calendar 2007
* [2007.XX.XX] Calendar 2008
+
* [2007.11.19] Calendar 2008
 
* [2008.10.30] Calendar 2009
 
* [2008.10.30] Calendar 2009
 
* [2009.10.24] Calendar 2010
 
* [2009.10.24] Calendar 2010
 
* [2010.12.22] Calendar 2011
 
* [2010.12.22] Calendar 2011
 
* [2011.11.26] Calendar 2012
 
* [2011.11.26] Calendar 2012
 +
 +
===Photobooks===
 +
[[Image:Ayu no Deji Deji Nikki.jpg|100px]]
 +
 +
* [1995] Terima Kasih
 +
* [1999.12] [[A Book]]
 +
* [2011.12.11] [[Ayumi Hamasaki Dome Tour 2001 History Book|ayumi hamasaki DOME TOUR 2001 HISTORY BOOK]]
 +
* [2002.04] [[Uraayu|uraayu]] - 裏歩
 +
* [2009.04.07] [[Deji Deji Nikki 100 Kai Kinen! Ayumi Hamasaki Bon]]
 +
* [2009.12] Ayumi Hamasaki Photo & Episode
 +
* [2010.04] Ayumi Hamasaki Live Photo Book 2008-2009
 +
 +
[[Image:Heart Nail Book.jpg|100px]] [[Image:Ayu Book.jpg|100px]]
 +
 +
* [2012.08.31] [[Heart Nail Book|HEART NAIL BOOK]]
 +
* [2013.11.15] ayu
 +
 +
===Books===
 +
* [2001.12] ayumi hamasaki DOME TOUR 2001 HISTORY BOOK
 +
* [2005.07] Ayumi Hamasaki Pure Stories Ayu world 1978-2005 Hiso Photo & Episode Mansai <small>(Non Official Release)</small>
 +
* [2011.01] Ayu no Digidigi Nikki mini
 +
 +
===Band Scores===
 +
* [2008.03.xx] Complete Piano Artist 1 Ayumi Hamasaki 1 "BLACK SIDE + BEST BALLADS" Piano Solo
 +
* [2008.03.xx] Complete Piano Artist 1 Ayumi Hamasaki 2 "WHITE SIDE + BEST POP TUNE" Piano Solo
 +
* [2010.01.20] [[Piano Solo Piano Eternal Ballad II Sound of Ayumi Hamasaki|Piano Solo Piano Ballad Eternal II SOUND of Ayumi Hamasaki]] (ピアノソロ ピアノエターナル バラード(2) SOUND of Ayumi Hamasaki)
 +
* [2010.07.23] [[Piano Solo Super Best Sound of Ayumi Hamasaki]] (ピアノソロ スーパーベスト Sound of Ayumi Hamasaki)
 +
* [2010.11.19] [[Piano Solo Josei Vocal Megahit 1 Sound of Ayumi Hamasaki Part 1]] (ピアノソロ 女性ボーカル メガヒット 1 Sound of Ayumi Hamasaki Part 1)
 +
* [2010.11.19] [[Piano Solo Josei Vocal Megahit 2 Sound of Ayumi Hamasaki Part 2]] (ピアノソロ 女性ボーカル メガヒット 2 Sound of Ayumi Hamasaki Part 2)
 +
* [2011.10.20] [[Shokyu~Chukyu Piano Solo Super Artist II Song by Ayumi Hamasaki|Shokyu~Chukyu PIANO SOLO Super Artist II Song by ayumi hamasaki]] (初級~中級 PIANO SOLO スーパーアーティスト II Song by ayumi hamasaki)
  
 
==Filmography==
 
==Filmography==
  
 
===Movies===
 
===Movies===
* [2002.11.13] [[Tsuki ni Shizumu]] (月に沈む; ''Sinking into the Moon'')  
+
* [1995] Nagisa no Sindbad (渚のシンドバッド)
 +
* [1996] Gakko II
 +
* [1996] Shôjo A no Satsujin
 +
* [2000] Ladys Ladys!! Soucho Saigo no hi (麗霆子 レディース!!総長最後の日)
 +
* [2000] Su Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo (すももももも)
 +
* [2002.11.13] [[Tsuki ni Shizumu]] (月に沈む; ''Sinking into the Moon'')
 +
 
 +
===Dramas===
 +
 
 +
* [1996] Miseinen
  
 
==Video Games==
 
==Video Games==
Line 498: Line 716:
 
===Play Station 2===
 
===Play Station 2===
  
* [2001.12.13] ["A" VISUAL MIX] <ayumi hamasaki DOME TOUR 2001 "A"> (PS2)
+
* [2001.12.13] [["A" Visual Mix -Ayumi Hamasaki Dome Tour 2001 "A"-|"A" VISUAL MIX <ayumi hamasaki DOME TOUR 2001 "A">]] (PS2)
  
 
===PC===
 
===PC===
Line 541: Line 759:
 
* HIDE
 
* HIDE
 
** Now performs with [[Amuro Namie]]. His last concert with Hamasaki was "BEST of COUNTDOWN LIVE 2006-2007 A".
 
** Now performs with [[Amuro Namie]]. His last concert with Hamasaki was "BEST of COUNTDOWN LIVE 2006-2007 A".
* Naoto
+
* [[NAOTO (dancer)|NAOTO]]
 +
** He is a member of the groups [[EXILE]] and [[J Soul Brothers|Sandaime J Soul Brothers]].
  
 
===Choreographies===
 
===Choreographies===
Line 551: Line 770:
 
* [[Energize|EnergizE]] - Nomura Kayano
 
* [[Energize|EnergizE]] - Nomura Kayano
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
==Trivia==
 +
* '''Favorite Artists:''' [[Yamada Keiko|KEIKO]] ([[globe]]), [[Miyazawa Rie]], [[Matsuda Seiko]], [[Wikipedia:Babyface|Babyface]], [[Wikipedia:En Vogue|En Vogue]] and [[Tohoshinki]]
 +
* '''Favorite City:''' New York
 +
* '''A City to Live:''' Los Angeles
 +
* '''Favorite Actors:''' [[Wikipedia:Nicolas Cage|Nicolas Cage]], [[Miyazawa Rie]]
 +
* '''Favorite Movies:''' The Bodyguard, Betty Blue, Leaving Las Vegas, Midnight In Paris
 +
* '''People I Respect:''' People who have things I don't have.
 +
* '''People I Dislike:''' Liars, people who don't say hello.
 +
* '''Current Interest:''' Collecting white things for my room
 +
* '''Favorite Food:''' Biscuits (maybe my staple diet!), cakes, chocolates, kimchi (Korean marinated cabbage), oden, ramen
 +
* '''Favorite Ice-Cream Flavor:''' Chocolate mint
 +
* '''Favorite Alcoholic Drink:''' Wine
 +
* '''Favorite Things to Read:''' Most fashion magazines. Modern-language translations of the Manyo tanka poems are especially interesting. Poems of [[Giniro Natsuo]], [[Aida Mitsuo]], etc.
 +
* '''Lessons:''' Piano, Japanese calligraphy (5th rank), abacus calculation, Japanese flower arrangement, Kumon-shiki study system
 +
 +
==References==
 +
{{Reflist}}
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
; Official
+
* [https://avex.jp/ayu/ Official Japanese Website]
* [http://www.avexnet.or.jp/ayu/ Official Japanese Website]
 
 
* [http://www.avex.com.tw/ayu/ Official Chinese Website]
 
* [http://www.avex.com.tw/ayu/ Official Chinese Website]
 
* [http://www.avexnet.or.jp/ayu/en/ Official English Website]
 
* [http://www.avexnet.or.jp/ayu/en/ Official English Website]
 
* [http://www.teamayu.com/index.html Team Ayu - Fanclub]
 
* [http://www.teamayu.com/index.html Team Ayu - Fanclub]
* [http://www.ayu10th.com/ Official Collection of videos (PVs, CMs and others)]
+
* [http://www.facebook.com/ayu.official Official Facebook]
 
* [http://www.twitter.com/ayu_19980408/ Official Twitter Account]
 
* [http://www.twitter.com/ayu_19980408/ Official Twitter Account]
 +
* [http://www.instagram.com/a.you/ Official Instagram]
 
* [http://www.youtube.com/ayu/ Official YouTube Channel]
 
* [http://www.youtube.com/ayu/ Official YouTube Channel]
 +
* [http://ameblo.jp/ayu-ameba-blog/ Official Blog]
 
* [http://www.myspace.com/ayu_official/ Official MySpace]
 
* [http://www.myspace.com/ayu_official/ Official MySpace]
 
+
* [https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Mvc8kRgr8LRYYgvFmlZqn Spotify Profile]
; Others
 
* [http://nippop.com/artist/artist_id-98/artist_name-ayumi_hamasaki/ Nippop Profile]
 
* [http://www.time.com/time/asia/features/ayumi_hamasaki/index.html TIMEasia.com Article: Empress of Pop]
 
* [http://www.channel-ai.com/blog/2007/04/17/ayumi-hamasaki/ Ayumi Hamasaki Biography]
 
* [http://www.eneabba.net/ayu/index.htm Ayumi Hamasaki SEASONS (Complete Ayumi Hamasaki Resource)]
 
* [http://www.thewaytosay.com/lyrics/bands/Ayumi_Hamasaki.html TheWayToSay's English Adaptions of Ayumi's Songs]
 
  
 
{{Hamasaki Ayumi}}
 
{{Hamasaki Ayumi}}
 
+
[[Category:Japanese Artists]]
[[Category:Artists]]
 
 
[[Category:J-Pop]]
 
[[Category:J-Pop]]
 +
[[Category:J-Actress]]
 +
[[Category:Model]]
 +
[[Category:1995 Debut]]
 
[[Category:1978 Births]]
 
[[Category:1978 Births]]
 
[[Category:Blood Type A]]
 
[[Category:Blood Type A]]
 
[[Category:Fukuoka Artists]]
 
[[Category:Fukuoka Artists]]
 
[[Category:Songwriter]]
 
[[Category:Songwriter]]
 +
[[Category:iTunes Artists]]

Latest revision as of 21:26, 14 April 2024

Hamasaki promoting "BYE-BYE" (2024)

Hamasaki Ayumi (浜崎あゆみ) is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter. With record sales of over 50 million copies in Japan alone, Hamasaki is one of Japanese music's highest earning performers and a legend in the industry. Her appearance and style has had a huge impact on Japanese fashion, even influencing countries in other parts of Asia. She is also an energetic performer, known for her intricate and flashy live shows.

After a rough childhood, Hamasaki was discovered by current avex trax president Matsuura Max. Ever since, she has had numerous number 1 releases and is consistently reinventing her image. In 2007 and 2008, Hamasaki expanded outside of Japan by holding 2 concert tours with show locations throughout Asia

Hamasaki celebrated the release of her 50th single by leading up to the release in three parts. The three-single project began with "MOON / blossom", followed by "crossroad", and finally concluded with her 50th single, "L".

In August of 2010, the New York Daily News conducted a survey of the 20 richest female singers of all time-based on contracts, tours and inheritance based on lists from Forbes magazine. Hamasaki is the only Asian artist on the list, placing 7th and reportedly having made gains of $400 million (U.S.).

Profile

Biography

Early Life

Hamasaki Ayumi (1995)

Hamasaki Ayumi was born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1978. Her father left her and her mother behind when Hamasaki was only three years old. One night, Hamasaki awoke in the night and witnessed her father packing up his things. When she asked where he was going, he said he was leaving on a business trip. After wishing her father a safe journey and going back to bed Hamasaki never saw him again.

Following her father's departure, she and her mother moved in with her grandmother. Hamasaki's mother worked most of the time, and thus the responsibility of caring for young Hamasaki fell on the shoulders of her grandmother. Hamasaki would later say that her grandmother felt more like a mother to her than her "Mommy" did. When she was seven years old, Hamasaki began working as a child model for local institutions to help contribute to the family.

At the age of 14, Hamasaki moved to Tokyo and signed with the talent agency SOS. Hamasaki worked as a model, doing many swimsuit photoshoots for magazines like BOMB, Young Teioh, Takarajima, and Up To Boy. She also starred in several movies and TV series, including Yami no Purple Eyes and Miseinen on TV, and movies such as Ladys Ladys!! Soucho Saigo no Hi, Like Grains of Sand, and Sumomomo Momomo. However, her career as a model did not last very long as she was deemed too short to be a model. She was transfered from SOS to the music agency, Sun Music.

NOTHING FROM NOTHING

Hamasaki signed very briefly with Nippon Columbia under the name AYUMI featuring DOHZI-T and DJ BASS and released one single and one mini-album, both titled "NOTHING FROM NOTHING". It sold dismally and Nippon Columbia dropped her. Hamasaki found little success as an idol and gave it up in favor of hanging out with friends.

Debut with A Song for ××

Dissatisfied with her job as an actress and an unsuccessful singer, Hamasaki quit work and moved in with her mother (who had recently moved to Tokyo).

Hamasaki promoting "poker face" (1998)

As a junior high student back home, Hamasaki was a initially a dedicated student. However, her interest in the curriculum soon disintegrated and with it, her grades. Once in Tokyo and living with her mother, Hamasaki attempted to return to school and enrolled in Horikoshi Gakuen, a high school for the arts. She dropped out after the first year.

A jobless high school dropout, Hamasaki decided that her time was best to spent shopping in the Shibuya district of Tokyo and dancing at Velfarre, a club owned by Avex. One fateful night at Velfarre in 1997, Hamasaki was introduced to Matsuura Max (her future producer) by a friend. After hearing Hamasaki sing karaoke Matsuura told her she had a nice voice, but couldn't sing well. He wanted to send her to voice lessons and sign her to his label, avex trax. She found him to be shady and rejected the offer at first. However, Matsuura persisted and convinced Hamasaki to sign with the label in the following year.

Hamasaki was then sent to New York for voice lessons but rarely attended, having always had a problem with authority. She never told Matsuura that she ditched the lessons and went shopping in New York instead. While in New York she exchanged letters with Matsuura, oddly displaying a remarkable talent for expressing her feelings.

Finally she returned to Japan to record her debut single, "poker face". Up until the day of recording, Hamasaki had been dissatisfied with the lyrics. Matsuura, remembering Hamasaki's letters, suggested she try writing new ones. Her lyrics were the used in the final recording of the song. The day before that recording session, Hamasaki's grandmother was sick in the hospital. Hamasaki visited her briefly saying that she'd come again later, and that tomorrow she had to record her first single. The day of recording, Hamasaki received a fax saying that her grandmother had passed away.

"poker face" was released on April 8th, 1998. Soon afterwards, she released her second single "YOU". Neither release was a hit. However, Hamasaki's emotional lyrics resonated with the Japanese public and people began to take notice of her. Hamasaki's third single, "Trust", managed to chart within the Oricon Top 10, coming in at #9. Her next two singles both charted within the Oricon Top 10.

Hamasaki promoting A Song for ×× (1999)

On January 1st, 1999 Hamasaki's debut album was released. Titled "A Song for ××", the album reached number one on the Oricon album chart, selling over 1 million copies. Due to the success of the album, she received the Japan Gold Disc Award for Best New Artist.

Rise in Popularity with LOVEppears and Duty

In February of 1999, Hamasaki released her first single since her debut album. "WHATEVER", featuring two different versions of the song with neither labeled as the original, peaked at #5 on the Oricon charts.

In April of 1999, Hamasaki released her first #1 single with the TSUNKU composition "LOVE ~Destiny~".

Hamasaki's August 1999 single "A" was initially released in five different versions (distinguished by different colors). To commeorate sales of 1 million copies, a version of the single with a gold colored disc was released. When sales reached 1.5 million copies, a special edition gold disc was released. The single sold over 1.6 million copies total, and is to this date her best-selling single.

Hamasaki promoting LOVEppears (1999)

Hamasaki Ayumi's second album, "LOVEppears", effectively solidified her status as "Japanese pop royalty". Released on November 10th, 1999 the album immediately reached #1 on the Oricon charts, where it remained for three consecutive weeks. The album sold 1,443,490 copies in 1999 making it the #15 album of that year. In 2000, the album sold 1,077,960 copies making it the #14 album of the year. In total the album sold 2,562,130 copies and charted for 64 weeks.

Fans noticed a change in Hamasaki's musical style with the release of this album, going from the rock-style of "A Song for ××" to a more dance-pop style. The single "appears" was released on the same day as the album and reached #2 on the Oricon charts.

The summer of 2000 saw Hamasaki's first concert tour, which was a huge success. It was later released on DVD, VHS, and VCD in two separate releases, "ayumi hamasaki concert tour 2000 A Daiichi Maku" and "ayumi hamasaki concert tour 2000 A Daini Maku".

In April of 2000, Hamasaki released "vogue", the first single in a special release project. "vogue", "Far away", and "SEASONS", were all released one month apart from each other and were marketed as a trilogy. The singles were very successful, with lyrics focusing on emotions on hopelessness, a reflection of Hamasaki's self disappointment with her past public image. Hamasaki described the lyrics as looking at her life from the front, the back, and the side respectively.

Hamasaki promoting Duty (2000)

In September of 2000, Hamasaki's third album, "Duty" was released. With lyrics dealing with issues similar to those in the trilogy singles the album stirred emotions in many fans and became an instant success. "Duty" sold 2,603,550 copies in 2000, becoming the #2 album of the year and sold 2,904,420 copies in total. It is Hamasaki's best selling original studio album to date.

At the end of 2000, Hamasaki held her first New Year countdown concert at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium. It is a tradition she still follows every year.

A BEST and Controversy

In 2001, Avex told Hamasaki that she was to release her best-of album after having released her previous studio albums. Hamasaki was not happy with this decision as she felt that her best album is something she wants to do perfectly and the way she wants. She was not ready yet as an artist to release a best album and was being forced to release a rushed release.

Nonetheless, work on the best album began. Hamasaki begrudgingly hand-picked the songs. As a small show of retaliation and control of her career, she re-recorded four of the tracks.

However, the friction with her label grew greater once the release date was chosen. At the time, the two most successful singers in Japanese pop were Hamasaki and Utada Hikaru. Utada was to follow up her massively successful debut album "First Love" with her sophomore album, "Distance". Avex strategically placed the release of Hamasaki's best album within the same week as Utada's album. As a result, the media reported a heated rivalry between the two young female stars. Both Hamasaki and Utada vehemently denied these claims stating that the rivalry was fabricated by their record labels. The album was promoted heavily and Hamasaki appeared on the covers of numerous magazines.

Hamasaki promoting A BEST (2001)

"A BEST" was released on March 28th, 2001. In the first week, Utada's "Distance" took #1. In the second week, the albums' positions flipped and "A BEST" claimed the top position. In the end, both albums were huge successes, with "A BEST" selling 4,295,353 copies (becoming Hamasaki's best selling album and the #6 best selling album in Japanese music history) and "Distance" selling 4,472,343 copies (making it the #4 highest selling album in Japanese music history).

To promote "Duty" and "A BEST", Hamasaki toured the Domes of Japan, becoming one of the only artists to be able to fill the seats at Tokyo Dome. At the same time, she was being worn down physically and mentally. During the rehearsal of one of the shows she damaged her leg. Around this time, it was also discovered that the hearing in her left ear was deteriorating.

Although Avex's stock values rocketed with the success of "A BEST", Hamasaki was unsure about staying with the label. In the end, she decided to stay and began to take more control in the production of her music.

Control over Career

Prior to the release of A BEST, Hamasaki Ayumi released the single "M" in December of 2000. It was her first single since the release of her album "Duty" as well as a turning point in her career. This was the first song whose melody she composed herself and it showed a definite stylistic shift for the singer. Hamasaki wrote the song and its lyrics under the name, CREA. Since this time in her career, nearly every single she released has reached #1 on the Oricon weekly charts. Following the controversy with "A BEST", Hamasaki saught similar control over her career and threatened to leave Avex if she was not being treated "as a human being."

Hamasaki promoting I am... (2002)

On September 27th, 2001 Hamasaki released her 24th single and one of her most iconic songs, "Dearest". The single was a huge success, selling a total of 750,420 copies and charting at #1 on the Oricon charts. It was also used as the 3rd ending theme to the popular anime, InuYasha. However, the lyrics and promotional videos were a direct depiction of Hamasaki's feelings towards the way she was treated during the "A BEST" controversy.

In December of 2001, Hamasaki participated in Komuro Tetsuya's charity drive, song nation. The song project, featuring other popular Avex artists such as Koda Kumi, BoA, and Amuro Namie, came together to help raise money for victims of the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Hamasaki collaborated with avex label-mate KEIKO on the single, "a song is born". The single reached number #1 on the Oricon charts (the only one of the song nation singles to do so).

On January 1st, 2002, Hamasaki released her fourth studio album "I am...". Nearly every single track was composed by Hamasaki under the name CREA. The album had a different photo and lyrical concept at first but following the attacks on 9/11, Hamasaki revised the album to focus on issues like faith and world peace. The album reached #1 on the Oricon charts and sold 2,308,112 copies.

A little less than a year later, Hamasaki released her fifth album "RAINBOW". It sold 1,856,919 copies in 2003, becoming the #2 album of the year. In total, the album sold 1,857,870 copies. First press copies included a code to listen to a sample of the instrumental for the title song, "RAINBOW", which was released a few months later on the compilation album "A BALLADS".

2003-2006

In August of 2003, Hamasaki Ayumi released her 30th single, "forgiveness". To commemorate this release, a special concert titled A museum ~30th single collection live~ was held at Yoyogi National Gymnasium.

Hamasaki promoting Memorial address (2003)

In December of 2003, "Memorial address" was released. It is the first mini-album released by Hamasaki, with each song on the mini having its own PV. The album reached #1 on the Oricon charts, selling over 1 million copies and becoming the best selling mini-album by a female artist.

Even with the "A BEST" controversy seemingly far behind her, Hamasaki still felt as if she was being treated as a product and not a person. She expressed feelings that her last two studio albums were rushed. It is about this time that her sales started on a gradual decline.

Hamasaki promoting MY STORY (2004)

This sense of dissatisfaction drove Hamasaki to begin work on her sixth studio album, MY STORY. In this album she wrote freely and honestly. As a result, the album had no set theme and instead focused on her emotions towards her career.

"MY STORY" was released on December 15, 2004. The album reached #1 on the Oricon charts, selling 1,131,776 copies. This would be Hamasaki's last album to sell over 1 million copies in Japan. To promote the album, Hamasaki embarked on a tour titled "ARENA TOUR 2005 A ~MY STORY~". It is her first tour to be based on an album.

Following the release of "MY STORY", Hamasaki released 4 more singles: "STEP you / is this LOVE?", "fairyland", "HEAVEN", and "Bold & Delicious / Pride". The "fairyland" PV became one of the most expensive music videos ever made, "HEAVEN" was used as the theme song to the movie Shinobi, and "Bold & Delicious / Pride" became Hamasaki's 25th #1 single; tying her with Matsuda Seiko for the record of most #1 singles by a solo female artist.

Nearly two years after the release of MY STORY, Hamasaki released her seventh album (miss)understood. The sound of this album is distinctly different from anything released by Hamasaki in the past. This is because many of the tracks were covers of demos songs composed by Roberto "Geo" Rosan and intend for an album for Sweetbox. Hamasaki liked the sound and asked for permission to cover some of the songs. She edited and rearranged some of the tracks, rewriting the lyrics until she liked the results.

Hamasaki promoting (miss)understood (2006)

(miss)understood reached #1 on the Oricon charts. However, It became Hamasaki's first album to not sell over a million copies in Japan.

On March 8th, 2006, Hamasaki released the single "Startin' / Born To Be...". The single became her 26th #1 single, breaking Matsuda Seiko's record for most #1 singles by a solo female artist.

Hamasaki's eighth album, Secret, was released on November 29, 2006. At first it was meant to be a mini-album but Hamasaki changed her mind and wrote five more songs. It reached #1 on the Oricon charts but failed to sell over a million copies. However the album was a huge success throughout Asia, selling a total of 2,000,000 copies.

Hamasaki promoting Secret (2006)

Foray into Asia

On February 28th, 2007 Hamasaki released two compilation albums, A BEST 2 -BLACK- and A BEST 2 -WHITE-. The compilations featured songs from I am... through (miss)understood. On the day of release, A BEST 2 -BLACK- reached #1 on the Oricon charts. A BEST 2 -WHITE- charted at #2, making Hamasaki the first female artist in 36 years to occupy the #1 and #2 positions on the Oricon album charts. Sales of both albums combined totaled at 1,424,734 copies.

Hot on the heels of the success of Secret, and the two compilations in Asian countries outside of Japan, Hamasaki decided to go on a concert tour of Asia. ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2007 A ~Tour of Secret~ was announced. The foreign fanbase was extremely excited by the announcement. Tickets for the shows in Hong Kong and Taipei sold out within 3 hours.

In July of 2007, Hamasaki released her first single in over a year, "glitter / fated". The single included a short film shot in Hong Kong featuring Shang Yue. On July 13th, 2007 it was announced that Hamasaki had split with her long time boyfriend Nagase Tomoya, whom she had been dating since 2001.

In December of 2007, Hamasaki released her first digital single "Together When...", which topped digital charts. On January 1st, 2008, Hamasaki Ayumi released her ninth album GUILTY. Unlike with her past albums, Hamasaki stated that the writing process was not very emotional for her. The album is noticeably darker and more rock driven than her past work. The album reached #2 on the Oricon charts and is Hamasaki's first album to not top the charts at #1.

Hamasaki promoting "Mirrorcle World" (2008)

10th Anniversary

To begin the celebration of Hamasaki's 10th anniversary in the music scene, avex released "Mirrorcle World" on April 8th, 2008 exactly 10 years since her debut with "poker face" in 1998. The single reached #1 on the Oricon charts, making Hamasaki the only solo female artist to have a #1 single every year for 10 consecutive years.

Shooting for the "Mirrorcle World" music video took place in Paris, France.

Hamasaki then embarked on her second Asia tour ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2008 ~10th Anniversary~, which was used to promote GUILTY. Footage for the concert DVD was recorded at the show in Taipei.

On September 10th, 2008 Hamasaki released A COMPLETE ~ALL SINGLES~, a compilation album featuring all the A-side songs of all her singles. The album reached #1 on the Oricon charts and sold 852,259 copies, making it the third best selling album by a female artist in 2008, behind Amuro Namie's BEST FICTION and Utada Hikaru's HEART STATION.

In December of 2008, Hamasaki released the single "Days / GREEN".

To close her 10th anniversary celebrations, Hamasaki held her annual countdown concert, this time titled ayumi hamasaki PREMIUM COUNTDOWN LIVE 2008-2009 A and featuring many of her old hits.

10th-12th Albums, 50th Single, and Engagement

Hamasaki promoting NEXT LEVEL (2009)

In February of 2009, Hamasaki released "Rule / Sparkle". "Rule" was used as the theme song to the international release of the live action movie, Dragon Ball Evolution. The single continued her long running streak of #1 singles.

On March 25th, 2009 Hamasaki Ayumi released her 10th album, NEXT LEVEL. It reached #1 on the Oricon charts and sold 379,989 copies. This time, her style was more electronic. The album also came in an USB format, a first for Hamasaki. The music videos for "NEXT LEVEL" and "Curtain Call" were both shot in Los Angeles.

To promote NEXT LEVEL, Hamasaki went on her ARENA TOUR 2009 A ~NEXT LEVEL~, her first Arena Tour of Japan in two years.

In the summer of 2009, Hamasaki released her 46th single, "Sunrise / Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~". It became her 44th single to chart within the top 10 on the Oricon charts, making Hamasaki the artist with the most top 10 singles ever in Japanese pop. Then in December, she released her 47th single "You were... / BALLAD". Both singles reached #1 on the Oricon charts.

On April 14th, 2010 Hamasaki Ayumi released her 11th studio album, Rock'n'Roll Circus. The album was recorded in London, England. The PVs were shot in London as well. The album reached #1 on the Oricon charts, making Hamasaki the first solo female artist in 20 years to have 10 number 1 original studio albums.

Hamasaki promoting Love songs (2010)

On July 14th, 2010 Hamasaki released her 48th single, "MOON / blossom". The single reached #1 on the Oricon charts and is the first in a special release project of three singles leading up to her 50th single. The 49th single "crossroad" was released on September 22nd, 2010 and the 50th single, "L", was released one week later on September 29th. Her twelfth studio album, Love songs, was released in late December.

Both Hamasaki and avex president Max Matsuura confirmed via Twitter that ayu-mi-x 7 presents ayu trance 4 (Hamasaki's first trance remix album since 2003) was in the works. The album was released in March 30, 2011, and three more remix albums were released on the same date. All the albums were compiled on the special release ayu-mi-x 7 -LIMITED COMPLETE BOX SET-, also released on March 30.

On January 1, 2011, Hamasaki revealed through her TeamAyu blog that she would be marrying Austrian model/actor Manuel Schwartz (aka Mannie), who appeared in several of the music videos from Love songs. On January 2nd it was announced that the couple had officially married at an obscure chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

2nd Mini-Album, PV Compilation, and Divorce

Hamasaki promoting FIVE (2011)

After the release of Love songs, Hamasaki planned to go with her ARENA TOUR 2011 A ~HOTEL Love songs~ to promote her album, but due to the Earthquake Disaster she felt that she needed a new concept on her show so she went on tour with ~POWER of MUSIC~ 2011 A, a less commercial and more classic and intimate show that didn't aim to promote Love songs.

In August of 2011, Hamasaki released FIVE, her first mini-album in eight years. It reached #1 on the Oricon charts and sold 213,495 copies to date. Almost three months later the mini-album was released in a Blu-ray format, being this the first time she released an album on this format.

On January, 01, 2012, Hamasaki released A CLIP BOX 1998-2011, containing all her music videos from 1998 to 2011 and also some bonus material like director's interviews.

One year after her marriage, on January, 16, 2012, Hamasaki herself made a statement about getting a divorce due to her impossibility to live in USA since the Earthquake Disaster occurred on March, 11, 2011. She said that she felt rooted to Japan and couldn't leave the country in times like these so she choose her homeland instead of her marriage.

Hamsaki Ayumi's song "evolution" released back in 2001, will be used as the theme of the new Sawajiri Erika movie Helter Skelter. The movie hit theaters on July 14th.

Party Queen

Hamasaki promoting Party Queen (2012)

On February 8th it was released her third digital single, how beautiful you are, followed one month later by her 13th studio album Party Queen, being this the first time that she released an album without promotional physical singles. Party Queen was her second album not to reach the first position on the Oricon charts, and was also unable to sell over 100,000 copies on its debut week. To promote it she went on with the ARENA TOUR 2012 A ~HOTEL Love songs~, a re-imagined version of the previous postponed show to fit with her new album concept.

On August 8th her sixth compilation album was released, A SUMMER BEST, and also failed to reach the first position on Oricon charts.

On November 14th Hamasaki made an update on her TeamAyu blog stating that she was in a serious relationship with her dancer Maro, who was featured on her "You & Me" music video. On the next day Maro then confirmed the news on his own blog.

15th Anniversary

To celebrate her 15th anniversary in the music industry, Hamasaki announced that she would release five consecutive releases on the eighth of each month, starting from November to February of the following year. Her third and fourth mini-album, LOVE and again, was released on November and December and LOVE was managed to certify gold by RIAJ. Her third release, A Classical, was her second classical album. Hamasaki's 14th studio album, also her fourth release, LOVE again, with the inclusion of original mix songs from LOVE and again, was released in February. Her last release of the project, Hamasaki released her ARENA TOUR 2012 A ~HOTEL Love songs~ concert in March.

On April 8, 2013 Hamasaki release her COUNTDOWN LIVE 2012-2013 A ~WAKE UP~. On April 13, Hamasaki will initiate her 15th Anniversary TOUR ~A BEST LIVE~. To choose the setlist for the show a special website was put online so anyone could vote for 3 songs per-day; all of her released songs were available for voting. On April 3rd the voting results were released consisting of 50 songs, including her only single that was never performed live, "kanariya". It was also announced that the title of the commemorative song would be "Tell All".

Motherhood, 22nd Anniversary, and Biopic

In January 2020, Hamasaki announced via her social media sites, that she gave birth to a baby boy. To celebrate her 22nd anniversary, she opened a TikTok Channel and various concert videos were uploaded on YouTube. In April 2020, a drama series based off the book M Aisubeki Hito ga Ite, starring Anzai Kalen as Ayu, started to air. It shows the beginning of Hamasaki's career and focuses on how she met Max Matsuura, the dark side of becoming a star, and more. On the day the final episode aired, Hamasaki released the digital single "Ohia no Ki", her first musical release since 2018's TROUBLE and her first single since 2016.

Through her fanclub, she announced her second pregnancy on October 2, 2020.

Japanese Discography

Hamasaki promoting "evolution" (2001)
Hamasaki promoting A BALLADS (2003)
Hamasaki promoting "You were... / BALLAD" (2009)
Hamasaki promoting "MOON / blossom" (2010)
Hamasaki promoting LOVE (2012)
Hamasaki promoting LOVE again (2013)
Hamasaki promoting Colours (2014)
Hamasaki promoting A ONE (2015)
Hamasaki promoting "Dreamed a Dream" (2020)
Hamasaki promoting "Nonfiction" (2022)
Hamasaki Ayumi promoting ayumi hamasaki 25th Anniversary Live Tour (2023)

Studio Albums

Mini-Albums

Best Albums

Live Albums

Remix Albums

Box Sets

Re-released Albums

Singles

Digital Singles

Digital Downloads

Concert Singles

Remix Singles

Re-released Singles

Vinyls

Videos

Compilations / Other

UK Discography

Vinyls

USA Discography

Vinyls

Belgian Discography

Singles

Vinyls

German Discography

Albums

Singles

Vinyls

Spanish Discography

Vinyls

  • [2004.05.05] M

Publications

Magazine Covers

For a list of magazines Ayumi Hamasaki has appeared on the cover of, click here.

Calendars

  • [2000.XX.XX] Calendar 2001
  • [2001.XX.XX] Calendar 2002
  • [2002.11.XX] Calendar 2003
  • [2003.XX.XX] Calendar 2004
  • [2004.12.10] Calendar 2005
  • [2005.11.26] Calendar 2006
  • [2006.11.19] Calendar 2007
  • [2007.11.19] Calendar 2008
  • [2008.10.30] Calendar 2009
  • [2009.10.24] Calendar 2010
  • [2010.12.22] Calendar 2011
  • [2011.11.26] Calendar 2012

Photobooks

Ayu no Deji Deji Nikki.jpg

Heart Nail Book.jpg Ayu Book.jpg

Books

  • [2001.12] ayumi hamasaki DOME TOUR 2001 HISTORY BOOK
  • [2005.07] Ayumi Hamasaki Pure Stories Ayu world 1978-2005 Hiso Photo & Episode Mansai (Non Official Release)
  • [2011.01] Ayu no Digidigi Nikki mini

Band Scores

Filmography

Movies

  • [1995] Nagisa no Sindbad (渚のシンドバッド)
  • [1996] Gakko II
  • [1996] Shôjo A no Satsujin
  • [2000] Ladys Ladys!! Soucho Saigo no hi (麗霆子 レディース!!総長最後の日)
  • [2000] Su Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo (すももももも)
  • [2002.11.13] Tsuki ni Shizumu (月に沈む; Sinking into the Moon)

Dramas

  • [1996] Miseinen

Video Games

Play Station 2

PC

  • [2002.03.29] A TYPE (PC)

Back-Up Dancers

The Backup Dancers with Hamasaki at "ASIA TOUR 2008 ~10th Anniversary~"

Hamasaki Ayumi's Back-Up Dancers are prominent in all her concerts and a number of her PVs as well. Through their work with Hamasaki, they have earned fame in their own rights. They appear with her at almost every concert and TV live, and have even choreographed several of her dance numbers.

Current Line-up

Male Dancers

The Male Dancers look down on Hamasaki in an Interlude Video from "ASIA TOUR 2008 ~10th Anniversary~"
Saito Midori in her lead role in the "GREEN" PV
"MY ALL" Parapara being performed at "PREMIUM COUNTDOWN LIVE 2008-2009 A"

Female Dancers

  • Kayano "Kayanocchi" Nomura
  • Chisa Maehara
  • Midori "Midoring" Saito
    • Was featured prominently in the PV for "GREEN", having a solo dance number with Hamasaki.
  • Aki Yoneda

Former Dancers

Choreographies

Trivia

  • Favorite Artists: KEIKO (globe), Miyazawa Rie, Matsuda Seiko, Babyface, En Vogue and Tohoshinki
  • Favorite City: New York
  • A City to Live: Los Angeles
  • Favorite Actors: Nicolas Cage, Miyazawa Rie
  • Favorite Movies: The Bodyguard, Betty Blue, Leaving Las Vegas, Midnight In Paris
  • People I Respect: People who have things I don't have.
  • People I Dislike: Liars, people who don't say hello.
  • Current Interest: Collecting white things for my room
  • Favorite Food: Biscuits (maybe my staple diet!), cakes, chocolates, kimchi (Korean marinated cabbage), oden, ramen
  • Favorite Ice-Cream Flavor: Chocolate mint
  • Favorite Alcoholic Drink: Wine
  • Favorite Things to Read: Most fashion magazines. Modern-language translations of the Manyo tanka poems are especially interesting. Poems of Giniro Natsuo, Aida Mitsuo, etc.
  • Lessons: Piano, Japanese calligraphy (5th rank), abacus calculation, Japanese flower arrangement, Kumon-shiki study system

References

  1. Offizielle Charts AYU-TRANCE, in German

External Links