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| Did Ayumi Hamasaki rule? |
Orientation
October 7, 2009 |
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Jpop icon Ayumi Hamasaki is no stickler for convention. Her single ‘Rule’, which was the theme song of Dragonball Evolution, showcases her unperturbed dominance in the music scene. Rule by Ayumi Hamasaki demonstrates how she can pack a mean hard rock song into one good product meant to reflect the overall vibe of the popular manga (comics) series. It was sad to see that the movie itself did not live up to most expectations of Dragonball fans worldwide.
Despite the lack of blockbuster success for the Dragonball flick, its theme song earned Hamasaki her 32nd number 1 single in an unflappable streak of Oricon chart-toppers. Fondly called Ayu, this petite singer continues to leap beyond expectations with each single or album released. Her 45th single, Rule, rocks to the beat of electrifying guitar riffs and a rhythm that clings to you at every listen. The song’s powerful rock melody is further played out in the Rule music video, where Ayumi plays a dominatrix clad in a tight-fitting leather suit ready to tame a group of males standing in a row.
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Having listened to the song repeatedly, I found myself appreciating this song for what it is— Ayumi Hamasaki’s attempt to deliver her versatility in any genre she wishes to explore. Known to delve into a mixed bag of pop, R&B, electronica, and ballads, Ayu shows us how her confidence with the rock genre in Rule.
I admit that with my sparse Ayu-knowledge, which is basic at best, I had to do a bit of research about her career that has already spanned a decade. Time magazine extolled her mega-idol traits that has endeared Ayu to legions of fans and earned her the respect of the industry. One of the things that struck me the most is her songwriting skills that have sustained her iconic status.
In her single, Rule, she sings (as translated in English by morimasa of Ayumi Hamasaki Sekai fan forum) ‘I don’t need the rules, decided by someone else…’ that truly speaks of her lifelong objective of being an artist at her own pace. She definitely knew the path in which her career would take! Thus, success has been kind enough to reward her with millions in record sales, lucrative product endorsements and a loyal flock of fans who also follow her wardrobe, makeup and hairstyle transformations. |
Rule was released in February with another A-side called ‘Sparkle’, which I found much to my liking! This trippy dance track had a Kylie Minogue feel to it, making my head bob at the ear-friendly beats. It’s the sort of song that can kick start your clubbing groove.
With Ayumi Hamasaki’s continued authority in Japan’s music industry, we can only expect more from this huge artist. You can’t rule her out of the game any time soon, as she’s still quite capable of pulling out legendary feats, be it with her music or her fashion sense!
Rating: 3/5
- Felice Tusi
Credits:
Ayumi Hamasaki Sekai forums
Empress of Pop, article in Time.com 2006
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