Ayumi Hamasaki
Ayu is a Japanese model, composer, actress, singer-songwriter, and record producer, she has been dubbed the "Empress of Pop" because of her widespread influence throughout Asia.
Born in Fukuoka, she moved to Tokyo in 1998 at fourteen to pursue a career in entertainment under the tutelage of Max Matsuura, the CEO of Avex Entertainment.
Since her debut in Japan with the single " Poker Face ", Hamasaki has sold over 50 million records. Her career has many parallels with lady Gaga in America, who has always been a fan or Ayu.
Her music and entertainment artistry are considered one of the major forces in shaping current music trends in Japan and worldwide markets.
We truly thank Ayumi for her personal strength and values; wanting to separate art from the commercial sector, this act alone makes her a true world artist.
Richard O'Kelley
AsianEntertainment.org