Itano Tomomi is known for her looks, fashion sense, and for being a member of AKB48. Her image is that of a solo artist. . . she can stand out in a crowd. Her debut single sold on the same level as Utada Hikaru. So no wonder they announced that she'll be releasing another solo single. The question is will she be kept in AKB48 or will Akimoto start producing solo artists as well? She could always graduate and move to record companies like Avex, but I think she is treated/ promoted well under Akimoto. I think Akimoto is going to keep her in AKB48 so that her popularity inside and outside of the group will help sales (not that sales are currently a major concern).
Once you leave Hello Project it is all down hill. Matsuura Aya recently released another album, but to be honest I don't think it was anything to boast. Up-Front Works is not the place for hopeful solo artists. It might be heading for the better for those graduates of Morning Musume, who like the current like up, are dependent on their old success. (I am excited for Dream Musume.) Goto Maki was smart and went straight to Avex where she got more creative power, and better releases. Her mini-album was amazing. I want Aya out of Up-Front now. She was a huge star. She is beautiful, a spectacular voice, and a great personality. She has all the tools to still be a great solo artist, but it feels as if she retired. Oh, this advice goes for Nacchi and Takahashi Ai too. Up-Front Works is good for Musume reunions and photobooks, but if you want to make the next move as a solo artist make your way to the home of Namie Amuro, Ayumi Hamasaki, and Koda Kumi.
(Don't take the sub-headline literally.) The two biggest selling artists in Japan are AKB48 and Arashi. AKB48 broke their own record of biggest sales in a day since Oricon started keeping track of daily sales. So my question is, will Arashi fans and management try to match AKB48's success? AKB48 will already have two million-sellers under their belt for 2011 (Beginner was released after the deadline for Oricon's year-end sale figures and their recent release will make the million mark in a matter of weeks).
Which country has the biggest music industry: US duh. Who sells the most physical CDs: Japan, also not surprising if you know anything about their market. Where do artists in Asia go to make it big besides their home country? Not China, Japan. China is now the second biggest economy, but they are not even close in terms of music. However, I learned something new about how their music industry works. The gist of the article is that because China is like the home of piracy, artist get their money from performances and sponsors. Their music is just part of their image and may not even be why people go see them in concert. Companies like Levi's and Apple use popular artists in China to promote their brands. I found that this strategy could be helpful for record labels in the west trying to deal with piracy, even if they don't want to. Japan also has things that could be adapted. Japan's physical CD sales are so high because they include DVDs, posters, limited edition items to encourage people to buy it instead of online. AKB48 is built on the fact that artists these days tend to make more money on concerts than on CD sales. I don't know if I have an overall point to this.
Most female idol groups suffer from this theory: a couple members who are aces and highlighted in every single and the rest are back-up. First off, I am getting a little sick of one seeing it, and two, of people complaining about it. It is not going to change. If it does be thankful for it. This is partly due to the fact that some members sparkle brighter than others. I'm just sick of hearing it (especially in terms of AKB48 because the other members perform a lot in the theatre or coupling songs and there is a reason why they use the more popular faces). But I wonder why these producers don't try to even the playing field. It is not like if you do they will fail. In fact some of the longer-lasting and popular groups like Arashi and Perfume have the members on equal level. By separating the members you leave the group on unstable ground. The aces can get into their heads that they don't need the other members and might be better off solo (which is true. So once the aces leave the group loses popularity). The other members feel disenfranchised. (They may either try harder to prove themselves or just leave.) Now, it is to be mentioned that if any member left Arashi or Perfume the unit would fall apart, but each member has more reason to stay. I am just saying the theory may work to profit the producers, but sucks for the group. Now that I've said it; I'm done with this topic.
RAWR
I know she is probably the most hated member of Berryz Koubou (and still my favorite), but Sugaya Risako's voice is one of a lion! Seriously. Her voice is a roar. (This was just something to lighten the mood. . . I miss Utaban).
No comments:
Post a Comment