rogueslayer452 | Baby don't cry, always stay by your side.

Namie Amuro announced her retirement from music.

I'm happy for her and of course am fully supportive of her decision, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't deeply saddened by this announcement.

Namie's career has been long and fulfilling, as she first debuted in the early/mid 90s. However, I first discovered her during the early 00s, when I was just starting to get introduced to the whole world of Jpop and other international musical artists. After hearing and watching her music video for "The Speed Star" and her Queen of Hip-Pop album, I instantly fell in love. From her style, her voice, her dancing and the way she presented herself. I have been following her career ever since. Namie is basically my Queen, my Wife, my Bae, I love her so very much. So as a fan of hers for so long this news of her impending retirement has been a little hard to digest. But ultimately, this is her decision and as of this year she has celebrated not just her 40th birthday but also her 25th anniversary since her career debut, if this is what she wants and feels is right for her at this point in her life, then I support her completely. Besides, she's legendary among the Jpop community. She can literally do anything and people would bow down before her, as they should.

Also, she is planning one final album and a tour before all this happens. It's absolutely fitting that her final year be on a high celebratory note, and I plan on making the most of it. I just wish that she would end up touring somewhere in the US, because I would love to see her live in concert.

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It's always strange when someone you've heard of for a long time retires, even though I don't know much of her music.

I was all prepared for her to have an all new comeback album, when this announcement happened. It's heartbreaking, but at the same time I know that this is something she's probably thought about for a while and will most likely make the most of her last year celebrating with her fans. So it'll be emotional, for sure, but I'm excited to see/hear what she has in store one last time.

Somehow I feel like this will be happening to a lot of female Jpop artists from her era very soon... :(

I know. :( I also heard earlier this year that Ayumi Hamasaki is quickly becoming completely deaf which has been causing health problems, which is heartbreaking.

Yep, that is really the saddest thing :(

When I saw her name popping up in my Twitter-List I got the shock of my life. Normally people appear only when they died in the list. I am glad that she is alive, but sad that she retires. But like you said, she was in the music business for a long, long time.

I didn't think she'd leave the music scene so quick. She's just always been around for me back then during the anime/J-pop scene (and I'm in that fandom). She sang for several of my favorite anime though I was a bigger fan of Crystal Kay and Rie Fu. I wish her the best in her next career and her life.

I know what you mean, she's been a constant since I first discovered her. I always believed that she would still be doing music for a long time, but I think most fans probably think this about their favorite artist. I was expecting probably an announcement of another comeback album, not the announcement that she'll be putting out her final one ever. It's disheartening news, but at the same time I respect and support her decision in doing so. She's had a fulfilling career, and it's better to end on her terms and on a high note. This upcoming year will definitely be emotional, that's for sure.

Yeah, I have always looked forward to her music whenever she came out with a new song/album. At least she's coming out with a final album and going on tour during her last year before retirement, so that's something to look forward to. There will be tears, for sure, but I'm glad that she's deciding this for herself and retiring on her own terms.

(It's also sad because it's like an end of an era, Namie was top tier when it came to Jpop, and Jpop in general has dwindled significantly in popularity, at least internationally.)

...Jpop in general has dwindled significantly in popularity, at least internationally.

Is there a reason for it?

I'm sure there are a number of contributing factors as to why, but based on what I've researched and observed, I think the main issues are with accessibility and marketing. One of the reasons why Kpop has risen in popularity over the years is because it knows how marketable it can be internationally, especially towards Western audiences, and adapts accordingly. Whereas with Jpop, unless you're deep in the community, it's not as easily accessible due to there being so many distribution restrictions. This has been made painfully clear when Avex recently announced a ban on exports of their stuff, making it even harder for international fans to buy anything directly. You can't find much of anything on YouTube anymore, which is how I discovered most of Jpop back in the day, and if you do it's only "short versions" of music videos or songs.

...when Avex recently announced a ban on exports of their stuff...

What the hell? o_O
I mean, what the hell? This is so stupid because an international market is ... they could make a whole lot of money. I don't get it.
I was glad when Visual Kei had some high moments in Europe because so I had the chance to watch a lot of bands coming to Germany. That was a great time.
Sadly the K-Pop industry is totally ignoring Europe. Sometimes they have some concerts in London, rarely in France but the rest will be totally ignored. :/
When I was in Singapore, I had the chance to see some great K-Pop Artists, that was nice. But here in Germany? No chance at all (only one time in Paris when I visited SM Town).

Baby don't cry, always stay by your side.

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