Ayumi Hamasaki ( Hamasaki Ayumi; born October 2, 1978) is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and former actress. She is also called Ayu by her fans, and called the "Empress of Pop" because her music is very popular in Japan. She was born and raised in Fukuoka. When she was fourteen, she moved to Tokyo and began her career as an actress in 1993. In 1998, she was signed to the label Avex Trax and released a number of singles that were successful. In 1999, she released her first studio album A Song for XX which was very successful and made her popular in Japan.

Because she changes her appearance and artistry very often, she is popular in other parts of Asia like China, Singapore, and Taiwan. Many of her songs are used in commercials and advertisements. She often appears in some of these.

Before she joined Avex Trax, she released a single and an album both called Nothing From Nothing. But these did not become popular. Since she debuted in 1998 with "Poker Face," Hamasaki sold more than 50 records in Japan. This puts her as one of the highest ranking singers in the country. She holds many records as a female singer. These include the most number-one hits and highest sales.

Personal life 
Hamasaki dated Tomoya Nagase (a singer and actor) since her short acting career. They announced they were dating in 2001. Six years later, there were rumors that Hamasaki and Nagase were going to get married. But on July 13, 2007 Hamasaki said that they had broken up. She did not say why, but she said that they will stay as friends.

In 2008, Hamasaki revealed that she had become deaf in her left ear. This was because of tinnitus or Ménière's disease. She said that she had the condition in 2006 and that problems with her ear started in 2000. Hamasaki stated that she wants to continue singing. She said that she would "not give up" on her fans and that "as a professional", she wanted to "deliver the best performance for everyone".
January 1,2011, to marry a fan club site Ayumi Hamasaki 'TeamAyu' reported the fan.

Discography

Studio albums 
 1999: A Song for XX
 1999: LOVEppears
 2000: Duty
 2002: I Am...
 2002: Rainbow
 2004: My Story
 2006: (miss)understood
 2006: Secret
 2008: Guilty
 2009: Next Level
 2010: Rock 'n' Roll Circus
 2010: Love Songs
 2012: Party Queen
 2013: LOVE again

EPs 
 Nothing from Nothing

Compilations 
 2001: A Best
 2003: A Ballads
 2007: A Best 2 (White/Black)
 2008: A Complete ~All Singles~

Singles 
 Nothing from Nothing
 Poker Face
 You
 Trust
 For My Dear...
 Depend on You
 WHATEVER
 LOVE ~Destiny~
 TO BE
 Boys & Girls
 A
 Appears
 Kanariya
 Fly High
 vogue
 Far away
 SEASONS
 SURREAL
 AUDIENCE
 M
 evolution
 NEVER EVER
 Endless sorrow
 UNITE!
 Dearest
 A Song is Born (with Keiko Yamada)
 Daybreak
 Free & Easy
 H
 Voyage
 &
 Forgiveness
 No Way to Say
 Moments
 INSPIRE
 CAROLS
 STEP You/is this LOVE?
 fairyland
 HEAVEN
 Bold & Delicious/Pride
 Startin'/Born to Be...
 BLUE BIRD
 glitter/fated
 Talkin' 2 Myself
 Together When...
 Mirrorcle World
 GREEN/Days
 Rule/Sparkle
 Sunrise/Sunset ~LOVE IS ALL~
 You Were.../BALLAD
 MOON/blossom
 crossroad
 L

References

Other websites 

 
 Ayumi Hamasaki Fanclub "TeamAyu"

1978 births
Living people
Singers from Fukuoka Prefecture