Bio: Accenting her quarter Italian roots, Namie’s appearance
is breathtakingly exotic and glamorous.
A huge 90s star, her fame exulted her to idol status and her mainstream
popularity surpasses any of the above mentioned stars. Though her music may lack the vocal talents
of this group, she is highly notable as an “R&B” type artist whose fame
reaches incredible heights. Born in
1977, Namie has been on the track for stardom since age 12, performing in local
singing competitions, and eventually she enrolled in Okinawa’s
performing arts school (an establishment of respectability in Japan
that has turned out many other pop stars).
Known for tough-girl attitude and a husky voice, Namie is a huge hit in
the conventional sex and glamour pop mold. Her dedication to being at the
forefront of dance has garnered her intense following and booming concert
sales. Her singles are basically
composed to showcase such dancing skills (which are derived from American
hip-hop) but her voice is distinctive in its deep, sultry sound that
distinguishes her from many other pop artists. She is by no means a cutesy,
conventional star, and is considered to be a sort of bad-girl on the music
scene.
The Inside Scoop:
Namie’s ascent to stardom follows the traditional route of many cookie
cutter, here today gone tomorrow stars.
Similar to such stars, she appears on many Japanese variety shows and
her appeal is not restricted to those with a taste for more serious music. However, Namie is distinct among these other
stars in the mainstream due to her signature pout, believable tough-girl voice,
and her seriousness for dancing. Her
songs never come off as sugary bubble-gum pop, but the melodies are not
anywhere near American R&B style. Her mature, almost monotone voice evokes
a sense of depth and sex appeal achieved rarely by other artists and her beauty
comes across as far more than average cuteness. Much copied, Namie’s influence
on trends such as platforms, mini-skirts, and tinted hair make her a veritable
cultural force in Japanese youth.