Japanese popular culture has never failed to amaze, particularly in the better part of the last half a century. This is never more so than in their local popular music scene, which is not only strong in the country, but has been lapped up by fans all over the world. Their influence can no longer be denied, and should be readily embraced and studied.
Music is not the only facet of Japanese culture that has fostered strong global following. Anime has an overriding Japanese presence, while fashion has seen a growing market share from their designers. The most unusual mix of music and fashion that is Visual Kei is a classic example of how Japanese pop music culture has seeped into mainstream consciousness.
While heavy metal music is a staple of Visual Kei, fans of the genre are also known for their outlandish dressing. This is in accordance to what their favorite bands or artistes promote through their own getup. Imagine cosplay and heavy metal leather in an eclectic mix, and you will get what Visual Kei is all about.
Major wester music styles have not been spared. Rhythm and blues have seen a growing number of Japanese popular artistes who have adopted it as their own. Many of them have scored award winning singles and albums, while branching out into other fields like acting. There are also increasing collaboration between both Asian and Western artistes within the genre.
One of the most famous Japanese pop artistes has been Ayumi Hamasaki. Known more for her chameleon-like abilities in reinventing herself, Ayumi continues to hog the music charts with every new release. Her stage presence and elaborate concerts have been compared to Madonna's, but some critics point to the opposite.
Japanese pop music owes a lot of its success to the fans. Without their fanatical support, the scene might not have survived and prospered. As it grew and financial resources became stronger, the artistes were able to branch out to overseas markets. This helped to spread the ever increasing influence that they now have in many other countries.
Despite the almost blind devotion from fans at times, Japanese pop artistes rarely rest on their laurels. They have no qualms about fusing global music styles with their own. This results in fresh musical ideas that astound followers and fellow musicians worldwide.
There is no avoiding the wave of J Pop mania sweeping the world over. The willingness to experiment, culture that is unique to the country, and limitless imagination have come together to form a musical culture that is second to none. There is no sign of things slowing down, and it is set to become a regular fixture of mainstream pop culture.
Music is not the only facet of Japanese culture that has fostered strong global following. Anime has an overriding Japanese presence, while fashion has seen a growing market share from their designers. The most unusual mix of music and fashion that is Visual Kei is a classic example of how Japanese pop music culture has seeped into mainstream consciousness.
While heavy metal music is a staple of Visual Kei, fans of the genre are also known for their outlandish dressing. This is in accordance to what their favorite bands or artistes promote through their own getup. Imagine cosplay and heavy metal leather in an eclectic mix, and you will get what Visual Kei is all about.
Major wester music styles have not been spared. Rhythm and blues have seen a growing number of Japanese popular artistes who have adopted it as their own. Many of them have scored award winning singles and albums, while branching out into other fields like acting. There are also increasing collaboration between both Asian and Western artistes within the genre.
One of the most famous Japanese pop artistes has been Ayumi Hamasaki. Known more for her chameleon-like abilities in reinventing herself, Ayumi continues to hog the music charts with every new release. Her stage presence and elaborate concerts have been compared to Madonna's, but some critics point to the opposite.
Japanese pop music owes a lot of its success to the fans. Without their fanatical support, the scene might not have survived and prospered. As it grew and financial resources became stronger, the artistes were able to branch out to overseas markets. This helped to spread the ever increasing influence that they now have in many other countries.
Despite the almost blind devotion from fans at times, Japanese pop artistes rarely rest on their laurels. They have no qualms about fusing global music styles with their own. This results in fresh musical ideas that astound followers and fellow musicians worldwide.
There is no avoiding the wave of J Pop mania sweeping the world over. The willingness to experiment, culture that is unique to the country, and limitless imagination have come together to form a musical culture that is second to none. There is no sign of things slowing down, and it is set to become a regular fixture of mainstream pop culture.
About the Author:
Ken Oiishi is a music critic specializing in Japanese pop culture. His latest playlists have Hidemi Uematsu as his artist of the year in Japan, with Hidemi's new single Trauma topping the charts.
