Queen of Hip-Pop

Infobox Album | Name = Queen of Hip-Pop
Type = Album
Artist = Namie Amuro


Released = July 13, 2005
Recorded = On Air Azabu Studio, Baybridge Studio, Rojam Studio, Plaza Studio
Genre = Hip-Pop
Length = 52:21
Label = avex trax
Producer = T.Kura, Michico, Nao'ymt, C. "Tricky" Stewart, SUGI-V
Reviews = *"Playlouder" (4/5) [http://www.playlouder.com/review/+queen-of-hip-pop/ link]
* "Who's Afraid of Music" (A) [http://vinyabarion.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/queen-of-hip-pop/ link]
Last album = "Style"
(2003)
This album = "Queen of Hip-Pop"
(2005)
Next album = "Play"
(2007)|

"Queen of Hip-Pop" is Namie Amuro's sixth original studio album under the avex trax label. The album was released on July 13, 2005 after four singles and was her most commercially successful effort in five years before PLAY was released.

Origin of the title

While planning the album, Amuro decided she wanted to create music that would have its most profound effect live. The result is an album that is her most uptempo containing 11 R&B/Dance songs and only one ballad. The term "Hip-Pop" has been coined to the describe the music on the album because of her image as a pop music icon and her transition to R&B/Hip-Hop music.

Packaging and Design

The album art theme is that of the Pink Panther. Amuro happened to be a big fan of the Pink Panther cartoon character and wanted to include its image. A licensing deal was struck with MGM studios allowing Amuro to freely use the character in her album artwork and promotion. A special character "Namie Panther" based on Amuro herself was also created as a counterpart to the Pink Panther. Because of the Pink Panther deal, all of the material released for the album has been pink. (Amuro had stated in an interview years before that she did not like pink.) First pressing packaging of the album included Pink Panther stickers and a Pink Panther styled newspaper containing lyrics for the album.

Tie-ups and theme songs

"ALARM", "GIRL TALK", and "WoWa" were used in TV commercials for the Lucido-L hair products. Amuro appeared in the three ad campaigns.

"All for You" was the theme song of the popular Japanese drama "Kimi Ga Omoide Ni Naru Mae Ni"

"No" was later used to promote the "Space of Hip-Hop Tour" DVD

In the Hindi film 'Darling', in the song 'Aa Khushi Se Khud Khushi Kar Le', the first few opening lines are from the song 'Want me, want me'. It also has the same sitar sample.

Before the announcement of the album, the title track, "Queen of Hip-Pop" was used as a commercial jingle for Chevrolet Suzuki Cruze automobiles.

Singles

Four singles were released before Queen of Hip-Hop. The first, "ALARM", released in early 2004, is her first (and to date, only) single to miss the top ten. Despite the low sales, Alarm became a popular hit in Japan and she performed the song at the 2004 MTV Video Awards Japan. Four months later she released "All For You", her first ballad since I Will in 2002. The single was a great success and became the first of three consecuitve singles to sell over 100,000 copies. She performed the song at the MTV Buzz Asia Concert.

In October, the double a-side single "GIRL TALK/the SPEED STAR" was released. However only "GIRL TALK" was included on the album. Both songs were major hits. Amuro performed "GIRL TALK" at the MTV Asia Aid Concert in February 2005.

The last single of the album, "Want Me, Want Me", was her first single of 2005. The song was performed at the 2005 Kobe Collection before its release. "Want Me Want Me" is an up-tempo track similar to reggaeton music and it's her first song to feature sexually aggressive lyrics. Despite this, the single was a smash hit and opened at #2 with her largest first week sales since Say the Word. Two months later she performed the song at the 2005 MTV Video Awards Japan.

Another track off the album, "WoWa" (pronounced 'Ooh Wah') was released as a video and radio single but was not retailed.

Sales

Upon release, the album charted at number one in Japan for two days ultimately debuting at number two for the week. It has sold over 475,600 copies and is the 27th best selling album of 2005. Queen of Hip-Pop debuted at #1 on the Taiwanese J-Pop chart and #2 on the Combo Chart.In the second quarter of 2006, Avex reported that Queen of Hip-Hop sold 494,000 copies in Japan. [http://www.avex.co.jp/e_site/material/pdf/material_0602q.pdf See page 17]

Album Information

After "No",there is a hidden track which has no official title but it known to fans as "No Pt.2" or "Yes". At 4:06,the listener begins to hear the subtle sounds of the hidden track beginning. The song is a slower version of "No" with new lyrics and vocals. It also features lyrics from her song "WoWa" with variations of:

I'ma make ya mine.

and

I'ma read ya mind.

The version posted on sites such as Imeem clocks in at about 2:35.

Track listing

RIAJ Certification

As of January, 2006 "Queen of Hip-Pop" has been certified double platinum for shipments of over 500,000 by the RIAJ.Ref|RIAJ

References