Namie Amuro

Name: Namie Amuro, 安室奈美恵
Birthday: 9-20, 1977
Origin Okinawa, Japan
Genre(s) R&B, Hip Hop , J-pop
Occupation(s) Singer, Songwriter, Producer
Instrument(s) Singing
Years active 1992–1995 (group), 1995–present (solo)
Label(s) Toshiba-EMI (1992–1995)
Avex Trax (1995–present)
Associated
acts SUPER MONKEY'S

Before Ayumi Hamasaki, there was Namie Amuro, the first proclaimed “Queen of Jpop.” She was one of the most popular pop singers in Japan during the mid 1990s and still commands a following today.
Born and raised in Okinawa, she entered the Japanese pop music industry in 1992, with four classmates from her acting school to form the group called the “Supermonkeys.” This group only had limited success but they did catch the eye of prominent producer Tetsuya Komuro.

In 1995, Namie subsequently left the group and both went over to Komuro’s Avex Trax label (SuperMonkeys became the group MAX). Namie’s first single “Body Feels Exit“, was followed by three consecutive million selling singles including “Chase the Chance,” “Don’t wanna cry,” and “You’re My Sunshine.” She then released the record breaking album Sweet 19 Blues.
Namie Amuro's parents divorced while she was only a toddler, leaving her mother responsible for bringing up Namie and her 3 siblings all alone. The low funds of the family didn’t prevent Namie from chasing her dreams to be a star. She was attending Okinawa Actors School successfully, despite her having to walk everyday for 2 hours to go and return from the school - her family couldn’t afford public transportation.