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[TofuUnion]

I think Kumi Koda has completely regained popularity.  In-between she was quite encouraged by her loyal fans.

Here are her TV Live performances. She is a great entertainer as always :
Taboo ( October 2008 )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNKsw5iSyys&NR=1&fmt=18
Stay with me ( 2008.12.06 )
http://www.myvideo.de/watch/5584980/Koda_Kumi_Stay_with_me_Live_Music_Fighter_06_12_2008
FREAKY ( 2009.01.30 )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKEHEwh_Z6Q&fmt=18
BUT ( 2009.03.24 )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj9K4ZNkW94&fmt=18
Lick Me ( 2009.07.18 )
http://www.myvideo.de/watch/6706366/Koda_Kumi_Lick_me_live_CDTV_18_07_09
Ecstsasy ( July 2009 )
http://www.myvideo.de/watch/7006351/Koda_Kumi_Ecstasy_live_J_wave_2000_9
Physical Thing ( 2009.09.19 )
http://www.myvideo.de/watch/6938200/Koda_Kumi_Physical_thing_live_CDTV_19_09_2009


TRICK Tour goes in Taiwan on October 3rd & 4th !   

[TofuUnion]

To know about Kumi Koda you need to check her " Cutie Honey " ( 2004 ).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiweA6MEcHU&fmt=18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9trAB3kLuYs&fmt=18  ( love it ! )

That's such nice singing, dancing and keeping in shape, kind of like which made her famous for " Erokawaii (Erotic and Cute) " or " Erokakkoii (Sexy and Cool) " in Japan.  She was possibly influenced by Christina Aguilera.  Actually she pretty much became slutty because Avex was going to drop her if she didn't become popular soon.  I heard her manager suggested her to get a sexy look.  Probably she'll be gradually going back normal.

" Cutie Honey " originally is an anime character and theme song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqYcv_judJY&fmt=18
Please check lyrics in English : http://www.mognet.net/artist_info.php?id=155

Next songs are my favorite Love Ballads of Kumi Koda.   
You
http://www.myvideo.de/watch/4975525/Koda_Kumi_you_live
Yume no Uta (Song of Dream)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPHgLxRZJYA&fmt=18
Ai no Uta (Song of Love)
http://www.myvideo.de/watch/6948515/Koda_Kumi_Ai_no_Uta_live_ap_bank_fes_09#
Moon Crying
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy004oCvZrI&fmt=18

[TofuUnion]

You can watch J-Drama " Cherry Girl " released in 2006, featuring Kumi Koda, Yuki Ito & Megumi.  This is a Japanese version of Charlie's Angels.

Part1 :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPpvQ0aHLvE&feature=related&fmt=18

Part2 :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KogwCRH8oTU&feature=related&fmt=18

Part3 :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no_ZrTdrJqU&feature=related&fmt=18

Part4 :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKs_dkmWIrE&feature=related&fmt=18

Part5 :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdeETigIeYg&feature=related&fmt=18

Part6 :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0Mnlvajh2c&feature=related&fmt=18

The image of  ' Sexy Strong Woman ' helped Koda acquire a lot of female fans.  It seems like she is a role model to them.  She was The Artist of The Year in 06 & 07 and has already become one of the most popular Jpop diva.  Unlike her a few provocative PVs (like Shake it or Juicy), most of her lyrics speaking about ' Love, Courage, Sexuality or Taboo (it can mean homosexuality) ' are far from dirty and I can feel she is a sweet person.  Actually she is a very cheerful, funny and goofy girl.

Cherry Girl ( live dance version )
http://www.veoh.com/search/videos/q/Kumi+Koda#watch%3Dv18058749PNdMCztc

As for her music style, you can categorize it as Urban Pop/R&B.  She was initially a conservative, quiet type of singer.  But, since "Real Emotion" (2003) she has spanned additional styles such as upbeat rock, hip-hop, electropop and dance.  Moreover, at the same time her ballads become more deep and mature.  I think she has a lot of great ballads.

Talentwise her vocal is among the most powerful female singers in Japan.  Probably her voice is more stable than Ayumi Hamasaki (though her lyrics are nice) and Utada (maybe the best songwriter).  And she worked hard for dancing to become as good as Namie Amuro.  She often tries to find some sensual move (dance) which is so hot.  Lookwise, she isn't skinny type and I don't think her face is very beautiful.  But she looks very cute in some videos or pictures.

[Anthony]

I have the CD+2DVD version of Black Cherry, so I've seen the "Cherry Girl" drama before. It's obviously mostly an excuse to put Koda and her idol friends in a variety of skimpy clothes, but I admit the twist ending surprised me a bit.

I also have the CD+2DVD version of her BEST~second session~ album, and while I don't like every song on either album, I was surprised at the number of songs I did like, especially considering I don't normally listen to that much R&B-style pop. I agree that her vocals are probably stronger than Ayumi -- who has a fairly screechy voice anyway -- though I'm not sure I would agree about being better than Utada.

As for her looks: I don't think she's ugly, but I do think she wears too much makeup...which I admit is part of her whole image. Some of the videos I've seen can be a bit ridiculous and over-the-top, though.

[TofuUnion]

misono, younger sister of Kumi Koda, is also a pop singer.  As the vocalist of her former band ' Day After Tomorrow ' she was actually more popular than Kumi in 2003-04.  mosono was supposed to be prettier and more talented. ( misono sometimes composes as well.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEMggphmOlM&feature=related&fmt=18

misono however eats too much and talks too much (outspoken but unnecessary beast stuffs) on the radio or in the TV variety show.  I hope she won't make mistakes like Kumi.  ( Kumi became fat and ugly at the start of her career, because any of her singles didn't reach TOP 10 and she was very frustrated and eating too much.  Avex didn't let her appear on TV and forced her to go on diet.  She ate mostly fish and couldn't eat anything after 6 PM and drank only water, and she still does that.  Plus, she had a small plastic surgery to make her eyes bigger.)  misono has been on diet, now.

Koda Kumi X misono  It's all Love !  hit #1 in weekly Oricon charts for the first time for misono.
http://www.quartet4.net/?p=5291
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn_OCGWwDk0&feature=related&fmt=18

In early years it was for Kumi about the struggle for survival and popularity, and she had no other choice but working very hard under the control of the company.  Actually she didn't want to play slutty persona, but her wish was rejected by Avex president.  I guess she had to be someone who tried to please everyone and couldn't put much of her insight in her music making.  She once said she was trying to 'act the other person' and could observe it objectively as her own producer.
http://www.christinamultimedia.com/newssource/index.php?articleID=7431

Koda won The Japan Record Award for Butterfly (2005).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqVjPaQ633c&fmt=18

Even after her dream came true to come to the fame, that ' controversy ' scandal made it difficult for her to be proud of herself and got into trouble for saying what she felt for a while. (The bashing was very disappointing for the fans.)  But she has changed over time.  I guess she is now getting ground and more humble and determined.  For some songs she has been partly making melodies as well.  I'm looking forward to seeing "real Kumi Koda" who relates more to herself.

Maybe TRICK is better than KINGDOM which had been so far her best album.
Show Girl (2009) :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npawcntmt-c&fmt=18  (Good Job, Kuu !)   

[TofuUnion]

TRICK Tour !   

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=QTBCUBOM