Ayumi Hamasaki, Japanese singer, songwriter and former actress

Ayumi Hamasaki (called Ayu by her fans) was born on October 2, 1978 in Fukuoka, Japan.
She is a Japanese singer, songwriter and former actress.
Ayumi has been called the "Empress of Pop" because of her popularity and widespread influence not only in Japan, but also in China, Singapore and Taiwan.
She debuted on the Japanese music scene with her single "Poker Face"and has sold over 50 million records since, making her one of Japan's best-selling singers.
Ayumi is the Japanese female artist with the highest singles sales, the most number-one singles, and is tied for the most million selling singles.
She is also the only Japanese artist to have a number one single every year for ten straight years and the first to have her first eight studio albums top the Oricon ( Japan's version of the Billboard charts).