Ayumi Hamasaki (浜崎 あゆみ Hamasaki Ayumi, born October 2, 1978) is one of the most prolific singers to have emerged on the Japanese pop scene. Having debuted in the late ‘90s with a mini-album that failed to gain any commercial recognition, only to get catapulted a few years after into stardom with the release of her major studio album. She has released seventeen studio albums and seven extended plays, as well as a series of compilations, remix and live albums.
She is one of the best-selling solo artists of all time in Japan, and holds an impressive amount of record achievements under her belt, including the most number-one hits as well as the most consecutive number-one hits by a female artist.
Ayumi Hamasaki is a recognized figure not only in Japan, but throughout several other Asian countries as well.