{"history":[],"article":{"id":"a72432c4-9ddf-4ae3-a58c-2fee558800d4","title":"Namie Amuro","slug":"namie-amuro","content":":::summary\n![Amuro at her 25th anniversary concert in Okinawa in September 2017](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/25th///Anniversary///Namie///Amuro///Live.jpg)\n**Name:** Namie Amuro \n**Native Name:** 安室奈美恵 \n**Native Name Lang:** ja \n**Birth Date:** September 20, 1977 \n**Birth Place:** [Naha](https://bliptext.com/articles/naha), [Okinawa](https://bliptext.com/articles/okinawa-prefecture), [Japan](https://bliptext.com/articles/japan) \n**Other Names:** Namie Maruyama (legally, 1997–2002) \n**Occupation:** Singer · dancer · model · actress · entrepreneur · lyricist \n**Years Active:** 1992–2018 \n**Spouse:** Masaharu \"Sam\" Maruyama (m. 22 October 1997-10 July 2002) \n**Children:** 1 \n**Website:** http://namieamuro.jp/ \n:::\n\n# \n**Namie Amuro** (born September 20, 1977) is a retired Japanese singer.\nShe rose to prominence as a [teen idol](https://bliptext.com/articles/japanese-idol), and transitioned into a leading [pop](https://bliptext.com/articles/pop-music) artist due to her versatility across music styles and visual presentation.\nDue to her career reinventions and longevity, she is known as an [icon](https://bliptext.com/articles/pop-icon) across Japan and Asia.\nShe has been referred to as the \"[Queen of Japanese Pop](https://bliptext.com/articles/honorific-nicknames-in-popular-music)\", and her influence domestically has drawn equivalent comparisons to artists such as [Janet Jackson](https://bliptext.com/articles/janet-jackson) and [Madonna](https://bliptext.com/articles/madonna) in Western pop culture.\nBorn in [Naha](https://bliptext.com/articles/naha), [Okinawa](https://bliptext.com/articles/okinawa-prefecture), Amuro debuted as the [lead singer](https://bliptext.com/articles/lead-vocalist) of the idol group [Super Monkey's](https://bliptext.com/articles/super-monkey-s) in 1992 when she was 14 years old.\nDespite early sales disappointments, Amuro's rising popularity helped to score a major hit with the 1995 [Eurobeat](https://bliptext.com/articles/eurobeat) single \"[Try Me (Watashi o Shinjite)](https://bliptext.com/articles/try-me-watashi-o-shinjite)\".\nSigning to [Avex Trax](https://bliptext.com/articles/avex-trax) for her solo career, Amuro catapulted to fame with a string of number one singles including \"[Chase the Chance](https://bliptext.com/articles/chase-the-chance)\" and \"[Don't Wanna Cry](https://bliptext.com/articles/don-t-wanna-cry-namie-amuro-song)\".\nA close partnership with renowned producer [Tetsuya Komuro](https://bliptext.com/articles/tetsuya-komuro) resulted in a [dance-pop](https://bliptext.com/articles/dance-pop) sound with Western influences.\nHer first four releases, including [Sweet 19 Blues](https://bliptext.com/articles/sweet-19-blues) (1996) and [Concentration 20](https://bliptext.com/articles/concentration-20) (1997), each received multi-million certifications.\nHer 1997 single \"[Can You Celebrate?](https://bliptext.com/articles/can-you-celebrate)\" remains as the best selling single by a solo female artist in Japanese music history.\nIn the early 2000s, \"[Never End](https://bliptext.com/articles/never-end-song)\" became Amuro's last successful single before a decline in sales, and her music began evolving from pop to [R&B](https://bliptext.com/articles/contemporary-r-b) as she reined in creative control of her career.\nThis transition was marked by the [Suite Chic](https://bliptext.com/articles/suite-chic) project in 2002 and her sixth studio album [Style](https://bliptext.com/articles/style-namie-amuro-album) (2003).\nAmuro's eighth studio album, [Play](https://bliptext.com/articles/play-namie-amuro-album) (2007), with the hit single \"[Baby Don't Cry](https://bliptext.com/articles/baby-don-t-cry-namie-amuro-song)\", began a period of commercial resurgence.\nHer comeback was solidified with the 2008 single \"[60s 70s 80s](https://bliptext.com/articles/60s-70s-80s)\" and its parent release [Best Fiction](https://bliptext.com/articles/best-fiction).\nShe continued to experiment musically in the 2010s, dabbling in [EDM](https://bliptext.com/articles/electronic-dance-music) and recording in English, beginning with her tenth studio album [Uncontrolled](https://bliptext.com/articles/uncontrolled-album) (2012).\nIt featured the million-certified single \"[Love Story](https://bliptext.com/articles/sit-stay-wait-down-love-story)\".\nShe later founded her own management company, Stella88, and record label, Dimension Point.\nAmuro finished her career with the 2017 greatest hits album Finally, which became the best selling album of the decade and made her the only artist to achieve a million-seller in each of their teens, 20s, 30s and 40s.\nShe officially retired from the music industry on September 16, 2018.\nAs it coincided with the closure of the [Heisei era](https://bliptext.com/articles/heisei-era) (1989–2019), she became labelled as the representative \"Heisei diva\" with many calling it the \"end of an era\", in both senses.\nHaving sold more than 40 million records, Amuro is recognized as [one of the best-selling artists in Japan](https://bliptext.com/articles/list-of-best-selling-music-artists-in-japan) by [Oricon](https://bliptext.com/articles/oricon).\nShe has received accolades from the [Japan Record Awards](https://bliptext.com/articles/japan-record-awards), [Japan Gold Disc Awards](https://bliptext.com/articles/japan-gold-disc-awards), [MTV Video Music Awards Japan](https://bliptext.com/articles/mtv-video-music-awards-japan) and the [World Music Awards](https://bliptext.com/articles/2010-world-music-awards).\n\n# Life and career\n\n## 1977–1995: Early life and career beginnings\nNamie Amuro was born on September 20, 1977, at [Okinawa](https://bliptext.com/articles/okinawa-prefecture) Red Cross Hospital in [Naha](https://bliptext.com/articles/naha), [Okinawa](https://bliptext.com/articles/okinawa-prefecture).\nShe is one of four children of Emiko Taira.\nThrough her mother, Amuro is a quarter Italian.\nHaving divorced when Amuro was only 4 years old, Taira raised her children solely in Okinawa – she worked as a [nursery school](https://bliptext.com/articles/preschool) employee and a bar hostess to support her family.\nAlthough Amuro had no ambition to become a singer, she was discovered at age 12, while visiting a friend.\nOne year later, Amuro was scouted by Masayuki Makino, the owner of [Okinawa Actors School](https://bliptext.com/articles/okinawa-actors-school), and eventually she was enrolled there.\nIn 1991, Makino placed her in an [idol group](https://bliptext.com/articles/japanese-idol) named [Super Monkey's](https://bliptext.com/articles/super-monkey-s), with four other girls: [Anna Makino](https://bliptext.com/articles/anna-makino), [Hisako Arakaki](https://bliptext.com/articles/hisako-arakaki), Minako Ameku and [Nanako Takushi](https://bliptext.com/articles/nanako-takushi).\nThe sixth member, Rino Nakasone, joined the group one year later.\nOn September 16, 1992, Super Monkey's released their debut single, \"[Koi no Cute Beat/Mr USA](https://bliptext.com/articles/koi-no-cute-beat-mister-u-s-a)\".\nHowever, Anna Makino left the group at the end of that year.\nIn 1993, the remaining members of Super Monkey's moved to [Tokyo](https://bliptext.com/articles/tokyo).\nSuper Monkey's did not gain much success and the group went through constant lineup changes.\nIn 1994, the group changed their name to [Namie Amuro with Super Monkey's](https://bliptext.com/articles/super-monkey-s) to reflect Amuro's rising popularity as an upcoming actress and fashion model.\nAside from group's musical activities, Amuro had [bit parts](https://bliptext.com/articles/bit-part) in Japanese television series and small films.\nSuper Monkey's experienced a large amount of success with their single \"[Try Me (Watashi o Shinjite)](https://bliptext.com/articles/try-me-watashi-o-shinjite)\", produced by Italian [eurobeat](https://bliptext.com/articles/eurobeat) producer [Dave Rodgers](https://bliptext.com/articles/dave-rodgers), and Japanese businessman [Max Matsuura](https://bliptext.com/articles/max-matsuura).\nReleased on January 25, 1995, the song reached number eight on the [Oricon Singles Chart](https://bliptext.com/articles/oricon-singles-chart), and stayed in the top 200 chart for 25 weeks.\nDespite the beginning success as a group, the other four members of the Super Monkey's formed their own sub-group, [MAX](https://bliptext.com/articles/max-band), under the Japanese record label [Avex Trax](https://bliptext.com/articles/avex-trax).\nAs a result, Amuro released two more solo singles under Toshiba-EMI before moving to Avex Trax herself.\nAfter signing with Avex Trax in 1995, the corresponding record company [Avex Group](https://bliptext.com/articles/avex-group) enlisted Japanese musician [Tetsuya Komuro](https://bliptext.com/articles/tetsuya-komuro) to work with Amuro on her then-upcoming album.\nAmuro made her solo debut with Avex, releasing the single \"[Body Feels Exit](https://bliptext.com/articles/body-feels-exit)\" on October 25, 1995.\nIt became a huge success in Japan, peaking at number three on the [Oricon Singles Chart](https://bliptext.com/articles/oricon-singles-chart) and sold over 882,000 units in Japan.\nAmuro's second single with Komuro, \"[Chase the Chance](https://bliptext.com/articles/chase-the-chance)\", became her first number-one single on the [Oricon Singles Chart](https://bliptext.com/articles/oricon-singles-chart) and her first single to sell over 1 million units in Japan.\nFor Amuro's success with those singles, she won the [Golden Arrow Award](https://bliptext.com/articles/golden-arrow-award) in 1995.\n\n## 1996–1998: Sweet 19 Blues, Concentration 20, pregnancy, marriage, breakthrough, 181920 and motherhood\nAfter a brief hiatus, Amuro released two more singles in 1996: \"[Don't Wanna Cry](https://bliptext.com/articles/don-t-wanna-cry-namie-amuro-song)\" and \"[You're My Sunshine](https://bliptext.com/articles/you-re-my-sunshine)\".\nBoth singles were successful in Japan, bringing her second and third consecutive number one singles, and both sold over one million units there.\nAmuro achieved huge success after the release of her first solo studio album, [Sweet 19 Blues](https://bliptext.com/articles/sweet-19-blues) (1996).\nReleased on July 22, it reached number one on the [Oricon Albums Chart](https://bliptext.com/articles/oricon-albums-chart) in Japan, and has sold over 3.6 million units.\nShe released the album's final single, [the title track](https://bliptext.com/articles/sweet-19-blues-song), on August 21, 1996; it achieved success by peaking at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart, and shifted over 400,000 units in Japan.\nOn November 27, 1996, she started work on her second solo studio album with Komuro, and released its lead single \"[A Walk in the Park](https://bliptext.com/articles/a-walk-in-the-park)\".\nIt gave Amuro her fourth number one single on the Oricon Singles Chart, and her fourth single to sell over one million units there.\nAt the end of 1996, she was awarded the Grand Prix Award for her song \"[Don't Wanna Cry](https://bliptext.com/articles/don-t-wanna-cry-namie-amuro-song)\", the highest honor at the [Japan Record Awards](https://bliptext.com/articles/japan-record-awards), making her the youngest artist to have won the award.\nOn February 19, 1997, she released her single \"[Can You Celebrate?](https://bliptext.com/articles/can-you-celebrate)\", which became her fifth number one single.\nThe single became a huge success in Japan, eventually selling 2,750,000 units there, making it the best-selling single by a solo female artist in Japan.\nAfter releasing her sixth consecutive number one single \"[How to Be a Girl](https://bliptext.com/articles/how-to-be-a-girl)\" on May 21, 1997, Amuro released her second album [Concentration 20](https://bliptext.com/articles/concentration-20) in July of that year.\nIt became her third number one album in Japan, and sold over 1.9 million units there.\nFor additional promotion, she embarked her Concentration 20 Dome Tour in Japan, which achieved commercial success.\nBy early August 1997, the total sales of Amuro's records reached 20 million units in Japan.\nDuring a press conference on October 22 of that year, Amuro confirmed her marriage to Japanese musician and [TRF](https://bliptext.com/articles/trf-band) band member Masaharu \"Sam\" Maruyama.\nDuring the conference, she announced that she was three months pregnant with their first child.\nAt the end of the year, she won the Grand Prix Award at the Japan Record Awards again for \"Can You Celebrate?\"\nand made her final appearance on the annual Japanese television music show [48th Kōhaku Uta Gassen](https://bliptext.com/articles/k-haku-uta-gassen) before beginning her one-year hiatus from the music industry.\nShe legally changed her name to **Namie Maruyama**, but continued to use her maiden name as her professional name.\nAmuro's first [compilation album](https://bliptext.com/articles/compilation-album), [181920](https://bliptext.com/articles/181920), was released on January 28, 1998, and covers twelve singles which were released prior to her hiatus.\nThe total sales of the album were around 2 million units in Japan.\nFour months later, on May 19, Amuro gave birth to her son, Haruto Maruyama at Maruyama Memorial General Hospital.\nShe returned to the music industry by releasing the single \"[I Have Never Seen](https://bliptext.com/articles/i-have-never-seen)\" on December 23, 1998.\nIt became her eighth number one single on [Oricon](https://bliptext.com/articles/oricon), and sold over 650,000 units in Japan.\nShe made her first televised appearance on [49th Kōhaku Uta Gassen](https://bliptext.com/articles/k-haku-uta-gassen) days later, performing a tearful rendition of her single \"Can You Celebrate?\".\n# [Japanese musician Tetsuya Komuro produced Amuro's first four studio albums. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/MTV///VMAJ///2014///Tetsuya///Komuro///%28cropped%29.jpg]\n\n## 1999–2001: Personal struggles, Genius 2000 and Break the Rules\nWorking on the album [Genius 2000](https://bliptext.com/articles/genius-2000) with Komuro and American producer [Dallas Austin](https://bliptext.com/articles/dallas-austin), after releasing its first single \"I Have Never Seen\" in 1998, Amuro released its second single \"[Respect the Power of Love](https://bliptext.com/articles/respect-the-power-of-love)\" on March 17, 1999.\nOn the same day, news publications in Amuro's hometown, Okinawa, reported that her mother, Emiko Taira, had been murdered.\nAccording to staff editors at [The Japan Times](https://bliptext.com/articles/the-japan-times), Emiko and her second husband, Tatsunobu Taira, were hit by an axe, owned by Kenji Taira, Emiko's ex-husband's brother.\nWhile her second husband survived with moderate injuries, Emiko was taken to hospital, and pronounced dead after noon on March 17.\nKenji was then found dead in his car, after consuming insecticide.\nUpon hearing the news, Amuro postponed all promotional activities and flew back to Okinawa in order to identify her mother's body.\nA week later, the single debuted at the number two on the Oricon Singles Chart, beaten by the single \"[Dango 3 Kyodai](https://bliptext.com/articles/dango-3-kyodai)\".\nA third single, \"[Toi et Moi](https://bliptext.com/articles/toi-et-moi-namie-amuro-song)\", was used for the Japanese animation movie [Pokémon: The Movie 2000](https://bliptext.com/articles/pok-mon-the-movie-2000).\nBoth singles proved successful, selling over 400,000 and 200,000 units in that region, respectively.\nAmuro made her first single debut with Austin on \"[Something 'Bout the Kiss](https://bliptext.com/articles/something-bout-the-kiss)\", released on September 1, 1999.\nIt became a success in Japan, reaching number three on the Oricon Singles Chart and sold over 390,000 units there.\nIn January 2000, Amuro released her fourth studio album [Genius 2000](https://bliptext.com/articles/genius-2000); it reached number one on the Oricon Albums Chart, and shifted over 800,000 units there.\nThat same month, Amuro confirmed her separation from husband Masaharu.\nFor the first half of 2000, Amuro embarked on her Genius 2000 Tour throughout Japan.\nShe then released the single \"[Never End](https://bliptext.com/articles/never-end-song)\", in July, confirming work on her fifth studio album with Komuro and Austin.\nThe single was used as part of the [G8 Summit](https://bliptext.com/articles/26th-g8-summit) taking place in Okinawa, Japan that year.\nIt was commissioned by late Prime Minister [Keizō Obuchi](https://bliptext.com/articles/keiz-obuchi), who asked Tetsuya Komuro to write a song conveying \"a vision of harmony and interaction in the world in the 21st century\".\nObuchi later asked Amuro to perform the single at the summit.\nAmuro's fifth studio album [Break the Rules](https://bliptext.com/articles/break-the-rules-album) was released on December 20, 2000, and is her final full-length produced album with Komuro.\nIt became her first studio album to miss the top spot, peaking at number two on the Oricon Albums Chart.\nAmuro's sales started to decline from this release, as the album only shifted 335,000 units in Japan.\nTo promote the studio album, Amuro toured Japan in March 2001, and finished in May that same year.\nIn August, she released the single \"[Say the Word](https://bliptext.com/articles/say-the-word-namie-amuro-song)\"; it was her first single that she contributed to songwriting.\nThis was her first single to be released after departing with Komuro, until years later, and was released in part of her upcoming [greatest hits](https://bliptext.com/articles/greatest-hits) album.\nSince then, she started to produce her own activities.\nHowever, in December she worked with Komuro for the last time on \"Lovin' It\", a single released as part of Avex's [Song+Nation](https://bliptext.com/articles/song-nation) charity project.\nThe single featured Japanese rapper [Verbal](https://bliptext.com/articles/verbal-rapper) from the music group [M-Flo](https://bliptext.com/articles/m-flo).\n# [Komuro and Amuro presenting the CD single for \"Never End\" to Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori at the Prime Minister's Office on July 11, 2000 | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Yoshiro///Mori%2C///Tetsuya///Komuro///and///Namie///Amuro///20000711.jpg]\n\n## 2002–2004: Love Enhanced Single Collection, decline in sales and popularity, Suite Chic project and Style\nAmuro released her second [compilation album](https://bliptext.com/articles/compilation-album), [Love Enhanced Single Collection](https://bliptext.com/articles/love-enhanced-single-collection), on March 13, 2002.\nThe album reworked nearly every single released after her return from hiatus in 1998, with new vocals, mixes or rearrangements.\nThe single \"[I Will](https://bliptext.com/articles/i-will-namie-amuro-song)\" was released a month before the album and became Amuro's first single below 100,000 units in sales.\nAlthough the album was moderately successful, peaking at number three and shifting over 300,000 units, it only sold a fraction of its predecessor [181920](https://bliptext.com/articles/181920) (1998).\nIn July 2002, Amuro divorced Maruyama, and legally changed her name back to **Namie Amuro**, having cited irreconcilable differences.\nAccording to reports, her divorce was due to her personal issues with Maruyama's family.\nRetrospectively, [The Times](https://bliptext.com/articles/the-times) attributed her loss in popularity during this era to the attention surrounding her personal struggles, while [The Japan Times](https://bliptext.com/articles/the-japan-times) cited the rise of newer artists [Hikaru Utada](https://bliptext.com/articles/hikaru-utada) and [Ayumi Hamasaki](https://bliptext.com/articles/ayumi-hamasaki), who achieved great success in the wake of her hiatus.\nIn a 2005 interview, Amuro said: \"Even my closest friend said I was finished, but I think I may be a little different from the others. My popularity plunged three years ago and I didn’t try to court publicity. It was a real challenge forcing myself to be consistent in not playing up to my fans.\"\nAmuro started work on her sixth studio and third collaboration album with [Dallas Austin](https://bliptext.com/articles/dallas-austin), releasing [Diane Warren](https://bliptext.com/articles/diane-warren)-written single \"[Wishing on the Same Star](https://bliptext.com/articles/wishing-on-the-same-star)\" on September 11, 2002.\nThe single saw a large slip in Amuro's sales, only shifting 95,000 units by the end of the year.\nIn December 2002, Amuro was part of the musical project [Suite Chic](https://bliptext.com/articles/suite-chic), involving several Japanese artists like [Verbal](https://bliptext.com/articles/verbal-rapper), [Zeebra](https://bliptext.com/articles/zeebra), [Dabo](https://bliptext.com/articles/dabo-rapper) and [DJ Muro](https://bliptext.com/articles/dj-muro).\nThe project released two singles, one studio album and one remix album before dissolution in 2003.\nAmuro returned to solo activities in mid-2003, releasing the singles \"[Shine More](https://bliptext.com/articles/shine-more)\", \"[Put 'Em Up](https://bliptext.com/articles/put-em-up)\", and the double A-side singles: \"[So Crazy](https://bliptext.com/articles/so-crazy-namie-amuro-song)\" and \"[Come](https://bliptext.com/articles/so-crazy-come)\".\nThe single's saw an exploration of westernised musical styles with American producers, including R&B producers [Full Force](https://bliptext.com/articles/full-force) and the work of Austin.\n\"Come\" was used for the Japanese anime [InuYasha](https://bliptext.com/articles/inuyasha), and is a re-arranged song that was originally recorded by Australian recording artist and TV personality [Sophie Monk](https://bliptext.com/articles/sophie-monk).\nAt the end of the year, she released her sixth studio album and first album in three years, [Style](https://bliptext.com/articles/style-namie-amuro-album).\nThe album became her lowest chart album on the Oricon Albums Chart, peaking at number four.\nIt is also her lowest selling studio album, shifting only 222,000 units in that region.\nTo promote the studio album, Amuro conducted her [So Crazy Tour Featuring Best Singles](https://bliptext.com/articles/so-crazy-tour) on November 29.\nThe tour concluded in Japan on April 11, 2004.\nShe extended the concert tour, marked as a promotional appearance, in [Taiwan](https://bliptext.com/articles/taiwan), and [South Korea](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-korea).\nShortly after the tour, she released the single \"[All for You](https://bliptext.com/articles/all-for-you-namie-amuro-song)\" on July 22, 2004, confirming work on her seventh studio album.\nThis was followed by the double A-side single \"[Girl Talk](https://bliptext.com/articles/girl-talk-the-speed-star)\" and \"[Girl Talk](https://bliptext.com/articles/girl-talk-the-speed-star)/The Speed Star\", released on October 14, 2004.\nIt was successful in Japan, peaking at number two, and sold over 107,000 units in that region; it became her first top three single in two years.\nAmuro decided not to appear on [55th Kōhaku Uta Gassen](https://bliptext.com/articles/k-haku-uta-gassen), although she had been invited to perform at the event.\nShe had previously attended the event nine years in a row.\n# [Amuro on the red carpet at MTV Asia Aid in Bangkok in February 2005 | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Namie///Amuro///MAA.JPG]\n\n## 2005–2006: Queen of Hip-Pop and expansion into Asia\nIn April 2005, Amuro released the single \"[Want Me, Want Me](https://bliptext.com/articles/want-me-want-me)\".\nThe song was a success in Japan, reaching number two on [Oricon Singles Chart](https://bliptext.com/articles/oricon-singles-chart), and sold over 103,000 units in that region.\nIn May, following a three-year split from Maruyama, Japanese publications reported that she would take back full custody of their child, Haruto.\nIn August, she was granted full custody of Haruto with visitation rights by Maruyama.\nOn May 29, Amuro performed at [MTV Video Music Awards Japan](https://bliptext.com/articles/2005-mtv-video-music-awards-japan) for the fourth consecutive year in a row.\nShe won two awards, \"[Best R&B Video](https://bliptext.com/articles/2005-mtv-video-music-awards-japan)\" and \"[Most Impressive Performing Asian Artist](https://bliptext.com/articles/2005-mtv-video-music-awards-japan)\", making her the first artist to win [MTV VMAJ](https://bliptext.com/articles/mtv-video-music-awards-japan) awards four years in a row (she won \"[Inspiration Award](https://bliptext.com/articles/2002-mtv-video-music-awards-japan)\" in 2002, \"[Best Collaboration](https://bliptext.com/articles/2003-mtv-video-music-awards-japan)\" in 2003 and \"[Best R&B Video](https://bliptext.com/articles/2005-mtv-video-music-awards-japan)\" in 2004).\nAmuro released her seventh studio album [Queen of Hip-Pop](https://bliptext.com/articles/queen-of-hip-pop) in July 2005.\nThe album includes four singles: \"[Alarm](https://bliptext.com/articles/alarm-namie-amuro-song)\", \"[All For You](https://bliptext.com/articles/all-for-you-namie-amuro-song)\", \"[Girl Talk/The Speed Star](https://bliptext.com/articles/girl-talk-the-speed-star)\" and \"[Want Me, Want Me](https://bliptext.com/articles/want-me-want-me)\".\nQueen of Hip-Pop was a success, reaching number two on the [Oricon Albums Chart](https://bliptext.com/articles/oricon-albums-chart), and sold over 455,000 units in Japan.\nIn collaboration with [MGM Studios](https://bliptext.com/articles/metro-goldwyn-mayer), Amuro was granted permission to use [Pink Panther](https://bliptext.com/articles/pink-panther-character) in the album.\nA female panther counterpart was created for the album as well.\nBoth panther characters appeared in the [music video](https://bliptext.com/articles/music-video) of \"WoWa\".\nIn September 2005, Amuro embarked on her Space of Hip-Hop concert tour in Japan.\nShortly after the commencement of the tour, she announced that she would contribute to the Japanese theatrical release of the film [Sin City](https://bliptext.com/articles/sin-city-film) (2005).\nAfter viewing the movie, Amuro made an offer to the Japanese distribution company to sing its theme song; the company, feeling that her image fit the movie, accepted her offer.\nThe theme song, \"Violet Sauce\", was later released as part of a double A-side single, \"[White Light/Violet Sauce](https://bliptext.com/articles/white-light-violet-sauce)\", in November 2005.\nIt achieved moderate success in Japan, reaching number seven on the Oricon Singles Chart, and sold over 72,000 units there.\nThe movie's director, [Robert Rodriguez](https://bliptext.com/articles/robert-rodriguez), was impressed by the song and asked to be a part of it; he can be heard saying \"Welcome to Sin City\" towards the end of the song.\nShortly after the single, she released [Filmography 2001–2005](https://bliptext.com/articles/filmography-2001-2005)' (2006), a compilation of twelve of her music videos between the years 2001 to 2005.\nAmuro collaborated with Japanese recording artists [Zeebra](https://bliptext.com/articles/zeebra), [Ai](https://bliptext.com/articles/ai-singer), and Mummy-D on [Zeebra](https://bliptext.com/articles/zeebra)'s album, The New Beginning, released in February 2006, in a song called \"Do What U Gotta Do\".\nIn May, she released the double A-side single \"[Can't Sleep, Can't Eat, I'm Sick/Ningyo](https://bliptext.com/articles/can-t-sleep-can-t-eat-i-m-sick)\", which peaked at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart and shifted over 80,000 units in Japan.\nIn August 2006, Amuro conducted her first annual tour Best Tour Live Style 2006, spanning between August and November 2006.\nReleased in February 2007, the Live DVD of the tour was placed on the second position by [Oricon](https://bliptext.com/articles/oricon).\nIts total sales exceeded 90,000 units in Japan.\n# [Amuro performing \"Girl Talk\" at MTV Asia Aid in Bangkok in February 2005 | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Namie///AmuroatMAA.JPG]\n\n## 2007–2009: Resurgence of sales, revived popularity, Play, Best Fiction and Past

History