Ayumi Hamasaki is a Japanese pop singer from Fukuoka who began modelling and performing as a teenager and made her recording debut with the single 'Poker Face' in 1998. It went to number 20 on Japan's Oricon Singles Chart and she went on to have several hits in 1999 including 'Love (Destiny)', 'Boys & Girls', 'A' and 'Kanariya', all of which topped the Oricon Singles Chart. She had a long string of chart-topping singles after that including 'Is This Love?' (2005), 'Sparkle' (2009), 'Crossroad' (2010) and 'L' (2010). 'Zutto' (2014) reached number five on the Oricon Singles Chart. Her long string of releases that went to number one on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart includes 'A Song for xx' (1999), 'Rainbow' (2002), 'My Story' (2004), 'Secret' (2006), 'Next Level' (2009), 'Party Queen' (2012), 'Colours' (2014) and 'M(a)de in Japan' (2016). She also has released several compilation albums, remixes and EPs including 'Trouble' (2018). She lost hearing in her left ear in 2008 due to an illness and said in 2017 that while hearing in her right ear was deteriorating, she aimed to continue performing. Her 2019 schedule included appearances across Japan.