Other meanings of Suzuka Nakamoto
Music
Suzuka Nakamoto (中元すず香, Nakamoto Suzuka, born December 20, 1997) is a Japanese singer best known as the lead vocalist of the kawaii-metal band Babymetal, performing under the stage name Su-metal. She is also a former member of the idol groups Karen Girl's and Sakura Gakuin.
Suzuka Nakamoto was born in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on December 20, 1997. She began training as a child, and in 2008 she was selected as one of three members of the idol unit Karen Girl's, formed to sing the theme songs for the anime series Zettai Karen Children. The group disbanded in 2009 after the anime ended.1
In 2010, Nakamoto joined the newly formed idol group Sakura Gakuin, a concept group centered on school activities. She was one of its earliest members and quickly became a central figure, serving as the group's leader ("Student Council President") in 2012–2013. During her time in Sakura Gakuin, she also participated in the sub-unit Twinklestars, which performed with a rhythmic gymnastics ribbon.
In 2010, while still in Sakura Gakuin, Nakamoto was placed in a heavy metal sub-unit called Babymetal, alongside Moa Kikuchi and Yui Mizuno. The group's concept was a fusion of idol pop and metal, with Nakamoto as the lead vocalist under the name Su-metal. Their debut single "Doki Doki ☆ Morning" was released in 2011, and the group's self-titled album came out in 2013.2
Babymetal's breakthrough came with the 2014 single "Gimme Chocolate!!", which went viral and brought the group international attention. Nakamoto's powerful, clean vocals contrasted with the heavy instrumentation, earning praise from metal fans and critics. The group has since released multiple albums, including Metal Resistance (2016) and Metal Galaxy (2019), and has toured worldwide, performing at major festivals such as Download and Glastonbury.3
Nakamoto is noted for her strong, clear soprano voice, which she uses to deliver melodic lines over heavy guitar riffs and electronic beats. Her vocal style has been compared to that of metal vocalists like Doro Pesch and Lzzy Hale, but with a distinctly J-pop inflection. She has cited influences including Avril Lavigne and the band X Japan.
In live performances, Nakamoto often sings while performing choreographed dance routines, a demanding feat that has drawn admiration. She has also developed a stage persona that is more serious and "metal" than her idol background, often addressing the crowd in English during international shows. Her vocal range and control have been highlighted in reviews of Babymetal's albums and concerts.
Outside of Babymetal, Nakamoto has participated in various side projects. In 2013, she voiced a character in the anime Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited, reprising her connection to the Karen Girl's franchise. She has also appeared in Japanese television commercials and variety shows.4
In 2017, Nakamoto released a solo song titled "Amore" as part of Babymetal's album Metal Resistance, but she has not pursued a solo career under her own name. She has expressed interest in acting, but as of the early 2020s, her primary focus remains Babymetal.5
Nakamoto is known for her love of cats and has a pet cat named Momo. She also has a younger sister, Himeka Nakamoto, who is a former member of the idol group Nogizaka46. The two have appeared together in public events, but rarely discuss each other in interviews.
In 2018, Nakamoto underwent surgery for a vocal cord condition, which caused Babymetal to cancel several shows. She recovered and returned to performing, but the incident highlighted the physical demands of her role. Additionally, she has a black belt in karate, a fact that is often cited by fans but rarely mentioned in official bios.
This article focuses on Suzuka Nakamoto as the singer in Babymetal; for other uses, see the disambiguation page.
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