Who is BABYMETAL? The Japanese Metal Idol Band Sensation
by Frederic Vervaecke
- BABYMETAL Members and Lineup
- Su-metal (Suzuka Nakamoto)
- Moametal (Moa Kikuchi)
- Momometal (Momoko Okazaki)
- Former Member: Yuimetal (Yui Mizuno)
- The Kami Band Musicians
- The Origins of Kawaii Metal
- Key 'Kobametal' Kobayashi: The Visionary Behind BABYMETAL
- History of BABYMETAL
- BABYMETAL Collaborations and Influences
- BABYMETAL's Far-Reaching Influence and Global Impact
- Female Role Models for Metal and Japan
- Achievements
- BABYMETAL's US Tour 2024
Thumbnail: BABYMETAL performing in Belgium 2023 by DragonFury (CC BY-SA 4.0)
BABYMETAL is a Japanese idol group that combines elements of J-pop and heavy metal in a subgenre called kawaii metal. This band was inaugurated in 2010 and the initial members included Su-metal, Moametal and Yuimetal, the latter of whom was replaced by Momometal. Their adorable image combined with the heavy music has helped them gain popularity and become the first Asian band to reach the top of the Billboard’s Top Rock Albums.
BABYMETAL Members and Lineup
Su-metal (Suzuka Nakamoto)
Suzuka Nakamoto also known as Su-metal is the lead singer and dancer. Born on December 20, 1997 in Hiroshima, Japan, she entered the entertainment business very young. Prior to her formation of BABYMETAL, she was in the idol group named Karen Girl's and then in the Sakura Gakuin where she built her vocal and dance performance. Su-metal's voice and energy are critical to BABYMETAL as a band, and she is a great frontwoman.
Moametal (Moa Kikuchi)
Moa Kikuchi, also known as Moametal, is one of the main vocalists and dancers of BABYMETAL. A native of Japan, Moametal was born on July 4, 1999, and joined Sakura Gakuin in 2010, where she met fellow BABYMETAL member Yuimetal. Both of them were in another sub-group of Sakura Gakuin, which ultimately became BABYMETAL. Moametal has become one of the most popular idols due to her lively dancing and cute gestures.
Momometal (Momoko Okazaki)
Momoko Okazaki, also known as Momometal, was officially added to the BABYMETAL band members in 2023. She was born on March 3, 2003, in Fukuoka prefecture, Japan. Prior to being a permanent member, she was an "Avenger," a backup dancer for the band. In addition to this, Momometal is still responsible for screaming, vocals, and dance, which add integral energy to the performances. It is also important to note that she is a dancer and has worked as an Avenger since 2019, which has made her a perfect fit for BABYMETAL, and her inclusion has been warmly welcomed by the fans.
Former Member: Yuimetal (Yui Mizuno)
Yui Mizuno, commonly called Yuimetal, was one of the founding members of BABYMETAL and performed with the band from 2010 to 2018 when she left the group because of health problems. The new member of Sakura Gakuin, Yuimetal, was born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, on June 20, 1999, the same as Moametal. Fans and band members missed her presence, given that she had been instrumental in BABYMETAL's initial growth and development.
The Kami Band Musicians
Besides the core three members, BABYMETAL has a live band of session musicians called the Kami Band. The Kami Band currently includes:
Takayoshi Ohmura – guitar (2013–present)
Leda Cygnus – guitar (2013–present)
Isao Fujita – guitar (2015–present)
Boh – bass (2013–present)
Hideki Aoyama – drums (2013–present)
The Kami Band has other supporting musicians when they perform outside of Japan.
The Origins of Kawaii Metal
Kawaii metal is a subgenre of metal that started in Japan in the 2010s, with BABYMETAL being the first band to popularize it. The idea was conceived by their producer, Key "Kobametal" Kobayashi, who wanted to come up with something new that had never been heard before. The music style incorporates elements of different heavy metal subgenres, including speed, power, and industrial metal, with J-pop idol music and Japanese idol concepts. Kawaii metal came into the limelight in 2014 with BABYMETAL's song "Gimme Chocolate!!" on YouTube.
Key 'Kobametal' Kobayashi: The Visionary Behind BABYMETAL
The main producer and the man behind BABYMETAL is Key Kobametal Kobayashi. Kobametal is a heavy metal music fan, and he came up with the brilliant idea of fusing the hardcore sound of metal with the cute concept of J-pop idols. He established BABYMETAL in 2010 with a vision of coming up with something new that had not been seen before. BABYMETAL, under the leadership of Kobametal, created the Kawaii metal subgenre and gained worldwide recognition.
History of BABYMETAL
BABYMETAL was born in 2010 as a subgroup of the Japanese idol group Sakura Gakuin, with Su-metal (Suzuka Nakamoto) as the vocalist and dancer, Yuimetal (Yui Mizuno) and Moametal (Moa Kikuchi) as the screamers and dancers. The producer Kobametal wanted to come up with a completely new genre that would combine heavy metal with the Japanese idols.
BABYMETAL released songs such as "Doki Doki Morning," and they were a subunit of Sakura Gakuin from 2010-2012. When Nakamoto left the group in 2013, BABYMETAL continued as an independent group and released their first major single, "Ijime Dame Zettai."
Their debut album, BABYMETAL, released in 2014, included the popular single "Gimme Chocolate!!" they played at prominent events like Sonisphere. The band kept on rising in the international scene, being the first Japanese act to headline the Wembley Arena in 2016 and opening for Metallica and Guns N' Roses in 2017.
Yuimetal left BABYMETAL in 2018 due to some health complications. The group also started performing with backup dancers, “the Avengers”, and their third album, METAL GALAXY, was released in 2019 and made them the first Asian acts to dominate the Billboard rock charts.
"Avenger" dancer Momoko Okazaki became the third member of BABYMETAL as Momometal in 2023. The group's fourth album, THE OTHER ONE, came out that same year, and they continued sharing kawaii metal with the world.
BABYMETAL Collaborations and Influences
BABYMETAL has worked with and been inspired by many metal bands and artists of the rock genre. According to the band, their greatest influence is Metallica. Su-metal mentioned that she was influenced after watching Metallica's concert in Japan. Metallica's great performance and the way they controlled the audience made the group feel its might.
Besides Metallica, BABYMETAL performed with other great musicians. In 2017, they opened for Guns N' Roses and the Red Hot Chili Peppers on their international tours, exposing the band to a global audience. Being able to open for these legendary bands helped BABYMETAL gain even more popularity on the global stage.
BABYMETAL's music has also been influenced by collaborations with other musicians. In 2023, they released the single" METALI!!" featuring Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine on guitar. Morello's sound fitted the track well due to its chaotic and unconventional nature. Another profitable partnership was with the American rapper Lil Uzi Vert on the song "The End" from his 2023 album Pink Tape. This unplanned collaboration demonstrated BABYMETAL's openness to collaboration across different genres.
BABYMETAL has also shown appreciation for other metal bands. After watching their music videos, Rob Zombie chose them to be the warm-up act for his 2016 US tour. The group has also covered songs from other popular bands, such as Judas Priest and Dethklok, to mention but a few.
BABYMETAL's Far-Reaching Influence and Global Impact
Since their formation in 2010, BABYMETAL has made a profound impact on metal fans and the music industry. The band's unique fusion of kawaii J-pop aesthetics with heavy metal has resonated with audiences worldwide, creating a dedicated international fanbase known as "The One." Their music and performances challenge traditional notions of metal, attracting listeners who might not typically enjoy heavy music. With positive lyrics focusing on self-empowerment and overcoming adversity, BABYMETAL has struck a chord with fans seeking uplifting messages.
BABYMETAL's success has broken down cultural barriers and introduced Japanese music to global audiences. Their international tours and appearances at major festivals like Glastonbury have exposed many to kawaii metal and J-pop culture. This cultural exchange has fostered a sense of community among fans who bond over their shared love for the band and Japanese music.
BABYMETAL is not the only Japanese band that has traction in the US, see our writeup about J-Pop in Coachella for the hottest J-pop acts.
Female Role Models for Metal and Japan
The band has become a role model for young women in the metal scene. Their confident performances and commanding stage presence inspire fans, particularly female listeners, to embrace their power and pursue their passions. BABYMETAL's success helps to break down gender stereotypes in the male-dominated world of metal music.
BABYMETAL's influence extends beyond music, becoming ambassadors for Japanese culture. Their blend of cuteness and intensity challenges stereotypes about Japanese music and showcases the country's artistic diversity. The band's innovative fusion of metal and J-pop has inspired other Japanese acts like Ladybaby and Doll$Boxx to explore similar sounds, expanding the popularity of kawaii metal.
Achievements
The band has won many awards and has had many successes. In 2014, they became the youngest artists to perform at Tokyo Dome. Some of the records they have set include being the first Asian act to get to the top of the Billboard Top Rock Albums with their album METAL GALAXY in 2019. BABYMETAL has also received several awards in the course of their career, including the Breakthrough Act at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in 2015 and Best Japan Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2017.
The fan base of BABYMETAL has also been instrumental in the success of the band, supporting the band through art, events, and social media. With every new music release, they remain one of the key representatives of the kawaii metal genre and Japanese culture. The influence they have had on their fans and in the music industry shows how music can bring people together and create change for the better in the whole world.
BABYMETAL's US Tour 2024
BABYMETAL has announced that their 2024 US headline world tour will start on November 5 in Orlando, Florida, and end on December 5 in Anaheim, California. The 15-date tour will take place in major cities such as New York, Washington D.C., and Cincinnati and will expand into new states such as Iowa, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Scene Queen will appear as a special guest on some of the dates. This tour is in support of their 2023 concept album "THE OTHER ONE" and their “FOX_FEST” festival to give fans a taste of their kawaii metal and their theatrical performances.
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