Ami Suzuki | |
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鈴木亜美 | |
 Ami Suzuki in November 2008 | |
| Born | (1982-02-09)9 February 1982 (age 43) Zama, Japan |
| Alma mater | Nihon University |
| Occupations |
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| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Musical career | |
| Also known as | Ami-Go (あみ～ゴ) |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
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| Years active |
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| Labels |
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| Website | avexnet |
Musical artist | |
Ami Suzuki (鈴木亜美,Suzuki Ami; born 9 February 1982) is a Japanese recording artist, DJ, and actress fromZama, Kanagawa, Japan. Following her late 90s fame as a popular teen idol, Suzuki went on to become known for her self-penned lyrics and music production.
In 2000, Suzuki entered a legal battle with her management company, which resulted her beingblacklisted from the entertainment industry. Suzuki independently released two singles before signing toAvex Trax in 2005. Suzuki has also made a name for herself in the acting field, starring in various movies, television series, and musicals.
While attending high school, Suzuki auditioned for Japanese talent showAsayan, which was searching for a young vocalist under the direct guidance ofTetsuya Komuro. She preferred athletics at the time and was reluctant to travel from her home in Kanagawa, but was convinced by a friend.[1] From 13,500 contestants, only five girls were chosen to be in the final round, and 15-year-old Suzuki was voted as the finalist winner.[2][1]
Her debut single, "Love the Island", was released on July 1, 1998. The song was used to promote Japanese tourism in the island ofGuam. The single debuted at number five on theOricon charts. On 17 September 1998, her second single "Alone in My Room" was released, which debuted at number three.
In October 1998, Suzuki started her own radio show onNippon Hōsō calledRun! Run! Ami-Go!, and signed a deal withKissmark for advertisements and promotion all around Asia.Sony then began promoting her third single, "All Night Long". Later that year, Suzuki won theJapan Record Award for Best New Artist.
In 1999, Suzuki released her first photo book, titledAmi-Go, which sold around 200,000 copies. In March, her debut albumSA was released, becoming one of the top ten best selling albums of 1999. During the release of her seventh single "Be Together", Suzuki competed with later chart rivalAyumi Hamasaki for the first time, who had just released her ninth single "Boys & Girls". Suzuki's next single, titled "Our Days", ranked number one in the charts later that year. At the end of the year, Suzuki released her eighth single: "Happy New Millennium".
In January 2000, Suzuki released "Don't Need to Say Good Bye" which debuted at number 5.[3] A week later, the singer released her second studio album,Infinity Eighteen Vol. 1, which debuted at number one. Suzuki has said of this first period of her career that she was not free to do what she wanted and only followed what she was told, leaving her feeling "pretty disheartened and down, like there was no future".[1] Suzuki had been writing lyrics from an early age, and continued to pass these on to her manager and producers. The first song to feature them was her tenth Sony single: "Don't Need to Say Goodbye". The lyrics were influenced by events occurring in her personal life at that time, Suzuki commenting: "Putting my thoughts and feelings into my singing is more important to me than sales, and chart rankings."[1]
Three months afterInfinity Eighteen Vol.1, Suzuki released "Thank You 4 Every Day Every Body" in the beginning of April, and her third studio album,Infinity Eighteen Vol.2, later that same month. "Reality/Dancin' in Hip-Hop" was later released as Suzuki's 12th single in September 2000.
In 2000 Suzuki's career came to a halt when Eiji Yamada, the President of her production company AG Communication, was convicted on tax evasion charges. AG Communication had evaded tax by under-reporting their earnings, and by consequence were underpaying royalties to artists. Suzuki's parents Tadao and Miyako Suzuki sued AG Communication for termination of her contract on these grounds, and that the association would taint her image.[1] TheTokyo District Court ruled in Suzuki's favor, but the lawsuit resulted in Suzuki's blacklisting from the entertainment industry.[4] In court documents, it was revealed that AG Communication had paid her very little: despite eight-figure record sales that year, Suzuki earned just $1500 a month at the start of her career, and a 0.4% royalty rate on CDs, raised to 0.55% in 1999.[5]
Having lost all of her endorsements, Suzuki was faced with the problem of production companies refusing to work with her publicly. Her relationship with long-time collaboratorTetsuya Komuro also ceased.[6] Acompilation album of Suzuki's tracks,Fun for Fan, was released on 30 May 2001. It reached number one on the Oricon charts, despite the fact that Sony had ceased all public promotions and removed her back catalogue from stores.[7]
In 2003, Suzuki negotiated an out-of-court agreement with Sony. Her contract with the label was scheduled to end in December 2004.[6] Eiji Yamada was subsequently fined; government officials eventually linked to the scandal to former Education Minister Takashi Kosugi and two other legislators, who allegedly received 34 million yen in unofficial payments.[4] About this period, Suzuki herself has said "I really didn't know what was going on, there were many lies were being thrown about in the media. For people to hear things and believe that to be the truth was a surprise, and I suddenly realized the kind of world I was in. What kept me going was the thought of one day being able to tell the truth myself."[1]
Following the blacklisting, Suzuki changed her stage name from 鈴木あみ (kanji/hiragana) to 鈴木亜美. In April 2004, the singer found that "adding a CD to a book, such as those found in language-teaching books, would be a possible alternative" for being able to independently release her work.[1] Suzuki later debuted a photobook calledTsuyoi Kizuna that included a CD single, published by Tokyo-basedBungeishunjū. The photobook went to sell over 150,000 copies, reaching number one of best-selling non-fiction books in Japan.[1] In August of the same year, she released another single titled "Forever Love", this time on her own independent label Amity. The release reached number twenty-one on theOricon chart, and number one in Oricon's Indies Singles Chart.[8] In addition, a four-track mini concert DVD titled2004 Summer Fly Hight: Ami Shower was released on November 17.
Through October and November Suzuki had performances at various festivals, and in December she began theAmi's Love for You – Live tour. During its final concert, Suzuki officially announced her transfer toAvex, and her comeback to the major music industry.[1]
On 1 January 2005, Suzuki's website under the Avex label was opened. Her first song under her new label, "Hopeful", was released digitally on February 9, and on March 25 her first physical single, titled "Delightful", was released. Her second single under the Avex label, "Eventful", was released on May 25. "Negaigoto", was later released on August 17; its b-side, "Times", was used as the theme of a TV commercial forN's Street Online Shopping. During August, her new official Mobile Fan ClubAmi Sapuri was opened, and Suzuki announced that a live tour would start in the following months. That summer, the singer also participated inA-Nation for the first time.
Suzuki released her first studio album in five years,Around the World, on October 12 2005.[9] In November, celebrating the Japanese 55th Anniversary ofSnoopy, Suzuki released a single titled "Happiness is...", which was sold exclusively at theSnoopy Life Design Happiness is the 55th Anniversary event held in Tokyo. On December 7, Suzuki released her fifthAvex single, "Little Crystal". On December 31, Suzuki was awarded with the Gold Prize for Best New Artist at the 47thJapan Record Awards.
On February 8 2006, Suzuki released her sixth Avex single, "Fantastic", which was used as third opening theme of the TV anime seriesBlackjack. On March 29, her firstremix album, titledAmix World, was released. The album included remixes made by Japanese and international producers, includingSpace Cowboy,Clazziquai Project,Jonathan Peters andFerry Corsten. For her fifth single "Alright!", released on May 17, she distanced herself from her previous trance-influenced dance material and explored a more mainstream sound. Suzuki's eighth single on Avex, "Like a Love?", was released 26 July 2006. In October of the same year, Suzuki debuted as a movie actress inRainbow Song, directed by Naoto Kumazawa and produced byShunji Iwai.[10]
In February 2007, Suzuki officially started a new project called "Join".[11] Collaboration singles withBuffalo Daughter, THC!! andKirinji were released in a three-week period starting on 28 February to 14 March.[12] Her "Join" album and second Avex album,Connetta, was released on March 21, and included collaborations with several artists includingHideki Kaji, Scoobie Do,Ayano Tsuji and Northern Bright.[11] The album peaked at number twenty-six on the Japanese Oricon charts.[13] Her acting career also continued; Suzuki starred in the live action dramaSkull Man, and also the collaboration dramaUnder the Magnolia,[14][15] in which she starred the leading role along withLee Wan.[16]
Suzuki's fourth "Join" single and first Avex double A-side single, "Free Free/Super Music Maker", was released on August 22, 2007. For this single's promotion Suzuki's image changed drastically; her new look was called as "ero-pop" by herself and by the media, drawing comparisons to Avex contemporaryKoda Kumi.[17] In December 2007 it was announced that Suzuki would be starring a new TV drama calledOishii Depachika. It premiered in January 2008 onTV Asahi.[18]
In 2008, Suzuki celebrated her tenth anniversary in the music industry. Suzuki released her second "Join" album and third Avex studio album,Dolce, on February 6. Suzuki's fifth collaboration single, "One", was released on July 2. At the release party of the single on July 5, Suzuki officially launched her career as a DJ and performed live along with Nakata.[19] The second anniversary single, "Can't Stop the Disco", released on September 24.[20] Her tenth anniversary album,Supreme Show, was released on November 12.[21]
In September 2008, Suzuki debuted as the main character in the Avex 20th anniversary musical,Kokoro no Kakera, along with Yu-ki fromTRF.[22] In November, Suzuki played the main role in another TV drama: this time for the 40th anniversary special remake of Ai no Gekijo'sLove Letter.[1] "Potential Breakup Song"—a cover ofAly & AJ's single of the same name—was released on November 28. Aly & AJ's version of the song was used as the theme song of horror/comedy filmXX (X Cross), in which Suzuki starred as the lead role along withNao Matsushita.
Suzuki's 28th single, "Reincarnation", produced byTaku Takahashi ofM-Flo, was released in February 2009.[23] From September 27–August 7 2009, Suzuki starred in her second musical:Blood Brothers. Suzuki recorded a song called "Kiss Kiss Kiss", which appeared on the House Nation compilationAquamarine.[24] In 2010, Suzuki's cover version ofKylie Minogue's international hit "Can't Get You Out of My Head" appeared on the compilation "Tokyo Girls Collection" 10th Anniversary Runway Anthem.[25] She also collaborated with special unit Phoenix 2:00am, providing vocals for "Living in the Castle".[26][27] In July 2010, Suzuki releasedBlooming, her first compilation album as a DJ.[28] In August 2011, Suzuki provided guest vocals for the collaboration song "Thx A Lot".[29]
On 9 February 2011, a birthday concert live was broadcast online via the websiteNico Nico Douga.[30] In March 2011, after the2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Suzuki joinedGackt's charity campaign "Show Your Heart".[31] On July 27, a newly recorded version of her debut single "Love the Island" was released.[32] On December 7, Suzuki released her first Avex greatest hits album:Ami Selection. The tracklist consisted of singles from across her career, including indie single "Tsuyoi Kizuna".[33]
In 2012, Suzuki starred as the host ofWho's Shining??, which she organized and participated in as one of the DJs. Participating artists includedGenki Rockets and May's.[34] In July, the singer released a series of iPhone cases that she designed, as well as aHello Kitty which was exhibited in Tokyo.[35][36] In September, Suzuki participated in the musicalHashire Melos along with musiciansRyuichi Kawamura,Kazumi Morohoshi, Izam, andNami Tamaki.[37]
Snow Ring was released as an EP on February 6, 2013. The EP also included the fullAmi Suzuki 19th Anniversary Live concert.[38]
On June 2 2014, a new single titled "Graduation" was announced. The song, which commemorated Suzuki's 15th anniversary since her debut, was the first song produced by Komuro since 2000. It was released digitally on June 4.[39]
On July 1, 2016, Suzuki announced her marriage.[40][41] Together, she and her partner have two sons (born 2017 and 2020) and a daughter (born 2022).[42][43][44]
In January 2021, Suzuki launchedSuzuki Ami no AmiGoTV (Ami Suzuki's AmiGo TV; 鈴木亜美のあみーゴTV) on YouTube, which features her showcasing spicy food. When asked about her current work, she said: "Right now, I want to work harder on food product development, so I recently obtained a qualification as a spice sommelier. Since my life revolves around raising my children and doing housework, I would like to share the recipes I learn through YouTube."[45] In September, Suzuki released digital single "Drip", which was also used as the theme for Taiwanese movieMy First Coffee.[46] Promotion included a music video uploaded to the singer's YouTube channel; her first in twelve years.
From 2022, Suzuki returned to holding live concerts, which have includedAmi Suzuki Birthday Live: 40 Times Super Spicy,Ami Suzuki & Maki GotoXmas Talk & Live 2022, andAmi Suzuki 25th Anniversary Live: Let's Party.[47][48] On July 1, 2023, Suzuki released digital single "I Just Feel Good" withTeddyLoid to celebrate her twenty-fifth anniversary since debut.[49]
In April 2025, Suzuki performed alongside Tetsuya Komuro at theJigoRock 2025 festival held inOita, Japan. Other performers includedAkina Nakamori,Kiyoshi Hikawa, andDenki Groove.[50]
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| Years | Awards |
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| 1998 |
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| 1999 |
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| 2000 |
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| 2001 |
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| 2005 |
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| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Rainbow Song | Sayumi Kubo | |
| 2007 | X-Cross | Aiko Hiuke | Lead role |
| 2012 | Ghost Writer Hotel | Megumi Kamei | |
| Ouran High School Host Club | Kotoko Fujioka |
| Year | TV show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Dive Deep | Kami Inoue | Lead role |
| 2007 | Skull Man: Prologue of Darkness | Michiko Komyōji | Lead role |
| Under the Magnolia | Miki | Lead role | |
| Itsumo Kimochi Switch o | Keiko Katakura | Guest in third episode | |
| 2008 | Oishii Depachika | Mari Hiuma | Lead role |
| Otome | Lead role in 5 episodes | ||
| Shichi-nin no Onna Bengoshi | Mutsumi Tashiro | Guest in first episode of season 2 | |
| Love Letter: Love Theatre, 40th Anniversary Show | Minami Tadokoro (adult) | Lead role | |
| 2009 | Mayonaka no Satsujinsha | Special ofYonimo Kimyō na Monogatari | |
| Love Game | Tsubaki Yayoi | Guest in third episode | |
| Ohitorisama | Chihiro Aoki | Guest in third episode | |
| 2010 | Face Maker | Nobuko Kisaragi (Ayumi Okamoto) | Guest in ninth episode |
| 2011 | Shin Keishichō Sōsa Ikka 9 Gakari | Kanazawa Misato | Guest in third episode of season 3 |
| Ouran High School Host Club | Kotoko Fujioka | Guest in first episode | |
| 2020 | The Way of the Househusband | Ayaka Chigira | Guest in third episode[51] |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
