Suzuki Ami

Suzuki Ami promoting Snow Ring (2013)

Suzuki Ami (鈴木亜美) is a Japanese pop singer, actress, and DJ who became quite famous in the late 1990's. She was then under Sony Music Entertainment's sub-label TRUE KiSS DISC however, she was blacklisted by the music industry in September 2000 after her parents tried to sue her management company. Suzuki returned to the music scene as an indie artist, and then was picked up by avex trax.

Profile

• Name: Suzuki Ami (鈴木亜美, written 鈴木あみ pre-avex)
• Nickname: Ami~Go (あみ~ゴ), Ami-chan (亜美ちゃん)
• Birthday: February 9, 1982 (1982-02-09)
• Birthplace: Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
• Blood Type: A
• Height: 159 cm (5'2½")

Biography

Suzuki Ami promoting "love the island" (1998)

Beginnings

Suzuki Ami (鈴木亜美) was born on February 9th 1982 in Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Suzuki first entered the entertainment world in 1997 at the age of fifteen, when she entered a singing competion on held on the television program, ASAYAN. The auditioned started with 13,500 contestants, but was reduced down to five girls in the final round. Suzuki won the competition with a total of 802,157 calls into the show for her to win.

After winning the audition, she won a contract with Sony Music Entertainment. It was then decided she would be produced by Komuro Tetsuya, and she'd be under his TRUE KiSS DISC sub-label. Suzuki then started using a different spelling for her name, with Ami written in hiragana (鈴木あみ).

On July 1st 1998, Suzuki released her first single, "love the island". The single had a large tie-in; Sony had arranged with the Japanese government to have the song be used in their ads for the Guam Island Campaign Summer '98 (to help increase in Japanese tourism in Guam). The single ended up reaching #5 on the Oricon chart, and selling over 250,000 copies.

Over the next couple months Suzuki released three more singles, and her success continued to rise. Her second single was released in September; "alone in my room" was also used for the Guam tourism campaign and managed to reach #3 on the Oricon.

In October 1998, Suzuki became the host of her first radio program, entitled Run!Run!Ami~Go! (Run!Run!あみ~ゴ!!). Suzuki's third single was released in November and her fourth was released in December. Both "all night long" and "white key" reached #2 on the Oricon chart, with the later selling over 500,000 copies. At the end of the year she won the Japan Record Award for Best New Artist.

Early Success

Suzuki Ami in AmiGo (1999)

In 1999, Suzuki started out the year with her fifth single in February, another single and her debut album in March. Her first album was titled "SA" (taken from her name, Suzuki Ami), and was completely written, produced, and arranged by Komuro Tetsuya and his hit-makers. The album debuted at #1 on the Oricon chart, selling an amazing 1,058,510 copies in its first week. The album was a hit and stayed on the charts for thirty-three weeks, selling a total of 1,879,430 copies.

A couple of months later, promotion started for seventh single "BE TOGETHER" (which was a cover of a famous 1980's single by Komuro Tetsuya's band, TM Network). During this time another artist, Hamasaki Ayumi who debuted around the same time as Suzuki was also being quite well-known. The tablods marketed them as rivals, and soon their records company used this to their advantage. On July 14th 1999, Suzuki released "BE TOGETHER" and Hamasaki released "Boys & Girls". During the first week the singles battle for the #1 position, but Suzuki ended up on top selling 317,610 copies the first week. In the second week Hamasaki reached #1 (with Suzuki at #2). All together, "Boys & Girls" was more successful selling over 1,037,950 copies, but "BE TOGETHER" ended up being Suzuki's best selling single with 869,860 copies sold.

Suzuki promoting infinity eighteen vol.1 (2000)

In 2000, it was announced that Suzuki Ami would be releasing two new albums in honor of her 18th birthday. The first of these albums was released on Suzuki's birthday: "infinity eighteen vol.1". The album shot to the top of the charts and was made up of her four recent successful singles. The album sold 825,130 copies during its first week and after four weeks on the charts it sold over a million copies.

Two months later, in April 2000, Suzuki released another single, "THANK YOU 4 EVERY DAY EVERY BODY". The single was yet another success, peaking at #1 on the Oricon. A couple weeks later Suzuki followed-up with her third album, "INFINITY EIGHTEEN Vol.2". The album did well, but not as well as the first installment. The album reached #2 on the Oricon and only sold about half of what previous album managed.

Suzuki was starting to mature as an artist, and wanted to take more part in the production of her music. For her tenth single, "Reality / Dancin' in Hip-Hop" she co-wrote the lyric along with Mitsuko and Komuro Tetsuya. This ended up being Suzuki's final single with Komuro and Sony Music Entertainment.

Blacklisting

In September 2000, Suzuki Ami filed a lawsuit against her management AG Communications. She did this in order to get out of her contract with them because the president, Yamada Eiji had been involved with a tax evasion scheme. Suzuki and her parents felt that filing the lawsuit to nullify her contract was the best thing to do, because this potential scandal could have a negative impact on their daughter's career.

Suzuki Ami promoting FUN for FAN (2001)

However, AG Communications did not want to release Suzuki from her contract, as she was at the peak of her career. Though the courts agreed in with Suzuki Ami, her career was effectively ruined. Later on the Suzuki family had desired access to AG Communications' financial records in order to determine if the company had been properly compensating Suzuki (for television appearances, photo shoots, magazines, endorsements, etc). AG Communications refused the request to reveal that information, so the Suzuki family went back to court; however, they were denied this motion.

Even though Suzuki was free from her contract, no one would touch her. They were afraid of repercussions and backlash by those who she filed the lawsuit against. At the peak of her career Suzuki became blacklisted. The only release from Suzuki during this time was a best of album, "FUN for FAN".

Sony Music Entertainment, however, did not drop her quite so quickly — her contract with them ended in December 2004 (Suzuki and Sony Music had been negotiating the termination of her contract prior, which had been mutually agreed upon, as Sony Music felt they could no longer effectively promote her music, given all the negative publicity). There were a few valid legal disputes, mainly surrounding copyrights for anything she had written, but both parties finally reached an out-of-court settlement in November 2003.

The Return

Suzuki Ami promoting "Tsuyoi Kizuna" (2004)

In 2004, Suzuki began releasing music again. This time around she released it independently, under her own label Amity. Her first indie single, "Tsuyoi Kizuna" was released in July 2004 and was paired with a photobook. This was Suzuki first single in almost four years. A few months later Suzuki followed up with another single, "FOREVER LOVE". The single did well, reaching #21 on the Oricon's single chart and reaching #1 on the Oricon's indie chart.

On January 1st 2005, Max Matsuura of avex trax ended her blacklisting and offered her a record deal with avex. Soon Suzuki's official website was opened and she began promotion for her first single with her new label, "Hopeful". The single was scheduled for release in February, but was canceled. The official single was scrapped and the song became the first avex download exclusive ring tone and full song single.

After "Hopeful" was canceled, Suzuki announced her another single, "Delightful" which was released on March 24th 2005. Her return to mainstream music saw her change her genre to a more European dance-trance style. The song was produced German trance producer, Axel Konrad. The single did well, reaching #3 on the Oricon chart (the same as her last major label single) and made it onto the 100 best selling singles of 2005 list.

Following the release of two more singles: "Eventful" and "Negaigoto", she released her first album with avex (and her first album in five years), "AROUND THE WORLD". The album was released simultaneously with a 10,000 copy limited edition single of the title track. She then went on her three date AROUND THE WORLD ~LIVE HOUSE TOUR 2005~ at the end of October, performing at Zepp Tokyo, Nanba Hatch and Zepp Nagoya. Suzuki also preformed for the first time at a-nation, along side her former rival Hamasaki Ayumi.

Suzuki Ami promoting "Eventful" (2005)

Suzuki finished 2005 by releasing the four-track Christmas single, "Little Crystal". Her first single of 2006 came soon after, released on February 8th. Her 21th single, "Fantastic" was the opening theme song to anime Black Jack. The single did moderately well, reaching #14 on the Oricon. From this point Suzuki's single's sales and rankings began to plumit. A month later she released her first remix album, "AMIx WORLD", which only reached #83 on the Oricon chart.

"Alright!" followed up in May (peaking at #17). In July Suzuki collaborated with fellow avex artist, Otsuka Ai. Otsuka composed Suzuki's 23rd single, "Like a Love?". Despite the hype around the collaboration the single only reached #23 on the Oricon.

After performing at a-nation 2006, Suzuki went on six month break. During this time she worked on changing her style, which had been progressively moving away from the Euro-Trance she had started in 2005 to a more mellow, acoustic driven sound. On February 9th 2006, Suzuki turned 25 and decided to celebrate the night with her fans by giving a special "Birthday Live" concert (footage was later released on her second avex album).

Joins Project

Later in February we saw the release of Suzuki's three-week consecutive joins single release. The singles started on February 28th with her joining the Shibuya-Kei band Buffalo Daughter for "O.K. Funky God".

Suzuki Ami promoting "Alright!" (2006)

The concept wasn't well received, and the singles sold poorly. The only one to make it into the top 40 on the Oricon was her work with Kirinji, "Sore mo Kitto Shiawase". All of the singles sold under 4,000 copies.

With seven singles under her belt, it was time to release her new album. Since the previous three singles were joins releases, it was decided the album would be to. All the songs released from prior singles were renamed as AMI SUZUKI joins their composer. Suzuki's fifth studio alum, "CONNETTA" was released on March 21st 2007. Much like the singles before, the album did poorly. It only reached #26 on the Oricon (her previous studio album reached #5).

Suzuki liked the joins concept and continued it. In August 2007, she released her 27th single, "FREE FREE / SUPER MUSIC MAKER". The single was written and produced by synth-pop/electronic producer Nakata Yasutaka, who is best known for his band capsule and for producing artists such as MEG and Perfume. The single did well compared to her previous joins efforts, reaching #32 on the Oricon and becoming her best selling joins single with over 8,000 copies sold.

Suzuki Ami promoting "FREE FREE / SUPER MUSIC MAKER" (2007)

Suzuki was offered the lead role in the Horror-Comedy film, XX Cross which was released in November 2007. For the movie she did a Japanese-language cover of the American pop duo Aly & AJ's "Potential Breakup Song" (which was used as the movie's theme song). To promote the single Suzuki went on television shows such as Pop Jam and preformed the song live with Aly & AJ.

Using the mid-tempo dance track "Bitter...", written by STUDIO APARTMENT as a radio single, Suzuki released her sixth studio album "DOLCE" on February 6th 2008 (three days before her 26th birthday). The album was another joins album, but this time contain an array of new tracks in which she worked with a variety of producers on.

This album, along with the DVD of music videos titled "join CLIPS", ended her joins project. She celebrated her 26th birthday the same week with another Birthday Live, performing two shows in Tokyo's Shibuya DUO -Music Exchange- and one in Osaka.

10th Anniversary

On July 1st 2008, Suzuki celebrated her tenth anniversary in the music business, with debut single being released ten years ago to the day. On July 2nd, Suzuki released her 29th single, "ONE". The single marked a couple things: her 10th anniversary, her return to solo releases, and her second single with her new producer Nakata Yasutaka (who previous worked with Suzuki on her joins single, "FREE FREE / SUPER MUSIC MAKER").

She celebrated these things with a release party at Shibuya's club asia, performing four songs with Nakata Yasutaka as DJ. In September the two released another single, "can't stop the DISCO". Around the same time Suzuki starred in the avex musical, which was part of avex's 20th year anniversary celebration.

On September 9th 2008, Suzuki announced her "tenth year" album, which would be completely produced by Nakata Yasutaka. The album was later reviled as TEN, but was soon changed to Supreme Show (with "TEN" being a track on the album). Her 29. Birthday was streamded live via Nico Nico and later released on her Mini Album Snow Ring.

2016

Suzuki announced on her Blog, that she's expecting a Baby in the beginning of 2017. She also got married on July 1.

2017

Her first child, a son, was born on January, 12 2017.

2020

Her second child, a son again, was born on February 15, 2020.

Discography

Suzuki Ami promoting DOLCE (2008)

Suzuki promoting "KISS KISS KISS / aishiteru..." (2009)

Suzuki Ami promoting BLOOMING (2010)

Suzuki Ami promoting Ami Selection (2011)

Studio Albums

• [1999.03.25] SA
• [2000.02.09] infinity eighteen vol.1
• [2000.04.26] INFINITY EIGHTEEN Vol.2
• [2005.10.12] AROUND THE WORLD
• [2007.03.21] CONNETTA
• [2008.02.06] DOLCE
• [2008.11.12] Supreme Show

Mini-Albums

• [2013.02.06] Snow Ring

Best Albums

• [2001.05.30] FUN for FAN
• [2011.12.07] Ami Selection
• [2014.11.19] ami suzuki Best Collection - EP (Digital)

Remix Albums

• [2006.03.29] AMIx WORLD
• [2010.07.21] BLOOMING

Boxsets

• [2023.12.20] 2SA -Ami Suzuki 25th Anniversary Box-

Singles

• [1998.07.01] love the island
• [1998.09.17] alone in my room
• [1998.11.05] all night long
• [1998.12.16] white key
• [1999.02.17] Nothing Without You
• [1999.03.17] Don't leave me behind / Silent Stream
• [1999.07.14] BE TOGETHER
• [1999.09.29] OUR DAYS
• [1999.12.22] HAPPY NEW MILLENNIUM
• [2000.01.26] Don't need to say good bye
• [2000.04.12] THANK YOU 4 EVERY DAY EVERY BODY
• [2000.09.27] Reality / Dancin' in Hip-Hop
• [2004.04.22] Tsuyoi Kizuna (強いキズナ; Powerful Bonds) (indies)
• [2004.08.11] FOREVER LOVE (indies)
• [2005.03.24] Delightful
• [2005.05.25] Eventful
• [2005.08.17] Negaigoto (ねがいごと; A Wish)
• [2005.10.12] AROUND THE WORLD
• [2005.11.09] Happiness is...
• [2005.12.07] Little Crystal (リトル クリスタル)
• [2006.02.08] Fantastic
• [2006.05.17] Alright!
• [2006.07.26] Like a Love?
• [2007.02.28] O.K. Funky God (AMI SUZUKI joins Buffalo Daughter)
• [2007.03.07] Peace Otodoke!!♥ (Peace お届け!!♥; Peace Delivery) (AMI SUZUKI joins THC!!)
• [2007.03.14] Sore mo Kitto Shiawase (それもきっとしあわせ; That's Certainly Happiness) (AMI SUZUKI joins Kirinji)
• [2007.08.22] FREE FREE / SUPER MUSIC MAKER (AMI SUZUKI joins Nakata Yasutaka)
• [2007.11.28] Potential Breakup Song (AMI SUZUKI joins Aly & AJ)
• [2008.07.02] ONE
• [2008.09.24] can't stop the DISCO
• [2009.02.25] Reincarnation
• [2009.10.28] KISS KISS KISS / aishiteru...

Digital Singles

• [2005.02.09] For yourself
• [2011.07.21] love the island (new ver.)
• [2011.12.07] Future
• [2014.06.04] graduation
• [2016.04.01] Panpaka Pants WHAT YA WHAT YA Rock (パンパカパンツWHAT YA WHAT YA ロック)
• [2023.03.23] BE TOGETHER / white key BEST Tag (BESTタッグ)
• [2023.07.01] I just feel good

Video Releases

• [2000.11.01] AMIGO'S PARLOR SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE
• [2000.12.23] AMI-GO-ROUND TOUR
• [2001.07.01] Video Clips FUN for FAN
• [2004.11.17] 2004 SUMMER FLY HIGH -ami shower-
• [2005.09.07] BAZOOKA 17
• [2006.02.08] SUZUKI AMI AROUND THE WORLD ~LIVE HOUSE TOUR 2005~
• [2008.02.06] join CLIPS

Other Video Releases

• [2005.10.26] a-nation '05 BEST HIT LIVE (#4 Delightful)
• [2006.11.08] a-nation '06 Best Hit Live (#1 Alright!)
• [2007.11.07] a-nation'07 Best Hit Live (#1 Delightful)
• [2008.11.26] a-nation'08 -avex All Cast Special Live- (#2 ONE)
• [2009.11.18] a-nation'09 Best Hit Live (#2 Delightful)
• [2010.11.24] a-nation'10 Best Hit Live (#5 Delightful)
• [2011.12.14] a-nation for Life (#4 Love the island (new ver.))

Compilations / Other

• [2007.03.07] Disneymania Presents POP PARADE JAPAN (#2 ZIP-A-DEE-DOO-DAH [SONG OF THE SOUTH])
• [2007.11.20] Disney's Fabdelight Christmas (#13 Beauty And The Beast)
• [2009.08.05] HOUSE NATION - Aquamarine (#17 Kiss Kiss Kiss (Extended Version))
• [2009.12.02] HOUSE NATION - Diamond (#7 Kiss Kiss Kiss (X"202" Club Mix))
• [2010.02.24] TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION 10TH ANNIVERSARY RUNWAY ANTHEM (#6 CAN'T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD)
• [2010.04.07] HOUSE NATION 3rd Anniversary (#9 Livin' In The Castle / Phoenix 2:00AM feat. Ami Suzuki)
• [2010.07.07] YUMMY - D.I.S.K. (#4 You Make A Magic feat. Ami Suzuki)
• [2010.07.14] a-nation'10 BEST HIT SELECTION (Disc 1 #5 KISS KISS KISS)
• [2010.09.22] Francfranc presents GLAMOROUS HUNTER (#4 KISS KISS KISS (Extended English Version))
• [2010.12.22] Climax J-Ballade Standard (Disc 2 #12 OUR DAYS)
• [2012.07.18] DJ MURAKAMIGO - WHAT'S POP? (#4 FREE FREE (AMI SUZUKI joins Nakata Yasutaka))
• [2016.09.07] The Peanuts Tribute Songs (#6 Koi no Ophelia / Suzuki Ami・Fujimoto Miki)

Filmography

Movies

• [2000] ULTRASEVEN Taiyo Energy Sakusen
• [2006] Rainbow Song
• [2007] XX Cross
• [2011] Ghostwriter Hotel

Dramas

• [2000] Fukaku Mogure
• [2007] Skullman
• [2007] Magnolia no Hana no Shita de
• [2008] Love Letter
• [2008] Shichinin no Onna Bengoshi 2 (Episode 1)
• [2008] Otome Diamond
• [2008] Otome Sapphire
• [2009] LOVE GAME (Episode 3)
• [2009] Ohitorisama
• [2010] FACE-MAKER (Episode 9)
• [2011] Ouran High School Host Club (Episode 1, 7)

Publications

Photobooks

• [1999.02.xx] AmiGo
• [2000.10.xx] Suzuki Ami Shijou Saikyou Mook amix (鈴木あみ史上最強ムック amix)
• [2001.08.xx] FUN for AMI ~Ami-Go wo Matteiru Riyuu wa AmiGo ni Naka ni Aru~ (あみーゴを待っている理由はあみーゴの中にある; The reason why we are waiting for AMI is in AMI)
• [2002.07.28] Suzuki Ami Shashinshuu Ami'02 Natsu (鈴木あみ写真集 亜美'02夏)
• [2003.09.xx] ami book
• [2004.04.22] Tsuyoi Kizuna (強いキズナ; Powerful Bonds)

External Links

• Official avex Profile
• Official Fanclub
• Sony Music Entertainment Official Profile
• Official MySpace
• Official Blog
• Official Facebook
• Official Twitter
• Official Instagram