Nesmith Ryuta Karim (ネスミス・竜太・カリム), better known by his stage name NESMITH, is a singer, performer and actor. He is a member of the groups EXILE and EXILE THE SECOND. He was also member of Nidaime J Soul Brothers until their migration to EXILE in 2009.
Early Life[]
Nesmith Ryuta Karim was born on August 1, 1983 in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. His father is Black American and his mother is Japanese, and he has a younger sister.[1]
According to himself, he was a show-off from a young age, despite being bullied in junior high school. Under the influence of his mother, he listened to Western music such as Michael Jackson and Earth, Wind and Fire, as well as Japanese artists such as ZARD.[1]
He aspired to become a singer since he was in elementary school, and gained more and more confidence in his goal when people praised his singing skills. After entering junior high school, he started participating in karaoke competitions. "I saw music shows on TV and thought, 'I want to go there', so after junior high school I started participating in karaoke competitions. At that time, I was still in the process of changing my voice and had a very high voice, so I sang songs by Amuro Namie, Kudo Shizuka, and Yamane Yasuhiro. When I went to karaoke with my parents, I would sing a duet of "Ai ga Umareta Hi" with them, even though I had no idea what the lyrics meant (laughs)."[2][3][1] His enthusiasm for singing also led him to do street live performances. "I started singing while thinking, 'I want to stop the footsteps of the person walking in front of me', or, 'I want to reach this person!'"[1]
Nesmith cites his mother as his biggest influence in his musical career, as she supported and encouraged him on his path of becoming a singer since the start.[1]
Career[]
In 2000, NESMITH participated in the "Male Vocalist Audition" of the TV program ASAYAN. Looking back, he later revealed that he realized how little he knew about music during the program, as he had only done what he liked and listened to the music he liked until then.[2][1] During the camp screening, ATSUSHI, who was a fellow contestant, started mentoring him.[2] Ultimately, NESMITH became a finalist of the audition, but was not selected as a winner. Nevertheless, he started his full-fledged music career after the program.
On June 6, 2001, he made his debut as a singer as part of the duo STEEL with Kashiwabara Shuji.
In October 2002, STEEL went on hiatus. NESMITH then moved to the U.S. and studied in Los Angeles and New York for six months (three months each). He later explained that he did so because he had the desire to experience his roots, study music, and live in the United States. While studying in New York, he lived at his father's family home in New Jersey. Additionally, he revealed that he had difficulties with communication at that time as he did not speak any English, despite taking English conversation lessons in his childhood. Nevertheless, he was able increase his English language skills during his stay.[1]
In 2003, he made his acting debut in the movie Hotel Hibiscus.
In 2004, he began his solo career.
In September 2005, he transferred to LDH.
On April 12, 2006, NESMITH made his solo debut with the single "Tsuishin".
From May to July 2006, he participated in EXILES' Musha Shugyo tour.
In the same year, he participated in the EXILE VOCAL BATTLE AUDITION 2006 ~ASIAN DREAM~ by performing at the final screening on September 22 as a seed. Even though he was not selected as a winner, the five finalists of the audition formed the unit Dreamers ~EXILE VOCAL BATTLE AUDITION FINALIST~ in early 2007.
On January 25, 2007, NESMITH was selected as a vocalist for Nidaime J Soul Brothers, the new generation and successor group of J Soul Brothers. At the tour final of the EXILE LIVE TOUR 2007 "EXILE EVOLUTION ~SUMMER TIME LOVE~" in August 2007, he performed for the first time as an official member of Nidaime J Soul Brothers.
On May 7, 2008, he made his official debut in the group with the release of the indie single "WE!".
On March 1, 2009, NESMITH joined EXILE when all Nidaime J Soul Brothers members were transferred to the group, subsequently disbanding Nidaime.
On July 1, 2012, he was announced as a member of THE SECOND from EXILE, EXILE's first sub-unit.
Personal Life[]
- Family
His younger sister is model and TV personality Aretha Nesmith.[4] She has a son.[1]
- Relationships
On October 25, 2022, NESMITH announced his marriage with Canasu, the trombone player of the band HEY-SMITH.[5][6] The two had met through a mutual friend, developed a relationship and dated for two and a half years of before they submitted their marriage certificate together.[7][8]
Discography[]
- Singles
- [2006.04.12] Tsuishin (追伸) (Nesmith)
- Other Singles
- [2000.12.15] Saigo no Yoru / I'll Be There (ASAYAN Chou Danshi - Douchin, Nesmith)
- [2000.12.15] Saigo no Yoru / Stand By Me (ASAYAN Chou Danshi - Nesmith, Fujioka)
- Compilations / Other
- [2006.07.26] DJ SHIBUCHIN - DJ SHIBUCHIN presents... SHIBUCHIN SUMMIT (#8 "BATCH GOO LADY" feat. SKILLAW & MIYABI & Nesmith)
- [2013.01.16] DANCE EARTH PARTY - "Inochi no Rhythm"
- [2017.02.01] DANCE EARTH PARTY - Ⅰ (#1 "Inochi no Rhythm ~Great Journey~" feat. EXILE NESMITH, Crystal Kay)
- [2023] Leola - "Tadaima" feat. EXILE NESMITH
Works[]
Music[]
- [2005.06.29] Ketsumeishi - Ketsunopolis 4 (#7 No Lady No Life) (Chorus)
- [2007.01.17] EXILE - "Lovers Again" (#5 Lovers Again ~The Finalist Version~) (Vocals)
Filmography[]
- Movies
- [2003] Hotel Hibiscus (ホテル･ハイビスカス)
- TV Shows
- [2000] ASAYAN
- [2012-2013] EX-LOUNGE
- Stage
Tours/Concerts/Events[]
- Tours Featured In
Trivia[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 https://www.tfm.co.jp/moving/month?month=201905
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://hochi.news/articles/20230522-OHT1T51266.html?page=1
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://okmusic.jp/news/233183
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1474370
- ↑ EXILE NESMITHよりいつも応援してくださる皆さまへ
- ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2254462/full/
- ↑ https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202210250000625.html
- ↑ https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2022/10/25/kiji/20221025s00041000307000c.html
- ↑ https://m.ex-m.jp/news/detail?news_id=43065
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/540314
- ↑ https://hochi.news/articles/20240129-OHT1T51239.html?page=1
External Links[]
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