Kento Sugō (Japanese: 菅生 健人, Hepburn: Sugō Kento, born June 13, 1996), known professionally as Kocchi no Kento (こっちのけんと, Kotchi no Kento, lit.'This Kento') is a Japanese singer-songwriter and internet personality. He began covering songs a cappella in 2019 and is best known for his 2024 single "Hai Yorokonde".
Early life
Kento Sugō was born in Minoh, Osaka Prefecture, Japan on June 13, 1996.[2] His father is Arata Sugō, a management consultant, journalist, author and television personality,[3] who inspired him the music.[4] He has two siblings: his elder brother is the actor and singer Masaki Suda, and his younger brother is the actor and model Araki Sugō.[5]
Sugō attended Komazawa University, where he formed an a cappella group, Chemical Quartet, with members from the university's a cappella club Meiseishishin.[6] He won the national amateur a cappella contest A Cappella Spirits for two consecutive years.[7]
Career
Sugō began YouTube career by covering the a cappella version of several songs in 2019.[7] He uses the stage name "Kocchi no Kento", meaning "this Kento". It symbolizes the feeling when he sings, which is himself more than being a salaryman after graduating, like the "other Kento".[8] He appeared as a backing vocal for the performances of Radwimps and Tōko Miura's "Grand Escape" at the 70th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 2019,[9] and Miisha Shimizu at New Disney Plus Celebration Night.[10]
He started writing his own songs in 2022,[4] and released his debut single "Tiny" through Blowout Inc. on August 30 the same year. The song is about relationship among his brothers.[11] His following single "Shinuna!", went moderated viral on TikTok in mid-2023,[12] and peaked at number nine on the Billboard Japan Heatseekers Songs.[13]
The singer's 2024 single "Hai Yorokonde" depicts the daily lives of salarymen whose stress has peaked while struggling to overcome peer pressure.[14] Its cover artwork and music video inspired by Shōwa-era manga and anime.[15] The song became his most successful song to date after becoming viral on social media, peaking at number four on the Billboard Japan Hot 100[16] and seven on the Oricon Combined Singles Chart.[17] Following this success, he won Best New Artist at the 66th Japan Record Awards[18] and appeared as a main artist for the first time to perform "Hai Yorokonde" at the 75th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen on December 31.[19] The next day, the singer announced via X for his intention to "take a break for the time being."[20]
Personal life
Kocchi no Kento quit his company job in 2020 and thereafter was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which was revealed later in September 2023.[21][22]
He married an unnamed spouse on February 14, 2024.[23]
Discography
Singles
List of singles, showing year released, selected chart positions and album name
