
When a teenage girl from a band with “baby” in its name does a better job of acting like an adult than you do, you might want to work on your manners.
Japanese musical trio Babymetal is in the middle of a world tour, and while in London the band attended the Kerrang! Awards, sponsored by the U.K.’s Karrang! music magazine. This wasn’t their first time to be there, either. In 2015, Babymetal took home the organization’s Spirit of Independence Award, and this time they followed up on that success by winning Kerrang’s title of Best Live Band of 2016.
The announcement was a happy moment for the group and its fans. The crowd applauded enthusiastically, and the three teen musicians made their way to the front of the amphitheater to be officially given the award by presenter Benji Webbe, singer for Welsh metal/rock/reggae band Skindred.
Things got weird once on stage, though, as shown in the video below. 18-year-old Suzuka Nakamoto, Babymetal’s oldest member who’s also known as Su-Metal, begins an acceptance speech in accented but understandable English, starting with “I can’t believe we’re here at Kerrang! Award [sic] again,” at which point the 49-year-old Webbe interrupted by repeating “Again” into his mike.
▼ Nakamoto’s acceptance speech starts at 0:55.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHlpBEUNIFs
Despite the fact that she was addressing the audience, Nakamoto turns to Webbe and says, “Thank you,” to which he baffling responds “Again.”
▼ Umm, no one’s talking to you, Benji.
Still trying to be polite, Nakamoto once more turns to Webbe and says “Yes,” giving him the benefit of the doubt that he’s not being a jerk, but simply hasn’t understood her. Webbe clearly needs more attention, tough, because rather than letting the performers who just won the award he’s presenting talk, he continues jabbering over Nakamoto’s speech, and adds in a few curt bows that are so half-hearted they’re hard to see as anything other than a mockery of the traditional Japanese show of respect.
▼ Benji, no one’s asking you to bow either, especially if you can’t be bothered to take your hand out of your pocket.
The audience has obviously had enough, as its startled silence quickly turns to jeers. Webbe’s hearing doesn’t appear to be any better than his sense of “comedy,” though, and he keeps going. Nakamoto visibly realizes there’s no way Webbe is going to pipe down and tries to wrap things up, simply saying “Thank you to everyone,” which Webbe takes as his cue to say “Arigato.”
▼ Speak Japanese: yet another thing no one is asking you to do, Benji.
Finally, after shouting what sounds like “You fucker!” in a fake Japanese accent, Benji finally quiets down and the audience gets to hear the rest of what Nakamoto has to say.
Considering how unassuming Babymetal’s members are when interacting with fans and the media, quite a few of the band’s supporters took issue with Webbe’s actions, which boil down to picking a fight with a group of teenage girls. In response, Webbe sent the following tweet.
Sorry to anyone who thought I disrespect baby metal at the awards tonight, truly I didn't mean to fuck with them
— Benji Webbe (@Benjiwebbe) June 10, 2016
Unfortunately for Webbe, most people are bright enough to realize that it’s hard to find a better example of “fucking with someone” than his caught-on-video antics.
Interrupt her 7 times in a row - Didn't mean to fuck with them? Choose one. Don't try to justify your bullshit now.
— Eliteleader (@Eliteleader) June 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/slashduel/status/741085877980532736you've pretty much upset the entire fanbase, they're so polite to see that done to them even in jest was really disappointing
— テリー🍜 (@ramenshuriken) June 10, 2016
More than a few people also pointed out that even his half-baked apology was directed to the wrong people.
Don't apologize to us, apologize to the band
— Shawn (@aboynamedeath) June 10, 2016
Granted, Internet etiquette is a young, and still evolving, thing, but yeah, it seems like common sense that if you want to apologize to Babymetal through Twitter, it’s pretty easy to do directly, seeing as how the band has an official Twitter account.
▼ Which, incidentally, is followed by more than 20 times as many people as Webbe’s.
Speaking of the Babymetal Twitter account, the band has made no comment there about the incident, as it’s too busy thanking everyone who was part of the massive turnout for its performance in Paris.
Thank you Paris @DownloadFestFR #DWLFR16! #BABYMETAL pic.twitter.com/NthSQJdbqJ
— BABYMETAL (@BABYMETAL_JAPAN) June 11, 2016
In other words, it looks like Babymetal figures it may as well let the real baby have his bottle.
Source: Livedoor News via Hachima Kiko
Top image: YouTube/Micronex
Insert images: YouTube/Micronex, Twitter/@babymetal_japan





Babymetal set to appear in new anime series debuting in the U.S.!
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Ginza hotel serves up one of the best breakfasts in Tokyo
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Is Oni Koroshi sake in a drink box wino fuel or a hidden gem?
How to power up the coolest cheap souvenir from Nintendo’s official shop with a trip to Daiso
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Japanese convenience store chain releases new Immoral Konbini Food for a limited time
Converse All-Stars team up with two all-stars of Japanese art for Wave, Skull ukiyo-e shoes【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Japanese woman mistaken for bear
Return of Totoro sequel short anime announced for Ghibli Park
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Leave a Reply