[1][2][3] She made her debut as a solo artist in October 2016 with her first studio album "Rainbow" while she was still in NMB48, with her releases regularly placing in the top ten of the Oricon weekly charts since.

[4] The youngest of four and influenced by her family's love for music, Sayaka Yamamoto started taking dance and singing classes in 2nd grade.

On July 20, NMB48 made their major CD debut with their first single "Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo," for which Yamamoto was selected as a senbatsu member.

On June 6, Yamamoto ranked 18th in AKB48's 4th general election with a total of 23,020 votes and as a result, sang on B-side "Nante Bohemian" as a member of "Undergirls" on AKB48's 27th single "Gingham Check."

The release of AKB48's 32nd single "Koisuru Fortune Cookie" on August 21 marked the first time Yamamoto entered an AKB48 senbatsu through the election.

[13] On June 6, Yamamoto ranked 6th in AKB48's 7th general election with 97,866 votes, and participated as a senbatsu member on AKB48's 41st single "Halloween Night," as a result.

On August 18, it was announced that Sayaka Yamamoto would be the center of AKB48's "365nichi no Kamihikouki," which was the theme song for the NHK drama “Asa ga Kita” and was later released as a B-side on AKB48's 42nd single "Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby.

On August 3, NMB48 released their 15th single "Boku wa Inai," which included a B-side track Yamamoto composed, "Ima Naraba."

"[16] In May, she was one of two artists to record and have their version of the Hanshin Tigers' song "Rokko Oroshi" air at the team's home stadium before matches as well as after winning games.

The following day on July 8, she also appeared in her first music festival as a solo artist at DoriUta Fes, hosted by DREAMS COME TRUE.

In addition to her graduation solo song and the two tracks centered by her, the single also includes her composition "Yume wa Nigenai" as another B-side.

"[27] On September 17, Yamamoto announced via her YouTube channel that her third single "Tsuioku no Hikari" would be released on November 20, with her third album α (Alpha) following on December 25.

On September 17, Yamamoto pre-released “Ai Nante Iranai,” which served as a CM song for a MOS Burger commercial, in which she also starred.

[29] On October 28, Yamamoto released her fourth solo single "Zero Universe," the ending song for TV Tokyo's Anoko no Yume wo Mitan desu.

On February 24, 2021, Sayaka Yamamoto released her fifth single "Dramatic ni Kanpai," which was the theme song for Tokai TV/Fuji TV's "Sono Onna, Jiruba.

On July 14, Sayaka Yamamoto released her first digital single "yonder," which was the CM song for Yamagata Nissan Group's 60th Anniversary commercial.

[41] Also in February, she held a fan club-exclusive Billboard Live tour, and participated in tribute concerts for Miyuki Nakajima.

[42] A well-known avid Hanshin Tigers fan, the singer notably performed the Japanese national anthem before Game 3 of the 2023 Japan Series on October 31 at Koshien Stadium.

"[43] On March 27, Yamamoto notably released "Tweedia (Blue Star)," the ending song for the anime "An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride.

Beginning September 4, the singer embarked on her first nationwide acoustic tour “Organic.” On October 30, Yamamoto digitally released “Seagull,” the third ending song for the anime "Shinkalion: Change the World.

"[45][46] In November, she held her first "Battle of the Bands"-style tour, with each stop featuring a different co-headling artist: Abe Mao, ACIDMAN, and Scandal.

[47] While her roots are in rock music, Yamamoto's own work encompasses a wide spectrum and is not limited to a specific genre nor defined by a particular label, as noted by columnists.

[50] Yamamoto often credits Takeshi Hosomi,[51][52] Avril Lavigne,[51] and yui[53] as her biggest musical inspirations and people she admires, among others.

[53] Yamamoto also frequently collaborates with Takahiro Konagawa, who serves as bandleader of her backing band Team SY in addition to producing and arranging many of her songs.

Other main collaborators and backing band members include Koji Kusakari, Shota Okuno, SATOKO, asami, and Ayasa.