Exile (Japanese band) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Exile
|
|
---|---|
Exile in Taiwan in January 2020
|
|
Background information | |
Also known as | J Soul Brothers (1999–2001) |
Origin | Tokyo, Japan |
Genres | |
Years active | 2001–present |
Labels |
|
Members | Exile Hiro Toshio Matsumoto Exile Makidai Exile Usa Exile Atsushi Exile Akira Exile Takahiro Kenchi Tachibana Exile Tetsuya Exile Nesmith Exile Shokichi Exile Naoto Naoki Kobayashi Takanori Iwata Alan Shirahama Mandy Sekiguchi Sekai Taiki Sato |
Past members | Shun Keiji Kuroki |
Exile (stylized in all caps as EXILE) is a 19-member Japanese boy band. Hiro is the group's leader, who debuted as a member of Zoo under For Life Music, but Exile have released their singles and albums under Avex Group's label Rhythm Zone. Hiro and Avex's president Max Matsuura came from the same high school. In 2003, the six original members of Exile founded the management and entertainment company LDH which has debuted many successful groups and soloists ever since. Exile is the representative group of the company.
In total, they have sold over 15,600,000 albums.
History
Pre-debut
The current leader, Hiro, was originally in the pop group Zoo before they split up in 1995. In 1999, he started a new group called J Soul Brothers, which later changed its name to Exile in 2001. (But the name of J Soul Brothers was later revived by Hiro again in 2007 when he helped to form another 7-member group under the new J Soul Brothers moniker.)
Debut and second generation
Atsushi and Shun became the lead vocalists of the group. Atsushi is a fan of American R&B group Boyz II Men. In November 2003, Exile remade Zoo's hit single "Choo Choo Train", which became a strong promotional single for their third studio album Exile Entertainment. The album sold over a million copies. They took part in the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen of the year, singing "Choo Choo Train". At first, their music style was influenced by R&B, but their style later became more pop-oriented form. Their 2004 single "Real World" became their first number-one single on Oricon weekly charts. They released the collaboration "Scream" with Japanese rock band Glay in July 2005, peaking at No. 1 and selling over 500,000 copies on Oricon charts.
The group released "Tada...Aitakute" in December 2005 and "Yes!" in March 2006. Both singles topped the Oricon weekly charts. However, Shun left the group in March 2006 and became a solo singer. After the group sought a new vocalist from the public, Takahiro joined the group in September 2006. Takahiro originally tried to become a hairdresser in his school days, but eventually joined the group as a vocalist.
On February 14, 2007, the group released the single "Michi", which became their first number-one single on the Oricon charts since Takahiro joined the group. Their 2007 studio album, Exile Love, became the highest selling album of Japan in 2008, selling nearly 1.5 million copies on Oricon charts. Their compilation album Exile Ballad Best sold nearly 1 million copies in its first week on Oricon charts, making it the highest first week sales for an album of Japan in 2008. It is currently their best selling album with over 2 million copies sold. It was the 34th rank album for 2008. The song, "Ti Amo", was certified Million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for 1,000,000 full-track ringtone digital music downloads (Chaku Uta Full). They also won the Grand Prix Award at the 50th edition of Japan Record Awards for "Ti Amo".
Wider success: Third generation and Hiro's departure
In 2009, Exile's song "The Next Door" was featured as the theme of the Japanese edition of Street Fighter IV. The song was released at the iTunes Store on February 22, 2009. The English version "The Next Door -Indestructible-" was used for the international edition of the game. The English version was released as the third track of their single "The Hurricane (Fireworks)" on July 22, 2009, featuring American rapper Flo Rida.
On March 1, 2009, Exile and Nidaime J Soul Brothers announced that they would merge to become a 14-member group. They released their first studio album with 14 members, Aisubeki Mirai e, on December 2, 2009. They won the Grand Prix Award for the second year in a row with the song, "Someday", at the 51st Japan Record Awards.From May 9, Exile Live Tour 2009 'The Monster' started. At the end of the year, They won the Grand Prix Award for the second year in a row with the song, "Someday", at the 51st Japan Record Awards.
On April 17, 2010, Exile's TV talk show EXE started to be broadcast on TBS, while the show was also broadcast simultaneously on Taiwan's CTV channel. On May 19, 2010, Avex released the CD maxi of the suite "Taiyō no Kuni" (太陽の国), or "The Country of the Sun," written by Yasushi Akimoto and sung by Exile, for the 20th anniversary of the accedence of the Emperor of Japan Akihito. However, the CD was not reflected on the Oricon charts. From July 2010, Exile held their first stadium tour, Exile Live Tour 2010 Fantasy. For the 52nd Japan Record Awards, the group earned their third consecutive win with the song "I Wish For You". "I Wish For You" was also the theme song for Tokyo Broadcasting System's (TBS) domestic broadcasts of the 2010 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship and members of the band were in the crowd for Japan's bronze medal win, which was their first medal in 32 years.
From 2011, Exile started to perform in other Asian countries apart from its homeland Japan. They performed in The 2011 Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards Presentation in Hong Kong on January 15 as special guests. On September 25, Exile performed in Three Kingdoms Performing Arts – China, Japan, and Korea Music Festival in Beijing, which was Exile's first participation in a live performance events outside Japan. On September 14, 2011, Exile released "Rising Sun", a single contain Rising Sun, the famous and popular song in support of the recovery after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. From November 2011, Exile started their second dome tour, Exile Live Tour 2011 Tower of Wish ~Tower of Wish~. The group was the 3rd artist by total sales revenue in Japan in 2011, with ¥5.603 billion, and the 2nd in 2012, with ¥12.177 billion.
On January 1, 2012, Exile released their ninth album EXILE JAPAN/Solo . The album landed 1st on Oricon Albums Chart for three continual weeks, which set a new record for the group. In June, Exile won Best Video of the Year at MTV Video Music Awards Japan, which marked Exile 4th wins in the award's 11 years history.
On April 3, 2013, EXILE's leader HIRO, who had been a performer for 24 years prior, announced that he would be retiring from the group as a performer at the end of 2013. He stated that he would still continue to be the leader and producer of the group. On the same day, EXILE released their 41st single "EXILE PRIDE ~Konna Sekai wo Aisuru Tame~". The single became Exile's first single to be sold more than 1 million copies in October of the same year, and it won the group a fourth Japan Record Award. This was the group's first win since their consecutive winning streak was broken by the Idol group AKB48, and Exile became the first artist to win the award four times. In April, Exile held their third dome tour called Exile Live Tour 2013 'Exile Pride' .
New era: Fourth generation members
In April 2014, EXILE's Chapter 4 kicked off. On the final stage of EXILE's 3rd audition "EXILE PERFORMER BATTLE AUDITION", the winners, aka new members of Exile, were announced. Out of 2000 applicants, only 5 members were chosen. Those members were Takanori Iwata from Sandaime J Soul Brothers, Alan Shirahama and Mandy Sekiguchi from Generations, Sekai Yamamoto and Taiki Sato. Their first single in EXILE, "NEW HORIZON", was released a few months later, on July 23, 2014. From September, The new Exile started their first tour, Exile Tribe Perfect Year Live Tour Tower of Wish 2014 〜The Revolution〜. On March 25, 2015, the group released their tenth studio album 19 -Road to AMAZING WORLD-. From September 2015, They started a new national tour, Exile Live Tour 2015 'Amazing World'.
On June 22, 2015, members Toshio Matsumoto, ÜSA and MAKIDAI announced to be retiring from their positions of performers on the group within the year. Their last single with the group would be "Ki・mi・ni・mu・chu", a song which was used for the CM advertising Suntory's "The Malts". On December 31, 2015, Matsumoto Toshio, ÜSA and MAKIDAI retired from their positions of performers on the group on the New Year's special show CDTV Special! New Year's Eve Premiere Live 2015 → 2016. Although retiring as EXILE performers, ÜSA was revealed to remain as performer on the unit DANCE EARTH PARTY, and MAKIDAI would continue his music career as DJ MAKIDAI.
On April 14, 2016, a Documentary of Matsumoto Toshio, ÜSA and MAKIDAI's final tour 'AMAZING WORLD' was released .On August 17, 2016, Exile released their 48th singles, "Joy-ride ~Kanki no Drive~", which was Fuji television's theme song for the Rio Olympics.
On 25 July 2018, Exile released a new original Album, Star of Wish . From September, they started their 5th dome tour Exile Live Tour 2018–2019 'Star of Wish'.
Band members
Since the formation of EXILE there have been many new generations of members as well as departures. As of 2021, AKIRA (Performer) is the longest serving active member of EXILE. Although HIRO is no longer an active member, he still remains EXILE's leader and occasionally appears in EXILE's Music Video's and Events. There are currently 13 active members in the group.
Performers
Stage name | Birth name | Birthday | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Exile Akira | Ryōhei Kurosawa | August 23, 1981 | Member of Exile The Second |
Kenchi Tachibana (KENCHI) | Kenichirō Teratsuji | September 28, 1979 | Member of Exile The Second |
Exile Tetsuya | Tetsuya Tsuchida | February 18, 1981 | Member of Exile The Second |
Exile Naoto | Naoto Kataoka | August 30, 1983 | Member of Sandaime J Soul Brothers |
Naoki Kobayashi (NAOKI) | Naoki Kobayashi | November 10, 1984 | Member of Sandaime J Soul Brothers |
Takanori Iwata | Takanori Iwata | March 6, 1989 | Member of Sandaime J Soul Brothers |
Alan Shirahama | Alan Shirahama | August 4, 1993 | Member of Generations |
Mandy Sekiguchi | Mandy Sekiguchi | January 25, 1991 | Member of Generations |
Sekai | Sekai Yamamoto | February 21, 1991 | Member of Fantastics |
Taiki Sato | Taiki Sato | January 25, 1995 | Member of Fantastics |
Vocalists
Stage name | Birth name | Birthday | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Exile Atsushi | Atsushi Sato | April 30, 1980 | |
Exile Takahiro | Takahiro Tasaki | December 8, 1984 |
Vocalists and performers
Stage name | Birth name | Birthday | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Exile Nesmith | Ryuta Karim Nesmith | August 1, 1983 | Member of Exile The Second |
Exile Shokichi | Shokichi Yagi | October 3, 1985 | Member of Exile The Second |
Former members
Stage name | Birth name | Birthday | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Shun | Shunsuke Kiyokiba | January 11, 1980 | Vocalist |
HIRO | Hiroyuki Igarashi | June 1, 1969 | Leader & performer |
MATSU | Toshio Matsumoto | May 27, 1975 | Performer |
MAKIDAI | Daisuke Maki | October 27, 1975 | Performer |
ÜSA | Yoshihiro Usami | February 2, 1977 | Performer |
KEIJI | Keiji Kuroki | January 21, 1980 | Performer |
Timeline
Discography
Albums
Studio albums
Title | Release date | Peak position | RIAJ Certification | Total sales |
---|---|---|---|---|
Our Style | March 6, 2002 | 5 | Platinum | 291,000 |
Styles of Beyond | February 13, 2003 | 1 | Platinum | 430,000 |
Exile Entertainment | December 3, 2003 | 1 | Million | 1,176,090 |
Asia | March 29, 2006 | 1 | 2× Platinum | 520,319 |
Exile Evolution | March 7, 2007 | 1 | 3× Platinum | 762,335 |
Exile Love | December 12, 2007 | 1 | Million | 1,480,088 |
Aisubeki Mirai e | December 2, 2009 | 1 | Million | 1,299,235 |
Negai no Tō | March 9, 2011 | 1 | Million | 760,341 |
Exile Japan/Solo | January 1, 2012 | 1 | 3× Platinum | 767,274 |
19: Road to Amazing World | March 25, 2015 | 1 | Platinum | 283,862 |
Star of Wish | July 25, 2018 | 1 | ||
Phoenix | January 1, 2022 | 6 | 16,132 | |
Power of Wish | December 7, 2022 | 3 | 41,178 |
Best-of albums
Title | Release date | Peak position | RIAJ Certification | Total sales |
---|---|---|---|---|
Perfect Best | January 1, 2005 | 1 | Million | 1,624,541 |
Exile Catchy Best | March 26, 2008 | 1 | Million | 1,287,955 |
Exile Entertainment Best | July 23, 2008 | 1 | 3× Platinum | 638,959 |
Exile Ballad Best | December 3, 2008 | 1 | 2x Million | 1,852,823 |
Exile Best Hits: Love Side/Soul Side | December 5, 2012 | 1 | 3× Platinum | 700,030 |
Extreme Best | September 27, 2016 | 2 | - | - |
Other albums
Title | Release date | Peak position | Sales |
---|---|---|---|
The Other Side of Ex Vol. 1 | September 10, 2003 | 5 | |
Appreciation to the Million Breakthrough | March 31, 2004 | 55 | |
Heart of Gold: Street Future Opera Beat Pops | September 29, 2004 | 1 | 476,626 |
Exile Perfect Year 2008 Ultimate Best Box | March 25, 2009 | 27 |
Singles
Title | Release date | Peak position | Oricon Sales |
---|---|---|---|
"Your Eyes Only: Aimai na Boku no Katachi" | September 27, 2001 | 4 | 249,880 |
"Style" | December 12, 2001 | 11 | 112,760 |
"Fly Away" | February 20, 2002 | 18 | 31,880 |
"Song for You" | April 17, 2002 | 6 | 91,750 |
"Cross: Never Say Die" | August 7, 2002 | 13 | 38,410 |
"Ex-style: Kiss You" | November 13, 2002 | 6 | 92,769 |
"We Will: Ano Basho de" | February 5, 2003 | 16 | 32,703 |
"Breezin: Together" | May 28, 2003 | 2 | 366,804 |
"Let Me Luv U Down" feat. Zeebra & Maccho | July 9, 2003 | 3 | 64,854 |
"Choo Choo Train" | November 6, 2003 | 2 | 286,812 |
"Eternal..." | November 12, 2003 | 7 | 46,762 |
"Ki•zu•na" | November 19, 2003 | 5 | 40,468 |
"O'ver" | November 27, 2003 | 7 | 33,822 |
"Carry On" / "Unmei no Hito" | May 12, 2004 | 2 | 233,120 |
"Real World" | June 30, 2004 | 1 | 125,809 |
"Heart of Gold" | August 18, 2004 | 4 | 93,873 |
"Hero" | December 1, 2004 | 2 | 181,997 |
"Exit" | August 24, 2005 | 2 | 202,827 |
"Tada...Aitakute" (ただ...逢いたくて) | December 14, 2005 | 1 | 562,196 |
"Yes!" | March 1, 2006 | 1 | 92,622 |
"Everything" | December 6, 2006 | 2 | 153,065 |
"Lovers Again" | January 17, 2007 | 2 | 257,393 |
"Michi" | February 14, 2007 | 1 | 112,106 |
"Summer Time Love" | May 16, 2007 | 3 | 132,824 |
"Toki no Kakera / 24 karats: type EX" (時の描片 ~トキノカケラ~) | August 29, 2007 | 2 | 142,202 |
"I Believe" | November 21, 2007 | 3 | 142,228 |
"Pure" / "You're My Sunshine" | February 27, 2008 | 2 | 160,605 |
"Ti Amo" | September 24, 2008 | 1 | 320,445 |
"Last Christmas" (Wham! cover with new Japanese lyrics) | November 26, 2008 | 1 | 226,829 |
"Someday" | April 15, 2009 | 1 | 270,513 |
"Fireworks" | July 22, 2009 | 1 | 279,264 |
"Futatsu no Kuchibiru" | November 11, 2009 | 2 | 288,454 |
"Fantasy" | June 9, 2010 | 1 | 473,051 |
"Motto Tsuyoku" (もっと強く, Stronger) | September 15, 2010 | 1 | 230,564 |
"I Wish For You" | October 6, 2010 | 2 | 276,875 |
"Each Other's Way (Tabi no Tochū)" | February 9, 2011 | 1 | 119,419 |
"Rising Sun" / "Itsuka Kitto..." | September 14, 2011 | 1 | 317,630 |
"Anata e" / "Ooo Baby" | November 23, 2011 | 2 | 151,551 |
"All Night Long" | June 20, 2012 | 1 | 242,290 |
"Bow & Arrows" | July 25, 2012 | 2 | 117,334 |
"Exile Pride (Konna Sekai o Ai Suru Tame)" (こんな世界を愛するため) | April 3, 2013 | 1 | 1,016,992 |
"Flower Song" | June 19, 2013 | 2 | 126,405 |
"No Limit" | September 25, 2013 | 2 | 95,204 |
"New Horizon" | July 23, 2014 | 1 | 147,572 |
"Craving in My Soul" | 1 | 147,572 | |
"Jonetsu no Hana" (情熱の花) | March 4, 2015 | 2 | 73,956 |
"24karats Gold Soul" | August 19, 2015 | 3 | 103,021 |
"Ki mi ni mu chu" | December 9, 2015 | 2 | 123,642 |
"Joy-ride (Kanki no Drive)" (歓喜のドライブ, Drive of Happiness) | August 17, 2016 | 2 | |
"Party All Night (Star of Wish)" | February 2, 2018 | ||
"Melody" | March 2, 2018 | ||
"My Star" | April 6, 2018 | ||
"Turn Back Time" featuring FANTASTICS | May 4, 2018 | ||
"Awakening" | June 1, 2018 | ||
"Step Up" | July 6, 2018 | ||
"Love of History" | January 3, 2019 | ||
"Ai no Tame ni (For love, for a child)" | January 1, 2020 | 2 | |
"Sunshine" | December 16, 2020 | 3 | |
"Paradox" | April 27, 2021 | 7 | |
"One Nation" | May 27, 2021 | ||
"Havana Love" | July 1, 2021 | ||
"Be The One" | May 27, 2022 | ||
"Power Of Wish" | July 1, 2022 |
Collaborations
Collaborated with | Title | Release date | Peak position | Oricon Sales |
---|---|---|---|---|
Glay | "Scream" | July 20, 2005 | 1 | 537,783 |
Kumi Koda | "Won't Be Long" | November 22, 2006 | 2 | 223,637 |
Exile Tribe | "24karats Tribe of Gold" | September 5, 2012 | 2 | 203,584 |
Others
Title | Release date |
---|---|
"Song Soldier: Ashita no Senshi" (ソングソルジャー~明日の戦士~, Song Soldier: Tomorrow's Soldier) | March 7, 2007 |
Awards and nominations
Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee(s) / Work(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Billboard Japan Music Awards | 2009 | Artist of the Year | Exile | Won | |
Top Pop Artists | Won | ||||
Album of the Year | Exile Ballad Best | Won | |||
2010 | Artist of the Year | Exile | Won | ||
Top Pop Artists | Won | ||||
Album of the Year | Aisubeki Mirai e | Won | |||
2012 | Top Pop Artists | Exile | Won | ||
2013 | Won | ||||
Japan Cable Awards | 2001 | Cable Music Award | "Your Eyes Only: Aimai na Boku no Katachi" | Won | |
2004 | Grand Prize | "Choo Choo Train" | Nominated | ||
Best Cable Music | Won | ||||
2004 | Grand Prize | "Heart of Gold" | Nominated | ||
Best Cable Music | Won | ||||
Most Requested Artist | Exile | Won | |||
2008 | Grand Prize | "Ti Amo" | Won | ||
Best Cable Music | Won | ||||
Most Requested Artist | Exile | Won | |||
Japan Gold Disc Awards | 2004 | Rock & Pop Album of the Year | Exile Entertainment | Won | |
2005 | Heart of Gold: Street Future Opera Beat Pops | Won | |||
2006 | Song of the Year | "Tada···Aitakute" | Won | ||
"Scream" (Glay X Exile) | Won | ||||
Rock & Pop Album of the Year | Single Best | Won | |||
Perfect Best | Won | ||||
2007 | Best 10 Albums | Asia | Won | ||
2008 | Artist of the Year | Exile | Won | ||
Best 5 Chaku-Uta Songs | "Lovers Again" | Won | |||
Best 5 Chaku-Uta Full Songs | Won | ||||
Best 5 PC Download Songs | Won | ||||
Album of the Year | Exile Love | Won | |||
Best 10 Albums | Won | ||||
Exile Evolution | Won | ||||
Best Music Videos | Exile Live Tour 2007 Exile Evolution | Won | |||
2009 | Artist of the Year | Exile | Won | ||
Best 5 Chaku-Uta Songs | "Ti Amo" | Won | |||
Best 5 Chaku-Uta Full Songs | Won | ||||
Album of the Year | Exile Ballad Best | Won | |||
Best 10 Albums | Won | ||||
Exile Catchy Best | Won | ||||
Exile Entertainment Best | Won | ||||
2010 | Best 5 Songs | "Futatsu no Kuchibiru" | Won | ||
Best 5 Albums | Aisubeki Mirai e | Won | |||
Best Music Videos | Exile Live Tour "Exile Perfect Live 2008" | Won | |||
2011 | Best 5 Albums | Fantasy | Won | ||
Best 5 Songs | "Motto Tsuyoku" | Won | |||
2012 | Best 5 Albums | Negai no Tō | Won | ||
2013 | Best 5 Albums | Exile Japan/Solo | Won | ||
Best Music Videos | Exile Tribe Live Tour 2012 "Tower Of Wish" | Won | |||
Exile Live Tour 2011 "Tower Of Wish: Negai no Tō" | Won | ||||
2014 | Best 5 Albums | Exile Best Hits: Love Side/Soul Side | Won | ||
Japan Record Awards | 2003 | Grand Prix | "Together" | Nominated | |
Best Singer | Nominated | ||||
Gold Award | Won | ||||
2004 | Grand Prix | "Carry On" | Nominated | ||
Best Singer | Nominated | ||||
Gold Award | Won | ||||
2006 | Special Award | "Won't Be Long" | Won | ||
2007 | Grand Prix | "Toki no kakera" | Nominated | ||
Best Singer | Won | ||||
Gold Award | Won | ||||
2008 | Grand Prix | "Ti Amo" | Won | ||
Excellent Work Award | Won | ||||
2009 | Grand Prix | "Someday" | Won | ||
Excellent Work Award | Won | ||||
2010 | Grand Prix | "I Wish For You" | Won | ||
Excellent Work Award | Won | ||||
2013 | Grand Prix | "Exile Pride: Konna Sekai o Aisuru Tame" | Won | ||
Excellent Work Award | Won | ||||
MTV Video Music Awards Japan | 2003 | Best Live Performance | Exile | Nominated | |
2004 | Best Album of the Year | Exile Entertainment | Nominated | ||
2005 | Best Group Video | "Carry On" | Nominated | ||
Best Pop Video | Nominated | ||||
Best BuzzAsia Japan | "Real World" | Nominated | |||
2006 | Best Collaboration (Glay x Exile) | "Scream" | Nominated | ||
2007 | Best Group Video | "Lovers Again" | Won | ||
2008 | Best Video of the Year | "I Believe" | Won | ||
Best Album of the Year | Exile Love | Won | |||
Best Karaoke Song | "Toki no Kakera" | Won | |||
2009 | Best Video of the Year | "Ti Amo (Chapter 2)" | Won | ||
Best Group Video | Won | ||||
MTV Best Choreography Award | Exile | Nominated | |||
2010 | Best Video of the Year | "Futatsu no Kuchibiru" | Won | ||
Album of the Year | Aisubeki Mirai e | Won | |||
MTV Asia Icon Award | Exile | Won | |||
2012 | Best Video of the Year | "Rising Sun" | Won | ||
2014 | Best Video of the Year | "Exile Pride: Konna Sekai o Aisuru Tame" | Won | ||
Space Shower Music Video Awards | 2009 | Best Story Video | "Ti Amo" | Won | |
2010 | Best Shooting Video | "Futatsu no Kuchibiru" | Won |
See also
In Spanish: Exile para niños
- Japan Record Award
- MTV Video Music Awards Japan
- List of best-selling music artists in Japan