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Exile (Japanese band) facts for kids

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Exile
Exile (Japanese band) in Taiwan in January 2020.png
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
  • LDH
  • Rhythm Zone
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

MTV VMAJ 2014 Exile
Exile members at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards Japan

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 (1981-08-23) August 23, 1981 (age 43) Member of Exile The Second
Kenchi Tachibana (KENCHI) Kenichirō Teratsuji (1979-09-28) September 28, 1979 (age 45) Member of Exile The Second
Exile Tetsuya Tetsuya Tsuchida (1981-02-18) February 18, 1981 (age 43) Member of Exile The Second
Exile Naoto Naoto Kataoka (1983-08-30) August 30, 1983 (age 41) Member of Sandaime J Soul Brothers
Naoki Kobayashi (NAOKI) Naoki Kobayashi (1984-11-10) November 10, 1984 (age 40) Member of Sandaime J Soul Brothers
Takanori Iwata Takanori Iwata (1989-03-06) March 6, 1989 (age 35) Member of Sandaime J Soul Brothers
Alan Shirahama Alan Shirahama (1993-08-04) August 4, 1993 (age 31) Member of Generations
Mandy Sekiguchi Mandy Sekiguchi (1991-01-25) January 25, 1991 (age 33) Member of Generations
Sekai Sekai Yamamoto (1991-02-21) February 21, 1991 (age 33) Member of Fantastics
Taiki Sato Taiki Sato (1995-01-25) January 25, 1995 (age 29) Member of Fantastics

Vocalists

Stage name Birth name Birthday Notes
Exile Atsushi Atsushi Sato (1980-04-30) April 30, 1980 (age 44)
Exile Takahiro Takahiro Tasaki (1984-12-08) December 8, 1984 (age 39)

Vocalists and performers

Stage name Birth name Birthday Notes
Exile Nesmith Ryuta Karim Nesmith (1983-08-01) August 1, 1983 (age 41) Member of Exile The Second
Exile Shokichi Shokichi Yagi (1985-10-03) October 3, 1985 (age 39) Member of Exile The Second

Former members

Stage name Birth name Birthday Notes
Shun Shunsuke Kiyokiba (1980-01-11) January 11, 1980 (age 44) Vocalist
HIRO Hiroyuki Igarashi (1969-06-01) June 1, 1969 (age 55) Leader & performer
MATSU Toshio Matsumoto (1975-05-27) May 27, 1975 (age 49) Performer
MAKIDAI Daisuke Maki (1975-10-27) October 27, 1975 (age 49) Performer
ÜSA Yoshihiro Usami (1977-02-02) February 2, 1977 (age 47) Performer
KEIJI Keiji Kuroki (1980-01-21) January 21, 1980 (age 44) 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

List of awards and nominations received by Exile
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

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Exile para niños

  • Japan Record Award
  • MTV Video Music Awards Japan
  • List of best-selling music artists in Japan
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