Biography
Exile blend the synchronized choreography and group interplay of a boy band with R&B grooves, sustaining a long career at the forefront of J-Pop. Although membership has fluctuated, dancers have always formed the core, among them informal leader Hiro, born Higarashi Hiroyuki. After leaving the earlier act Zoo, Hiro launched his own project in 1999 under the name J Soul Brothers, recruiting vocalist Sasa together with the dancers Makidai (Maki Daisuke), Matsu (Matsumoto Toshio), and Usa (Usami Yoshihiroe). When Sasa departed in 2001 to concentrate on songwriting, the lineup expanded with the addition of vocalists Atsushi (Satou Atsushi) and Shun (Kiyokiba Shunsuke); the ensemble then adopted the name Exile and issued its debut singles on Avex Trax’s Rhythm Zone imprint. Their first full-length release, the album Our Style, followed in 2002.
The 2003 single “Choo Choo Train,” drawn from the sophomore album Styles of Beyond, climbed to number two on the charts. Mixing Japanese lyrics with English phrases such as “Fun fun, we hit the step step,” the track reworked an earlier Zoo composition. In 2004 Exile secured their first chart-topping hit with “Real World,” while the albums Heart of Gold and Exiles both performed strongly; the latter gathered group material alongside solo recordings by Kiyokiba Shunsuke and selections from side projects, including the hip-hop outfit Rather Unique formed by Usa and Makidai. A further number-one single, “Scream,” resulted from a collaboration with J-Rock band Glay.
Asia appeared in 2006 on the same day Shun exited to pursue solo work; Rather Unique member Akira (Kurosawa Ryouhei) joined as a dancer, and the group staged open auditions under the title “Exile Vocal Battle Audition 2006 Asian Dream.” Takahiro Tasaki, previously of the Exile-affiliated group Color, emerged victorious. Two more studio albums, Exile Evolution and Exile Love, arrived in 2007. The following year Exile initiated the twelve-month campaign “Exile Perfect Year 2008,” which encompassed a monthly magazine and three retrospective compilations: Exile Catchy Best, Exile Extreme Best, and Exile Ballad Best.
The 2003 single “Choo Choo Train,” drawn from the sophomore album Styles of Beyond, climbed to number two on the charts. Mixing Japanese lyrics with English phrases such as “Fun fun, we hit the step step,” the track reworked an earlier Zoo composition. In 2004 Exile secured their first chart-topping hit with “Real World,” while the albums Heart of Gold and Exiles both performed strongly; the latter gathered group material alongside solo recordings by Kiyokiba Shunsuke and selections from side projects, including the hip-hop outfit Rather Unique formed by Usa and Makidai. A further number-one single, “Scream,” resulted from a collaboration with J-Rock band Glay.
Asia appeared in 2006 on the same day Shun exited to pursue solo work; Rather Unique member Akira (Kurosawa Ryouhei) joined as a dancer, and the group staged open auditions under the title “Exile Vocal Battle Audition 2006 Asian Dream.” Takahiro Tasaki, previously of the Exile-affiliated group Color, emerged victorious. Two more studio albums, Exile Evolution and Exile Love, arrived in 2007. The following year Exile initiated the twelve-month campaign “Exile Perfect Year 2008,” which encompassed a monthly magazine and three retrospective compilations: Exile Catchy Best, Exile Extreme Best, and Exile Ballad Best.
Albums
Singles
