BE:FIRST is a seven-member dance and vocal group created during THE FIRST boy band audition. Organized by BMSG, a company founded by popular rapper SKY-HI, the group immediately amassed an army of fans who immediately fell in love with the member’s incredible perseverance and passion during the audition program.

 

Original Merchandise

Long Sleeve T-Shirt: ¥5,800

Hand Towel: ¥900

Rubber Keychain: ¥700

 

 

To commemorate the group’s major debut on November 3, PARCO will play host to the ‘BE:FIRST Photo Exhibition “We Just Gifted” event starting on October 22 in Shibuya and November 13 in Nagoya. The showing will feature unreleased photos and videos of the audition process, and original merchandise and materials will only be available at the event. There are plans for an online photo exhibition and regional tour in the future, so keep an eye out for details!

 

BE:FIRST, the 7-member boy’s group created from winners of SKY-HI’s 6-month “THE FIRST” audition, has released their pre-debut song titled Shining One. Initially, the song was performed at the final screening of the audition process. 

 

The group is made up of members SOTA, SHUNTO, MANATO, RYUHEI, JUNON, RYOKI and LEO. Hip-hop group m-flo’s ☆Taku Takahashi, who initially produced the track, added some finishing touches to this official release. 

 

The BE:FIRST version of Shining One hit #1 on iTunes, LINE Music, Rakuten Music, AWA’s trending list, mora, and mu-mo. The group credits the success of the track to a blend of incredible quality, creativity, and artistry. 

 

The BE:FIRST version of the track and an accompanying music video were released on August 16. Performed against a white backdrop, the members perform impeccably, and the video has been a hot topic on social media since its release. Following their final audition, the members were tasked with learning a new dance in only 30 minutes, after which they were immediately filmed performing on stage. If you pay attention, you can see bits and pieces of this incredible choreography!

 

 

BE:FIRST Shining One Music Video

 

What do you think of this new group? 

 

 

 

THE FIRST is a boys group audition run by SKY-HI’s music management label BMSG which he himself has invested over 100 million yen into. The latest song to release as part of the project, Move On, dropped on July 5. The track before it, Be Free, was released just last week.

Move On shot up in the Japanese music charts upon its release, making it to No.3 on iTunes and AWA as well as No.1 on mu-mo. The song continues the success that Be Free enjoyed last week.

 

Move On is a song about breaking out of your shell and not subscribing to the existing framework. It’s a full-on, energetic song, the first of its kind to be released by THE FIRST. The sound and choreography mark a significant different from the boys group until now.

 

The song was written by SUNNY BOY and SKY-HI. SUNNY BOY has worked with not only some of Japan’s biggest artists, such as Namie Amuro, but South Korea’s biggest K-pop groups too like BTS, BLACNPINK, BIGBANG, and more. In 2018, the song SUNNY BOY wrote for BTS hit No.1 on Billboard.

 

[THE FIRST] Move On (Prod. SUNNY BOY) / Shota, Ryoki, Ran, Rei, Shunto, Ryuhei

Check out a performance of the song above, which has reached nearly 1 million views since its release on July 5. Be Free also broke 1 million in just five days.

Ueni Trading has opened pre-orders for a new reed diffuser set by RADSKY, a perfume brand with SKY-HI acting as the brand ambassador. The set is available to pre-order at LOFT, both in-store and online.

RADSKY Sexual Healing Coffret Set | ¥3,850 (Tax Included)

The new fragrance gets its name from the title of SKY-HI’s new song Sexual Healing. The fragrances captures the fragrance of a ‘sexy man’ with tempting white musk, which users can have around their home wherever they like with the sleek reed diffuser bottle which has a handwritten-style logo on it. The clear case is also made from a biodegradable material.

 

The first fragrance collaboration continues to enjoy sales

SKY-HI’s first collaboration with the brand was the RADSKY Neon Eau De Toilette perfume which is still enjoying sales for its “Night Fruity” aroma. It’s a more natural, refreshing smell balanced by sweet fruity notes.

SKY-HI has released a video from his own home on his official YouTube channel for a song his he writing called #Homesession.

 

The rapper and singer began posting vlogs on his channel at the end of February amid the coronavirus outbreaks and continues to together with his band SUPER FLYERS.

 

SKY-HI has made the vocal track and system data for #Homesession public, so fans can download it and try recording their own home session.

 

“#Homesession -0406-” / SKY-HI”

 

SKY-HI | Message

“How’s everyone holding up? We’ve gotten to a point where starting off with greeting like that has taken on a special meaning. But I really miss being around people as well. I’d thought to myself, well, this would be around the time I’d be sessioning with SUPER FLYERS every year, we can’t return to life before the novel coronavius, and I want to session with everyone during the time of the coronavirus, so I’m releasing the song #Homesession. The song isn’t done yet though. Now the baton will be passed to each member of SUPER FLYERS, so if you’d like, please try recording yourself too at home and send it to me. I’ll put them online, and the last one will be the version with SUPER FLYERS! I look forward to sharing with you. I hope we can have fun together like we always do even if we’re at home. That’s what’s going through my head!”

 

He continues: “I myself get so much energy from Gen, Origami, and all the other musicians out there too. I really believe that thinking about the future and enjoying the moment are one in the same. I’m going to work to drop music and stems, so if anyone wants to mix them then please feel free to mix them whenever you like. That being said, let’s all meet at home together!”

SKY-HI will drop his first ever greatest hits album SKY-HI’s THE BEST on June 17, 2020. Today, the CD covers for the album have been released, with SKY-HI flaunting his power of seduction.

The photos taken during this photo session will be compiled in a photo book exclusive to Limited Pressing Edition copies of the album. This edition of the album is jam-packed: it will include 3 discs compiling the best of SKY-HI’s pop songs, rap songs, and collaborative songs respectively, as well as new songs, fully-remastered tracks, and songs with re-recorded vocals.

Live Edition copies of the album can be bought with either a DVD or Blu-ray which features footage of SKY-HI’s entire “Round A Ground 2019 ~Count Down SKY-HI~” live concert held at Toyosu PIT on December 11, 2019. For this show, fans submitted their favourite songs of SKY-HI, of which 20 of the most popular were chosen and performed in a “countdown” style. SKY-HI was joined by his band, SUPER FLYERS, on stage for the show.

Limited Pressing Edition copies are available to buy exclusively on mu-mo Shop, AAA Party, and AAA mobile. If you order before April 26, 2020 at 23:00 (JST) your name will be written on the CD box. This edition will also be sold with a DVD or Blu-ray featuring all of SKY-HI’s music videos to date including commentary by the artist himself, a 100-page A4 size photo book, and exclusive merchandise.

 

SKY-HI also posted a teaser video of a piano arrangement of his song Iris Light which can be watched below.

Japanese rapper and singer posted his very first vlog on his official YouTube channel, SKYHICHANNEL, on February 29, 2020.

Fans have expressed their excitement at getting to see a closer and more personal look at SKY-HI, as well as their interest in wanting to see more behind the scenes when it comes to music production and the music world.

SKY-HI’s new vlog series is set to cover not only the Japanese artist knee-deep in the recording process, but will also feature in-depth talks with other artists and production staff from the music world, as well as other related technical music content. SKY-HI has also expressed his desire to post based on what viewers want to see too.

 

SKY-HI stated that if he reaches 100,000 subscribers, he will post the video of his recording of the song Uren which he did during a previous livestream on his channel. The video will have the song played over it and the lyrics will be shown on screen. If he reaches 150,000 subscribers, he’ll post the song’s music video. And if he makes it to 1 million subscribers, he’s going to collaborate together with someone famous in the YouTube community.

 

Subscriber to SKY-HI’s YouTube channel at the link below and stay tuned for the next vlog upload.

SKY-HI released the first of a series of upcoming songs together with Thai pop star STAMP. The song is now streaming on major music platforms including Spotify.

The song combines SKY-HI’s technical rap ability with STAMP’s gentle yet powerful singing voice. Its lyrics say that if people experience good things in life, they’ll experience bad things too, so we should pick them up all up and take them with us as we move forward.

 

Don’t Worry Baby Be Happy feat. STAMP (Prod. its) -Lyric Video-

The lyric video is taken from the duo’s debut performance of the song at the concert “SKY-HI Round A Ground 2019 ~YO! SKY RAPS~” held on December 12 last year. It features English, Japanese, and Thai captions, so be sure to read along with the lyrics as you listen to the song.

Speaking about the song, SKY-HI said: “When I went to Thailand last year, I got a really good vibe from the country. On one of my free days, I found myself quickly heading to the studio. I asked if anyone knew STAMP, and he came to the studio. I thought, well, he’s here and everything now, so… And that’s how the song came to be. We recorded it there in the studio.”

 

He continues: “The songs we make these days end up having such heavy bass no matter what, and even I don’t like it, but thanks to STAMP’s rich voice, and his nature, this is the song I have been most encouraged for. He said to me, ‘Having a mountain of things you don’t like is part and parcel with life, but more than anything, time keeps on ticking. No matter how big things may seem, or how many of those things you have, while ever you’re alive, you put those things to work.’ Thanks to him, now the moment the intro starts, I feel lifted up <laughs>.”

 

SKY-HI finishes by saying: “It was so much fun doing this song live too. As an artist, and as an individual, getting to meet STAMP for me was really fortunate. I pray this song becomes the same for everyone that hears it too. Don’t Worry Baby Be Happy!!”

STAMP was also interviewed about the new song. When asked to give his impressions on it, he said: “The beat is groovy, cool-sounding, and melodic. I really like how it speaks to the heart. It’s become my favourite song. Even if you don’t understand the Japanese rap lyrics, SKY-HI’s rap parts are just the best. It moves me how it transcends the barriers of language. The melodies for the hook were written by me when we first met in the studio. It was my first time writing a half-Japanese, half-Thai song.”

 

He also commented on how the recording process was. “When we were recording, SKY-HI was always dancing to the rhythm while singing. I had such a fun time working in there. I haven’t met many artists that are overflowing with energy like him. It was really exciting. Now I want to try dancing next time I’m in the studio.”

 

Finally, STAMP was asked to give a message to Japanese listeners. “Like other people, I’m really pleased with this collaboration too. I am honoured to have been able to do this with such a genius artist like SKY-HI. I hope everyone likes hearing the Thai lyrics as well as the Thai music influences too.”

SKY-HI has announced an Asia tour consisting of four additional performances to follow up straight after the “SKY-HI Round A Ground 2020” Japan tour.

The Asia tour will see four performances take place in Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea. Following numerous collaborations with other Asian artists in recent years, you can only imagine the excitement of fans as they guess what kind of performance SKY-HI has in store for them in Asia.

 

SKY-HI will now be performing in a total of 28 cities, 24 of which are in Japan. This is a big chance to see him live! If you’re worried about tickets selling out, there are preorder tickets available for each live performance. More information on the Asia Tour will be announced in the future so stay tuned. 

 

SKY-HI / Snatchaway (SKY-HI TOUR 2019 -The JAPRISON-)

SKY-HI has also unveiled the video of “Snatchaway” from the live tour video “SKY-HI TOUR 2019 -The JAPRISON-”. This is a chance to witness SKY-HI’s rapping, singing and dancing skills that you don’t want to miss. 

More and more announcements have been rolling out about Japanese artists set to perform overseas in the latter half of 2019. Let’s take a look and see if one of them is coming to a city near you in Part 4.

 

・Aimyon

Singer-songwriter is set to take her enthralling set to Shanghai with a headline show. The music video for her hit song Marigold, taken from her album Shunkanteki Sixth Sense which released in February, was shot on the streets of Shanghai. Currently knee-deep in her Japan tour to promote her new album, this will mark Aimyon’s second time performing overseas following up from a successful show in Taiwan. Her popularity is steadily surging across the globe, be sure to check out her music available on Spotify as well as her many music videos.

 

Related Article: Aimyon Releases Music Video Teaser & CD Cover For New Song ‘Manatsu no Yoru no Nioi ga Suru’

 

▶︎AIMYON 2019 LIVE in SHANGHAI

Date: July 13, 2019

Venue: 世博中心—紅庁, Shanghai 2019

Japan Enquiries: http://www.accessbright.com/aimyon/

AIMYON Official Website: http://www.aimyong.net/

 

・OKAMOTO’S 

Celebrating 10 years since their debut, OKAMOTO’S are currently touring Japan nationwide in promotion of their new album BOY. The four-piece rock band performed what they called their “first and last” Nippon Budokan show on June 27 but are following that straight up with two concerts in Beijing and Shanghai. OKAMOTO’S are veterans when it comes to having performed overseas. They are the younger Japanese male act to play SXSW in Texas, US when they performed back in 2010. They also embarked on a 7-city US tour and have toured Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam and other countries. Don’t miss out!

 

Related Article: OKAMOTO’S New ‘Dancing Boy’ Music Video Features Lots Of Guest Artists

 

▶︎OKAMOTO’S “BOY” CHINA TOUR 2019
2019/7/19 @ Beijing MAO Live House, Beijing
2019/7/21 @ Shanghai MAO Live House, Shangai

Tickets: https://www.showstart.com/event/list?type=1&tag=22685

OKAMOTO’S Official Website: https://www.okamotos.net

 

 

【お知らせ】

MY FIRST STORY初の中国・上海でのワンマンライブが決定🇨🇳！

MY FIRST STORY TOUR 2019 IN SHANGHAI

7/27(土) 19:30開演予定
中国・上海市静安体育センター

公演詳細は後日発表！#myfirststory#マイファス pic.twitter.com/BqEzLdAgj9

— MY FIRST STORY (@MyFirstStory_of) 2019年6月6日

・MY FIRST STORY

Since debuting in 2012, Japanese rock band MY FIRST STORY have performed at some of Japan’s biggest music festivals and have also collaborated with foreign musicians. Their lyrics are fluent English which have racked them up some real attention outside Japan. This will mark their first headline show in mainland China.

 

▶︎MY FIRST STORY TOUR 2019 IN SHANGHAI

2019/7/27 @ Jing’an Sports Center, Shanghai

MY FIRST STORY Official Website: http://www.myfirststory.net

 

・Yuzu

Yuzu’s popularity trickles down all generations having performed the song Muscat for the anime series Crayon Shin-chan. The duo have their eyes set on two days at Legacy MAX in Taipei on September 28 and 29. The musicians performed at the 30th Golden Melody Awards, which is nicknamed the “Taiwanese Grammy Awards,” on June 29 and hail as the only Japanese artists to do so.

 

Related Article: Yuzu Joined By Crayon Shin-chan On Stage to Sing New Song ‘Muscat’

 

▶︎YUZU ASIA LIVE 2019 YUZUNOMI

2019/9/28 @ Legacy MAX, Taipei

2019/9/29 @ Legacy MAX, Taipei

Tickets: https://ticket.ibon.com.tw/Web/ActivityInfo/Details/36025

YUZU Official Website: http://yuzu-official.com

 

・MAN WITH A MISSION

MAN WITH A MISSION recently announced their US headline tour. They joined Jimmy Eat World and Stone Sour on tour back in fall 2017, but which is their first North American solo tour in five years. Full details can be found over on their official website.

 

Related Article: MAN WITH A MISSION To Embark on First North American Solo Tour in 5 Years

 

▶︎MAN WITH A MISSION presents Chasing the Horizon World Tour 2018/2019 -North American Tour-

2019/9/6 @ Great American Music Hall, San Francisco

2019/9/8 @ The Regent Theater, Los Angeles

2019/9/10 @ Canton Hall, Dallas

2019/9/16 @ Gramercy Theatre, New York

MAN WITH A MISSION Official Website: https://www.mwamjapan.info/

 

・BABYMETAL

BABYMETAL will released their new album METAL GALAXY this year on October 11 and follow it up with their GALAXY WORLD TOUR where they will hit up Europe, US and Russia. BABYMETAL’s unmatched force continues to be felt across the globe.

 

Related Article: BABYMETAL Announce New Album ‘METAL GALAXY’ & World Tour

 

▶︎BABYMETAL GALAXY WORLD TOUR

*For full dates, please check the band’s official website below.

BABYMETAL Official Website: http://www.babymetal.com

 

《TOUR》

＼💫SKY-HI × SALU TOUR決定！／

🎙Say Goodbye to the System

9/4：東京 Zepp DiverCity

9/24：大阪 なんばHatch

9/25：名古屋 名古屋ダイアモンドホール

9/29：韓国/ソウル

10/1：香港

10/4：台湾/台北

✅詳細はSKY-HI公式HPへ
【https://t.co/AOcUrXeEGL】#SKY_HI #SALU #TOUR pic.twitter.com/E5h8Svngff

— SKY-HI情報 (@skyhi_hidaka12) 2019年7月1日

・SKY-HI

SKY-HI will release his second collaborative album with SALU entitled Say Hello to My Minions 2 on September 4 which will be promoted with the “Say Goodbye to the System” Asia tour. SKY-HI has performed in Los Angeles, New York, Paris, London, Shanghai, Taiwan and Hong Kong in the past. Be sure to keep up to date with his tour schedule via his official website.

 

▶︎Say Goodbye to the System -ASIA TOUR-

2019/9/29 @ Seoul (Venue TBA)

2019/10/1 @ Hong Kong (Venue TBA)

2019/10/4 @ Taipei (Venue TBA)

SKY-HI Official Website: https://avex.jp/skyhi/

 

If you love Japanese music and an artist you like is heading to a city near you, be sure to show them love and support by getting your hands on a ticket!

A new promotional video has been released featuring the new opening theme of the upcoming TV anime series Run with the Wind. The song, titled Kaze Tsuyoku, Kimi Atsuku, was written by Q-MHz and Mitsuhiro Hidaka―also known as SKY-HI―and will be released as a digital single on January 23.

The song features a running-like melody coupled with SKY-HI’s vocals and rapping. Check out the video below which showcases the 10 members of the athletic club in Kansei University in their uniforms.

 

Run with the Wind will continue with episode 12 on January 8, 2019.

Japanese music group Q-MHz which is composed of Aki Hata, Tomokazu Tashiro, Katsuhiko Kurosu and Tomoya Tabuchi (UNISON SQUARE GARDEN) are teaming up with AAA member Mitsuhiro Hidaka―who is also active as a solo rapper under the bane SKY-HI―to release a new digital single called Kaze Tsuyoku, Kimi Atsuku on January 23.

The song will be used as the second opening song for the ongoing anime series Run with the Wind. It features a running-like melody coupled with SKY-HI’s vocals and rapping.

 

The sports anime is an adaptation of Shion Miura’s award-winning novel of the same name.  It is being directed by Kazuya Nomura (Robotics;Notes, Ghost In The Shell: The New Movie) at Production I.G.

Comment: Q-MHz
“We are Q-MHz and we have been handed the baton from the first opening theme to perform the second one! It has a colourful rock sound that looks towards the climax of the story. Hidaka’s numbing rapping too makes it mega exciting. [People’s] emotions are sure to rise when the song doesn’t play for a second time at the end.”

 

Comment: Mitsuhiro Hidaka a.k.a. SKY-HI
“Tabuchi was my upperclassman in high school. This is the first time we have worked together, so getting to sing for Q-MHz felt like going back to being a high school student. I also got to sing in a style different to what they usually do! In receiving a request as singer I feel that though the weight is fairly heavy that pressure is thrilling and ties in with the anime and the song. It’s an eternity of youth packed in an instant into 3 minutes!”