In February of 2009 2JSB launched their debut album and went to the TV show Music Station to promote it with the song GENERATION. It seemed they had succeeded with this second generation so far, however, a few days after this TV appearance (May 1^st) it was announced that Nidaime J SOUL BROTHERS would join EXILE, merging both group’s line-ups into one and becoming 14 members. This new line-up was even bigger than ZOO’s, but still not as large as the selection of members that groups like AKB48 usually display on their promotions.

The reason for this merge was the fact EXILE’s popularity had risen even more and the high demand for seeing them live brought them to seek for bigger venues. Since they had to face a series of big arenas concerts and they were aiming for a higher level of entertainment through their live performances, the solution of the merge seemed the best at the time. If you compare their lives before and after the merge, you can easily see the differences and how it worked enlarging the group.

Also, this merge guaranteed that EXILE’s lifetime would extend more, as the new members were all considerably younger than the original ones.

HIRO with Nidaime J SOUL BROTHERS

KENCHI, KEIJI, TETSUYA, NESMITH, SHOCHIKI, NAOTO and NAOKI, dropped the name Nidaime J SOUL BROTHERS to become members of EXILE. With this new addition, EXILE gained two more vocalists, although NESMITH and SHOCHIKI would barely sing as members of EXILE, and most of the songs (especially the title tracks) are still sung by only ATSUSHI and TAKAHIRO, keeping the structure of double harmonies.

Their first single as 14 members would drop in April 15^th: THE MONSTER ~Someday~, with the title track Someday, written by Miwa Furuse and ATSUSHI, produced by h-wonder. The song also has two video versions: One featuring the members of the group and another version featuring kids from their school (EXPG) that was included later on their next album (Ai Subeki Mirai e). It was also the theme song for EXILE’s first TV show: EXILE GENERATION, broadcasted by Nihon Terebi from January of 2009 until March of 2009. This was their first variety show and it also included an anime series titled EGUZAMURAI sengoku that was produced by HIRO, with characters designed by Hiroshi Takahashi. The voice actors for the characters were the same members of EXILE. The song Someday won the award for Best Song at the 51 Japan Record Awards.

This single would also include a new version of the song GENERATION, featuring the four vocalists: ATSUSHI, TAKAHIRO, NESMITH and SHOKICHI. The song is from Bach Logic and Erik Lidbom, and has lyrics by Kenn Kato.

In April of 2009 they would produce another TV show, EXH ~EXILE HOUSE~, that was broadcasted by TBS until March of 2010. This was another variety where they would bring in guests.

The next single they launched was THE HURRICANE ~FIREWORKS~ (July 22^nd 2009), with FIREWORKS as the title track (the song would have a version released by DOBERMAN INC released a few months later). This song featured the four vocalists of the group; it was written by T.Kura and michico, with lyrics by michico, P-CHO, GS, KUBO-C and TOMOGEN. DOBERMAN INC.’s version was titled FIREWORKS type D.I. and would also feature a cover of the song GENERATION as a b-side. The single would also have the song used for the popular video-game Super Street Fighter IV featuring US’ rapper FLO’RIDA: THE NEXT DOOR –INDESTRUCTIBLE-, composed by lil’showy, with lyrics by NEGIN.

The third single would come on November 11th of 2011, titled GENERATION ~Futatsu no Kuchibiru~. The main song was Futatsu no Kuchibiru, featuring only the voices of ATSUSHI and TAKAHIRO.

In 2009 it was released the first album for this third chapter: Ai Subeki Mirai e, gaining the first position at the Oricon charts and staying for 67 weeks in the charts.

After the album, they released the single FANTASY (June 9^th of 2010). The songs in this single were: VICTORY, written for FIFA’s 2010 World Championship; 24karats ~Stay Gold~ (the second song of the series of 24karats); Negai, ATSUSHI’s solo song; GOING ON, featuring the vocals of TAKAHIRO, NESMITH and SHOKICHI; Make It Last Forever, with NESMITH and SHOCHIKI; MONSTER, and instrumental piece from a song by DOBERMAN INC; and the song Angel in an acoustic version, featuring the four singers of the group. The single was an EP (Extended Play) and it was considered as a mini-album by the Oricon charts, reaching the first position and staying in the charts for 34 weeks, selling  a total amount of 500.000 copies. Their next single Motto Tsuyoku would also reach the number 1 at Oricon charts.

The next song, I Wish For You was released as a single in October 6th of 2010 and reached the number 2 at the Oricon charts, winning the award for Best Song at the 52 Japan Record Awards. The song written by michico and T.Kura has a second video version (album version) with scenes of the members getting ready for their tour EXILE LIVE TOUR 2010 FANTASY. The first video version, were extracts from that same live tour. The next single would be Each Other’s Way ~Tabi no Tochuu~(February 9^th 2011).  

On March 9th of 2011 the album Negai no Tou was released and, although two days later the tragedy of Tohoku’s big Earthquake and Tsunami left the country in a real damaged situation, the album still managed to chart at number 1 and stay for 60 weeks in the charts, selling 2 million copies in just 2 months. One of the jewels from this CD release is the especial CD of song covers that contains one of its limited editions, featuring old songs already covered by EXILE like WON’T BE LONG original from DA BUBBLEGUM BROTHERS, with a version featuring the four vocalists of the group; or Choo Choo Train by ZOO, with ATSUSHI and TAKAHIRO. The album also featured a three solo songs by ATSUSHI (Kotoba ni Dekinai, Konna ni mo Nagai Kimi no Fuzai and GEORGY PORGY) whom had his first solo concert on 2010; a solo song by SHOCHIKI (Just The Two Of Us); another by TAKAHIRO (Ishindenshin) and a duo that reminisced the days of Asayan’s TV show, featuring ATSUSHI and NESMITH (LA·LA·LA LOVE SONG).

The next single would be delayed because of obvious reasons (Tsunami’s aftermath). Rising Sun/Itsuka Kitto… was launched in September 14th of 2011 to both raise funds for the victims of Tohoku’s Earthquake and Tsunami, as well as to celebrate the group’s 10^th Anniversary. The music video for Rising Sun featured all the members from EXPG KIDS as well as all the girl groups that were considered members of E-Girls: Dream, Happiness and FLOWER. The song became an instant anthem and it would be one of EXILE’s most performed songs in TV shows for a long time. The other A-side song, is another solo song by ATSUSHI.

The singles that would follow on this 3rd chapter are:

Anata e/Ooo Baby – November 23^rd of 2011

ALL NIGHT LONG– June 20^th of 2012

BOW & ARROWS – July 25^th of 2012

EXILE PRIDE ~Konna Sekai wo Aisuru Tame~ - April 3^rd of 2013

Flower Song– June 19^th 2013

No Limit – September 25^th 2013

The song EXILE PRIDE was released as a goodbye single for HIRO, whom retired from performing at the end of 2013. When it was launched it was announced that he would end his career as a performer and focus on leading the group and the company. The song had a second release (Fall 2013) with a new music video. The original video was a documentary version while the second and special edition had a video featuring all the members from EXILE’s family that share their same DNA (performance groups and EXPG members). In both versions, the main focus was put in HIRO, although the extended version of the second released video had an intro that explained EXILE’s creational purpose.

But before this, in January of 2012, the last album of this EXILE’s third chapter was released. It was a double album, containing the first solo album of vocalist ATSUSHI: EXILE JAPAN/Solo. ATSUSHI’s album had different acts featured in, such as DOBERMAN INC (Freak Out), VERBAL (Change My Mind), AI (So Special –Version EX-), Boyz II Men (END OF THE DAY –A’s Urban Version-) and Kubota Toshinobu (Golden Smile). The album debuted at #1 in Oricon’s and stayed the whole year in the charts. After that release, ATSUSHI would continue with his solo releases with the singles MELROSE ~Aisanai Yakusoku~ (December 5^th of 2012) and Michishirube (August 21^st of 2013).

Going back to their TV shows that helped to the group’s members’ popularity, they would start a new program at the channel TBS on 2010, titled Shuukan EXILE, a program that summarizes the different tasks EXILE and LDH acts take on. The show is like a TV version of their magazine Gekkan EXILE (published since 2008). This show also followed the VOCAL BATTLE AUDITION, or the Musha Shugyo challenges some LDH acts went through. During this period they had other TV shows: Hiru-ZAIRU (Nihon Terebi, April 2010 - March 2011), EXE (TBS, April 2010 – September 2010), EXILE Tamashi (MBS·TBS, October 2010 - September 2012), EX-LOUNGE (TBS, November 2011 - March 2013) and E-Dance Academy (NHK E-Tere, April 2013 – October 2013).

As for the members’ side activities, we want to highlight MAKIDAI’s debut as a DJ in 2008 with the album DJ MAKIDAI from EXILE Treasure MIX, that mixed R&B and Hip-Hop songs from US acts like Jay-Z, Amerie or Fergie. MAKIDAI’s remixes were often added in EXILE’s releases, and he released two more albums:  Treasure MIX 2 (2009) and Treasure MIX 3 (2011), this last one featured a song cover of Really Into You by Around The Way, with the group Happiness.

USA started his project called DANCE EARTH where he researches and experiments with dance styles from all over the Globe. The project grew into a series of theatre shows as well as reaching a recording deal for special single releases under the name of DANCE EARTH PARTY. The first Project group had USA, TESTUYA, NESMITH and Crystal Kay (whom wasn’t under LDH at the time). They launched the single Inochi no Rhythm on January 16^th of 2013.

Image Sources:

http://straycat.me/en/exile-ldh/
http://mydramalist.info/title/8893/eguzamurai_sengoku

http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/i_love_exile_exfamily/17998522.html

http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/352272.html?thread=17108752

http://www.allmusic.com/album/negai-no-tou-mw0002194519

http://mfg-tokyo.com/works/musicvideo/2011/000050.html

http://www.generasia.com/wiki/EXILE_Japan_/_Solo

http://www.amazon.com/Exile-Japan-Solo/dp/B0061P6566

http://idmp3music.blogspot.com.es/2011/07/dj-makidai-dj-makidai-from-exile.html

http://www.sukowe.blogspot.com.es/2013/01/dance-earth-party-inochi-no-rhythm-1st.html

Sources:

http://v.qq.com/page/r/0/q/r00124yzcrq.html

http://en.search.pandora.tv/?query=EXILE+GENERATION&tab=program&langsort=&sq=JP

http://lovedreamhappiness-fans.info/en/forum/archive/index.php/t-286.html

After SHUN departed from EXILE, it was necessary to find a new vocalist to replace him, so that the harmonization would still be there to carry on EXILE’s unique sound.

For the first VBA, the songs Lovers Again (written by Jin Nakamura, with lyrics by Kiyoshi Matsuoka) and Giver (written by h-wonder, with lyrics by ATSUSHI) were used to test the contestants.

The finale for this competition was held at Nippon Budokan (often shortened to Budokan). The six finalists (TAKAHIRO, NESMITH, TAKA, Yuichiro Maeda, JONTE and WARNER) showed off their skills to the audience in order for one of them to become the new singer of EXILE.

TAKAHIRO won the last round whilst the remaining five finalists released a single under the name Dreamers. The single ~Ashita no Senshi~ (Tomorrow’s warrior) contained solo versions of the title track sung by each finalist, a main version featuring them all plus the instrumental track (March 7^th 2007).

This audition helped recruit new talents for LDH. Not only for the five finalists, who would later go on and enter other groups under the company/agency or in JONTE’s case debut as a soloist later. From the other contestants we can find the likes of Ryouta Maeda and Keisei Amou (whom would go on to become COLOR’s new members), SHOKICHI (who would later go on to become one of the vocalists for the second generation unit of JSB), Shou Aoyagi (who would join Gekidan EXILE), SHIN (member of THE ROOTLESS) and Ryouji Imaichi (who would later go on to become one of the vocalists for the third generation unit of JSB).

Sources:

http://ameblo.jp/lazytoyz-oga/entry-11193056326.html

http://jpmediablog.com/tv-show-exile-vocal-battle-audition-2006-%EF%BD%9Easian-dream%EF%BD%9E-9-22%E6%9C%80%E7%B5%82%E6%B1%BA%E6%88%A6-%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%AD%A6%E9%81%93%E9%A4%A8-2007-03-07mkv3-05gb/

http://rhythmzone.net/dreamers/index.html

http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/takahiro_love_yokoma/7625333.html

Aside from his solo career, one of TAKAHIRO’s projects was the special unit he created along with HISASHI from rock band GLAY, the group was named ACE OF SPADES and debuted in 2012, as a rock band that had some vocal elements from Soul music.  The relationship within’ EXILE and GLAY goes back to the days they did their single collaboration with the song SCREAM.

Above, EXILE’s second vocalist: TAKAHIRO. Below, HISASHI from rock band GLAY.

. The other members of this new project band were TOKIE, a female bass player, and Motokatsu Miyakami, drummer from the group rally. 

In EXILE’s tour of July 2012 they performed as guests and on August 22^nd they would launch the single WILD TRIBE (under AVEX) a song written by audio 2 audio with TAKAHIRO’s collaboration on the lyrics.

The single would be completed with three more songs: NOW HERE written by audio 2 audio and TAKAHIRO; Chikai, by Kotaro Egami and TAKAHIRO, and  Just Like Heaven by audio 2 audio.

The title track was used for a CM of the car brand, TOYOTA, for their TOYOTA WISH model. The commercial starred EXILE’s performer and actor, AKIRA.

In 2013, TAKAHIRO would follow ATSUSHI’s steps and have his solo debut with the single Issen Ichibyou, released on June 26^th, with the label Rhythm Zone.

The song was produced by Yuuta Nakano, producer that often Works for Ayumi Hamasaki, as well as author of 3JSB’s Best Friend’s Girl and other songs by EXILE; the song was written by Yuuki Odagiri and had lyrics by Masato Kodake. 

The single, that charted on the second spot for the weekly Oricon singles chart, was completed with the songs with…, written by TAKAHIRO and Masaaki Asada; Futsukadzuki, written by TAKAHIRO and COZZi; and the song Yakusoku no Sora, also written by him along with Tatsuro Mashiko and produced by Daisuke Kahara. 

Image sources:

http://smilemegu.exblog.jp/i13/2/

http://www.amazon.co.jp/WILD-TRIBE-ACE-OF-SPADES/dp/B008DYQN4M

http://downloadbox.org/exile-takahiro-issen-ichibyou-2013/182479/

http://www.ninamika.com/en/all/photo/issen.html

Sources:

http://www.aceofspades.jp/profile/

http://exfamily.jp/news/?id=532

http://lovedreamhappiness-fans.info/en/tag/ace-of-spades/

With SASA leaving JSB, a new vocalist was needed because the remaining members were all performers. Instead of one new singer, they ended up with two new vocalists joining the group:

·         Shunsuke Kiyokiba (SHUN) had won a TV audition and was already signed up with the label AVEX. This way he ended up recording with HIRO’s group and becoming one of the newest members. The first song he recorded with them became EXILE’s first single.

·         ATSUSHI had also participated in a TV audition show (Asayan) and EXILE decided to recruit him. In the Asayan TV show where he was discovered, ATSUSHI met for the first time with a later future member of the second generation of JSB (and nowadays member of EXILE): NESMITH.

From 2001 to 2006, the group was formed by HIRO, MATSU, USA, MAKIDAI, SHUN and ATSUSHI. They released a total amount of 20 singles and 4 studio albums.

Singles:

Your Eyes Only ~Aimai na Boku no Katachi~ - September 27^th 2001

Style –December  12^th 2001

Fly Away (versión del tema que SASA compuso para JSB) – February 20^th 2002

Song For You – Abril 17^th 2002

Cross ~never say die~ - August 7^th 2002

EX – STYLE ~Kiss you~ - Novembre 13^th 2002

We Will  ~Ano basho de~ - February 5^th 2003

Breezin’ ~Together~ - May 28^th 2003

LET ME LUV U DOWN – July 9^th 2003

Choo Choo Train (versión del éxito de ZOO) – November 6^th 2003

Eternal… -November  12^th 2003

Ki·zu·na – November 19^th 2003

O’ver – November 27^th 2003

Carry On/Unmei no HITO – May 12^th 2004

Real World – June 30^th 2004

HEART of GOLD – August 18^th 2004

HERO – December 1^st 2004

EXIT – August 24^th 2005

Tada… Aitakute –December 14^th 2005

YES! – March 1^st 2006

Albums:

our style – March 6^th 2002

Styles of Beyond – February 13^th 2003

EXILE ENTERTSINMENT – December 3^rd 2003

ASIA – March 29^th 2006

During this period, EXILE’s style kept evolving following the changes that US’ Hip-Hop and R&B were going through back then (early 2000’s), without excluding the influences of their contemporary J-Pop. EXILE’s songs were always distinguished by their strong R&B/Soul vocal melodies and their harmonies between their two vocalists, something that set them apart from ZOO (female main vocalist, male and female sub-vocals) and the first JSB’s generation (single male vocal). Both ATSUSHI and SHUN as well as the remaining members had their side activities but this time we would like to highlight the group, RATHER UNIQUE, where USA and MAKIDAI danced and that we’ll see soon.

We would also put a special mention to their collaboration song with the Rock group  Glay,  Scream (July 2005), that would later inspire a new project for LDH. This particular song reached # 1 at the Oricon charts, selling more than 500.000 copies.

On March 29^th 2006, after promoting their last single, YES!, SHUN left the group to go solo (and he also left LDH). He appeared one last time at the TV show Music Station (April 21^st) for a last performance of their hits to bid him farewell.

Sources for photos:

http://bombarrow.com/blog/music/exile/

http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/hironosekai/2000/

RATHER UNIQUE is the name of USA’s and MAKIDAI’s group, which they started in the year 2003 with members SOHJIN, AKIRA and DJ SHIBUCHIN. USA, MAKIDAI and SOHJIN aside from dancing, were the MC’s for the group songs, whilst DJ SHIBUCHIN produced the tracks and AKIRA only danced.

The group was first introduced in the remix compilation album The other side of EX Vol.1, in 2003 and later had a major debut under Rhythm Zone’s sub-label Rhythm REPUBLIC, with the single ARather Train launched on May 5^th 2004.

Singles:

ARather Train – May 5^th 2004

Winter Bell – December 29^th 2004

Start Spurt – April 20^th 2005

Tsutsumicomu you ni… ~R.U.WRAPPING~ - June 8^th 2005

The only album:

R.U. Party – July 6^th 2005

In 2006 after AKIRA joined EXILE, the group disbanded because they couldn’t balance the activities for both groups.

Sources:

http://rhythmzone.net/ru/index.html

http://www.eastaudio.com/rather/

From the year 2004 to 2009 the word EXILES was the word to refer to the LDH acts that had a direct relation to EXILE. COLOR, Dreamers (the finalists of the VBA1), JONTE, Shunsuke Kiyokiba, NaNa, NESMITH, later also 2JSB, NEVER LAND, RATHER UNIQUE, and the dance group FULCRUM, were the acts designed as EXILES. Although Shunsuke barely kept any relation to EXILE and its sound was different from his time with the group, and some of these acts would stay a short time as “EXILES”. Some of them like COLOR (nowadays called DEEP) or DOBERMAN INC. were featured in the album HEART of GOLD ~STREET FUTURE OPERA BEAT POPS~ and the song Love, Dream & Happiness, launched in EXILE’s album titled ASIA.  

By the time we see the word EXILE TRIBE appear, some of these acts we’ve mentioned above were no longer under EXILE’s family or they just didn’t fit with the idea of the acts that share their ADN. In the tour that the second and third generations of JSB offered, the word was already featured in the title: Nidaime J Soul Brothers VS Sandaime J Sould Brothers LIVE TOUR 2011 ~EXILE TRIBE~.

In April 2012, EXILE would use the word again in the EXILE TRIBE LIVE TOUR 2012 TOWER OF WISH tour that was filled with LDH acts that had a similar style to them. The performance of songs like GENERATION, Rising Sun or the 24karats Medley, had a special meaning as it included the groups GENERATIONS and 3JSB, as well it highlighted the members of 2JSB and included the participation of E-Girls (Dream, Happiness, FLOWER and also non-debuted group BUNNY), bringing on the stage this vision of a family that shares the same DNA but is composed of different colors and styles.

When the new 24karats song’s release was announced, they made finally the public reveal of EXILE TRIBE being launched as a special unit that would compile all the male performance groups that formed the Pyramid of EXILE, plus a sort-of special member: DOBERMAN INC.  As a non-recording act (as the actual “Tribe” word’s meaning),  EXILE TRIBE also includes USA’s DANCE EARTH, MATSU Bocchi (a series of comical pieces done by EXILE’s MATSU), ATSUSHI as a soloist, DJ MAKIDAI as well as E-Girls. The other vocal units and soloists are not part of EXILE TRIBE, but they are still members of what it’s called EX FAMILY. That means that BREATHE, JONTE, DEEP or Shionoya Sayaka have never been members of EXILE TRIBE.

The new 24karats also presented the first sub-unit from EXILE that we will see later on this blog.

DJ KAORI did an album remix featuring EXILE TRIBE’s songs, titled DJ KAORI x EXILE TRIBE Mix, released on March 20^th 2013, with the following songs:

1.       EXILE - Rising Sun

2.       Nidaime J Soul Brothers + Sandaime J Soul Brothers - GENERATION

3.       THE SECOND from EXILE - THINK ‘BOUT IT!

4.       EXILE - BOW & ARROWS

5.       GENERATIONS - BRAVE IT OUT

6.       EXILE - ALL NIGHT LONG

7.       EXILE - Someday -House Mix 2012-

8.       EXILE - VICTORY

9.       Sandaime J Soul Brothers - (YOU SHINE) THE WORLD

10.   J Soul Brothers - Fly Away

11.   EXILE - Choo Choo TRAIN

12.   EXILE - SUMMER TIME LOVE

13.   EXILE - Carry On

14.   EXILE - I Believe

15.   Sandaime J Soul Brothers - Go my way

16.   EXILE - This Is My Life

17.   EXILE - I Wish For You

18.   Sandaime J Soul Brothers - Kiss You Tonight

19.   GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE - ANIMAL

20.   EXILE - 24karats STAY GOLD

21.   EXILE TAKAHIRO + NESMITH, SHOKICHI (J Soul Brothers) – MY BUDDY

22.   EXILE - Lovers Again

23.   EXILE - Ti Amo

24.   EXILE - Toki no Kakera

25.   EXILE - Each Other’s Way ~Tabi no Tochuu~

26.   EXILE - Michi

Sources for images:

https://cantbemoregla.wordpress.com/tag/exile-atsushi/

http://gathery.recruit-lifestyle.co.jp/article/1144720885980380201

http://www.nautiljon.com/paroles/exile+tribe/24karats+tribe+of+gold.html

http://exfamily.jp/news/?id=325

http://music.myeverything.info/song/ZW6WIUC0/24karats-Tribe-Of-Gold-EXILE-TRIBE.html

http://twicsy.com/i/uzxdsd

Let’s start with one of the groups that are directly related to EXILE and LDH, the company that was founded in 2003 with the pretext that EXILE members could become their own bosses as well as to fulfill their other dreams and aspirations, such as producing other acts. One of these first acts they produced was the group COLOR.

In 2004 in order to give ATSUSHI more field to develop his creativity, he decided to recruit an old friend called KIKURI, an old classmate from when he studied music at school; another boy named YORK and TAKA, whom was selected through an audition process, to create the vocal quartet COLOR. This group of R&B/Soul music remained active until 2006 when ATSUSHI, KIKURI and YORK decided it was time to leave. But far from it being the end of the group, the remaining and last member TAKA would continue with COLOR (as we’ll see soon).

Singles:

Special Love – December 1^st 2004

Move So Fast – March 9^th 2005

Summer time cruisin’ – August 24^th 2005

Neiro – December 7^th 2005

Album:

RED ~Love isa ll around~ - September 21^st 2005

ATSUSHI was the producer of this group, collaborating with other lyricists and musicians in several occasions, basing all the songs in the four voice harmonies, with an R&B/Soul smooth style that differed from EXILE.

http://www.jpopsuki.tv/video/COLOR—Neiro/17694c49f37805286d7cc212a3c0fcb6

Sources:

http://www.generasia.com/wiki/DEEP

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEEP_(%E6%AD%8C%E6%89%8B%E3%82%B0%E3%83%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%97)

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATSUSHI_(%E6%AD%8C%E6%89%8B)

EXILE’s Pyramid in 2013 had changed a little:

1. The base was still EXPG school.
2. The second step was changed to fit in the debuted group GENERATIONS.
3. A new step, in between the second and the third steps, features the theatre troupe Gekidan EXILE.
4. The third step above is for 3JSB.
5. The last step and top of the Pyramid is for EXILE.

The idea of offering the chance to any of the Pyramid members to become members of EXILE in a near future was still the main reason of the Pyramid existence. Although GENERATIONS had forged its own personality as a group, it could still become a group like JSB has been to see members go to the upper steps and be re-born again, allowing to EXILE original members to retire as performers when they want to do so.

Source:

http://www.ldh.co.jp/pyramid/index.html

When the second generation of JSB and the troupe Gekidan EXILE were created, what we know as EXILE PYRAMID started to get shape. This pyramid is the hierarchy that the male groups that belong to LDH and EX FAMILY have and it serves as a platform to become a member of EXILE in a future.

With the arrival of Nidaime JSB, HIRO started to trace a plan for the group’s further future, so EXILE could continue existing and not disappear like ZOO or LUV DELUXE did. This marked HIRO’s next step on his career that took part during the third chapter of EXILE (2009-2013). He had the purpose to create a new empire formed by acts and groups that shared the same characteristics of EXILE, but that could show different sides, colors and shades of the idea.

The first step was to create the school EXPG, that we will present soon; the second step, to allow side activities from the group, like ATSUSHI’s production of COLOR,  or the dance groups where MATSU, USA, AKIRA or MAKIDAI danced; the third step had been the VBA and the recruiting results. When he created the second generation of JSB they opened the door for groups to be reborn as well as to become part of EXILE one day, but they also expected the same from members of Gekidan EXILE, that would serve to prepare the best members for EXILE and other groups.

In 2009 the Pyramid’s base was formed by the students of EXPG, the second step were Gekidan EXILE and Nidaime J SOUL BROTHERS, and the higher step were EXILE. But soon this order would be modified a little.

Source: https://www.ldh.co.jp/pyramid/index.html

On November 13th 2013 the first studio album for EXILE TRIBE’s rookiest group dropped. se The self-titled debut album, compiled their first 5 singles: BRAVE IT OUT, ANIMAL, Love You More, Burning Up (the song with 3JSB, under EXILE TRIBE’s name) and HOT SHOT; the b-sides from all these singles,Go On, Ima Kaze ni Natte, LET ME FLY, My Eyes On You, ECHO, Kataomoi and Into You; and new songs, to the STAGE, Fallin’, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF and Itsuka Harewataru Sora no Shita de. The album was filled with that urban style that GENERATIONS took on from their first single, as well as a softer and mellow teenage side that highlighted their younger age (opposed to the other LDH’s male groups), targeting to a teenage audience. 

The new songs were written by:

to the STAGE, by Erik Lidbom (ANIMAL y LET ME FLY) and Jeff Miyahara, with lyrics by mk*.

Fallin’, by ZETTON, FAST LANE, CHRIS HOPE (Love You More) and J FAITH (Love You More), with lyrics by Maria Okada (Love You More), the same songwriters that produced Go On.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, by KASUMI and SOU.

Itsuka Harewataru Sora no Shita de, by Safari Natsukawa and Hitoshi Harukawa.

In the Blu-ray and DVD versions of the album the music videos for the singles plus the b-sides, Kataomoiand Go On, were included. As well as a short documentary that followed GENERATIONS’ process of debut, from their creation after the VBA2 to the Musha Shugyo they went through. The album debuted at #1 at Oricon with a total amount of 48.598 copies sold on their first week.

GENERATIONS spent the first months of 2014 promoting their album and didn’t come back with new music until April that year. The release of the single Never Let You Go, was announced on January, though, because the song would be also used for the VOCAL BATTLE AUDITION 4, as one of the songs the contestants should prepare. The single would also contain a song that would be used for the Original Soundtrack of MAKIDAI’s new movie, Oretachi no Ashita, the b-side Revolver.

It was also in January, when the upcoming single release was announced, when all the performers from GENERATIONS announced they were joining EXILE’s audition to find a new member: the EXILE PERFORMER BATTLE AUDITION. GENERATIONS members took the opportunity for members of EXILE’s PYRAMID to join directly the second round of auditions.

The release date for Never Let You Go was announced in February, as well as the tracklist: the song for MAKIDAI’s movie, REVOLVER, and the English version of their previous single, HOT SHOT. Meanwhile, the group would take part in events like the Tokyo Girls Collection 2014, and travel to Vietnam to perform on a promotional concert for the shopping mall’s chain AEON at Ho Chi Minh. At the end of March, the single covers and the short version of their music video (at avex’s youtube channel) for the upcoming title track, Never Let You Go, were published.

Never Let You Go launched on April 23^rd 2014, only a few days before the final stage for the PBA took place. The song was written by SKY BEATZ (Into You, Love You More), FAST LANE, Chris Hope and J FAITH, with lyrics by Maria Okada. The b-side, Revolver, is a song written by SHIKATA (Echo, Love You More), Chris Hope, SKY BEATS, with lyrics by P.O.S. (Let Me Fly). Never Let You Go showed GENERATIONS’ mellow side, with a music video completely directed to a teenage audience, giving the feel of a real teenage boy-band, while the b-side Revolverwas the opposite, an up-beat with a hard Hip-Hop beat that showed GENERATIONS’ toughest side. This single debuted at Oricon’s number 2, selling 73.537 copies on its first day, but it also fell quickly to the positions 7, 8 and 14. Even with that, the single did a decent first week on sells terms, with 86.442 copies sold, still surpassed by HOT SHOT’s first week sells (106.358).

On April 27^th, the final stage for EXILE PERFORMER BATTLE AUDITION took place, resulting with GENERATIONS’ members Mendy and Alan as winners, which meant they were also joining EXILE, as well as continuing with GENERATIONS. They would participate of both groups’ activities, just like NAOKI and NAOTO had been doing with EXILE and 3JSB. These news were well received among their fans, it was the dream of EXILE’s Pyramid purpose becoming true, especially for Alan, whom had gone from member of Gekidan EXILE to leader of GENERATIONS and now was joining his dream group: EXILE.

Ryota (above) and Ryuto (below)

In April, the group’s two vocalists, Ryota Katayose and Ryuto Kazuhara, participated in a special concert during the days 24^th and 25^th, for the finalists and winners of all the VBA that had been celebrated by LDH (the male ones): VOCAL BATTLE AUDITION PRESENTS VOCAL BATTLE STAGE, at the Nippon Budokan. The other guests for this show were: NESMITH (EXILE, THE SECOND), SHOKICHI (EXILE, THE SECOND), Ryuji (3JSB), Omi (3JSB), TAKA (DEEP), YUICHIRO (DEEP), KEISEI (DEEP), RYO (DEEP), Satoshi Miyata (BREATHE) and Kazuya Tada (BREATHE). JONTE and others like WARNER were missing this time from the concert’s line-up, it seemed that only active members under LDH were selected this time, although the news on JONTE leaving LDH didn’t get out until 2015. They all sung special versions of their own group’s songs, like Pride, SPARK, Queen B, Love You More or Kimi Ja nai Dareka Nante, as well as form special duos like the one NESMITH and TAKA did to sing the song Wherever You Are by the group ONE OK ROCK, and they would also sing in bigger formations, like Ryuji, Omi, BREATHE, Ryuto and Ryota singing 3JSB’s Best Friends’ Girl.

At the end of May, it was announced that GENERATIONS would feature in the next single for DJ MAKIDAI’s upcoming remixes album, joined by SWAY with the song Organ Donor ~Off Da Hook~. This time, GENERATIONS would dress in a less edgy way, wearing black with White sneakers, as well as providing a more Old School dance. The theme chosen by MAKIDAI was the lights and the shadows that cover the world.

They would join the EXILE TRIBE PERFECT YEAR 2014 SPECIAL STAGE “THE SURVIVAL” IN SAITAMA SUPER ARENA 10DAYS in June, the tour that featured all members from EXILE TRIBE, during the days 15^th, 19^th and 20^th (doing a Versus show against 3JSB), and 16^th, 17^th and 18^th  (sharing the stage with TAKAHIRO and THE SECOND). On June 24^th they would announce that their next single, Always With You, would be used for a drama that premiered that summer: Juui-san, Jiken desuyo.

On July 26^th, they performed in Taiwan for the first time and it was also their first solo concert. GENERATIONS performed at the Family Theater in the Taipei City Hall.

On August 12^th, the short version for the music video of Always With You, was uploaded at avex’s YouTube channel, it was a ballad that reminisced EXILE’s love songs but with a younger approach. 

The theme for the video was the end of summer as something melancholic.  This was one of the first videos to show less dance parts and more fan-service from the members. The son gis written by SKY BEATS and FAST LANE, with lyrics by Haruka Mizuguchi; the couple song was a cover of the infamous Orange Range’s hit, Hana. The single debuted at number 3 at Oricon charts with 23.498 copies sold on its first day.

On September 13^th, GENERATIONS took part at Taiwan’s a-nation festival (organized by avex Taiwan).

GENERATIONS’ members have also their share on individual activities:

Alan, the leader that started as a member of Gekidan EXILE with dramas like Rokudenashi BLUES (an adaptation of a stage play produced by LDH), was selected to be part of GTO’s (Great Teacher Onizuka) new cast, starred by EXILE’s AKIRA, as one of the new students under the teacher. The new GTO premiered on July 2012, getting a Special Episode that same year in Autum, and in 2013 two more Special Episodes were aired. The last Special Episode was the graduation for Alan’s class. He also took part in 2012 in LDH’s joint drama with Watanabe Entertainment’s D-BOYS, Sugarless. On July 2014, he also appeared in the drama Bokura wa Minna Shindeiru and he also starred in that 2014 in the movie Seven Days Report. Alan was part of the variety show Wao (Fuji TV) too, along with Mendy.

Mendy, apart from the variety show Wao, joined the TV show Viking (2014), also aired at Fuji TV during noon time. He also was selected to be part of the cast of 2014’s DANCE EARTH PARTY, something we will see later.

Reo, also appeared in the drama Sugarless, he starred too in the drama aired on January 2014, Inpei Sousa, and he became part of the second season of GTO, aired in 2014.

Ryota would debut in the second season of GTO, becoming another one of the teacher’s students, the role that EXILE’s AKIRA stars in.

Image Sources:

https://www.facebook.com/GENERATIONS.official/photos

http://hubpages.com/entertainment/Japanese-Drama-Review-Of-Sugarless

http://topicks.jp/66667

http://www.exiletribestation.jp/realshop/date/2014/04