All from BMSG, including SKY-HI and BE:FIRST, Came Together to Release A New Chapter!

‘New Chapter’ Jacket Cover

A special digital single, ‘New Chapter’ was dropped to the world on 18 September 2022. This song is an aspirational collaborative effort amongst 15 artists and trainees from Japanese music management label, BMSG founded by renowned Japanese rapper, SKY-HI. Among those 15 artists are Novel Core, an iconic rapper of Generation Z, BE:FIRST, who has continuously broken records in Japan’s music charts and recently released their first album ‘BE:1’, as well as SKY-HI, a rapper, producer, and the CEO of BMSG.

The BMSG All-Stars introduced the song to the world as a surprise performance on 17 September at BMSG FES. ‘New Chapter’ is a collaborative Hip Hop track produced by Ryosuke “Dr. R” Sakai. BMSG artists take turns to express who they are while unveiling the slogan 'New Chapter', which has been mentioned by BMSG throughout this summer. This song features a variety of profiles of BMSG artists: rappers, singers, members of a boy band, and trainees. Each of them showing off their individual style, allowing listeners and viewers to witness their thrilling new chapter, and essentially what BMSG is all about.

The accompanying music video of 'New Chapter' captures the spectacular original world view of 'Neo Japan' - the infused themes of 'an end of the world,' 'historical play,' and 'futuristic views' expressed by all 15 artists of BMSG. The BMSG Festival (also known as 'BMSG FES') revealed these themes throughout the event over the weekend. As though watching a short film; the presence of over 20 additional actors adds to the drama. Look out for SKY-HI performing as a Messenger of Music, as well as many attractive scenes that compel your full attention while being glued to the screen and historical elements sprinkled with futuristic ingredients are visually stunning to witness. This music video embodies the declaration of a New Chapter for BMSG, which recently started its third year as an artist management and label company. The last scene of the music video features all 15 artists dancing together on the stage of BMSG FES, choreographed by SOTA from BE:FIRST. Astonishing crescendo!

The recorded show of BMSG FES will be available for streaming from 24 September to 31 October 2022, with an online ticket purchase of JPY 3,980

Would this become the paradigm shift? We must keep an eye on what is coming next from BMSG and its artists who continue to amuse their fans.

(Message from SKY-HI)
CEO and founder of BMSG, SKY-HI shares, “If someone were to ask “What is BMSG?”, I now have the perfect answer, and that is the all-encompassing single ‘New Chapter’. I believe listening to this song and watching the music video will prove way better than me putting words and sentences to explain it. We never intended to chase trends or be trendy, nor do we feel satisfied when we become popular or top the music charts. We won’t fulfill ourselves only because our business succeeds. We are not here to declare that we will change the era. We will always be focused on expressing who we are throughout the ever-changing current age. There is no time for us to rest on one success or the other, but we will keep doing our best to create a new culture.”

The journey of BMSG has just begun and be sure to check out the music video for ‘New Chapter’ below along with the streaming links here!

Yuka Nagase of RIOT MUSIC fame celebrates her second anniversary! Relive her past concerts for free from 9/16-9/18!

Brave group, and subsidiary SuperYellow who manages the RIOT MUSIC virtual IP project, are pleased to announce the limited streaming-release of Yuka Nagase’s past live concerts at no charge to fans on Youtube from September 16th through September 18th 2022(JST). “Nagase’s Roadshow” marks the second anniversary of RIOT MUSIC sensation Yuka Nagase!

All of Yuka Nagase’s past streaming concerts, including those previously only available for purchase, will be freely distributed on her Youtube channel. In the past year alone, Yuka Nagase has concentrated a wealth of drama and story within her signature live concerts!

This treasure trove of her landmark breathtaking performance has been archived in private, thus only existing in the hearts of fans who watched the individual concerts in real time. However! Many new fans from all over the world have come to enjoy Yuka Nagase recently, and to give them a chance to experience her journey from its humble beginnings, said performance archive will be made freely available for a limited time!

Fans who’ve stuck with Yuka Nagase from the beginning won’t be ignored though; Enjoy her previous live streams in a watch party format, bringing a new community experience to Yuka’s milestone moments

Nagase’s Roadshow Streaming Schedule (Japan Standard time)

September 16, 2022 19:00~20:50 *

Yuka Nagase 1st Anniversary Studio Live "Promenade

(Debuted September 26, 2021)

September 17, 2022 19:00~20:50 *

Yuka Nagase 1st Birthday Live "Alook

(Debuted February 19, 2022) 

September 18, 2022 19:00~20:50*

Yuka Nagase Concept Live "SEEK

(Debuted June 25, 2022)

*Subject To Change

The three events will be streamed over three nights.

Stay tuned before and after the broadcasts for a number of fun announcements and merch-release details!

Additionally, on September 16th the first night of Nagase’s Roadshow, an exclusive 2nd Anniversary interview will be published on NEVERSLEEP offering additional insight into Yuka Nagase

We hope you enjoy this look back on Yuka Nagase’s accomplishments up until now, the interview giving fans more perspective on her career, and what’s to come from the budding young artist!

Yuka Nagase’s 2nd Anniversary Goods

https://riotmusic.store/collections/yuka-nagase

"a look front" Random Mini Canvas Art (Total 8 kinds)

Price: 1,000 Yen (Before Tax)

Details:

Main Body: W70 x H50mm

Easel Size: W70 x H130mm

Material: Canvas, Wood

Attachment: Easel

Key Visual Metallic Poster (A2 size)

Price: 3,000 yen (Excluding Tax)

Details:

Size：A2 (W420 x H594mm)

Material: Aluminum-Metalized Paper

Limited Edition "a look front" Music Box (Preorder)

Price: 9,000 yen (excluding tax)

Details:

Size: W80 x H80 x D80mm

Material: wood

A special event to coincide with the release of these goods is in the works.

Details to be announced on the September 17 broadcast.

We hope you watch!

Uprising Japanese boy band BE:FIRST, Announces the Release of Debut Album, ‘BE:1’, Less Than 1 Year Since Group’s Debut Introducing to the World, Who BE:FIRST Are

Debuting in November 2021, BE:FIRST is made up of seven dance and vocal members which includes SOTA, SHUNTO, MANATO, RYUHEI, JUNON, RYOKI, and LEO, who are signed to renowned Japanese rapper and artist, SKY-HI’s management company and label, BMSG. Under the name BE:FIRST, this seven-member group has swept the No.1 spots on various charts in Japan, such as their debut single, ‘Gifted.’ and second single, ‘Bye-Good-Bye’ which hit number one on the Billboard JAPAN HOT 100. The latter single’s music video received over 26 million views on YouTube. BE:FIRST has announced the release of their first album, which will be made available on all major digital streaming platforms on 29 August 2022, Monday. The physical album ‘BE:1’ is available for purchase from today, via BMSG’s Music Shop.

BE:FIRST are the ‘BE:1’; with each of the seven members making up what their management, BMSG stands for – Brave, Massive, Survive, and Groove, and respectfully making it a point to clad every single listener as 'one', through their love and encouragement to each individual. On the formation of BE:FIRST, BMSG management’s founder SKY-HI shares, “When we were working to form BE:FIRST, my thoughts were that as a group, every member is expected to endlessly give their all, and to have pride and love for being number one while being uniquely special. Importantly, I want the group to respect others who are equally qualified as number one in what they do. With this in mind, on the last night of their audition and on the dawn of them taking their first great steps out into Japan, then Asia, then the world, I named this seven-member group BE:FIRST.”

The album opens with the hip-hop-tuned boasting track, ‘BF is...’, which BE:FIRST performed at VIVA LA ROCK 2022 and ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL. ‘Be Free’, a re-recorded pop dance track, was showcased in the group’s audition program, ‘THE FIRST’, where BE:FIRST was born.

‘Softly’ is an R&B track in which HIRO (Mhiro from F.OH.) produced the topline and showcases MANATO, RYUHEI, JUNON, and LEO vocal abilities. ‘Milli-Billi’ reveals cutting edge dance music with cynical and boasting lyrics, and hard hip-hop track ‘Spin!’ features SOTA, SHUNTO, and RYOKI splitting rap verses. ‘Grateful Pain’ portrays the pain that each member of BE:FIRST has experienced in reaching the point that they are at now, and how they managed to turn those hardships into a positive and hopeful future.

Other previously released tracks include their debut and topping singles, ‘Gifted’, ‘Bye-Good-Bye’, the spellbound single, ‘Betrayal Game’, of which the music video of its flashy, yet appealing dance performances generated viral excitement among their fans. The album’s focus track, ‘Scream’, has had over 7 million Youtube views, and topped Billboard JAPAN HOT 100 chart in less than 2 weeks since its release on 25 July 2022.

BE:FIRST members, SOTA, MANATO and RYOKI share their comments on their debut album, ‘BE:1’:

SOTA: 'BE:1' showcases our steps thus far and what's coming next for BE:FIRST and for us individuals. For me personally (as someone who once had a career as a professional dancer), it was just like a dream that I was able to create music that excited me enough to want to dance!’

RYOKI: “The lead single, 'Scream', is such a cool song that all of us (BE:FIRST) got super excited. The message in the lyrics and the up-and-down of the music line would grab listeners' hearts. All the other tracks in the album are a variety of genres, so I want people to check out all the songs in BE:1.”

MANATO: ‘I am thrilled that we were able to release our first album less than one year after debuting as BE:FIRST, especially during this difficult time. Each track is of a different genre, and each song could qualify as a lead single! On top of being able to participate in the journey of creating music, getting direction from artists whom I used to listen to and collaborating with uprising creators are unforgettable experiences for me. We can’t wait for everyone to enjoy this album as much as we have putting it together.’

SKY-HI adds on, “With their debut album release, all seven voices take turns to perform under a spotlight on each track. This album, ‘BE:1’ will walk along with the listeners for a better tomorrow while shifting their emotions right-to-left and up-and-down with a mixture of hip-hop, R&B, rock, and pop tunes. I see this album as a classic art piece that people can pass on to generations as it is infinitely powerful, empathetic, bittersweet, yet filled with joy.”

BE:FIRST recently performed ‘Don’t Wake Me Up’ as a guest artist with British DJ, record producer, and songwriter, Jonas Blue in Fuji Rock Festival ’22 on 29 July 2022. This performance marks a significant milestone for BE:FIRST – the first boy band to perform at all three major rock festivals in Japan (i.e., Summer Sonic, Rock In Japan Festival, and Fuji Rock Festival) within less than one year of their debut. Upcoming, and in line with the release of their album, ‘BE:1’, BE:FIRST will be performing at BMSG FES on 17 and 18 September 2022, together with BMSG artists, including SKY-HI, Novel Core, Aile The Shota, edhiii boi, and all the other trainees. BE:FIRST will also be embarking on their first Japan tour from 23 September 2022. More details on BE:FIRST activities will be shared in the upcoming weeks.

Sony Music Entertainment Japan Introduces the World to Bangkok-based Japan x Thailand HipHop Group, Baby Mic Candy

Sony Music Entertainment Japan has announced the debut single release of Japanese and Thai Hip Hop trio, Baby Mic Candy (BMC). The single, ‘RUN’, will be made available on all digital streaming platforms, with the accompanying music video on the same day.

Baby Mic Candy (BMC) is a 3-member Hip Hop group consisting of MOTO from Thailand, and GOLI and YUKI from Japan. The name ‘Baby Mic Candy’ toys with the idea of how the trio wants to share their identity with the whole world, charming listeners as vividly as Candy through the Microphone without forgetting their Baby-like innocence.

Formally members of a 10-member idol group in Fukuoka, Japan, the group disbanded in 2019.

As the three remaining members, MOTO, GOLI and YUKI regrouped to form BMC during the pandemic, working together remotely in Thailand and Japan respectively. Two and a half years of enduring hardships of creating songs remotely and with the Japanese members of BMC studying Thai language, all 3 members have finally reunited in Thailand since May this year. Currently based in Bangkok, BMC will be writing songs together with some of Thailand’s biggest music producers and artists, working on various projects, while working towards the same shared goal of becoming a hit in Thailand.

The debut Hip Hop, breakbeat single, ‘RUN’ is an adrenaline-pumping, runner’s high song that sublimates good vibes, a spirit of defiance and resolutions overflowing from the group. With lyrics in Thai, Japanese and English, the high-tempo best of the single depicts the “ordinary guys” that BMC values so much as they bet (run) on the once-in-a-lifetime game of life.

BMC’s leader GOLI says, "Listening to our debut single ‘RUN’, I hope you can feel the possibilities and expectations of the word "anyone" in a positive way, as well as the passion of BMC and the hotness of Thailand. It is a song that makes you feel close to us, with the thought of stepping forward together.” This song is the start of the BMC project, in which the members, representing Generation Z, will present the significance of their existence as artists in the country.”

Prior to their debut, BMC's official YouTube channel has already launched. Produced by Goffoo (@goffoo), the leader of a Thailand’s legendary YouTuber group FEDFE, the channel will feature a variety of content focusing on the BMC members' lives in Thailand.

In partnership with Thailand’s entertainment conglomerate, GMMTV, BMC’s music and reality show ‘B.M.C. Way’ is set to premiere later this month on GMMTV’s YouTube Channel. Join the members of BMC as they travel across Thailand to learn about the local culture, finding inspiration for their music creation. Be sure to check out the streaming links “RUN” here, along with the music video below!

XANVALA Unleashes Defiant Digital Single “joke”!

“joke” Jacket Cover

Five-member alt-rockers XANVALA dropped the digital single “joke” on August 31, 2022. Locked and loaded, the band brings a rebellious spirit with this new work. “joke” is a riff-driven fierce track with a catchy modern sound that showcases the colors of XANVALA.

Speaking about the single “joke”, the band comments:

"The concept for the lyrics is a counterattack. The idea came to me from a movie and I envisioned a scene of oppressed people collectively rising up in revolt."

— Vocalist Tatsumi

"We didn’t skimp on time, work, or expenses to deliver the best we could and didn’t let anything compromise the quality at all. The only way to express oneself is from the inside out. You put it out to the world, as it is, and people will either love it or hate it. That’s the true form of art."

— Guitarist Yuhma

"The theme for this work is a graceful villain. I wanted to create a trap music atmosphere, so I researched many evil-looking game soundtracks."

— Guitarist Souma

"So far, this is the song that best synchronizes the concept with the visuals and the music. It’s kind of a new season of a non-Japanese series with an antihero. Please enjoy it."

— Bassist 70.

"The antihero of this new era has been born. Check out the badass side of XANVALA."

— Drummer Tomoya

The five-piece band successfully completed their 20-city Japanese tour “ASK”, and they announced a new one starting this December and ending in August 2023. With several sold-out dates during this year, the upcoming tour is a new challenge to break into bigger venues and reach more areas in Japan.

With the future looking brighter than ever, XANVALA has risen to become one of the most promising acts in the current Visual Kei scene. Be sure to check out the music video for “joke” below, along with the streaming links here!