Exile (Japanese band)
Japanese boy band with 17 members and record-breaking sales.
Exile (stylized as EXILE) is a 17-member Japanese boy band formed in 2001, originally under the name J Soul Brothers. Led by Hiro, the group debuted under Avex Group's label Rhythm Zone and has sold over 15,600,000 albums. They are the representative group of LDH, the management and entertainment company founded by the six original members in 2003.
- field
- Music
- nationality
- Japanese
- known_for
- 17-member boy band, multiple Japan Record Awards, high album sales
- albums_sold
- over 15,600,000
- years_active
- 2001–present
- label
- Rhythm Zone (Avex Group)
Lore & Background
Exile originated from the group J Soul Brothers, formed in 1999 by Hiro, who had previously been a member of Zoo. The group changed its name to Exile in 2001. Their early music was influenced by R&B, later shifting to a pop-oriented style. In 2003, the six original members founded LDH, which has since debuted many successful groups and soloists. The group gained prominence with singles like 'Real World' (their first number-one) and the collaboration 'Scream' with Glay in 2005. After vocalist Shun left in 2006, Takahiro Tasaki joined following a public audition. Their 2007 album 'Exile Love' became the highest-selling album in Japan for 2007, and their compilation 'Exile Ballad Best' sold over 2 million copies. The song 'Ti Amo' earned them the Grand Prix Award at the 50th Japan Record Awards.
Reader's Guide
Exile's significance lies in their sustained commercial success and influence on Japanese pop music. With over 15.6 million albums sold, they are one of Japan's best-selling acts. They won the Japan Record Awards Grand Prix four times, a first for any artist. Their management company LDH has launched numerous successful groups, cementing Exile's role as a foundational act in the Japanese entertainment industry. The group's ability to evolve through multiple generations—adding new members in 2009, 2014, and beyond—kept them relevant for decades. Their 2013 single 'EXILE PRIDE' sold over 1 million copies, and their 2011 song 'Rising Sun' supported recovery from the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Exile also expanded into international performances, including events in Hong Kong and Beijing.
Did You Know?
- Exile's leader Hiro originally debuted as a member of the pop group Zoo before forming Exile.
- The group's 2007 compilation 'Exile Ballad Best' sold over 2 million copies, their best-selling album.
- Exile won the Grand Prix Award at the Japan Record Awards three times, the first artist to do so.
- In 2013, leader Hiro retired as a performer but remained the group's leader and producer.
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