BE:FIRST Releases Debut Full Length Album, ‘BE:1’

 
BE:FIRST, Releases Debut Album, ‘BE:1’Less Than a Year After Group's Debut 
 

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.  

The album reveals Japan’s world-class producers, Chaki Zulu, KM, Sunny Boy, UTA, Sakai "DR.R"  Ryosuke, and Maxx Song, to exciting emerging producers such as MONJOE(DATS), Mori Zentaro, and  Kosuke Crane. BTS, BLACKPINK, BIGBANG, 2NE1, TWICE, Namie Amuro, Chanmina, Daichi Miura, and  SKY-HI are some of the artists who have collaborated with these producers in the past. ‘BE:1’ is  BE:FIRST’s very first album to be released into the world, less than 1 year since the group debuted.  The 15-track album ‘BE:1’ conveys a powerful story of the group and their journey so far, showcasing  how much the group has grown since their debut. BE:FIRST are also participating in songwriting. 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.


The group will be doing a YouTube live stream this Wednesday, August 31. The show mainly focuses on the group celebrating and talking about the new album, and for the first time ever conversing in some English with their overseas fans. 


Follow BE:FIRST 

Official website: https://befirst.tokyo/ 

Ciera Reeves

Ciera is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of KpopWise. She has been a fan of Korean pop culture since 2005 and writing about it since 2009. Her bias groups are VIXX and OnlyOneOf. She is a 2nd-3rd generation K-pop fan, but she is actively keeping up with the current artists. twitter instagram

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