BE:FIRST

BE:FIRST are a seven-member Japanese boy group formed through the BMSG Audition 2021, a nationwide talent search organized by SKY-HI, a former member of AAA and founder of the BMSG label. The audition drew roughly 10,000 applicants who were narrowed down through rounds of dance, vocal, and original-song challenges before seven trainees were chosen. The group made their formal debut in November 2021 with the single «Gifted», introducing a sound built on sharp choreography and a blend of contemporary R&B, pop, and hip-hop influences typical of the K-pop-adjacent Japanese idol scene.

The members - Sota, Ryuhei, Manato, Ryoki, Shunto, Leo, and Junon - quickly established BE:FIRST as one of the most commercially successful J-pop acts of their generation, with singles such as «Shining One», «Bye-Good-Bye», and «Mainstream» topping Japanese charts. Their music often layers dense vocal harmonies over polished dance-pop and trap-influenced production, distinguishing them from more traditional Japanese idol groups.

Beyond music, BE:FIRST have become prominent ambassadors for a new wave of Japanese boy groups aiming for wider Asian and global recognition, performing at major festivals and collaborating with prominent Japanese producers. Tracks like «Boom Boom Back» and «BE:FIRST ALL DAY» showcase the group's range across upbeat pop anthems and more introspective R&B material.