New album ‘2:BE’ to growth, J-pop group BE:FIRST spill the beans on their journey

Singing, dancing, rapping, writing their own lyrics, and creating their own choreography, BE:FIRST has all the hallmarks of a talented group. Gone are the days when non-English music was swiftly passed up thanks to globalisation and social media. Listeners’ interests and tastes have evolved and artists had to quickly catch up. Japanese pop group BE:FIRST embraced that challenge with open arms. Read our interview with BE:FIRST to find out more about them, including their new album ‘2:BE’.

The septet got its first taste of what superstardom might look like in the reality audition program, ‘THE FIRST’. Eventually, members Sota, Shunto, Manato, Ryuhei, Junon, Ryoki, and Leo made it to the top debuting as BE:FIRST with the track ‘Gifted’. And right off the bat, they already topped the Billboard Hot Trending Songs chart as well as other charts on their home turf. Thanks to their standout skills and music that blends pop, hip-hop, and R&B, the group provides a refreshing sound. But they’re not one to rest on their laurels. After all, they’re just getting started in their mission to showcase Japanese music to the world.

Now, BE:FIRST is back with their second album ‘2:BE’ which showcases their growth as artists. The new album features sixteen tracks including previously released songs and new ones. It is already certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan. Fresh off the drop of their new album, Lifestyle Asia sat down with the rising J-pop act to learn more about their latest release. In our exclusive interview with BE:FIRST, they also reflected on the biggest lesson they’ve learned since stepping into the limelight.

Interview: J-pop act BE:FIRST gives the lowdown on their new album ‘2:BE’

‘2:BE’ shows how the group has evolved since your last album. Can you tell us some of the ways you incorporated that growth into the album?

Leo: I believe this album best showcases my personal growth. From the way I project my voice to how I capture the sounds, you can see the challenging aspects that I’ve undertaken. In particular, please check out the parts like the falsetto in ‘Guilty’ where I sing through the entire section.

The new album features sixteen tracks. If there’s a track that represents each member, what would it be and why?

Shunto: I will answer this one:

• ‘Slogan’ for Sota: As the only member involved in writing the lyrics for this song, it’s a fitting slogan. It highlights his strengths, and most importantly, his impressive rap skills from the very beginning nail it.
• ‘Selfish’ for Manato: This is likely the first time I’ve heard him rap so much in a song. I found it refreshing and packed with impressive rap techniques. It made me excited for his future creation, too.
• ‘Genesis’ for Leo: This song features a rather mellow rap, which is again refreshing considering he’s not a typical rapper in the group. The autotune, the vocal tone, and his vocabulary all blend well together, creating an excellent piece of music.
• ‘Bump Around’ for Ryoki: This song is a showcase for Ryoki, highlighting his strengths with the intense, fast-paced atmosphere of the track. I’m looking forward to seeing him perform it live from behind on stage.
• ‘Metamorphose’ for Ryuhei: Ryuhei and I collaborated on this song as a natural continuation of our previous work together during the audition. His vocal quality truly shines on this track. The delicacy and boldness he possesses are intriguingly reflected in his singing voice, which I found fascinating from the production stage.
• ‘Genesis’ for Junon: I have to pick this song again. While many people associate Junon with his excellent singing, his rapping skills are truly impressive. Listening to him rap in this song was a pleasant surprise, and I’d love to collaborate with him on a rap song someday.

Lastly, which track represents me? Well, that’s a tough one. Can I leave my answer blank and let the listeners decide? Thanks! 

You chose to release the lead single ‘Blissful’ before the album release. Is there any significance behind this creative decision?

Sota: ‘Mainstream’ and ‘Masterplan’ were the result of creating music we loved and wanted to express, leading to a series of aggressive songs. However, this time, we aimed to embody our enjoyment of what we love, resulting in ‘Blissful’. We’ve shown that our music is not driven solely by commercial considerations.

Some of the members participated in writing the lyrics for some of the tracks. Can you tell us more about that experience and the process?

Manato: Leo and I were involved in producing ‘Blissful’. This track reflects our collective appreciation for the cool and aesthetic appeal of a toned-down hook. Therefore, we decided to make this aspect the centrepiece of the track. To achieve this, we prioritised creating the hook melody first and then built the rest of the song around it in the production process.

Upon listening to the album on shuffle, I’m impressed by the diversity of each track. There’s the mellower ‘Grow Up’ and then the heavy-hitting ‘Mainstream’–can you tell us a little about the process that went into picking the tracks?

Junon: Thank you. I’m glad to hear that. As a group, we tend to favour songs with a strong cultural flavour, so no matter the genre of the music, we place great importance on respecting that culture or genre. The question of what aligns with cultural manners is always one of the deciding factors for us. 

What do you hope listeners take away from ‘2:BE’?

Ryuhei: Just like our previous album, ‘BE:1’,’ we’ve packed ‘Blissful’ with a diverse range of songs. But this time, you’ll definitely notice a huge leap in our musical skills and approach. Our vocals, in particular, have reached new heights of expressiveness. We can’t wait for those who haven’t heard our new music yet—especially after our arena and dome tours—to experience the evolved BE:FIRST.

BE:FIRST looks back at the band’s growth since debuting

You guys participated in ‘THE FIRST’ before debuting. How do you think your experience there helped you as a group now?

Junon: Simply put, it’s about the importance of good and close relationships. I learned from my experiences in ‘THE FIRST’ that we can grow more by supporting each other rather than by pulling each other down.

You mentioned that ‘Japan to the world’ is your new motto as you conquer the global stage. What are some of the qualities that you possess you think come in handy in achieving that goal?

Shunto: We all enjoy listening to international rappers and singers in our daily lives, and they have positively influenced us and our music. Equally, we hold a deep appreciation and respect for Japanese artists. I believe our strength lies in understanding and embracing the merits of both.

Since debuting, what are some things that you learned about yourself, as individuals and as artists?

Ryoki: Over the past three years, I’ve had a variety of experiences. During those times, there were many opportunities for self-reflection and planning, as well as introspection about what I consider to be my strengths. The reason I’ve been able to continue this without interruption and with high sensitivity for three years is that I’ve developed a deeper understanding of self-awareness. I’m fully feeling that my environment is allowing me to grow tremendously, and I’m very grateful for that.

You’ve had quite a whirlwind the last few years since debuting. How are you navigating this time of your life?

Sota: As someone in the position of conveying the joy of music, I’ve always believed that I must first find enjoyment in it myself. Despite the whirlwind of the past few years, I am spending my days feeling content even amidst the busyness.

What are you hoping ‘to be’ (like ‘2:BE’) in the future, whether as individuals or as artists?

Manato: Our ultimate goal is to see an increase in the number of people who say they started singing or dancing after watching our performances. It’s about the lasting impact our ‘Made in Japan’ music will have, and if there are people who hold us up as their dream or goal, I’m excited about the possibility of collaborating with aspiring artists who look up to us.

Listen to BE:FIRST’s new album ‘2:BE’ on Spotify.

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(Featured and hero image credit: BMSG)