I. Introduction:
EXILE THE SECOND, formerly known as THE SECOND from EXILE, is a Japanese dance and vocal boy group formed and managed by LDH JAPAN and signed to the record label Rhythm Zone. The group is the first derivative unit from EXILE.
Initially, the unit included only the members of Nidaime J Soul Brothers (except for NAOTO and NAOKI), but in 2016, EXILE member AKIRA joined the line-up.
They made their major debut on November 7, 2012, with the single “THINK ‘BOUT IT!“.
Official Logo:
II. History:
**Background**
In January 2007, EXILE announced an audition to recruit new members for the second generation of J Soul Brothers. Nesmith and Shokichi, finalists of the EXILE VOCAL BATTLE AUDITION, were the first to join the new generation in August 2007. Performers KENCHI, KEIJI, and TETSUYA soon followed. Three months later, NAOTO and NAOKI were added, debuting at COLOR's 2007 nationwide tour, COLOR LIVE TOUR 2007: BLUE. The second generation, Nidaime J Soul Brothers, released their debut single "WE!" in May 2008 under the indies label, Rhythm Republic. They went on hiatus after their first album, J Soul Brothers, in February 2009. A month later, Nidaime members joined EXILE, with NAOTO and NAOKI rejoining J Soul Brothers' third generation, Sandaime J Soul Brothers.
**2012: Debut**
On July 1, during the EXILE TRIBE LIVE TOUR 2012 ~TOWER OF WISH~, the group was announced as a unit from EXILE, named THE SECOND from EXILE. Their activities began on November 7 with their debut single "THINK 'BOUT IT!".
**2013-2015**
On August 14, 2013, the group released their second single "SURVIVORS feat. DJ MAKIDAI from EXILE / Pride". Their first album, THE Ⅱ AGE, followed on February 5, 2014. The group also participated in the EXILE TRIBE PERFECT YEAR LIVE TOUR TOWER OF WISH 2014 ~THE REVOLUTION~ tour. On December 4, 2015, during the EXILE LIVE TOUR 2015 "AMAZING WORLD" concert in Kyocera Dome Osaka, Tachibana Kenchi was announced as the group's leader.
**2016**
On May 20, the group changed its name to EXILE THE SECOND. They released their third single "YEAH!! YEAH!! YEAH!!" on July 13, followed by their fourth single "Shut up!! Shut up!! Shut up!!" on August 24. On September 5, EXILE member AKIRA officially joined the group, making it a 6-member lineup. The group's fifth single "WILD WILD WILD", the first with AKIRA, was released on September 21. Their song "Shut up!! Shut up!! Shut up!!" won the Best Group Video - Japan award at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards Japan. The group embarked on their first tour, EXILE THE SECOND LIVE TOUR 2016-2017 "WILD WILD WARRIORS", starting on October 29.
**2017**
On March 1, the group released their second album, BORN TO BE WILD. They performed at Viral Fest Asia 2017 in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 3, marking their first overseas performance. Their 7th single "Summer Lover" was released on June 28, followed by their 8th single "Route 66" on September 27. The group started their second tour, EXILE THE SECOND LIVE TOUR 2017-2018 "ROUTE 6・6", on October 18, which continued until May 2018.
**2018**
On February 20, the group released their 9th single "Acacia", followed by their third album "Highway Star" on March 28.
**2019**
On October 4, the group released the digital singles "Top Down" and "Ain't Afraid To Die", used as insert songs for the HiGH&LOW movie HiGH&LOW THE WORST.
**2020**
On January 1, they released their 10th single in a joint release with EXILE, titled "Shunkan Eternal". Their first best album, EXILE THE SECOND THE BEST, was released on February 22.
**2022**
On June 10, it was announced that member Kuroki Keiji would retire from the entertainment industry by the end of October 2022, subsequently leaving the group and LDH JAPAN. On October 21, the group announced a special broadcast and press conference to report future activities. Kuroki Keiji officially graduated from the group on October 31. During the November 2 broadcast, the group announced their third tour and first hall tour, EXILE THE SECOND LIVE TOUR 2023 ~Twilight Cinema~, and their 11th single "Twilight Cinema", set for release on February 22, 2023. On December 25, the group made a guest appearance at a concert by Taiwanese band MAYDAY in Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
**2023**
On May 24, the group released the song "NEVER SAY GOODBYE", used as the ending theme for the reality show Mysterious Hardware Store, featuring member AKIRA. On October 21, the group announced a special broadcast on the platform CL to report future activities. On November 4, they revealed their fourth tour and third arena tour, EXILE THE SECOND LIVE TOUR 2024 "THE FAR EAST COWBOYZ", to be held from March 7 to May 12, 2024, later extended to December 14.
**2024**
On March 1, the group released their first (digital) EP titled THE FAR EAST COWBOYZ E.P., followed by their fourth studio album, THE FAR EAST COWBOYZ, on June 5.
III. Members:
| Stage Name: Tachibana Kenchi (橘ケンチ) Birth Name: Teratsuji Kenichiro (寺辻健一郎) Position: Performer, Actor & Leader Birthday: September 28, 1979 Zodiac Sign: Libra Height: 180 cm (5’10″) Blood Type: – Nationality: Japanese Twitter: @kenchi_official Instagram: @kenchitachibana |
|
| Stage Name: TETSUYA (テツヤ) Birth Name: Tsuchida Tetsuya (土田哲也) Position: Performer, Actor Birthday: February 18, 1981 Zodiac Sign: Aquarius Height: 1,75 cm (5’9″) Blood Type: O Nationality: Japanese Twitter: @epi_tetsuya Instagram: @exile_tetsuya_epi |
|
| Stage Name: NESMITH (ネスミス) Birth Name: Nesmith Ryuta Karim (ネスミス・竜太・カリム) Position: Vocalist, Performer & Actor Birthday: August 1, 1983 Zodiac Sign: Leo Height: 1,81 cm (6’0″) Blood Type: O Nationality: Japanese-African-American Twitter: @ex_nes_official Instagram: @exile_nesmith_official |
|
| Stage Name: SHOKICHI (ショウキチ) Birth Name: Yagi Shokichi (八木将吉) Position: Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Performer & Producer Birthday: October 3, 1985 Zodiac Sign: Libra Height: 1,82 cm (6’0″) Blood Type: – Nationality: Japanese Twitter: @SHOKICHI_927 Instagram: @exxxile_shokichi |
|
| Stage Name: AKIRA (アキラ) Birth Name: Kurosawa Ryohei (黒澤良平) Position: Performer, Actor, Model, and Business Man Birthday: August 23, 1981 Zodiac Sign: Virgo Height: 1,85 cm (6’1″) Blood Type: A Nationality: Japanese Instagram: @exileakira_official |
IV. Discography:
Studio Albums
[2014.02.05] THE Ⅱ AGE
[2017.03.01] BORN TO BE WILD
[2018.03.28] Highway Star
[2024.06.05] THE FAR EAST COWBOYZ
Best Albums
[2020.02.22] EXILE THE SECOND THE BEST
Mini-albums / EPs
[2024.03.01] THE FAR EAST COWBOYZ E.P.
Split Albums
[2013.09.30] mu-mo Gentei ☆ EXILE TRIBE 2013 SUMMER BEST 3 (Digital Split Best Album)
[2013.09.30] mu-mo Gentei ☆ EXILE TRIBE 2013 SUMMER BEST 6 (Digital Split Best Album)
[2014.08.06] a-nation 2013 BEST HIT SELECTION (Digital Split Best Album)
[2017.08.23] a-nation BEST HIT SELECTION -2002~2016- (Digital Split Best Album)
Other Albums
[2023.10.06] EXILE THE SECOND LIVE TOUR 2023 ~Twilight Cinema~ SET LIST (digital set list album)
Singles
[2012.11.07] THINK 'BOUT IT!
[2013.08.14] SURVIVORS feat. DJ MAKIDAI from EXILE / Pride
[2016.07.13] YEAH!! YEAH!! YEAH!!
[2016.08.24] Shut up!! Shut up!! Shut up!!
[2016.09.21] WILD WILD WILD
[2017.06.28] Summer Lover
[2017.09.27] Route 66
[2018.02.22] Acacia
[2020.01.01] Shunkan Eternal
[2023.02.22] Twilight Cinema
Digital Singles
[2019.10.04] Top Down / Ain't Afraid To Die
[2023.05.24] NEVER SAY GOODBYE
Pre-release Digital Singles
[2012.10.17] THINK 'BOUT IT!
[2019.12.20] Shunkan Eternal
[2020.02.04] Story
[2020.02.14] Celebration
[2023.02.02] Twilight Cinema
Live Video Releases
[2018.05.23] EXILE THE SECOND LIVE TOUR 2017-2018 "ROUTE 6・6"
[2023.10.11] EXILE THE SECOND LIVE TOUR 2023 ~Twilight Cinema~
Compilations / Others
[2016.06.15] HiGH&LOW ORIGINAL BEST ALBUM (CD1 #8 "One Time One Life", CD2 #5 "ASOBO!" feat. Far East Movement)
[2016.10.05] DANCE EARTH PARTY × EXILE THE SECOND - "HEART OF A LION"
[2017.08.02] PKCZ® - 360° ChamberZ (#11 "INTO THE CIRCLE" feat. METHOD MAN Wu-Tang Clan, EXILE THE SECOND)
[2022.12.28] HiGH&LOW THE WORST BEST ALBUM (CD1 #1 "Top Down", #6 "Ain't Afraid To Die")
V. Concerts / Tours:
Tours
[2016.10.29-2017.05.14] EXILE THE SECOND LIVE TOUR 2016-2017 "WILD WILD WARRIORS"
[2017.10.28-2018.05.24] EXILE THE SECOND LIVE TOUR 2017-2018 "ROUTE 6・6"
[2020.04.04-2020.07.18] EXILE THE SECOND PERFECT LIVE 2012-2020
[2023.02.10-2023.06.02] EXILE THE SECOND LIVE TOUR 2023 ~Twilight Cinema~
[2024.03.07-2024.12.14] EXILE THE SECOND LIVE TOUR 2024 "THE FAR EAST COWBOYZ"
Tours Featured In
[2014.09.03-2014.12.28] EXILE TRIBE PERFECT YEAR LIVE TOUR TOWER OF WISH 2014 ~THE REVOLUTION~
[2016.07.22-2016.10.03] HiGH&LOW THE LIVE
Online Concerts
[2020.07.03] LIVE×ONLINE "EXILE THE SECOND"
[2020.09.21] LIVE×ONLINE IMAGINATION "EXILE THE SECOND"
Concerts Featured In
[2014.06.16-2014.06.18] EXILE TRIBE PERFECT YEAR 2014 SPECIAL STAGE "THE SURVIVAL" IN SAITAMA SUPER ARENA 10DAYS
[2019.12.31] LDH PERFECT YEAR 2020 COUNTDOWN LIVE 2019▶︎2020 "RISING"
[2020.09.27] LIVE×ONLINE PREMIUM LIVE EXILE TRAIN
[2023.12.31] LDH LIVE-EXPO 2023
Events
[2016.02.19-2016.04.16] EX FAMILY Gentei! THE SECOND from EXILE "Kickoff Meeting" (EX FAMILY限定! THE SECOND from EXILE "キックオフミーティング")
The information presented in this lexicon is sourced from the EXILE THE SECOND page on the EXILE TRIBE Fandom website
