EXILE ATSUSHI

Japanese pop singer-songwriter EXILE ATSUSHI began playing piano at age four. ∙ In 2000, he was spotted as a contestant on Japan’s TV talent show Asayan by Hiro of the Japanese group Zoo, who invited him to join the act he was producing, which would become known as EXILE. ∙ EXILE’s hit debut, 2002’s Our Style, included “Konna ni Mo Nagai Kimi no Fuzai,” the first recording to feature a lead vocal by EXILE ATSUSHI. ∙ In 2004, EXILE ATSUSHI formed COLOR, serving as both a member and producer of the popular J-pop group. ∙ He has landed 13 consecutive singles in the Japanese Top 10, beginning with 2011’s chart-topping “Itsukakitto…” ∙ 2012’s Solo, his debut solo album, went to No. 1 in Japan and sold more than 750,000 copies. ∙ He has collaborated on two singles with award-winning Japanese film composer Joe Hisaishi: 2013’s “Sange” and 2017’s “Amaoto.”