Exile are a popular J-Pop group who mix boy-band dynamics with R&B music and stylized and synchronized dancing. Though the lineup has changed over the years, the majority of the group have always been dancers, including the group's informal leader, Hiro (Higarashi Hiroyuki). Hiro was a member of a band called Zoo before forming his own group in 1999, initially called J Soul Brothers. That group included vocalist Sasa and four dancers, Makidai (Maki Daisuke), Matsu (Matsumoto Toshio), Usa (Usami Yoshihiroe) and Hiro. In 2001 Sasa left to focus on his own songwriting and two new vocalists were brought in, Atsushi (Satou Atsushi) and Shun (Kiyokiba Shunsuke). At this point they changed their name to Exile and released their first singles with the Avex Trax label's Rhythm Zone subsidiary. A year later their first album, Our Style, came out.
In 2003 Exile had a single reach number two on the charts: "Choo Choo Train", from their second album Styles of Beyond.
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