LDH Male Groups

LDH is a Japanese entertainment agency which is created by the original members of EXILE. Since then, the agency has grown and debuted various groups and having other artists joining them. Furthermore, they also has extended their scope with having actors and models, as well as creating dramas and films projects like HiGH&LOW, Prince of Legend, and Tatara Samurai.

As an agency which is initially founded by a male group, this post is dedicated specifically to the male groups in LDH which I have heard so far. As in, I listened to their music and have my opinions about them based on that. Without further ado, here are the male groups in the agency that I've listened to:

1. EXILE

The legendary group which was initially named as J Soul Brothers. Their discography as J Soul Brothers is kinda hard to find, not to mention that they already got plenty of recognition as EXILE. Initially, the group was formed as a dance group; but they have vocalists joining them later on. After that, they become a "dance and vocal group" where the vocalists and dancers can share the same stage without one being overshadowed by another.

To be honest, I haven't really heard most of their discography since TAKAHIRO joined the group since I tend to listen to their first releases when I'm interested to a musician. Their latest release which I've heard is Star of Wish, which is really good. I also like their early releases when they still had SHUN with them.

I think that I don't need to explain much about the Performers (dancers) since EXILE is on another level with their skills since they often give each of the Performers their own freestyle dance in their MVs & Lives. Freestyle is like the signature of LDH's groups, which also shows what kind of style each of the members have. ATSUSHI also had a year of hiatus to pursue more knowledge about singing in America. God bless his voice. This is also the only group where the vocalists only required to sing, because the vocalists in other groups occasionally dance as well without decreasing the quality of their voice.

I have huge respect for the original members of this group since they're the ones who founded the agency. The four original Performers also stayed in the group until their retirement when they've reacged the age of 40, although HIRO retired first due to his role as the C.E.O. of the agency. MAKIDAI is currently Dj-ing and in a music griup called PKCZ. MATSU is currently being an actor, and USA is still in the agency.

2. EXILE THE SECOND

The members of this group are the second generation of J Soul Brothers, excluding AKIRA who joined EXILE first. After their merging with EXILE, the group was initially named "THE SECOND from EXILE" in which AKIRA hasn't joined them. After making cameos in their MVs as EXILE THE SECOND, AKIRA eventually joined the group.

The combination of the vocalists' voices is really interesting. NESMITH has a nice deep voice while SHOKICHI also has nice techniques. But when he sings, sometimes SHOKICHI let out a sultry sexy voice like in his solo song BACK 2U. As a part of EXILE TRIBE, the Performers are also not disappointing. All in all, I don't have any problems with liking this group. I also think that it's nice for the group since the vocalists don't sing much as EXILE members since EXILE already have two main vocalists.

3. 三代目 J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE (Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE)

Literally translated as "Third Generation of J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE", the two leaders of this group were members of J.S.B.'s second generation. And this is probably the last of LDH male group which has a direct relation to EXILE and J.S.B.; since EXILE was J.S.B. before they changed their name, the revival of J.S.B. created the second generation, then they merged with EXILE and J.S.B. is revived by the current third generation.

I only begun listening to their initial releases after I was finished with J.S.B.'s second generation. I've listened to their first album, in which there's not much that I liked although I really like Kimi to Nara. I also like their other upbeat songs like R.Y.U.S.E.I., J.S.B. Dream, O.R.I.O.N., and Summer Madness. Ryuji's and Omi's voices really blends well together. Sometimes later, ELLY debuted as a rapper and he occasionally raps in J.S.B.'s songs like Feel So Alive and Rainbow.

4. GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE

This is my favorite group in EXILE TRIBE, which is also the original junior group debuted in LDH. Their concept is directed for younger audiences, and it seems like they targeted this group to have international fandom since all of their singles have English Versions. They also have one original song in English: Control Myself. I like that song. Mandy also rapped in that song.

The vocalists in this group are finalists for J.S.B.'s third generation. Yuta was also initially a member of GENE's support group (back dancers), but eventually got the chance to join. All of the Performers also auditioned to join EXILE, but Alan and Mandy are the only ones who made it.

As my favorite group, of course I like lots of their songs, including their latest single: Hira Hira. The group is also very interesting, in courtesy of their show named "GENERATIONS High School TV" where you can see their personalities. The MC, Hayato, is so talkative. Alan got the rep as "Fusei Leader" (leader who always mess around). He also really hates tomato. Ryuto is a contradiction of the other vocalist, Ryota, since he occasionally curse and act like a gangster whereas Ryota is the prince in this group. Yuta has a weird/alien personality. Reo, the youngest and cutest member but also cool considering he's a krumper. And Mandy, well he's the hilarious member who sometimes be the group's joke. What's more interesting is that they managed to have a World Tour even before they performed at Tokyo Dome. That's really cool.

5. THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE

This group has 3 Vocalists and 13 Performers, which reminds me of the resemblance of EXILE's current formation. One of the vocalists also occasionally raps in their songs.

Just like the group's name, their concept is more like a group of rampaging people. They're also the only group in EXILE TRIBE which has more than two vocalists (technically, so does EXILE but NESMITH and SHOKICHI don't always sing as EXILE, so...). Kazuma is the one who occasionally raps, and I have no problem with the way he sings and raps. Hokuto has sweet voice and can reach high notes easily. RIKU's voice is actually nice, but I don't like how he oversing the notes during Lives. It's like... I don't know. Kinda hard to explain. But he tends to overdo his vocals when he sings, while I like the balance and control of the other vocalists. Not too much, not too less either. Just perfect.

6. FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE

The junior group where one of the Performers passed away of stomach cancer. Sadly enough, he passed away before the group officially debuted.

I honestly don't have much to review since I've only heard their first single, which I honestly don't like. I'm gonna listen to their first album later in case if there are any more of their songs that I'll like. But I've heard Dear Destiny briefly, and I think I might like that song eventually.

7. BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE

This group is different from the rest of EXILE TRIBE groups because all of the members sing, rap, and dance. The group is a collaboration between EXILE TRIBE and DOBERMAN INFINITY.

Like the previous group, I also haven't listen much to their discography. I only like several songs in their mini-album, and I'm gonna listen to the rest of their discography.

8. DOBERMAN INFINITY

Probably my favorite male group outside EXILE TRIBE. It's a bit sad that they're still sort of underrated. They're a Hip-Hop group which initially consisted of all rappers. When the group joined LDH, they added a vocalist who is a finalist for EXILE's Vocal Battle Audition which was intended to find a vocalist alongside ATSUSHI.

Because they're also my favorite group, I like lots of their songs. The rappers are definitely good. KAZUKI has an amazing vocal, period. God bless that voice. He also raps in some of their songs like Jump Around Infinity and 5ive. All in all, this is my favorite underrated group in LDH.

9. COLOR (DEEP)

The group is currently known as DEEP. But I haven't listened to their discography as DEEP, so....

This group was formed by ATSUSHI as a vocal group. Sometimes later; ATSUSHI left the group, they change the name to DEEP, and currently has only 3 members left. They also had an audition to look for other vocalists. The three winners and the remaining members formed a group called DEEP SQUAD, but I haven't found any discography from them.

I've only listened to their first two albums as COLOR. The quality of their vocals is so not disappointing. Their style at that time was more or less R&B. I have no problem liking their songs and I'm gonna listen to the rest of their discography.

Those are the male groups in LDH which I've listened to. I'm not sure if I'm gonna listen to HONEST BOYZ, ACE OF SPADES, and RED DIAMOND DOGS since it's difficult for me to follow lots of groups at a time. Not to mention that GENE is my favorite group. But anyways, the next post will be the female groups in the agency which I've listened to.