ALI (band)
{{Short description|Multinational band formed in 2016 in Shibuya}}
{{for|the Indonesian band|Ali (Indonesian band)}}
{{distinguish|Ali Project}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = ALI
| image = Alien Liberty International (ALI) band logo.png
| caption = Band logo
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| alias = Alien Liberty International
| origin = Shibuya, Japan
| genre = {{hlist|Funk|jazz|soul|hip hop}}
| years_active = 2016–present
| label = Alien Liberty International
Sony Music Japan (2020–present)
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|https://alienlibertyinternational.com/}}
| current_members = Leo Imamura
| past_members = Jua
Zeru
Kahadio
Yu Hagiwara
Jin Inoue
Alexander Taiyo Fidel
Luthfi Rizki Kusumah
Aiichiro César Tanaka
}}
ALI (acronym for Alien Liberty International) is a Japanese band formed in Shibuya, Tokyo, in 2016, known for their unique fusion of funk, jazz, hip hop, and global influences. The band gained fame through their hit anime soundtracks, including "Wild Side" for Beastars and "Lost in Paradise" for Jujutsu Kaisen. All members of the band are mixed with roots in Asia, Europe, America, and Africa.{{cite web |date=November 18, 2019 |title=ALI {{!}} プロフィール |trans-title=ALI {{!}} Profile |url=https://tower.jp/artist/2777203 |accessdate=November 19, 2020 |publisher=Tower Records Japan |language=ja}}{{cite web |last=Ogawa |first=Riku |date=June 20, 2019 |title=音楽万歳 東京・渋谷発多国籍バンドALI |trans-title=Multinational band ALI from Shibuya, Tokyo |url=https://www.wwdjapan.com/articles/883448 |accessdate=November 19, 2020 |website=WWD Japan |publisher=INFAS Publications |language=ja}}{{cite web |last=Kuroda |first=Takanori |date=November 29, 2019 |title=ALIが明かす、『BEASTARS』にも通じるアイデンティティの葛藤と音楽に対するピュアな気持ち |trans-title=ALI reveals the conflict of identity and pure feelings for music that are similar to "Beastars" |url=https://realsound.jp/2019/11/post-451590.html |accessdate=November 19, 2020 |website=Real Sound |language=ja}}{{cite web |last=Miyamoto |first=Toru |date=February 8, 2020 |title=【インタビュー】LEO(ALI){{!}} やっぱ音楽がくそ楽しい |trans-title=[Interview] Leo (ALI) {{!}} After all music is fun |url=https://news.awa.fm/jpn/2020/2/8/ali |accessdate=November 19, 2020 |website=AWA |language=ja}}
In May 2021, ALI went on indefinite hiatus following the arrest of their drummer, Kahadio, for fraud. After a six-month break, the band returned in November 2021.
As of October 2024, ALI is now a solo project led by vocalist Leo, continuing the band's signature cross-genre sound after the departure of key members Luthfi and César.
Career
ALI (Alien Liberty International), a multinational hip-hop and funk band, was formed in 2016 in Shibuya, Tokyo. The group drew inspiration from global influences, blending roots from Japan, Europe, America, Asia, and Africa. Named after the boxer Muhammad Ali, the band sought to embody his energy, presence, and ideals of unity through their music.
ALI gained widespread recognition in 2019 with their debut single, "Wild Side", which served as the opening theme for the anime Beastars.{{cite web |last=Komatsu |first=Mikikazu |date=September 16, 2019 |title=TV Anime 'Beastars' 4th PV Announces October 9 Premiere, OP Song "Wild Side" by ALI |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2019/09/16-1/tv-anime-beastars-4th-pv-announces-october-9-premiere-op-song-wild-side-by-ali |accessdate=November 19, 2020 |publisher=Crunchyroll}} This marked a turning point for the band, showcasing their cross-genre appeal. Their subsequent single, "Lost in Paradise" featuring rapper AKLO, became the ending theme for Jujutsu Kaisen, further cementing their place in the Japanese music scene.{{cite web |last=Hodgkins |first=Crystalyn |date=August 10, 2020 |title=Eve, ALI Perform Theme Songs for 'Jujutsu Kaisen' Anime |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-08-10/eve-ali-perform-theme-songs-for-jujutsu-kaisen-anime/.162719 |accessdate=November 19, 2020 |publisher=Anime News Network}}
However, On May 14, 2021, ALI faced controversy when their drummer, Kahadio, was arrested for fraud, leading to the cancellation of their contracts with Sony Music and the removal of their track "Teenage City Riot" from The World Ends with You: The Animation. The scandal resulted in the band's indefinite hiatus in May 2021. Kahadio was expelled from the group, and ALI publicly apologized to their fans and the victims of the crime.{{cite web |date=May 14, 2021 |title=【ご報告】ALIから重要なお知らせ |trans-title=Report {{!}} Important Notice from ALI |url=https://alienlibertyinternational.com/未分類/1335 |access-date=May 14, 2021 |publisher=ALI Official Website |language=ja}}
After six months, ALI made their return in November 2021, continuing to produce music and perform live. Despite the setback, the band persisted, showcasing their resilience and passion for music.{{cite web |last=Mateo |first=Alex |date=November 18, 2021 |title=Rock Band ALI Returns from Hiatus |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-11-18/rock-band-ali-returns-from-hiatus/.179691 |accessdate=November 20, 2021 |publisher=Anime News Network}} On February 23, 2022, the band released the EP "Inglourious Eastern Cowboy". On January 25, 2023 they released their debut album Music World.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=ALIメジャー1stフルアルバム発売「ようやく音楽家としてのスタートです」(コメントあり) |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/502812 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=音楽ナタリー |language=ja}}
In July 2024, they performed at Anime Friends in Brazil.{{Cite web |title=Anime Friends 2024 terá nano.RIPE e show extra da banda ALI |url=https://jovemnerd.com.br/noticias/agenda-nerd/anime-friends-2024-tera-nano-ripe-e-show-extra-da-banda-ali |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=Jovem Nerd |language=pt-br}}
In October 2024, ALI transitioned into a solo project led by vocalist Leo Imamura after key members, guitarist César and bassist Luthfi, left the group to pursue new ventures.
On January 9, 2025, the song "Casanova Posse" was released, which is the opening of Dr. Stone: Science Future.
Band members
Current members
- Leo Imamura – vocals (2016–present)
Former members
- Jua – rapping (2016–2020)
- Zeru – guitar (2016–2020)
- Kahadio (Kadio Shirai) – drums (2016–2021)
- Yu Hagiwara – saxophone (2017–2021)
- Jin Inoue – keyboard (2019–2021)
- Alexander Taiyo Fidel – percussion (2016–2022)
- Luthfi Rizki Kusumah – bass guitar (2016–2024)
- Aiichiro César Tanaka – guitar (2020–2024)
Discography
=Albums=
==Mini albums==
class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of mini albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions |
scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:90%"| JPN Oricon {{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/756423/products/album/|title=ALIのアルバム|trans-title=ALI albums|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|accessdate=January 29, 2021}} ! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:90%"| JPN
|
---|
scope="row"| ALI
|
| align="center"| — | align="center"| — |
scope="row"| Love, Music and Dance
|
| align="center"| 110 | align="center"| 75 |
scope="row"| Inglourious Eastern Cowboy
|
| align="center"| — | align="center"| — |
colspan="5" align="center" style="font-size:90%;"|"—" denotes items which did not chart. |
=Singles=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions |
scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Notes ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
---|
style="width:4em;font-size:90%" scope="col"| JPN Oricon {{cite web|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/756423/products/single/|title=ALIのシングル|trans-title=ALI singles|accessdate=November 19, 2020}} ! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:90%"| JPN
|
scope="row"| "Wild Side"
| align="center"| 2019 | align="center"| 113 | align="center"| — |{{small|OP for the anime Beastars Season 1.}} | rowspan="3" | Music World |
scope="row"| "Lost in Paradise" {{small|(featuring AKLO)}} | align="center"| 2020 | align="center"| 28 | align="center"| 44 |{{small|ED for the anime Jujutsu Kaisen.}} |
scope="row"| "Never Say Goodbye" {{small|(featuring Mummy-D)}} | align="center"| 2022 | align="center"| 36 | align="center"| — |{{small|OP for the anime Golden Kamuy Season 4.}}{{cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/it/anime-news/2022/09/02-1/golden-kamuy-season-4-tv-animes-new-trailer-reveals-october-3-premiere|title=Golden Kamuy Season 4 TV Anime's New Trailer Reveals October 3 Premiere|website=Crunchyroll|access-date=September 30, 2022}} |
colspan="6" align="center" style="font-size:90%;"|"—" denotes items which did not chart. |
==Digital singles==
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
!scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year !scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak positions !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
---|
scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:90%"| JPN Hot 100 {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/japan-hot-100|title=Japan Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 13, 2022}} |
scope="row"| "Show Time" {{small|(featuring AKLO)}} | 2022 | align="center" | — |Music World |
colspan="6" align="center" style="font-size:90%;"|"—" denotes items which did not chart. |
==Collaboration singles==
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
!scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Artists !scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak positions !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
---|
scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:90%"| JPN Hot 100 |
scope="row"| "Sabotage (VS. ALI)"
| 2022 | Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, ALI | align="center" | — | {{Non-album single}} |
colspan="6" align="center" style="font-size:90%;"|"—" denotes items which did not chart. |
Music videos
class="wikitable"
! rowspan="1"| Year ! rowspan="1"| Song ! rowspan="1"| Director(s) ! rowspan="1"| Album | ||
rowspan=6|2019
| [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smSiUmpM_3g "Vim"] | {{Unknown}} | rowspan=5 align="center"|ALI |
"Staying in the Groove" | Masanori Kobayashi, Takuya Chiba | |
"Temptations" | {{Unknown}} | |
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg95C0BOXAo "Tokyo Pharaoh"] | {{Unknown}} | |
"No Tomorrow (Give It Up)" | Yusuke Kasai | |
"Wild Side" | Naohiro Ohashi | rowspan=4 {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
rowspan=3|2020
| [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B91_DDPeeNc "Muzik City"] | {{Unknown}} | |
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cicTNoOkKsY "Better Days"] {{small|(featuring Dos Monos)}} | Katsuki Kuroyanagi | |
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLsJQ5srVQA "Lost In Paradise"] {{small|(featuring AKLO)}} | Kento Yamada & The Monaco Club | |
rowspan=2|2021
| [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkhOJloNAM4 "Fight Dub Club"] | {{Unknown}} | rowspan=2|Love, Music and Dance |
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrybFSKfzOU "Feelin' Good"] {{small|(featuring Umeda Saifā, Koperu, Peko, KZ, R-Shitei)}} | {{Unknown}} | |
rowspan="3" |2022
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN50X3jR8VE "Teenage City Riot"] |Arata Takabatake & Isamu Maeda |Inglourious Eastern Cowboy | ||
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbMecIkkQzM "Sabotage (VS. ALI)"] {{small|(featuring Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra)}} |{{N/A|Unknown}} |rowspan="1" {{N/A|Non-album single}} | ||
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXSZiXj_WnI "Show Time"] {{small|(featuring AKLO)}} |Margt (Perimetron) |Music World | ||
2023
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_cpUzpT6Ig "Wild Angel"] |Kosuke Yamashita |VIVA LA MUSICA | ||
rowspan="3" |2024
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbil2azbSWs "Professionalism"] |Kosuke Yamashita |{{N/A|Non-album single}} | ||
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSShzbSGnkY "Beyond"] {{small|(featuring MaRI)}} |Mineto Kanzaki |{{N/A|Non-album single}} | ||
[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7lB1LxeZfc "Neon"] {{small|(featuring The Crane)}} |Yohei Haga |{{N/A|Non-album single}} | ||
rowspan="2" |2025
|[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sPxXiXucYcM "Casanova Posse"] |Hidenobu Tanabe |{{N/A|Non-album single}} | ||
[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OuC2u7O7SmU "Love Is Killing Me"] {{small|(featuring eill)}} |Katsuki Kuroyanagi |{{N/A|Non-album single}} |
Awards and nominations
class="wikitable"
! Year ! Award ! Category ! Work/Nominee ! Result !class="unsortable"| Ref. |
rowspan="2"| 2021
| rowspan="2"| Crunchyroll Anime Awards | Best Opening | "Wild Side" | {{won}} | rowspan="2"| {{cite web|last=Leblanc|first=Wesley|title=Crunchyroll's Anime Awards Winners Announced|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/crunchyrolls-anime-awards-winners-announced|publisher=IGN|date=February 20, 2021|accessdate=November 20, 2021}} |
Best Ending
| "Lost in Paradise" {{small|(featuring AKLO)}} | {{won}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://alienlibertyinternational.com/}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2016 establishments in Japan
Category:Japanese funk musical groups
Category:Japanese hip-hop groups
Category:Musical groups established in 2016