Yoshihiro Usami
{{short description|Japanese dancer and musician}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Üsa
| image = MTV_VMAJ_2014_020_EXILE（USA）.jpg
| caption = Usami at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards Japan
| native_name = 宇佐美 吉啓
| native_name_lang = ja
| birth_name = Yoshihiro Usami
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|2|2|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
| occupation = Dancer, singer
| years_active = 1994–present
| label = Rhythm Zone
| associated_acts = {{hlist|Exile|Dance Earth Party}}
| website = {{official website|URL=http://www.exile.jp/profile/profile_member.php?id=1000236|Official profile}}
}}
{{nihongo|Yoshihiro Usami|宇佐美 吉啓|Usami Yoshihiro|nicknamed Üsa (stylized as ÜSA); born 2 February 1977, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ldh.co.jp/artist/musician/exile/member/usa.php?keepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=460&width=730|title=EXILE|work=LDH|language=ja|access-date=28 Jan 2017}} is a Japanese dancer. He is a member of Exile in which he is a former performer and a member of Dance Earth Party. He is a former member of the first generation J Soul Brothers and Rather Unique. He is married to actress Arisa Sugi since 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2099399/full/|title=EXILE USA、女優・杉ありさと結婚「共に愛すべき未来へ歩んでいきたい」|publisher=ORICON|date=2017-10-23|access-date=2017-10-23}}
Career
In 1994, Usami, along with Toshio Matsumoto and Makidai, formed the dance team Baby Nail.{{cite book|last1=Igarashi|first1=Hiroyuki|date=25 Jan 2005|title=B Boy Salary Man|isbn=978-4-344-41270-5}}
In 1998, he joined the dance team Japanese Soul Brothers.
In 1999, Usami joined the first generation J Soul Brothers, and made their debut in 20 October with their eponymous single "J Soul Brothers".
On 24 August 2001, the J Soul Brothers were renamed into Exile, and re-debuted in 27 September with the single "Your eyes only –Aimaina boku no Rinkaku–".
In 2004, he organized the group Rather Unique.
In June 2006, Usami made his acting debut in the stage play The Mensetsu.
Later in the same year, he started the dance project Dance Earth.
On 29 April 2015, Usami changed his name Usa (stylized as USA) to Üsa. Later in 22 June, he, along with Matsumoto and Makidai, announced that he will retire from performing with Exile at the end of the year.{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2054695/full/|title=EXILE・松本利夫、USA、MAKIDAIが年内パフォーマー卒業|work=Oricon News|language=ja|publisher=Oricon|date=22 Jun 2015|access-date=28 Jan 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hochi.co.jp/entertainment/20150622-OHT1T50110.html|title=ＥＸＩＬＥのＵＳＡ、ＭＡＫＩＤＡＩ、松本利夫がパフォーマー引退「開拓の旅へ」|work=Sports Hochi|language=ja|date=22 Jun 2015|access-date=28 Jan 2017}} On 31 December, Usami's last performance with Exile was in the Tokyo Broadcasting System series CDTV Special! Toshikoshi Premiere Live 2015→2016.{{cite web|url=http://mdpr.jp/music/detail/1554170|title=EXILE松本利夫、USA、MAKIDAI"卒業式"でATSUSHI涙 ラスト曲は「Choo Choo TRAIN」|work=Model Press|language=ja|publisher=Net Native|date=1 Jan 2016|access-date=28 Jan 2017}}
Personal life
On October 22, 2017, it was announced that Üsa had married actress Arisa Sugi after 7 years of dating.
On September 21, 2018, the couple revealed to be expecting their first child. At this time Arisa Sugi also announced she will be joining LDH Japan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tokyohive.com/article/2018/09/exile-usa-announces-wife-sugi-arisas-pregnancy|title=EXILE USA announces wife Sugi Arisa's pregnancy {{!}} tokyohive.com|website=www.tokyohive.com|language=en|access-date=2019-07-13}}
On February 21, 2019, they welcomed their first son.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tokyohive.com/article/2019/02/exile-usa-sugi-arisa-welcome-their-first-child|title=EXILE USA & Sugi Arisa welcome their first child {{!}} tokyohive.com|website=www.tokyohive.com|language=en|access-date=2019-07-13}}
Participating groups
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Name
! Period of time ! Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Baby Nail | 1994 – 1998 | |
| Hip Hop Junkeez | 1998 | {{cite web|url=http://chu.sinario.tv/?eid=894760|title=デジタルジャンキーズって知って|work=Chu's Blog –Ikiru–|language=ja|date=18 Sep 2009|access-date=28 Jan 2017}} |
| J Soul Brothers | 1999 – 24 August 2001 | |
| Exile | 24 Aug 2001 – | |
| Rather Unique | 2004 – 2006 | |
| Dance Earth Party | 2013 – 2018 |
Filmography
{{about||his appearances with Exile|Exile (Japanese band)}}
※Bold roles are shown as his starring works
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Year
! Title ! Role | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The Mensetsu | |
| 2007 | Taiyō ni Yaka rete | Takuya |
| 2008 | Crown –Nemuri-ra nai, Yoru no Hate ni... | Juuyuu |
| 2009 | Hebihimesama: Waga Kokoro no Na Hebi | Denji, Gonpachi |
| 2010 | Dance Earth –Negai– | Yu |
| 2013 | Dance Earth –Seimei no Kodō– | Piero |
| 2014 | Changes | Ooyabi |
=Films=
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Year
! Title ! Role | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Kyoto Uzumasa Monogatari | Kota Yanase |
| 2013 | Dance Earth –Beat Trip– |
=TV programmes=
=Advertisements=
| class="wikitable" | |
| Year
! Title | |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Recruit Hot Pepper Gourmet |
| rowspan="2"| 2012 | GREE "Seisen Cerberus" |
| Fujitsu Arrows | |
| 2013 | Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical "Air Salon Path" |
=Radio=
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Year
! Title ! Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Evolution D | rowspan="2"| InterFM |
| 2008 | Black room |
=Voice acting=
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Year
! Title ! Role | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Examurai | Usa |
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable" | |
| Year
! Title | |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Exile "Negai" |
=Magazine serialisations=
| class="wikitable" | |
| Year
! Title | |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Sotokoto |
=Others=
Bibliography
=Books=
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Year
! Title ! ISBN | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Kizuna | {{ISBN|978-4344028760}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|URL=http://www.exile.jp/profile/profile_member.php?id=1000236|name=Official profile}} on Exile Official Website {{in lang|ja}}
{{Exile Tribe}}
{{LDH (company)}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Usami, Yoshishiro}}
Category:Japanese male dancers
Category:Japanese hip-hop musicians