Ado topped Spotify's 2025 first-half ranking of Japan's most-streamed artists abroad, ending YOASOBI's four-year reign, yet without a single song in the overseas Top 10. Here's what that means.
Japan-born global group XG will throw the first pitch at Dodger Stadium on May 31. We break down the newly announced seven North American dates of the XG WORLD TOUR: THE CORE, from venues and tickets to the TikTok-and-Billboard fanbase that made an arena tour possible.
On June 6, 2026, seven-member group XG became the first Japanese act to perform at Capital's Summertime Ball and the first Japanese group ever to play Wembley Stadium. They delivered three songs to 80,000 people, including a one-off cover of UK garage classic 'Flowers.' The set, the 29-year gap since Eikichi Yazawa, and how XG built up to this.
Japan-born global group XG will perform at 88rising's Head in the Clouds 2026 festival on August 8 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on a bill headlined by KATSEYE. The lineup includes Rich Brian, UMI, and more. We cover ticket details, 88rising's role in elevating Asian artists, and the festival's first-ever Japan edition at Makuhari Messe.
XG announced that their second world tour "XG WORLD TOUR: THE CORE" will continue as scheduled despite the arrest of producer JAKOPS (SIMON). After careful deliberation, the seven members are going ahead with the remaining Japan shows in March and April, plus legs in Asia, North America, Europe, Australia, and Latin America. Full tour dates, ticket refund details, and how fans are rallying behind XG.
SIMON (JAKOPS), the executive producer and CEO of XGALX behind globally rising Japanese girl group XG, was arrested for cocaine possession at a Nagoya hotel on February 23, 2026 — just hours after XG's concert. With a world tour in progress and SIMON serving as the group's sole creative architect, this breaking news raises urgent questions about XG's future.
XG's "HYPNOTIZE" topped Billboard JAPAN's country-by-country Japan Songs chart in seven markets at once for the week of February 6-12, 2026. Their debut album "THE CORE - 核" reached the Billboard 200, and their world tour opened with three sold-out nights and 60,000 fans in Yokohama.
Japan-born global HIP HOP/R&B group XG has been named Coca-Cola Japan Ambassador for FIFA World Cup 2026, appearing in limited-edition soccer jerseys in a new web movie. From closing Coachella's Sahara Stage to a 47-show world tour, here is the record that made a music group the face of a World Cup campaign.
JAKOPS, CEO and lead producer of Japan-born global group XG, reveals plans to spend up to six months in the U.S. from spring 2026 in a Hollywood Reporter interview. Following the release of debut album 'THE CORE,' he discusses XGALX's next phase, from new artist projects to breaking idol conventions.
Number_i's new single "3XL," produced by member Sho Hirano, debuted at No.1 on Billboard Japan Hot 100 with 75,000+ downloads in its first week. The same week, XG's debut album topped the album chart—a landmark moment for Japan-based artists dominating the charts simultaneously.
XG's first full album 'THE CORE - 核' has topped the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart. With Apple Music chart entries in 68 countries, a Coachella appearance, and a 400,000-attendance world tour, this seven-member all-Japanese group is redefining global pop music. Here's the story behind their rise and what makes this album a landmark moment for "X-POP."