- This article is about the J-pop group BeForU. For their eponymous debut album, see BeForU (album). BeForU is the first Japanese Studio album by all female J-Pop group BeForU, released in 2003
| BeForU | |
|---|---|
| Origin |  Japan |
| Genre(s) | J-pop/J-rock, Trance |
| Years active | 2000–Present |
| Label(s) | Konami 2000-2006
Avex 2006-Present |
| Website | BeForU's Official Web Site, |
| Members | |
| Riyu Kosaka Ayano Tachibana Hiromi Nishiuchi Megumi Fukushita |
|
| Former members | |
| Noria Shiraishi Risa Sotohana Shiyuna Maehara Yoma Komatsu Miharu Arisawa Sayaka Minami |
|
BeForU is an all female J-Pop group who performed music primarily for the Bemani series of rhythm games. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other J-pop is an abbreviation of Japanese pop. It refers to Japanese popular musicians and was coined by the Japanese media to distinguish Japanese musicians from foreign musicians The modern Japanese music scene includes a wide array of performers in distinct styles both traditional and modern ranging from rock electro punk folk metal reggae salsa and tango Trance denotes a variety of processes techniques modalities and states of mind awareness and consciousness 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music () is a leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys Trading cards, Anime, Tokusatsu, Slot machines is a J-pop singer as well as a member of the Konami -produced J-Pop group BeForU. Noria Shiraishi (白石のりあ or 白石紀亜 Shiraishi Noria) also known as Noria, のりあ or EK (see also Noria Shiraishi's pseudonyms Risa Sotohana (pronounced in Japanese 'Lisa Sotohana' is the youngest and newer member of the J-Pop female group BeForU. Shiyuna Maehara (前原しゆな Maehara Shiyuna) was one of the founding members of the Japanese Pop group BeForU. Yoma Komatsu (小松代真 Komatsu Yoma) is the eldest member of the Konami -produced J-Pop group BeForU. Miharu Arisawa was a member of the female J-Pop Group BeForU. Sayaka Minami was born on December 24 1983 in Yamanashi Prefecture (山梨県 Yamanashi-ken? located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island Japan BeForU debuted in 2000 with their song "DIVE," which was notable as being the first J-POP song in the Dance Dance Revolution series. BeForU was produced by Naoki Maeda, one of the lead Konami musical producers. In 2006, the group made their major label debut under Avex tracks.
Contents |
The Original BeForU
| BeForU | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Genre(s) | J-pop/J-rock, Trance |
| Years active | 2000–2004 |
| Label(s) | Konami Media Entertainment |
| Website | BeForU Official Site |
BeForU began as a competition for a new J-Pop group singing for Konami and their bemani series of video games, namely Dance Dance Revolution. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other J-pop is an abbreviation of Japanese pop. It refers to Japanese popular musicians and was coined by the Japanese media to distinguish Japanese musicians from foreign musicians The modern Japanese music scene includes a wide array of performers in distinct styles both traditional and modern ranging from rock electro punk folk metal reggae salsa and tango Trance denotes a variety of processes techniques modalities and states of mind awareness and consciousness 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music J-pop is an abbreviation of Japanese pop. It refers to Japanese popular musicians and was coined by the Japanese media to distinguish Japanese musicians from foreign musicians () is a leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys Trading cards, Anime, Tokusatsu, Slot machines is Konami 's Music video game division Originally named the Games & Music Division, or simply G Dance Dance Revolution (abbreviated DDR) previously known as Dancing Stage in PAL territories until the announcement of The four winners were chosen for their talent, ablility and emphasis. They were Riyu Kosaka at age 15, Noria Shiraishi at age 19, Yoma Komatsu at age 26, and Shiyuna Maehara at 21. Their first single DIVE was promoted widely throughout the J-Pop community. DIVE made its first appearance on DDR Extra Mix, and its official debut on DDR 5th Mix. Dance Dance Revolution EXTRA MIX is a Music video game that is part of the Dance Dance Revolution and Bemani
"BeForU" is a play on words and was the winning result of a contest to name the group. The group name is both a reference to the Dance Dance Revolution song "B4U" from 4th Mix and a play on the words "before you. " In another play on words, when BeForU originally formed, they had four members.
In DDR -Max- 6th Mix, BeForU released another song called Firefly. Riyu also performed two solos which were then released on her first single, true.... " true " is the first single by Riyu Kosaka. It was released on October 17th, 2001.
By DDR -Max 2- 7th Mix, Shiyuna was the only member of the group that had not received a solo in any BEMANI game. As a group, they released another song entitled BRE∀K DOWN!, that was later re-arranged for Guitar Freaks and DrumMania. Yoma debuted as a soloist with her song ever snow, her only solo to be featured in any game to date.
Their eponymous first album BeForU was released on November 28, 2003. BeForU is the first Japanese Studio album by all female J-Pop group BeForU, released in 2003 Riyu released her first solo album, entitled begin on June 11, 2004, which featured covers of many BEMANI songs. begin is the first Japanese album by J-Pop group BeForU member Riyu Kosaka, released June 11 2004 In early 2004, Shiyuna left BeForU group to pursue other venues. She was the only BeForU member without any solos.
The New Beginning - BeForU NEXT
| BeForU | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Genre(s) | J-pop/J-rock, Trance |
| Years active | 2004–2007 |
| Label(s) | Konami Media Entertainment 2004-2006 Avex Trax 2006-2007 |
| Website | BeForU's Official Web Site, |
After Shiyuna's departure in 2004, BeForU had another contest for two new members. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other J-pop is an abbreviation of Japanese pop. It refers to Japanese popular musicians and was coined by the Japanese media to distinguish Japanese musicians from foreign musicians The modern Japanese music scene includes a wide array of performers in distinct styles both traditional and modern ranging from rock electro punk folk metal reggae salsa and tango Trance denotes a variety of processes techniques modalities and states of mind awareness and consciousness "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Somewhere along the line, there was a tie for either first or second place, so the grand total became six instead of five. The additions were Miharu Arisawa, Sayaka Minami, and Risa Sotohana. These girls would form the second generation of BeForU known as BeForU NEXT. (Note that BeForU NEXT refers exclusively to Arisawa, Minami and Sotohana).
The new BeForU debuted with their single KI・SE・KI. "KI・SE・KI" is the first single by Bemani recording band BeForU. This song was released as a CD-single and was featured in DDR Festival, both released on the same day. DDR Festival Dance Dance Revolution, DDR Festival for short was released on November 18 2004 by Konami Computer Entertainment The CD was packaged with a DVD featuring a message from Naoki Maeda, the group founder/producer, and each of the girls.
In 2006, BeForU released a new album, BeForU II. BeForU II is the second Japanese Studio album by all female J-Pop group BeForU, released February 14 2006 They also performed live for the first time, which was released later that year, on DVD as BeForU FIRST LIVE at ZeppTokyo 2006. BeForU FIRST LIVE at ZeppTokyo 2006 was released May 26, 2006. Riyu Kosaka, Noria Shiraishi, and Yoma Komatsu formed a group similar to BeForU NEXT called BeForU Orimen. At BeForU's 2006 and 2007 Live at Zepp Tokyo, they performed their song チ・カ・ラ (Chikara Power).
From that point, there were no releases on CD until a Bemani secret live event in which Riyu Kosaka and Noria revealed that they had signed onto the avex label and would subsequently release a single each. In the following month, BeForU soon followed and released the singleRed Rocket Rising on November 1, 2006. "Red Rocket Rising" is the first single by BeForU with Avex Trax. Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
On December 22, 2006, BeForU released Get set GO!! 〜BeForU Astronauts Set〜, which contained the song Get set GO!!. Events 1790 - The Turkish fortress of Izmail is stormed and captured by Suvorov and his Russian armies Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. "Get set GO!! 〜BeForU Astronauts Set〜" is a special maxi-single by BeForU with Avex Trax. Their single Strike Party!!! followed, and was released on January 17, 2007. "Strike Party!!!" is the second official single by BeForU with Avex Trax. Events 38 BC - Octavian marries Livia Drusilla. 1287 - King Alfonso III of Aragon invades Minorca Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Strike Party!!! is featured during the ending credits of the 3rd season of the anime MAJOR. (anime in Japanese, Major is an ongoing Sports Manga series by Takuya Mitsuda. It is serialized in Shōnen Sunday and has been collected
They also released an EP called 6NOTES on March 3 that was under their Be+Wings Records label. An extended play ( EP) is a Vinyl record, CD, or Music download which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify 6NOTES is a mini-album released on March 3 2007 by members of the J-Pop group BeForU. Each of the 6 songs is a solo by each member. This CD was only available at live events and on their website and as of February 29, 2008, is no longer available. Leap years Although the modern calendar counts a year as 365 days a complete revolution around the sun takes approximately 365 days and 6 hours 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common [1]
BeForU's third album, BeForU III: Breaking Into the Probability Changes was released on March 14, 2007 under the Avex label. "BeForU III 〜Breaking Into The Probability Changes〜", is the third studio album by the Japanese pop group BeForU, released on March 14 2007 Events 1489 - The Queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro, sells her kingdom to Venice. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Following this, BeForU returned to Zepp Tokyo and performed live for BeForU LIVE 2007 and a DVD was released later.
The next single released by the group was Yoru Hanabi (夜花火 Night Fireworks). "Yo Hanabi" (夜花火 Night Fireworks) is the fourth and final single by BeForU with Avex Trax and the group's fifth single overall Following its release, the group was quiet for the rest of 2007, though Riyu continued to release solo singles.
On December 12, 2007 Riyu announced on her blog [2] that due to illness, Miharu Arisawa would retire from the group. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Similarly, Yoma Komatsu had chosen to depart for personal reasons. Their departures were effective immediately, and as such, these two members would be unable to perform at a scheduled concert on December 30, where a "graduation" took place for Noria and Risa Sotohana. These two members planned to move on to solo careers.
The Third Generation
| BeForU | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Genre(s) | J-pop/J-rock, Trance |
| Years active | 2008–Present |
| Label(s) | Avex Trax |
| Website | BeForU's Official Web Site, |
On February 15, 2008,the Be+Wings site was reopened and it was announced that 3 new members would be joining the group. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other J-pop is an abbreviation of Japanese pop. It refers to Japanese popular musicians and was coined by the Japanese media to distinguish Japanese musicians from foreign musicians The modern Japanese music scene includes a wide array of performers in distinct styles both traditional and modern ranging from rock electro punk folk metal reggae salsa and tango Trance denotes a variety of processes techniques modalities and states of mind awareness and consciousness 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music The new members are Ayano Tachibana, Hiromi Nishiuchi and Megumi Fukushita. A new song was announced at Riyu's Carnival and the 3rd Generation performed their new song, without Sayaka due to illness. [3]. Sayaka later announced that her recuperating was not going well, and that she has left the group
Group members
Original Members:
- Yoma Komatsu (小松代真) - Known as 代真 (Left group in 2007)
- Noria Shiraishi (白石紀亜) - Known as Noria (Left group in 2007)
- Riyu Kosaka (小坂りゆ)
- Shiyuna Maehara (前原しゆな) (Left group in 2004)
Also, the following members are referred to as BeForU NEXT, and are first featured in Drummania/GuitarFreaks V. Yoma Komatsu (小松代真 Komatsu Yoma) is the eldest member of the Konami -produced J-Pop group BeForU. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Noria Shiraishi (白石のりあ or 白石紀亜 Shiraishi Noria) also known as Noria, のりあ or EK (see also Noria Shiraishi's pseudonyms Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. is a J-pop singer as well as a member of the Konami -produced J-Pop group BeForU. Shiyuna Maehara (前原しゆな Maehara Shiyuna) was one of the founding members of the Japanese Pop group BeForU. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " DrumMania (alternately drummania, abbreviated DM) is a Music video game series produced by Konami Digital Entertainment GuitarFreaks (also GUITARFREAKS, abbreviated GF) is a Music video game series produced by Konami. The three girls to replace Shiyuna Maehara:
- Risa Sotohana (外花りさ) - Also known as Lisa Sotohana due to the phonetical similarities between r and l in the Japanese language (Left group in 2007)
- Miharu Arisawa (有沢みはる) (Left group in 2007)
- Sayaka Minami (南さやか) (Left group in 2008)
Also, the following members joined the group in 2008:
- Ayano Tachibana (立花彩野)
- Hiromi Nishiuchi (西内裕美)
- Megumi Fukushita (福下惠美)
In early April of 2008, Sayaka Minami announced that she would be leaving BeForU due to illness/injury. Risa Sotohana (pronounced in Japanese 'Lisa Sotohana' is the youngest and newer member of the J-Pop female group BeForU. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Miharu Arisawa was a member of the female J-Pop Group BeForU. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Sayaka Minami was born on December 24 1983 in Yamanashi Prefecture (山梨県 Yamanashi-ken? located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island Japan 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Sayaka Minami was born on December 24 1983 in Yamanashi Prefecture (山梨県 Yamanashi-ken? located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island Japan
Discography
See BeForU discography for a complete discography, including solo works. This is the discography of J-pop group BeForU. BeForU was a J-Pop group from December 31 2000 to December 12 2007
Singles
- KI・SE・KI
- Red Rocket Rising
- Get set GO!! 〜BeForU Astronauts Set〜
- Strike Party!!!
- Yoru Hanabi (夜花火 Night Fireworks)
Albums
DVDs
- BeForU FIRST LIVE at ZeppTokyo 2006
- Going Happy!!
- BeForU LIVE 2007 ZEPP TOKYO
- BeForU / Four Piece Riyu Kosaka / Live 2008
Mini-Albums
Other Songs
Many of the songs whose original versions are not featured on a BeForU CD are listed here. "KI・SE・KI" is the first single by Bemani recording band BeForU. "Red Rocket Rising" is the first single by BeForU with Avex Trax. "Get set GO!! 〜BeForU Astronauts Set〜" is a special maxi-single by BeForU with Avex Trax. "Strike Party!!!" is the second official single by BeForU with Avex Trax. "Yo Hanabi" (夜花火 Night Fireworks) is the fourth and final single by BeForU with Avex Trax and the group's fifth single overall BeForU is the first Japanese Studio album by all female J-Pop group BeForU, released in 2003 BeForU II is the second Japanese Studio album by all female J-Pop group BeForU, released February 14 2006 "BeForU III 〜Breaking Into The Probability Changes〜", is the third studio album by the Japanese pop group BeForU, released on March 14 2007 BeForU FIRST LIVE at ZeppTokyo 2006 was released May 26, 2006. 6NOTES is a mini-album released on March 3 2007 by members of the J-Pop group BeForU.
- BRE∀K DOWN! (Original Version)
- チカラ (Original Version)
- ever snow (as sung by Yoma)
- DIVE ~more deep and deeper style~
- Freedom (Original Version)
- GRADUATION ~それぞれの明日~ (Original Version)
- Under The Sky [in full in IIDX, as edited in DDR] (By Sayaka Minami from BeForU with platoniX (Tatsh & Junko Hirata) (Original Version)
- BLACK OUT (Original Version)
- Staff Roll [DDR EX OST] (full version of GRADUATION ~それぞれの明日~)
Trivia
- BeForU and TËЯRA are both produced or composed by Naoki Maeda, and many of the songs from each are related. Sayaka Minami was born on December 24 1983 in Yamanashi Prefecture (山梨県 Yamanashi-ken? located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island Japan Naoki Maeda (前田尚紀 Maeda Naoki) (born April 28 in Toyonaka Osaka) more commonly called simply Naoki, is a Japanese music
- The song "I am. . . " by Miharu Arisawa bears similarity to the song "WE ARE" by TËЯRA - both have similar themes and both are composed by the same artists. (Both are composed TËЯRA WORKS, the composition moniker used by Naoki Maeda and jun. Naoki Maeda (前田尚紀 Maeda Naoki) (born April 28 in Toyonaka Osaka) more commonly called simply Naoki, is a Japanese music ) A noteworthy similarity is that 'we are' is the plural form of 'I am. '
- "ever snow," a solo by Yoma Komatsu (from DDRMAX 2) was composed by TËЯRA WORKS. A long version sung by Karashima appeared in TËЯRA's album, RЁVOLUTIФN.
- The song Freedom has a similar melody to the song "1/6 billionth" by TËЯRA.
- BeForU II was released on February 14, which is Valentine's Day. Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is a Holiday celebrated on February 14
- Strike Party!!! was released on Riyu's birthday of January 17. Events 38 BC - Octavian marries Livia Drusilla. 1287 - King Alfonso III of Aragon invades Minorca
- BeForU III was released on March 14, which is White Day in Japan. Events 1489 - The Queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro, sells her kingdom to Venice. is a Holiday celebrated on March 14, one month after Valentine's Day.
- Although Risa Sotohana was the youngest member of the group, she was not the youngest member to join; Riyu Kosaka was 15 when BeForU originally formed back in 2000.
See also
- BeForU discography
- NAOKI
- Sana
- Dance Dance Revolution
- GuitarFreaks/DrumMania
- Pop'n Music
- beatmania IIDX
External links
- BeForU's Official Web Site
- BeForU at avex
- Beat+WINGS - BeForU's Biggest Fanboard
- BeForU United (Lyrics)
- BeForU International
- First album site
- Article on BeForU 2007 releases
- thePPN:BeForU
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