BE:FIRST Release New MV for Their Fourth Single "Mainstream"

While their recent single "Salvia", the ending theme song to the anime series Baki Hanma -  Season 2 The Father vs. Son Saga on Netflix, is still hot in music charts in Japan, BE:FIRST continues to move forward with their fourth single, titled “Mainstream”, which also saw a music video release. Details on the single, and links to check out both the song and MV, can be found below.

This must-see music video opens with an aerial view of metropolitan Tokyo, inviting us ominously deep down to the underground of the city where BE:FIRST start their performance. Along with their expressive singing and dancing, they bring us from the dark depths of the Tokyo underground all the way to the rooftop of a skyscraper.

“Mainstream” is a song initiated from BE:FIRST’s desire of creation. The song was born out of their determination not to follow trends, but rather, pursuing their own style and creating their own "mainstream". A series of previously released documentaries in which the members exchanged their own ideas about the concept of the mainstream will give you a better understanding of why they created this song. These documentary videos can be found on BE:FIRST's YouTube channel.

The choreography in the music video was created by SOTA from BE:FIRST along with ReiNa, who is an internationally active Gen Z choreographer who has recently worked with Stray Kids and NCT U.

The music video was directed by Daichi Yasuda, who has won awards at various film festivals, including the Gold Award at the Ciclope Festival. The video crew had to obtain seemingly impossible filming permissions from locations such as The Metropolitan Area Outer Waterway, the subway, an underpass, a highway that was under construction, a multistory parking lot, an escalator, and the rooftop of a 123-meter-high skyscraper. BE:FIRST literally gave life to the lyrics “From the bottom to the top” by performing from the deeper underground to the summit of a highrise building. Featuring 154 back-up dancers, drone and helicopter aerial filming and the latest VFX technology involved, Daichi and his crew dedicated a total of over 720 hours of editing to create the futuristic ‘Neo-Tokyo’. This is BE:FIRST’s most ambitious-ever music video.

Comment from SOTA
“This song pursues and expresses what we believe our ‘mainstream’ is. We’ve combined the dance moves we used to enjoy in our youth with our current style of expression. We obsessively worked on details and quality, which allowed us to achieve a somewhat ‘maniac’ choreography after all. Look out for how we will embrace our very own “Mainstream” in the coming months!”

Statement from SKY-HI
“Most people chase after what’s popular and what’s trending. That tends to grow bigger along with the growth of entertainment and culture. I believe that the role of an artist is not to just chase such trends, but also to create them. By releasing this song as a lead track, people may think it’s ‘unusual’, ‘unexpected’ or ‘contrary’, but that’s not how we see it. We are not trying to grab attention or go against the majority. Rather, BE:FIRST simply continue to refine their own style, and now they are ready to present “Mainstream” as their classic in 2023. BE:FIRST define and prove themselves as a group that will create their own mainstream rather than following it.”

Note from Director, Daichi Yasuda
“From deeper underneath Tokyo, the cameras chase BE:FIRST moving upwards. With that motion, I wanted to express them striving for ever greater heights by presenting “Mainstream” to the world. Aiming to create an original depiction of Tokyo that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, we negotiated with authorities for permission to film in unusual places such as a highway that was still under construction. Also, by applying top-class technology of VFX along with overwhelming passion from engineers and creators,  we aimed to set a new global standard as a music video as well.

“We also gathered a large number of back-up dancers to literally visualize the spread of the trend created by BE:FIRST. By exchanging feedback and ideas with the members on the details, including camerawork, editing, and VFX, we achieved the best possible end-result together. Inspired by the members’ passion, all the creators involved in this project were immersed in the production for several months. After all, we now have this ‘amazing’ and ‘crazy’ music video.”

Download & Streaming Links:
https://befirst.lnk.to/Mainstream_global

About "Mainstream":
Lyrics: SKY-HI
Music: Ryosuke “Dr.R” Sakai, Daisuke Nakamura, SKY-HI

“Mainstream” marks a new addition to BE:FIRST’s discography. As a dance and vocal group, BE:FIRST have continuously showcased their diverse musical principles to the world. The single emerged from extensive discussions involving the producer, SKY-HI and BE:FIRST, and now unveils a deeper integration of the group's creative input in the crafting of lyrics, composition, and its choreography. Featuring the involvement of Ryosuke “Dr.R” Sakai, who previously produced BE:FIRST’s debut single “Gifted.” and another song called “BF is…”, “Mainstream” beckons listeners to delve into its minimalist yet resonant hip-hop rhythm. BE:FIRST who is on the constant rise in shaping their identity, stand prepared to present themselves as trailblazers, initiating trends that are mainstream rather than merely following them.

BE:FIRST Profile:
A seven-member dance and vocal group featuring SOTA, SHUNTO, MANATO, RYUHEI, JUNON, RYOKI and LEO, signed to SKY-HI’s management company and label BMSG. Each member has a high level of ability and potential for singing, dancing and rap, along with a musical sensitivity reflected in their lyric-writing, composition and choreography, and an attractive individuality that marks each of them as unique. Under the name BE:FIRST, this seven-piece group has swept the No.1 spots on various charts in Japan since before their debut. Now they are taking their bold first steps towards Asia and the world.

BE:FIRST Links:
Official Website: https://befirst.tokyo/
Japanese Twitter: https://twitter.com/BEFIRSTofficial
Global Twitter: https://twitter.com/BEFIRST_global
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/befirst__official/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BEFIRSTofficial
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@befirst_official
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BEFIRSTOfficial/
LINE: https://page.line.me/befirst

BMSG Links:
Official Website: https://bmsg.tokyo/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BMSG_official
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmsg_official/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BMSG_official