Igarashi Hiroyuki (五十嵐広行), better known by his stages names HIRO and EXILE HIRO, is a producer, CEO and former performer. He's the leader and former performer of the group EXILE. HIRO is also the founder of the group and the agency they're in, LDH.
History
HIRO started his career in 1989, being member of the boy group ZOO. In 1991, he participated on a dance unit called Japanese Soul Brothers, which participated on Bobby Brown's Japanese tour. In 1995, ZOO disbanded. In that same year, HIRO participated as a backup dancer for DREAMS COME TRUE's tour and got support by the group's member Yoshida Miwa, which helped him to change his mind on his own.
In 1996, he joined the group LUV DELUXE, which disbanded a year after.
In 1998, he meet MAKIDAI, MATSU and ÜSA, and after discussing with them and with avex trax's CEO Matsuura Max, he created the group J Soul Brothers. In 2001, after recruiting two vocalists and one member leaving the group, he changed the group's name to EXILE.
In 2003, he created the agency LDH, where he's current the president and producer for the agency's artists.
On September 14, 2012, he married with actress Ueto Aya.
On September 27, 2013, on the final concert of EXILE LIVE TOUR 2013 "EXILE PRIDE", he retired from his position as performer on EXILE but remained on the group as the leader and producer. He also occasionally appears on the group's music videos.
In July 2015, HIRO joined the DJ unit PKCZ® as a producer.
On August 19, 2015, it was announced that Ueto Aya gave birth to their first child, although not many details about the baby were revealed.[1]
Works
Music
- Producer
- EXILE (2001-present)
- Nidaime J Soul Brothers (2007-2009)
- Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS (2010-present)
- E-girls (2011-2020)
- GENERATIONS (2012-present)
- EXILE THE SECOND (2012-present)
- SAMURIZE (2013-present)
- THE RAMPAGE (2014-present)
- PKCZ® (2014-present)
- FANTASTICS (2016-present)
- BALLISTIK BOYZ (2018-present) (joint with DOBERMAN INFINITY)
- Composition
- Radio
- [2001-2005] OH MY RADIO
Cinema/Television
- TV Dramas
- [2005-2008] Shin Tokyo Hyakkei
- Videography
- [2005] ZOO→JSB→EXILE
Publications
- Books
- [2005] B Boy Salaryman (Bボーイサラリーマン)
- [2014] Bibiri (ビビリ)
