| Matsui Riki |
Matsui Riki (松井利樹) is a Japanese performer, rapper and actor. He is a member of the group BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE.
He was selected to join the group after becoming a finalist of the EXILE Presents VOCAL BATTLE AUDITION 5 ~Yume wo Motta Wakamono Tachi e~ in the rap division.
Early Life[]
Matsui Riki was born on March 26, 2000 in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. He has an older brother.
Since his parents owned a dance studio, he started practicing the styles Locking and Popping when he was in the first grade of elementary school.[1][2] From the fourth grade onwards, he began to focus on Hip-Hop dance and actively participated in dance battles and contests. During these years, he won regional (Kyushu) and national (Japan) competitions in dance.[1][3]
In 2012, when he was in the first year of junior high school, he entered EXPG STUDIO Fukuoka.[2][1] The reason for this decision was that his older brother originally attended EXPG STUDIO, and when Matsui was in the sixth grade, he saw his brother dancing in a stadium as a support dancer for EXILE and aspired to perform on a big stage too.[4] Matsui's dance experience at other studios was highly evaluated, and he entered the school as a special student from the beginning.[1]
The first time he stood on the stage as a support dancer of EXILE was at Fukuoka Dome.[5] This experience led him to pursue his dream of becoming an artist.[1][4]
Career[]
2013[]
In 2013, he participated in the GLOBAL JAPAN CHALLENGE and was able to become a finalist, but did not get selected as a winner.[1][6][4]
When he was in the third year of junior high school, he was unexpectedly dropped from the special student category of EXPG, and he fell into a slump. "I started dancing in the first year of elementary school, so dancing was the only thing I was confident in. Just before I was dropped from the special student list, I won the top prize in a dance competition in Japan, and I was on a roll. I was in a good mood, but when I lost the scholarship, I lost my confidence at once.", "I usually went to lessons and rehearsals after school, but I stopped going. But after about three months, I realized that I couldn't give up on dance, so I decided to give it one more try [...]." With the support of his family and as a result of his efforts, he became a special student again.[4][1]
2017[]
In 2017, he was selected to join EXPG Lab and became part of EXPG Lab's project group Crasher kidz. In the same year, he participated in the rap division of the EXILE Presents VOCAL BATTLE AUDITION 5 ~Yume wo Motta Wakamono Tachi e~. Despite thinking he would not be able to pass, he made it to the final screening but did not get selected as a winner yet again.[7][1][4][8] However, he was chosen as candidate for BALLISTIK BOYZ and given a chance to debut.[1][4]
2019[]
On May 22, 2019, he debuted in BALLISTIK BOYZ with the release of their first self-titled album.
2022[]
In 2022, he made his acting debut in the ABEMA original drama series Fukumen D.[9][10]
2024[]
On March 26, a BALLISTIK BOYZ fanclub limited event titled BALLISTIK BOYZ OFFICIAL FAN CLUB presents RIKI MATSUI 1st SOLO EVENT & 24th BIRTHDAY PARTY "First Things First" will be held for his birthday.[11]
Personal Life[]
- Family
His parents own a dance studio named BEAT CLAPS DANCE STUDIO.[8] Due to their influence, he started dancing early in his childhood. His brother is three years older than him and was a student at EXPG too.
Works[]
Music[]
- Lyrics/Composition
Filmography[]
- Digital Dramas
- [2022] Fukumen D (覆面D)
Publications[]
- Serializations
- [2023.11.10-present] (TOPLOG)[12]
Fashion[]
- Runways
Events[]
- Events
- [2024.03.26] BALLISTIK BOYZ OFFICIAL FAN CLUB presents RIKI MATSUI 1st SOLO EVENT & 24th BIRTHDAY PARTY "First Things First"
Trivia[]
- Member Color: Aqua Blue / Cyan[N 1]
- Main dance genres: Hip-hop, Locking, Popping
- Had dreamed about debuting since elementary school.[2][15]
- Wants to bring out his individuality in freestyle dance.[2] He also competed in national competitions in improvisational dance and considers it his strength.[1][4]
- According to his members, he is very particular and has a unique view of the world.[16]
- Described as "the healer of the group" and "calm with a really gentle personality, just like a dog".[1][15]
- As he was determined to become an artist, he chose a high school where he could concentrate on dance.[4]
- According to himself, he was someone who really enjoyed school, so being able to dabble in multiple creative pursuits like singing, acting and modelling all at once is fulfilling for him.[17]
- In terms of happiness in life, his motto is: "You work hard to feel happiness, and when you get it, you work hard again. Life is a repetition of this cycle, and I think that is what makes it romantic."[18]
- Can play keyboard and bass.[19][1]
- Is very particular about and has great knowledge of fashion. According to his members, he is the most stylish among them.[20]
- Has given his opinion on the visuals of BALLISTIK BOYZ and is also in charge of the design of their brand HYSFORM.[20]
- His favorite dancers are are IKKI and LAILAPS. IKKI was his teammate in a dance crew and they are from the same hometown.[7]
- His favorite music style is Hip-Hop. "My brother also liked hip-hop, so because of my family's influence, I've listened to a wide range of hip-hop, from 90's like Wu-Tang Clan to more recent stuff."[1][3]
- His favorite artist is Mac Miller.[7] He also likes Jay-Z and Eminem.[21]
- Is studying Chinese.[5]
- Likes writing songs and composing music.[5][1]
- His dream place is Los Angeles, California.[2]
- Admires people who are not influenced by others and have their own style. "I think people who pursue what they like are very attractive."[7]
- A cautious person when it comes to buying cosmetics, but also happy to receive cosmetic gifts.[22]
- Is a pro-wrestling fan.[23]
- Went to see GENERATIONS, THE RAMPAGE, and FANTASTICS for their Musha Shugyo.[2]
- Was taught how to swim when BALLISTIK BOYZ stayed in Thailand.[24][25]
- Likes the series Detective Conan.[26]
- His favorite fashion brands are FORSOMEONE, CHANEL and Boys in Toyland.[27]
- Doesn't really like chocolate, and prefers cookies.[27]
- Close with Hasegawa Makoto of THE RAMPAGE.[20]
- In an interview in early 2024, he revealed that he would like to get closer with Yamamoto Shogo of THE RAMPAGE.[20]
Notes[]
- ↑ As shown in tour goods.
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 https://realsound.jp/2020/11/post-648192.html
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/201905240000030.html?Page=1
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://realsound.jp/2019/05/post-363533.html
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 https://mdpr.jp/interview/detail/1839266
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 https://voguegirl.jp/lifestyle/people/fresh-energy-ballistik-boyz/#!/p/3/
- ↑ https://hochi.news/articles/20210326-OHT1T50288.html
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 http://www.highflyers.nu/blog/00121
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 LDH新グループ発足へ 7人の候補者を紹介＜DOBERMAN INFINITY×EXILE HIRO共同プロジェクト＞
- ↑ https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202209120001553.html
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/drama/detail/3351417
- ↑ https://bbz.exfamily.jp/s/ldh07/news/detail/10606?ima=4049
- ↑ https://m.tribe-m.jp/news/detail?news_id=44920
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3989255
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3989418
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 https://natalie.mu/music/pp/ballistikboyz
- ↑ https://www.vivi.tv/post57756/
- ↑ https://www.mens-folio.com/117992/ballistik-boyz-exile-tribe-world-domination/
- ↑ https://classy-online.jp/lifestyle/276406/
- ↑ https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20200811-ballistikboyz/2
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 https://jj-jj.net/lifestyle/170795/
- ↑ https://spice.eplus.jp/articles/259008
- ↑ https://classy-online.jp/beauty/319964/
- ↑ https://realsound.jp/tech/2022/10/post-1153887_2.html
- ↑ https://qjweb.jp/feature/95459/
- ↑ https://www.jprime.jp/articles/-/30938?page=2
- ↑ https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1706494160&p=2
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 https://jj-jj.net/lifestyle/169546/
