RATHER UNIQUE

RATHER UNIQUE
RATHER UNIQUE promoting R.U Party (2005)
Group Information
Origin	Japan
Formation	2003
Debut	May 14, 2004
Genres	Hip-Hop
Years Active	2003-2006
Labels	Rhythm REPUBLIC (2004) rhythm zone (2004-2006)
Agency	LDH
Associated Acts	EXILE
Members
Members	MAKIDAI üSA SOHJIN AKIRA DJ SHIBUCHIN

RATHER UNIQUE was a Japanese Hip-Hop group formed and managed by LDH JAPAN and signed to the record label rhythm zone.

They were LDH's first hip-hop unit and their debut marked the first time that performers took on the role of rappers in a group.

Members

• MAKIDAI - MC
• ÜSA - MC
• SOHJIN - MC
• AKIRA - Performer
• DJ SHIBUCHIN - DJ, trackmaker

History

Pre-debut

RATHER UNIQUE was formed in 2003 with 5 members: EXILE members MAKIDAI and ÜSA, SOHJIN, AKIRA and DJ SHIBUCHIN. While MAKIDAI, ÜSA and SOHJIN acted as MCs as well as performers in the group, AKIRA was solely a performer and DJ SHIBUCHIN produced their tracks.

In the same year, the group was introduced in the remix compilation album The other side of EX Vol.1.

2004-2006

On May 14, 2004, RATHER UNIQUE released their first single "ARather Train" under the indie label Rhythm REPUBLIC. On December 29 of the same year, they made their major debut with the single "Winter Bell" after signing with the record label rhythm zone.

They continued to release the 2 singles "Start Spurt" (April 20) and "Tsutsumikomu You ni... ~R.U.WRAPPING~" (June 8) in 2005 and concluded their activities in that year by releasing their first studio album R.U Party on July 6.

In September 2006, RATHER UNIQUE announced their indefinite hiatus after AKIRA had joined EXILE as well since the members wouldn't be able to balance their activities in both groups.

Discography

Albums

1. [2005.07.06] R.U Party

Singles

Indie

1. [2004.05.14] ARather Train

Major

1. [2004.12.29] Winter Bell
2. [2005.04.20] Start Spurt
3. [2005.06.08] Tsutsumikomu You ni... ~R.U.WRAPPING~ (つつみ込むように…〜R.U.WRAPPING〜)

Participating works

• [2003.09.10] EXILE - The other side of EX Vol.1 (#3 "Together" R.Yamaki's Roller Extended Mix feat. Rather Unique, #11 "BRING THE BEAT BACK Pt.2" feat. Rather Unique)
• [2003.09.25] Various Artists - 99% Radio Show (#8 "Every-After-Party")
• [2004.01.28] DJ YUTAKA - EPISODE I ("Self Belief")
• [2004.04.28] Various Artists - Hey ANIKI! (#8 "JEEP (Remix)")
• [2004.08.18] EXILE - "HEART of GOLD" (#2 "Good Dayz")
• [2004.09.25] EXILES - HEART of GOLD ~STREET FUTURE OPERA BEAT POPS~ (#3 "SO FUNKY NOISE")
• [2005.03.09] MCU - "Arigato" (#2 "ACT ON MY STYLE")

Concerts/Tours

Concerts Featured In

• [2005.09.24-2005.12.18] EXILE LIVE TOUR 2005 ~PERFECT LIVE "ASIA"~