SOLDIER LOVE

"SOLDIER LOVE"
Digital pre-release cover
Song by THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE from album 16SOUL
Released	December 18, 2023 (original) February 14, 2024 (revised ver.)
Genre	EDM, Hip-Hop
Length	3:50
Label	rhythm zone
16SOUL Tracklist
SOLDIER LOVE 100degrees Summer Riot ~Nettaiya~ LA FIESTA GO ON THE RAMPAGE 16BOOSTERZ NO GRAVITY Dream On HEATWAVE THROW YA FIST Fandango BIONIC Everest Tsunage Kizuna SILVER RAIN SWAG & PRIDE ROLL UP

"SOLDIER LOVE" is a song of THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE. It was initially pre-released digitally on December 18, 2023, but soon removed from digital platforms due to a controversy surrounding the song (see Trivia). A re-recorded revised version was later released on February 14, 2024 as the lead track of the group's best album 16SOUL.

The song was originally intended to be used to promote the album.

Song Information

Vocals

RIKU, Kawamura Kazuma, Yoshino Hokuto

Lyrics

TAKANORI (LL BROTHERS), ALLY

Music

Ava1anche, TOMMSE

Other Information

Arrangement:

Disambiguation

The song can be found on the following releases:

• 16SOUL (track #1)

The music video can be found on the following releases:

• 16SOUL

Audio

Spotify

If the player does not appear, see here.

Trivia

Controversy

The song sparked criticism, mainly on social media, following its digital release due to its lyrics being connected to the glorification of militarism, war and imperialism. In response, a statement was released on avex's official website on December 22, 2023, explaining the thoughts of the team behind the song.

Response from avex

Regarding the thoughts behind "SOLDIER LOVE" Thank you very much for your continued support of THE RAMPAGE. We have received a lot of feedback regarding the release of "SOLDIER LOVE". We would like to share our thoughts with you. The theme we set for ourselves when we created "SOLDIER LOVE" was "to have love and the determination to keep going strongly toward our dreams". We see the 16 members of THE RAMPAGE as "warriors" fighting to achieve their big dreams in the world of entertainment, while holding in their hearts the great love that everyone has, which can be called "compassion", and we want to deliver "Love Dream Happiness" to those who listen to our work. The song expresses their belief in the power of love, and their determination to push forward strongly and undaunted in the face of difficulties. Also, as THE RAMPAGE is about to take on the world, we want to imagine them becoming even more powerful and dynamic, and using the power of entertainment to energize the world! This is our idea. We hope you will continue to support THE RAMPAGE in the future. Everybody from THE RAMPAGE TEAM

After the first performance of the song on MUSIC STATION, its choreography was also criticized for the same issues.

As a result, Avex Music Creative and LDH JAPAN released a joint statement on December 25, 2023 in which they apologized and announced that the release of the best albums 16SOUL (for which the song would be used as the lead track) and 16PRAY would be postponed to a later date in order to make several changes to the choreography and lyrics of the song.

Announcement from Avex Music Creative and LDH JAPAN

Thank you for your continued support of THE RAMPAGE. We have received your comments and opinions regarding some of the lyrics and choreography of THE RAMPAGE's song "SOLDIER LOVE", and we would like to express our sincere apologies for causing any discomfort or concern. We take your comments and suggestions seriously and have decided to change some of the lyrics and choreography. Due to this, we are very sorry to announce that we have decided to postpone the release of the BEST ALBUM "16SOUL" & "16PRAY" as it will take time to complete the revised version. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to everyone who has been waiting for the release of the album, as well as everyone who has been worried about it. We take your comments and suggestions seriously and will continue to strive to create works that will please everyone. We apologize again for the concern and inconvenience we have caused to many people. Avex Music Creative LDH JAPAN

Following this announcement, the "ART TRACK" of the song (containing the song up to its first chorus) that was pre-released as a video on YouTube on December 4 was removed from the platform. A day after the announcement, the song was removed from all digital platforms and the digital campaign of its release was suspended.

On January 12, 2024, Avex Music Creative announced that the release date of the best albums had been set to February 14, 2024.

External Links

• Digital Platforms: Digital Pre-release (removed) • 16SOUL album