| Urakawa Shohei |
Urakawa Shohei (浦川翔平) is a Japanese performer, rapper and DJ. He is a member of the groups THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE, its sub-unit MA55IVE THE RAMPAGE, and EXILE B HAPPY. For his activities as a DJ he uses the stage name DJ Sho-hey.
He is also a member of the Hip-Hop dance crew "J.S.B. underground".
He participated in the EXILE PERFORMER BATTLE AUDITION and made it to the finals, but didn't get selected. Prior to his audition, he was part of the EXPG trainee team EXILE GENERATIONS and a support member of GENERATIONS.
Early Life[]
Urakawa Shohei was born on May 23, 1997 in Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. He has a younger sister and a younger brother.[1]
Urakawa started DJ-ing early in his childhood due to the influence of his father: "My dad likes Reggae and Hip-Hop. My dad's younger brother is a DJ, and he had a DJ booth at his pub. He said, 'Sho, do you want to try it?' So I started playing it from the age of kindergarten. I was half forced to play at first, but then I realized I liked it."[2] When he was in the first grade of elementary school (Nagasaki Suwa Elementary School), he appeared on a TV program in his hometown and was introduced as a "super kids DJ". On that program, he took part in a performance of RATHER UNIQUE, a Hip-Hop unit with EXILE's MAKIDAI, USA and AKIRA. Watching their live performance inspired him to become an artist.[1][2]
Besides DJ-ing, he also began dancing in the first grade of elementary school.[3] In order to build up his courage, he became a street dancer and performed in his local area.[1] Around this time, he was also part of the three-piece performance team "Roughnecks" (ラフネックス) and won several dance contests such as the "1st National Elementary School Street Dance Championship" when he was in fourth grade.[3]
When Urakawa learned at the EXILE LIVE TOUR "EXILE PERFECT LIVE 2008" that there was a special student audition for EXPG Fukuoka, he auditioned to follow the footsteps of his idol EXILE AKIRA and passed. As a result, he started attending EXPG Fukuoka as a scholarship student from 6th grade onwards.[1]
Career[]
2008[]
In 2008, Urakawa appeared on the NHK's TV show Minna no Uta as a member of a team called "Crystals" (クリスタルズ) which was formed by the program. In the unit, he had the position of a performer.
2009-2010[]
In 2009 and 2010 he participated in EXILE's live tours as a back dancer and also appeared in some of their music videos.
2011[]
In 2011, Urakawa became part of the trainee group EXILE GENERATIONS and was also added as a support member for GENERATIONS. As a result, he was able to appear in several of the group's music videos and live performances.[1]
2014[]
In March 2014, he participated in the EXILE PERFORMER BATTLE AUDITION and made to the finals, but didn't get selected.[4] In April of the same year, he was announced as a candidate for the upcoming EXILE TRIBE group THE RAMPAGE.[5] After completing the group's musha shugyo, Urakawa went from being a candidate to an official member on September 12.[1][6]
2017[]
On January 25, he made his major debut in THE RAMPAGE with the group's first single "Lightning".
2019[]
On April 4, he became a tourism ambassador for his hometown Nagasaki.[1]
2020[]
During THE RAMPAGE's first tour THE RAMPAGE LIVE TOUR 2017-2018 "GO ON THE RAMPAGE" Urakawa had been introduced as a member of the group's first sub-unit alongside 4 other performers. In this sub-unit he takes on the position of a rapper, marking the first time he would provide his vocals to any work of THE RAMPAGE. The quintet made their official debut as MA55IVE THE RAMPAGE with the digital song "Determined" on February 6, 2020.[7]
2023[]
On June 1, it was announced that he had become a member of the new unit EXILE B HAPPY consisting of EXILE TRIBE members for LDH JAPAN's KIDS B HAPPY project.[8][9]
Works[]
Music[]
- Singles
- [2008.04.23] Crystals - "CRYSTAL CHILDREN"
- Lyrics/Composition
- Music Video Appearances
- [2008] Juno Mak - "Wai"
- [2009] EXILE - "Someday" (Kodomo Version)
- [2010] EXILE - "24karats STAY GOLD" (KIDS & GIRLS Version)
- [2010] EXILE - "VICTORY"
- [2011] EXILE - "Rising Sun"
- [2012] GENERATIONS - "BRAVE IT OUT"
- [2013] GENERATIONS - "ANIMAL"
- [2013] GENERATIONS - "Love You More"
- [2013] GENERATIONS - "HOT SHOT"
- [2022] iScream - "Tsutsumi Komu You ni... (TRIBE WITH THE RHYTHM Ver.)"
- Choreography
- THE RAMPAGE
- RAMPAGE ALL DAY (group choreo)[1]
- Dirty Disco[10]
Filmography[]
- TV Dramas
- [2022] Rizsta -Top of Artists!- (リズスタ-Top of Artists!-)
- TV Programs
- [2019.05-present] Gutto Music (MC)[11]
- [2019] SASUKE 2019 Oomisoka (SASUKE 2019 大晦日)[12]
- [2021] SASUKE 2021[13]
- [2022] Saikyou Sports Danshi Choujou Kessen 2022 (最強スポーツ男子頂上決戦2022)[14]
- Digital Programs
- [2023] "Azatokute Nani ga Warui no?" TELASA Tokubetsu-hen "Azato Yobikou" (『あざとくて何が悪いの？』TELASA特別編『あざと予備校』)[15]
- Stages
- [2020] Rodoku Geki BOOK ACT "Mou Ichido Kimi to Odoritai" (朗読劇 BOOK ACT「もう一度君と踊りたい」)
- [2022] REAL RPG STAGE "ETERNAL2" -Kouya ni Moyuru Seigi-
- [2023] Widerstand
- [2024] HiGH&LOW THE Sengoku
- CM
- [2021] Dip "Baitoru PRO"
Trivia[]
- Hobbies: fishing, ego-searching (checking social media for his name)
- Specialty: New Jack Swing, Tricking, Acrobatics, DJ-ing
- Emoji: 🐒 (Monkey)
- Mood-maker of the group.[1][16][17]
- Described as a "good guy" who is loved by everyone. He is also known for his family-oriented personality.[1]
- According to himself, he is the type of person who likes to work hard behind the scenes while pretending to be an idiot. His motto is "There is a fine line between stupidity and genius".[18]
- He is a very good singer.[1] Since he has a high voice, he likes to sing songs by female artists, Bruno Mars, Official HIGE DANdism and YOASOBI.[2]
- Often dances as a duo with Iwaya Shogo. Together they are called "Shogoshohe" (しょごしょへ).[1]
- In an interview in 2019, he revealed that he "aims to be a so-called battle DJ who creates new beats by scratching and other techniques". Additionally, he would be learning techniques from DJ IZOH (2012 DMC champion), who is also a live DJ for THE RAMPAGE, with the goal of eventually challenging DMC (a world championship for DJs).[19]
- Actively conducts ego searches on SNS.[1][20]
- On his days off, he likes to be busy and fill his schedule with various things. According to himself, he is the type of person who gets nervous on days off when he has no plans.[21]
- According to himself, he is not very good at living alone and considers the hardest thing to be cleaning and doing laundry.[22]
- Doesn't want to sleep on a mattress without taking a bath, so he sleeps on the sofa on days when he comes home tired and just lays down.[21]
- When he was about 9 years old, he once performed with SAM from the dance and vocal group TRF in a music video for a Hong Kong artist.
- Is studying English.[22]
- There's quite a big age gap between him and his younger siblings.
- When it comes to rap and dance, the artist who inspired him the most is G-DRAGON. He has always liked him even before he (Urakawa) joined LDH, his rap style is influenced by GD, and he thinks his high-pitched voice is a bit similar.[22]
- His favourite singer is Bruno Mars. He also likes SKRILLEX.[22]
- In charge of THE RAMPAGE's TikTok account.[2]
- His favorite manga are ONE PIECE, Dragon Ball and Kimetsu no Yaiba.[23]
- His favorite games are Granblue Fantasy and Eternal.[23]
- His favorite colors are black and yellow.[18]
- Likes K-Pop and likes travelling to South Korea.[22]
- Prefers sushi to meat.[24]
- His styling for MA55IVE THE RAMPAGE's single "INVADERZ" made him interested in studying makeup.[25]
- His father used to work for LDH kitchen and has been working at Izakaya EXILE since 2021.[26]
- According to himself, his father used to call him "Dumbo" when he was a kid due to his big ears and he hated it, but as an adult he wouldn't mind it anymore.[27]
- His favorite THE RAMPAGE songs are "Nobody", "So Good" and "Sleepless Lonely Night".[25]
- His favorite THE RAMPAGE music video is "WELCOME 2 PARADISE".[25]
- His favorite choreography is the one for the song "New Jack Swing".[25]
- Has a childhood friendship with Fujiwara Itsuki as they attended EXPG Fukuoka at the same time.[1]
- Close with Hasegawa Makoto.[22]
- He opened a personal Twitter account on May 23, 2023, same day as his 26th birthday.[28]
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/2020/04/post-538339.html
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 https://www.daily.co.jp/gossip/2020/08/28/0013641734.shtml
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://nordot.app/453938276874896481
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1355024
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1360175
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1417462
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/366118
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/527019
- ↑ https://m.ex-m.jp/news/detail?news_id=43294&m=ex_b_happy
- ↑ http://webmagazine.outofmusic.net/?eid=142
- ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2133691/full/
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/356688
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/454815
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/469018
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/540400
- ↑ https://gingerweb.jp/timeless/person/article/20240202-hokuto-yoshino
- ↑ https://www.vivi.tv/post392070/
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 https://www.vivi.tv/post346086/
- ↑ https://rollingstonejapan.com/articles/detail/31925
- ↑ https://ananweb.jp/news/335678/
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 https://jj-jj.net/lifestyle/168623/
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 https://www.tokyoheadline.com/737620/4/
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 https://ar-mag.jp/articles/-/8858?page=2
- ↑ https://www.tokyoheadline.com/737620/2/
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 https://www.tokyoheadline.com/737620/5/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CRPw8TphFcN/
- ↑ https://www.tokyoheadline.com/737620/3/
- ↑ THE RAMPAGE浦川翔平、誕生日にTwitter開設 ヘッダー画像が「面白すぎ」と話題
