Debuting in the spring of 2022, XG has since gained impressive credentials, including over 4.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
From collaborations with top artists, including Ciara and Jackson Wang, to their debut U.S. performance at the first-ever Head in the Clouds festival in New York City, the girl group is setting themselves apart in the industry and breaking down stereotypes.
USA TODAY spoke with the group about their performances,music, fans andgrowth since debut.Here's everything you need to know aboutXG, fromits membersto what's in store for the girl group.
Who is XG?
XG is seven-member girl group under XGALX, a subsidiary of Avex. Comprised of members Chisa, Hinata, Jurin, Harvey, Juria, Maya and Cocona, the group debuted with "Tippy Toes" in March 2022.
The girl group has been called "global" as members are from Japan, they're based in South Korea and they perform in three languages: Japanese, Korean and English. This concept has propelled XG to a wider audience.
With the release of "Mascara" last June, XG made its first TV appearance in South Korea. Less than a year later, XG became the first female Japanese artists and the first Japanese groupto rank on the Top 40 Radio Airplay chart, with the single "Shooting Star" marking the group's first entrance and B-side "Left Right" ranking for 11 consecutive weeks.
Through their R&B- and hip hop-style music, the girls of XG seek to deliver positivity and uplift everyone.
"Our goal is really straight and simple. It is to deliver our dreams, messages to the people – to many people in the world," said the group's leader Jurin.
How many members are in XG?
There are seven members:
- Chisa (Full name: Kondou Chisa) Born Jan. 17, 2002. Hometown: Osaka, Japan.
- Hinata (Full name: Sohara Hinata) Born June 11, 2002. Hometown: Nagoya, Japan.
- Jurin (Full name: Asaya Jurin) Born June 19, 2002. Hometown: Chigasaki, Japan.
- Harvey (Full name: Amy Jannet Harvey) Born Dec. 18, 2002. Hometown: Tokyo.
- Juria (Full name: Ueda Juria) Born Nov. 28, 2004. Hometown: Osaka, Japan.
- Maya (Full name: Kawachi Maya) Born Aug. 10, 2005. Hometown: Tokyo.
- Cocona (Full name: Akiyama Kokona) Born Dec. 6, 2005. Hometown: Tokyo.
Even from their time as trainees, XG has had a close bond. Hinata shared the girls often say they're connected by "へその緒," or an umbilical cord. "We have something like a family tie," she said.
Through the years together, XG has grown not only as individuals, but also as a team.
"I’m really proud of my girls. I feel like we all could rely on each other during any occasion," said Maya. "There’s this know-how now of how we can develop our communication skills as a team and how we can create that to form our synergy while we perform."
What does XG mean?
"XG" stands for "Xtraordinary Girls."
"We want to embody the meaning of the name to the fullest," said Jurin. "We want to be extraordinary. We want to think outside of the box. We want to get away from the stereotypes."
What is XG fandom called?
The fandom name for XG is "ALPHAZ." The name comes from the term "alpha," or wolf leader. XG represent the wolves, which is perfectly symbolized through the "Tippy Toes" lyric – "We a pack." Together, ALPHAZ and XG unite as a pack.
"Alpha, of course, is the leader of the group of wolves, so that is the core message," said Chisa. "Be the leader of the whole group and take the lead and make your dream come true. That is what I want our ALPHAZ to learn."
Juria expressed her deep gratitude toward ALPHAZ, saying "I will continue to deliver them courage, dreams and hopes."
XG's first U.S. performance at HITC NYC
XG recently performed at KCON in Japan and Head in the Clouds festival in Queens, New York. Both performances were major firsts for XG.
The girl group was among many big names, including DPR Live, DPR Ian and ITZY, to perform at 88rising's inaugural New York City edition of its Head in Clouds festival.
"For HITC, it is our very first time performing in the U.S., so we’re very excited," said Cocona.
Maya echoed those sentiments, sharing how eager XG is to meet and interact with their U.S. fans. "We have a lot of things prepared for all our fans and all our supporters."
Just a day after XG's performance at HITC NYC, the group was announced as performers at Head in the Clouds Los Angeles.
As these successes and triumphs materialize, XG remains humble.
"The fact we’ve been creating this exciting fandom of course makes us so happy, but it also comes along with a huge sense of responsibility," said Chisa. "We have so many people who support us, and we want to make them happy as well. We want to be even better from here. We want to perform better songs, and we just want to keep growing."
'Shooting Star', 'Left Right' remixes were 'an honor'
On April 7, XG released its first collaboration featuring American rapper Rico Nasty for a remix of "Shooting Star."
"I’ve always loved Rico since I was a trainee," said Harvey. "It was great to hear my own voice together with hers, and also I found myself shouting because of all the emotions."
A month later, XG dropped another collaboration track. This time it featured rapper Jackson Wang and singer Ciara on "Left Right." It came weeks after Wang and Ciara performed a cover of the song during Wang's Coachella performance.
"It was an honor to be able to work on this amazing project together, so we’re very grateful for that," said Maya, calling the artists inspirations.
What's in store for XG?
While they didn't give any spoilers, Maya shared, "The new songs that are coming I feel like definitely show more of XG’s true colors."
As they release more music, the girls of XG hope they can continue to inspire their ALPHAZ.
"I try to enjoy every day of my life and I want everybody to do the same," said Harvey. "So, live every day to the best, to the most. Just like we do at XG, we want to keep the lively spirit."
"I want to deliver confidence, love and the enjoyment of being with the people that you love," said Cocona. "Surround yourself with people that you love and can relate to and have fun in your life."
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