Japanese dance and vocal boy band BE:FIRST returns with their first-ever album, BE:ST, reinventing The Jackson 5’s classic “I Want You Back.”
The seven-member Japanese boy band BE:FIRST is returning to the music scene as they bring their first-ever album. The album, titled BE:ST, includes the group’s own version of The Jackson 5 classic “I Want You Back,” bringing a fresh groove.
The album includes two discs, giving a fully packed experience to listen to. Disc 1 consists of 15 tracks, while Disc 2 offers 17 songs to hype.
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Getting the Classics Alive and Kicking
BE:FIRST keeps their own style in this album, yet they’re still pushing to become the best version of themselves. The album was produced by SKY-HI and Sunny, with the band keeping their iconic rhythmic piano and funk bassline.
The track gets a modern overhaul: live band sessions ran through the iconic Neve 8068 analog console, later sampled and reimagined with a hip-hop sensibility. Additionally, the chorus pays homage to the original melody, while BE:FIRST’s new lyrics and rap cuts inject a 2025-forward energy that keeps the soul of the classic intact.
According to SKY-HI:
We all carry deep respect for music history and culture. Using this best-of as a moment to salute The Jackson 5—the prototype of the modern boy band—we hoped to let the greatness of this song speak to 2025. We also wanted to go further into why we keep making music as a boy band in a high-speed, disposable era. From the instruments to the recording chain, we obsessed over every detail.
BE:FIRST’s Rendition of the Classic “I Want You Back”
The MV channels that “first time music grabbed you” spark, weaving nostalgia and innovation into one frame. Hidden Easter eggs reference BE:FIRST’s past eras (“Shining One,” “Betrayal Game,” “Mainstream,” “Blissful,” “Sailing,” “GRIT,” and more. While volumetric video technology transforms the members into 3D dancing figures—a fitting fusion of the past and future for a best-of lead.
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BE:FIRST Giving Their Best in Their Album, BE:ST
Packed with 32 tracks spanning every hit and milestone, BE:ST stands as a celebration of BE:FIRST’s journey—from their debut to their rise on global stages. Fans can choose from several editions: the Standard 3-CD set, which includes a special non-stop mix by producer BANVOX.
Furthermore, the LIVE edition, featuring footage from their debut world tour, including the New York performance; the MV edition, which compiles 24 music videos, including the brand-new “I Want You Back”; and the Special BMSG Music Shop edition, filled with behind-the-scenes content, fan-selected live performances, and exclusive collectibles.
Moreover, co-produced by SKY-HI and Yaffle, BE:FIRST’s new song “Stay Strong”—the theme for the film WIND BREAKER starring member JUNON—fuses weighty strings, guitars, and drums into an expansive, experimental soundscape. Moreover, JUNON co-wrote the lyrics, which echo the film’s message that true strength isn’t just about winning but about protecting what matters and standing firm without looking away, delivered with BE:FIRST’s signature balance of power and delicacy.
Since debuting under BMSG, the group has topped charts even before their official debut, filled Japan’s four major domes, and launched their first world tour across the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Renowned for their vocal, dance, and rap prowess—as well as their hands-on creativity in songwriting and choreography—BE:FIRST continues to redefine what a modern boy group can be.
Dive Into BE:FIRST
BE:FIRST is a Japanese boy group managed by BMSG and signed to B-ME, a joint label with Avex. Formed on August 13, 2021, through the reality audition program THE FIRST hosted by producer and rapper SKY-HI, the group officially debuted on November 3, 2021, with seven members—SOTA, SHUNTO, MANATO, RYUHEI, JUNON, RYOKI, and LEO. Their debut track, “Gifted.,” topped the Billboard Hot Trending Songs chart, became the most-discussed song on Twitter, and reached No. 1 on multiple Japanese music charts.
Blending dance, pop, hip-hop, and R&B, BE:FIRST showcases a distinctive, genre-crossing sound that reflects both technical skill and artistic innovation. With their dedicated fandom BESTY behind them, they’ve quickly risen as Japan’s next global powerhouse group. Additionally, their charisma and creativity continue to set new standards in the boy group scene. Most recently, they completed their first world tour, BE:FIRST World Tour 2025 – Who is BE:FIRST? –, performing in 12 cities worldwide.
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Press Release
