ALI

ALI is a Japanese band formed in Shibuya, Tokyo, on June 3, 2016. Active from 2016, the group blends acid jazz, hip hop, and j-pop, and its lineup was built around a multinational background: LEO (Vocal) has roots in Spain + UK + Japan, CÉSAR (Guitar) in Japan + Brazil, and LUTHFI (Bass) in Indonesia + Holland. CÉSAR's mother is a Brazillian Samba Dancer who Appeared in You wa Nanishini Nippon e. The band's past members include JUA (Rap), ZERU (Guitar), KAHADIO (Drum), YU (Saxophone), JIN (Keyboard), and ALEX (Percussion); YU has roots in Japan + Hong Kong, JIN in Japan + Philippine, and ALEX in Japan + America. ALI came to wider attention through the 2019 single "Wild Side" for Beastars and the 2020 single "LOST IN PARADISE feat. AKLO" for Jujutsu Kaisen, which was released by Sony Music Records. In 2021 the band issued the major first mini-album LOVE,MUSIC AND DANCE, and at the 2021 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, "Wild Side" won Best Opening while "LOST IN PARADISE feat. AKLO" won Best Ending. The group was also announced for "TEENAGE CITY RIOT" in すばらしきこのせかい The Animation, but the song's use in the series was canceled after former drummer KAHADIO's arrest. ALI went on hiatus due to the arrest of former drummer KAHADIO between May 14 to November 18, 2021. On December 7, 2021, there was no official announcement on YU, JIN, and ALEX leaving the band, but their names were removed from updated band materials. After resuming activities, ALI released the digital mini-album INGLOURIOUS EASTERN COWBOY in 2022, the second album MUSIC WORLD in 2023, and the digital mini-album VIVA LA MUSICA later that year. On October 1, 2024, LUTHFI and CÉSAR left, and ALI became LEO's solo project.