The acclaimed Japanese musical group, Number_i, consisting of members Sho Hirano, Yuta Jinguji, and Yuta Kishi, has officially announced a groundbreaking partnership with Atlantic Records in the United States. This significant agreement was unveiled on a recent Monday morning, following the trio's visit to Atlantic's Los Angeles offices. The group has already commenced work on fresh musical content in the U.S., with plans for its release later this year, signaling a major step in their global expansion strategy.
In a statement released by the group, Number_i expressed their enthusiasm for the new collaboration. They highlighted their anticipation of evolving their sound and broadening their audience through the support of the Atlantic Records team. The members reiterated their commitment to diligently create and share their music with as many listeners as possible, while also extending gratitude for the ongoing support from their fans.
This news of their Atlantic Records signing closely follows Number_i's recent engagement with WME for comprehensive global representation across all artistic endeavors. Having debuted in 2024, the trio has rapidly ascended in popularity within Japan. Their journey into the U.S. market began prominently in 2024 with their participation in 88Rising's Futures stage lineup at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, marking their inaugural U.S. performance and major music festival appearance as Number_i.
Building on their successful Coachella debut, Number_i intensified their engagement with the U.S. market. The previous year saw them headline their first featured festival set in the U.S. at 88Rising's Head in the Clouds Festival, held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. This performance coincided with the release of their album, God_i, which included a lead single of the same title. This track, produced by Kishi, achieved remarkable success by debuting at the top position on Billboard Japan's Hot 100 chart.
The group has garnered substantial success within Japan, achieving multiple No. 1 hits on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart. Their debut full-length album, No. I, not only clinched the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Japan JP Albums chart but also reached No. 4 on Spotify's Top Albums Debut Global chart, underscoring their expanding international appeal. Member Hirano articulated the group's philosophy in a past interview, stating their belief that music transcends borders and that quality music resonates universally. He emphasized their dedication to creating music they love and sharing it with an ever-growing global audience.
Despite their new international partnerships, Number_i will continue to be managed out of Japan by TOBE, the Japanese entertainment agency from which the group originated. This arrangement ensures continuity in their domestic operations while they pursue global opportunities.