# ALI (band)

ALI (acronym for Alien Liberty International) is a Japanese band formed in Shibuya, Tokyo, in 2016, known for their unique fusion of hip hop, funk, jazz, and global influences. The band gained fame through their hit anime soundtracks, including "Wild Side" for Beastars and "Lost in Paradise" for Jujutsu Kaisen. All members of the band are mixed with roots in Japan, Europe, America, Asia, and Africa.
In May 2021, ALI went on indefinite hiatus following the arrest of their drummer, Kahadio, for fraud. After a six-month break, the band returned in November 2021.
As of October 2024, ALI is now a solo project led by vocalist Leo, continuing the band's signature cross-genre sound after the departure of key members Luthfi and César.

## Career

ALI (Alien Liberty International), a multinational hip-hop and funk band, was formed in 2016 in Shibuya, Tokyo. The group drew inspiration from global influences, blending roots from Japan, Europe, America, Asia, and Africa. Named after the boxer Muhammad Ali, the band sought to embody his energy, presence, and ideals of unity through their music.
ALI gained widespread recognition in 2019 with their debut single, "Wild Side", which served as the opening theme for the anime Beastars. This marked a turning point for the band, showcasing their cross-genre appeal. Their subsequent single, "Lost in Paradise" featuring rapper AKLO, became the ending theme for Jujutsu Kaisen, further cementing their place in the Japanese music scene.
However, On May 14, 2021, ALI faced controversy when their drummer, Kahadio, was arrested for fraud, leading to the cancellation of their contracts with Sony Music and the removal of their track "Teenage City Riot" from The World Ends with You: The Animation. The scandal resulted in the band's indefinite hiatus in May 2021. Kahadio was expelled from the group, and ALI publicly apologized to their fans and the victims of the crime.
After six months, ALI made their return in November 2021, continuing to produce music and perform live. Despite the setback, the band persisted, showcasing their resilience and passion for music. On February 23, 2022, the band released the EP "Inglourious Eastern Cowboy". On January 25, 2023 they released their debut album Music World.
In July 2024, they performed at Anime Friends in Brazil.
In October 2024, ALI transitioned into a solo project led by vocalist Leo Imamura after key members, guitarist César and bassist Luthfi, left the group to pursue new ventures.
On January 9, 2025, the song "Casanova Posse" was released, which is the opening of Dr. Stone: Science Future.

## Band members

Current members
* Leo Imamura – vocals (2016–present)
Former members
* Jua – rapping (2016–2020)
* Zeru – guitar (2016–2020)
* Kahadio (Kadio Shirai) – drums (2016–2021)
* Yu Hagiwara – saxophone (2017–2021)
* Jin Inoue – keyboard (2019–2021)
* Alexander Taiyo Fidel – percussion (2016–2022)
* Luthfi Rizki Kusumah – bass guitar (2016–2024)
* Aiichiro César Tanaka – guitar (2020–2024)

## Discography
### Albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon Digital | JPN Billboard |
| Music World | Released: January 25, 2023 Label: Sony Music Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 40 | 41 |

#### Mini albums

List of mini albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon | JPN Billboard |
| ALI | Released: November 27, 2019 Label: Alien Liberty International Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | — | — |
| Love, Music and Dance | Released: January 27, 2021 Label: Sony Music Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 110 | 75 |
| Inglourious Eastern Cowboy | Released: February 23, 2022 Label: Sony Music Formats: Digital download, streaming | — | — |
| "—" denotes items which did not chart. ||||

### Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Year | Peak positions | Peak positions | Notes | Album |
| Title | Year | JPN Oricon | JPN Hot 100 | Notes | Album |
| "Wild Side" | 2019 | 113 | — | OP for the anime Beastars Season 1. | Music World |
| "Lost in Paradise" (featuring AKLO) | 2020 | 28 | 44 | ED for the anime Jujutsu Kaisen. | Music World |
| "Never Say Goodbye" (featuring Mummy-D) | 2022 | 36 | — | OP for the anime Golden Kamuy Season 4. | Music World |
| "—" denotes items which did not chart. ||||||

#### Digital singles

| Title | Year | Peak positions | Album |
| Title | Year | JPN Hot 100 | Album |
| "Show Time" (featuring AKLO) | 2022 | — | Music World |
| "—" denotes items which did not chart. ||||

#### Collaboration singles

| Title | Year | Artists | Peak positions | Album |
| Title | Year | Artists | JPN Hot 100 | Album |
| "Sabotage (VS. ALI)" | 2022 | Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, ALI | — | Non-album single |
| "—" denotes items which did not chart. |||||

## Music videos

| Year | Song | Director(s) | Album |
| 2019 | "Vim" | Un­known | ALI |
| 2019 | "Staying in the Groove" | Masanori Kobayashi, Takuya Chiba | ALI |
| 2019 | "Temptations" | Un­known | ALI |
| 2019 | "Tokyo Pharaoh" | Un­known | ALI |
| 2019 | "No Tomorrow (Give It Up)" | Yusuke Kasai | ALI |
| 2019 | "Wild Side" | Naohiro Ohashi | Non-album singles |
| 2020 | "Muzik City" (featuring Nami Chie, Alonzo, 6B) | Un­known | Non-album singles |
| 2020 | "Better Days" (featuring Dos Monos) | Katsuki Kuroyanagi | Non-album singles |
| 2020 | "Lost In Paradise" (featuring AKLO) | Kento Yamada & The Monaco Club | Non-album singles |
| 2021 | "Fight Dub Club" (featuring J-Rexxx, Rueed) | Un­known | Love, Music and Dance |
| 2021 | "Feelin' Good" (featuring Umeda Saifā, Koperu, Peko, KZ, R-Shitei) | Un­known | Love, Music and Dance |
| 2022 | "Teenage City Riot" (featuring R-Shitei) | Arata Takabatake & Isamu Maeda | Inglourious Eastern Cowboy |
| 2022 | "Sabotage (VS. ALI)" (featuring Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra) | Unknown | Non-album single |
| 2022 | "Show Time" (featuring AKLO) | Margt (Perimetron) | Music World |
| 2023 | "Wild Angel" | Kosuke Yamashita | VIVA LA MUSICA |
| 2024 | "Professionalism" (featuring Hannya) | Kosuke Yamashita | Non-album single |
| 2024 | "Beyond" (featuring MaRI) | Mineto Kanzaki | Non-album single |
| 2024 | "Neon" (featuring The Crane) | Yohei Haga | Non-album single |
| 2025 | "Casanova Posse" | Hidenobu Tanabe | Non-album single |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Work/Nominee | Result | Ref. |
| 2021 | Crunchyroll Anime Awards | Best Opening | "Wild Side" (from anime Beastars Season 1) | Won | |
| 2021 | Crunchyroll Anime Awards | Best Ending | "Lost in Paradise" (featuring AKLO) (from anime Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1) | Won | |