The best friend trio is back at it! King & Prince’s Ren Nagase has collaborated with Naniwa Danshi’s Daigo Nishihata and Ae! group’s Yoshinori Masakado on a solo track from the upcoming album “Re: ERA.” The album, the group’s sixth, will be released on December 11. The solo song, titled “Shimi” (染み), features Daigo on lyrics and chorus vocals and Yoshinori on guitar and chorus vocals.
Ren invited Daigo and Yoshinori, who are fellow Kansai region performers and have been in the industry and agency together since they started, as they entered at the same time. The song’s title “Shimi” refers to April 3, the day the three first met, and it expresses their memories and strong friendship from their initial meeting to their respective debuts.
The lyrics include references to both groups, making it an emotional and meaningful piece. In the teaser video, we get to see the three best friends work on the song together, and behind-the-scenes from the recording. It’s endearing to see Yoshinori share such an intimate moment with his best friend and his beloved guitar, emphasizing the importance this project means to them all.
These three have been close friends since they joined their agency together in 2011, marking 13 years of friendship. Despite their busy schedules, when they filmed “1億人の大質問!? 笑ってコラえて！” (Laugh & Learn: A Million People’s Questions!), it was the first time they’ve had the chance to film together as a group for TV, making it a special occasion not just for them, but also for fans of the show and their respective fans.
Let’s also not forget the legendary Instagram live the three of them did together! On July 16, 2024, they held an Instagram live for the first time in six months, once again as a surprise.
The live was a celebration of Yoshinori’s debut as a member of Ae! group, which took place on May 15. Ren and Daigo had been planning it for some time, but it ended up being delayed by two months (they’re all busy bees after all).
Their manager allowed them to have “just one drink,” so Daigo, with the best calculating skills and wit ever, bought the largest one available at the store. After all, whether it’s a small glass or a large mug, “one drink is one drink.” You gotta look out for your best friends after all!
The three enjoyed highballs while having a casual and lively conversation, sharing light-hearted moments with their fans, and the YouTube video of them playing games together while being slightly tipsy afterward makes for great entertainment as we get to see the best friends enjoy each other’s company and glimpse into their bared souls.
This project with Ren’s solo song is more than just a song, it’s a testament to their friendship over the years and the many things to come.
For those eager to get an early listen, Re:ERA will be available for digital streaming on October 14 through popular platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, and more. Fans can also purchase the album via iTunes, RecoChoku, and other digital download services. This is part of the group’s ongoing efforts to create new ways for fans to engage with their music, offering fresh entertainment experiences.