BE:FIRST Mark Five Years With ‘BE:4U,’ Hip-Hop Anthem ‘NOW U KNOW’ Leading the Charge

BE:FIRST arrived at their fifth anniversary with a new album and a hip-hop anthem to match. “BE:4U,” released on Nov. 3, is the Japanese group’s first original album in about two years.

The six-member dance and vocal group packed the 13-track album with new songs, unit tracks and a newly recorded version of “Mainstream.” It arrives after a year that included their U.S. debut and a Billboard 200 entry.

NOW U KNOW Leads BE:4U

“NOW U KNOW” is an energetic hip-hop track that reflects on the group’s journey so far and the ambition driving them forward. Manato also contributed to the song, continuing the group’s hands-on approach to their music.

The album also features “BE:FIRST ALL DAY,” a declaration of being BE:FIRST for life, and “Missing,” a bittersweet love song and the group’s second collaboration with British DJ and producer Jonas Blue. Both were released as singles in 2026.

“It’s not a bad life” is the theme song for the film “RYUJI,” which features member Junon. “H.A.R.E.” is a Suntory draft beer tie-up song, and “街灯 Lighting up the town” is featured in FamilyMart’s Christmas campaign.

“BE:4U” also includes two unit songs: “Diva” by Shunto, Manato and Junon, and “#Conbini” by Sota, Ryuhei and Leo. “for you” was created by Manato, Junon and Leo with producer Shintaro Yasuda, and every new song carries member credits.

BE:FIRST’s Year and Dome Tour

The album follows a landmark year for the group. In May, they held their first solo stadium shows at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo, drawing about 100,000 fans across two days.

In August, the group performed at Head In The Clouds LA 2026 in Los Angeles. September brought the global EP “WATCH ME,” their U.S. debut, which reached No. 130 on the Billboard 200.

BE:FIRST then completed the BE:FIRST WORLD SHOWCASE 2026 “WATCH ME,” playing five shows in Bangkok, Taipei, Manila and New York. The run spanned Sept. 25 to Oct. 23.

The anniversary celebration continues with the “BE:FIRST 5th Anniversary DOME TOUR 2027.” It opens at Tokyo Dome on Jan. 11 and 12, followed by Kyocera Dome Osaka on Jan. 16 and 17 and Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka on Feb. 13 and 14.

Belluna Dome in Saitama hosts shows on March 6 and 7. A spring 2027 show at Vantelin Dome Nagoya has also been added.