Lead discography

The discography of Japanese hip-hop group Lead includes 9 studio albums, 1 compilation album, 1 remix album, 16 live albums and 32 singles. Their first sixteen singles were released under the Pony Canyon sub-label Flight Master; since, their singles have been strictly under Pony Canyon.

Lead debuted on July 31, 2002 with the single Manatsu no Magic. Their following single, Show Me the Way (2002), led to them winning the Best Newcomer Award during the 44th annual Japan Record Awards.[1] Their debut studio album, Life On Da Beat, was released on April 23, 2003.

Initially releasing one album a year since their debut (2003) up until Feel the Vibes (2008), the group began slowing their releases; however, they would continue to release an annual single and host their annual Upturn tour. Their next studio album, Now or Never, would not be released for another four years in 2012. This would also be their last album with leader and lead vocalist Hiroki Nakadoi. The single Still, released five months after Now or Never on December 12, 2012, would be their last single with Hiroki.[2]

Beginning in 2012, the group would begin to release two singles a year. Their success on the Oricon Singles Charts would also increase, leading to a string of top five releases for the next five years - something that they had not experienced as a group prior. Their eighth studio album, The Showcase, became their highest charting album throughout their career, peaking at #2 on the Oricon Albums Charts.[3] Their following studio album, Milestone, while charting lower than The Showcase, became their longest charting album, remaining on the charts for seven weeks.[4]