Rize (band)

Rize formed in 1997 with members JESSE, Nobuaki Kaneko and TOKIE. They started performing live concerts in the Shimokitazawa. In 2000, they performed at the 10th Kitazawa Music Festival and, after having been signed to Epic Records Japan, released their debut single "Kaminari". They followed up their debut in November with the hit single "Why I'm Me", with an album being released the same month. However, original member TOKIE left after the album's release, with u:zo joining as the new bassist and Nakao Yoshihiro coming in for guitar.

The following year proved to be a busy one for Rize. In April, JESSE and Nobuaki became radio personalities for the program All Night Nippon until September. They also performed again at the Kitazawa Music Festival in July, as well as the Rock in Japan Festival, Arabaki Rock Fest and Summer Sonic Festival '01 in August. The band's collaboration with Zeebra, "I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT MY RADIO", became the theme song for FM Festival. They followed it up with a tour in December called 4City (there were four performances).

In May 2002, Rize appeared on the stage @ MTV Japan event with Oasis, Jay-Z, etc., in September Rize participated in the South Korean field festival 2002Etpfes at the Seoul Olympic Stadium. The event was the largest field festival in history, with over 30,000 people in attendance. In July 2003, they moved to Los Angeles to tour with Kottonmouth Kings and Phunk Junkeez. In 2005, JESSE formed their own label "Tensaibaka Records". And in July, Rize could successfully perform on the stage of "Live 8" as the opening act, a world-renowned event broadcast in 7 other countries. Their powerful performance was highly praised and left a big impression with the international music community.

In November 2005, bassist u:zo left, with Nobuaki's brother KenKen replacing him. KenKen was made an official member of the band in April 2006. Their first Oricon appearance happened with a cover of "Pink Spider" in November 2006, debuting at No. 8.

On the top of the successful performance at "Live 8", in 2007 Rize was invited to perform at "Live Earth" appearing on the stage with Linkin Park, etc., an acclaimed charity live founded by producer Kevin Wall, and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, where again Rize's outstanding performance brought them international fame. In same year 2007, Rize released their fifth album Alterna. In October 2007, they released their latest single, "LADY LOVE". Rize released KO, their sixth full-length album, in April 2008. The following month saw the band performing at the hide Memorial Summit, at which they performed their rendition of Pink Spider in tribute. On May 20, the band announced through their official site that Yoshihiro Nakao would be parting ways from Rize, citing creative differences as the main factor in his decision. However, the remaining members were determined to carry on activities as a trio. In June Rize went on their 2008 "T.K.O. Tour" that consisted of 29 shows and in November released a live DVD of the tour "T.K.O.".

In 2010, Jesse paved the road for Rize to release their 7th album Experience. A majority of the tracks from this album were masterminded and produced by Jesse, enabling him to get huge attentions as not only an artist and musician, as a music producer. "Zero," the iconic song of this album, was picked up by Coca-Cola and lead to the collaboration commercial with Hidetoshi Nakata / former famous soccer player and Coca-Cola Zero, which is still being aired across a large part of Asia.

In July 2011, Rize released their 10th debut anniversary, band history and live DVD titled PIECE.

In 2012, Rize transferred to Warner Music.[5]

On July 20, 2019, it was announced that Jesse and KenKen had both been arrested for violation of the Cannabis Control Law.[6] After a month long investigation based on a tip, police raided their homes;[7] Jesse was found in possession of 2.4 grams of marijuana and .09 grams of cocaine, while KenKen had 0.2 grams of marijuana.[8][9][10] Both pled guilty and in October 2019 both received prison sentences suspended for three years; KenKen received 6 months, while Jesse received two years.[11][12]