EXID

South Korean girl group EXID are known for their exuberant style of hip-hop and electronic-influenced dance-pop. They broke through in 2014 after a fan video of the group performing the song "Up & Down" went viral, helping the single reach number one on the Gaon chart. Two years later, they hit number two in Korea and number nine on the Billboard World Chart with their full-length debut, Street. They have reached the Top Ten in Korea with each of their EPs, including 2015's Ah Yeah, 2017's Eclipse and Full Moon, and 2019's We. They also hit the Top 20 with their Japanese albums, 2019's Trouble and 2020's B.L.E.S.S.E.D. Following a hiatus, EXID marked their tenth anniversary with the 2022 single album X.

Formed in 2012 by producer Shinsadong Tiger and AB Entertainment, EXID features leader/main vocalist Solji, main rapper/lead dancer Elly, lead vocalist/lead dancer Hani, lead vocalist Hyelin, and main dancer/lead rapper/sub vocalist Jeonghwa. That same year, they issued their debut single, "Whoz That Girl," which peaked at number 36 on the Gaon Singles Chart. It was followed by "I Feel Good" and "Every Night." A fourth single, "Up & Down," arrived in 2013 and initially drew little attention, reaching 94 on the singles chart. However, after a fan-recorded live video of the group performing the song went viral, the track picked up steam and eventually topped the singles chart. The song was also included on the group's 2015 sophomore EP, Ah Yeah, which hit number five in South Korea and 12 on Billboard's World chart.

In 2016, EXID delivered their full-length debut album, Street, which found them collaborating with producer Shinsadong Tiger. Of the 12 tracks, several were written and/or composed by Elly. Buoyed by the single "L.I.E.," Street hit number five on the Gaon Albums Chart. It was also the group's first album released under the Banana Culture banner, the name their label Yedang Entertainment adopted following a merger with the China-based entertainment company Banana Project. Also featured on Street were the singles "Cream," "Hot Pink," and "Only One."

On the heels of the album's release, Solji went on hiatus from the group due to health issues. The remaining members moved forward, touring and promoting the album. Two more EPs arrived in 2017, with Eclipse hitting number five in Korea and four on Billboard's World Albums Chart and Full Moon hitting number seven and number six on the same charts, respectively. Though still absent from live shows, Solji sang on Full Moon. The group also launched their EXID Asia Tour, appearing in Hong Kong, Singapore, and finally ending in Taipei.

A single, "Lady," appeared in April 2018. That same year, Solji returned to active performing, competing as "Dongmakgol Girl" on the South Korean singing competition show King of Mask Singer, which she ultimately won. Soon after, she officially reunited with EXID, appearing on the single "I Love You," which hit number five on Billboard's World Song Sales chart. In April 2019, EXID released their debut Japanese album, Trouble, which peaked at number 12 on the Oricon Albums Chart.

The group's fifth EP, We, followed that May featuring the single "Me & You." The album hit number three on the Gaon chart and number eight on the Billboard World Albums chart. More Japanese releases arrived with the 2019 single "Bad Girl for You" and second full-length B.L.E.S.S.E.D., the latter of which hit number 16 on the Oricon Albums Chart. By March 2020, EXID had parted ways with Banana Culture amidst reports that the company was shutting down. Following a two-year hiatus, the group reemerged, marking their tenth anniversary with 2022's three-track X. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi