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Maison B is a Japanese boy group formed and produced by rapper Ken The 390.[1] under the label DREAM BOY. The group was formed August 19, 2022 on the television program THE NEXT UP ~ Tsugi wa Kimida Yo ~[2] and debuted February 15, 2023 with the EP "Foundations".[3][4]
The members of Maison B were contestants on Season 2 of the Japanese reality television show Produce 101 Japan (2021), where their future producer Ken The 390 also appeared as a rap trainer.[5]
On May 27, Ken The 390 began airing THE NEXT UP ~ Tsugi wa Kimida Yo ~onMusic Blood, planning to debut five trainees that failed the Produce 101 Japan season two audition.[2] Each episode announced a new member of the unnamed group. The original five announced members were RICK,[6] TECO,[7] LYU,[8] SHOYA[9] and REIJI.[10] HIKARU[11] and MASATO[12] were interviewed and auditioned after SHOYA and REIJI respectively recommended them to Ken The 390. Finally, the group's name was decided along with the lineup on August 11.[13]
A crowdfunding campaign on the Japanese fundraising website Ubgoe was started April 13, promising the release of Maison B's first pre-debut single. After the goal of 3,000,000 was reached, the music video for their first single Bringing Out,[14] as well as releasing both digitally and physically to those that donated.[15]
On November 1, Maison B announced the formation of a sub-unit consisting of members RICK and REIJI named roomR, along with the release of Ken the 390's digital single Anything Goes (feat.roomR) which featured the unit.[16]
On November 18, the group released their second single Masquerade to streaming platforms.[17]
The sub-unit roomR featured on compilation album O.B.S vol.8 on December 1 with their song Reverse. The song is the first song relating to Maison B with lyrics by the members, with RICK and REIJI participating in songwriting for Reverse.
On January 18, Maison B pre-released the music video for the title track to their EPFoundations, as well as releasing it digitally to streaming platforms. The song's lyrics were co-written by Maison B members RICK and REIJI.
The group debuted February 15 with the release of Foundations. The b-side Bye For Now is the first Maison B song with songwriting credits from all of the members.
Foundations ranked 10th on the Oricon daily albums chart for February 14, 2023[18] and second on the Oricon weekly indie albums chart for February 13 - February 19.[19]
On May 11, 2023, Maison B's sub-unit roomR released the digital single Manifesto.
Maison B's sub-unit roomR released the digital single After Party June 12, 2023.
