XG: From Intense Training to Global Pop Stardom and a New Identity

Tue Jun 23 2026 21:06:03 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Japanese girl group XG rose from brutal five‑year training to international fame, weaving a powerful pre‑show ritual and a bold gender‑identity statement into their music.

Japanese pop group XG, originally formed as Xtraordinary Girls, endured five years of rigorous training before launching a debut single that set a global trajectory. Their distinctive pre‑show chant “Hesono‑o” symbolizes the collective bond forged during training, which began in 2016 when seven members were scouted from thousands of hopefuls. After breaking ground at Wembley’s Summertime Ball, they earned a spot at Coachella in 2025, becoming the sole Japanese act on the lineup. In late 2023, member Cocona publicly identified as transmasculine and non‑binary, prompting the band to rename themselves “Xtraordinary Genes” and expand their musical style on the new album *The Core*. As XG mounts a worldwide tour, their story illustrates resilience, unity, and evolving social norms in J‑pop.

XG: From Intense Training to Global Pop Stardom and a New Identity

Japanese pop group XG began as Xtraordinary Girls, a promise sewn into a tough five‑year regime that began in 2016 after scouts sifted through thousands of hopefuls. Only twenty‑one survived, eventually settling into dormitories where they trained from dawn to dusk in singing, dancing, and multilingual performance. The system was unforgiving; disciplinary lectures admonished any social‑media posts that breached secrecy.

Before every show the seven members form a circle, join hands and chant the phrase Hesono‑o (Japanese for “umbilical cord”), followed by a loud “Oh” that sends arms into the air. It’s a ritual that reflects their unbreakable bond, something the band’s oldest member, Chisa, describes as thinking the same thoughts as a mother‑child connection.

In 2022 the group released their debut single Tippy Toes and followed up with the viral smash Galz Xypher, a push‑style rap track that garnered 49 million YouTube views. The momentum continued into 2025, culminating in a record‑tying performance as the sole Japanese act on the Coachella lineup and a triumphant crowd‑rousing at Wembley’s Summertime Ball in June 2026.

Beyond musical milestones, XG’s story took a seismic turn in late 2023 when member Cocona, the group’s lead rapper, publicly disclosed a transmasculine and non‑binary identity on Instagram. The announcement was backed by bandmates, who crowd‑source a narrative tentatively embodied in their new name, Xtraordinary Genes, and reflected in *The Core* album’s push toward broader sonic horizons.

Tracks from the new album—such as “Gala”, “Hypnotise”, and the rock‑inflected “O.R.B.”—blend house piano, modern pop beats, and an undercurrent of solidarity. Jasmine, one of the members, noted that the harder the routine, the closer the sisterhood became, and now XG’s cultural thread is one where individuality is celebrated.

As the group prepares for a world tour starting in September 2026, they emphasize the need for a clear “on/off” switch. Whether it’s watching anime, skiing, or practising trombone, members keep a ritual strong, guaranteeing the umbilical cord that defines XG will never be severed.

Join XG as they continue to shape the global pop scene, one song, one stage, and one gender conversation at a time.