NEXZ wrap first arena tour, drop 'Hellmate' EP, and set sights on Rock in Rio

NEXZ dropped Hellmate, their third Japanese mini-album, on June 24. The timing was tight—they'd just closed their first-ever arena tour.

The five-track EP opens with "Hellmate," a hip-hop track centered on moving forward by your own rules and convictions. The rest: "Hands up, Yo!", "Can't Hide", "Mmchk (Japanese Ver.)", and "Hellmate (Instrumental)."

The album came straight after NEXZ LIVE TOUR 2026 "Hellmate", which ran through Tokyo and Osaka, wrapping June 12–13 at Osaka Castle Hall. They pulled from across their catalog—"Simmer (Japanese Ver.)", "HYPEMAN", "Mmchk (Japanese Ver.)", and "Beat-Boxer" all made the setlist. The group split into three units: Haru and Hui on rap, Tomoya, Seita, and Yuki on vocals, Yuu and So Gun on performance. During "Keep on Moving" and "Run With Me," members handed signed balls to the audience.

This is their third Japanese mini-album since debuting in 2024 through Season 2 of the JYP Entertainment x Sony Music Japan audition program Niji Project. Back in April, their second single Mmchk gave them their first music broadcast win.

September's already booked. NEXZ are headed to Brazil's Rock in Rio and STRAYCITY, a new festival spanning three Latin American regions. Seven members, two continents, one quarter—the schedule doesn't breathe.