XG: Photos From the Billboard Cover Shoot

Earlier this 12 months — on a heat day in Could, Asian ­American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month — a septet of younger girls fought nerves backstage at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens. Simply over a 12 months after its official debut, the group XG was on the town for Head within the Clouds, a music competition celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander tradition, creativity and artwork organized by file label 88rising. However the gig held broader significance: It was the act’s first worldwide efficiency exterior of Japan, and in New York, no much less.

Regardless of its early-afternoon billing, the stadium was packed — and chanting, “XG! XG! XG!” — when the group took the stage in glitter-emblazoned fits. The nice and cozy welcome made it troublesome to imagine that this was XG’s first time in New York, and after kicking off the set with its debut observe, “Tippy Toes,” the group’s chants reached a fever pitch because the members segued into their viral hit, “Left Proper.” Followers and informal festivalgoers alike danced freely to the beat, some even singing alongside to the tune’s catchy refrain.

Reflecting at the moment on that Head within the Clouds efficiency and XG’s subsequent look on the competition’s Los Angeles iteration, the group — whose members vary in age from 17 to 21 — exudes gratitude. “New York was our first worldwide efficiency, and the ‘XG! XG!’ chants had been actually touching,” XG’s Cocona says. In Los Angeles, she says, she even noticed some followers sporting make-up impressed by the music video for “GRL GVNG,” XG’s prerelease single from its debut mini-album, NEW DNA. “And it was simply actually, actually cool to see all of that!”

Learn the total Billboard cowl story right here.