M-Flo

M-Flo (エムフロウ, Emu Furō, stylized as m-flo) is a Japanese hip hop group consisting of producer and DJ Taku Takahashi and emcee Verbal.

Former member Lisa left the group in 2002 to pursue a solo career, and the remaining members then started the M-Flo Loves... project working different vocalists for each song over three albums, including the likes of Bonnie Pink, Koda Kumi and BoA.

Their mainstream success and critical acclaim established them as the most iconic and influential hip-hop production team in Japan with success throughout Asia.

Taku Takahashi and Verbal also started successful side-projects outside of M-Flo, such as the Teriyaki Boyz and Global Astro Alliance collaborating with international producers and artists such as Kanye West and the Beastie Boys.

In 2008 the group announced a hiatus, stating that each member would be focusing on their respective side projects. In 2012 the group ended their hiatus with the release of Square One on March 14, 2012.

History

Before M-Flo

Verbal (born as Ryu Young Gi [Korean: 류영기/유영기, Hanja: 柳榮起]) and Taku Takahashi (高橋 拓, Takahashi Taku) first met as students at St. Mary's International School in Tokyo. The pair collaborated in the group N.M.D., in which Takahashi was drummer and Verbal emceed, as well as throwing dance parties where they often performed together freestyle.