M-Flo

m-flo, a Japanese trio, has made a success combining different genres of club music into a very popular hybrid and scored hits in its home country while reaching out to international fame in the rest of Asia. A typical m-flo track will feature the rapid, energetic rapping of Verbal; the soulful vocals of Lisa; backed by the glossy production of Taku (Yes, they all go by the single-word names). m-flo songs blend influences from hip-hop, soul, 2-step, drum'n'bass, and electronica. Taku and Verbal had become friends while attending international school in Tokyo many years before the band formed. Taku then split for California, where he worked as a DJ, and Verbal continued his education on the East Coast of the U.S. Returning to Japan in 1998, they hooked up with Lisa, a Japanese Columbian, and soon the three were making music. The 12" "Been So Long," released on a small label, became a club hit around Japan and they were soon offered a contract with Avex Trax's subsidiary Rhythm Zone. Their debut maxi-single, The Tripod e.p., shot up the Japanese charts, debuting in the Japanese Top Ten. Other singles followed, all hits, until the release of their debut album, Planet Shining, which debuted at number six on the Japanese album chart. A sold-out tour and remix album, The Replacement Percussionists, followed. A leg of the tour visited South Korea, making m-flo one of the few Japanese artists to seek out fans there. m-flo's popularity also meant that Taku's producing and remixing skills have been in demand, with work done for Momoe Shimano, Yumi Matsutoya, and Yellow Magic Orchestra. Verbal has appeared on tracks by S.E.S. and, along with fellow rapper Sphere, formed the side project Rocket Science. Vocalist Lisa has worked with Joi and Sting. In 2001, the group released a second album, Expo Expo, which followed the formula of the first album. A remix CD, Gran Sonik, and tour (with the live CD Tour 2001 Expo Expo) followed. In early 2002, Lisa released the self-produced solo single "Move On." On the eve of releasing her second single, Lisa announced she was leaving the group for a solo career.