Verbal | |
|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:M-flo-verbal-live-tokyorainbowpride-2019-4-28.jpg) Tokyo, 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ryu Yeong-gi (류영기) |
| Also known as | L Universe |
| Born | 21 August 1975 Tokyo, Japan |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations | |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels |
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| Member of | |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 류영기
유영기 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Ryu Yeong-gi Yu Yeong-gi |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ryu Yŏnggi Yu Yŏnggi |
Verbal (born August 21, 1975) is a Japanese rapper, music video director and record producer who debuted in 1998 as a member of the hip hop group M-Flo. He is a third generation Zainichi Korean and a notable representative of Zainichi Korean music in Japan.
M-Flo's hits in the early 2000s, such as "How You Like Me Now?" and "Come Again" led to Verbal rapping and producing a wide range of acts in Japan such as Crystal Kay, BoA, Kumi Koda and Namie Amuro. Verbal considers his role in m-flo as a "host" than a rapper or producer,[1] though their success and critical acclaim established them as an iconic and influential hip hop production team throughout Asia[2]
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Verbal is also a member of other hip hop groups such as Mic Banditz and Teriyaki Boyz and has worked with Kanye West, Pharrell and Kylie Minogue amongst many others.
Verbal is also the chairman of music label Espionage Records (an imprint of Rhythm Zone under Avex Group), production agency Kozm and has a fashion brand called Ambush, co-founded with his wife Yoon Ahn.[3][4]
He launched his solo career in March 2011 with the album "Visionair".[5]
- ^ Robert Michael Poole (2009-10-30). "m-flo's Verbal spreads the love". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
- ^ Robert Michael Poole (2006-03-17). "J-pop goes def". Metropolis (free magazine). Archived from the original on 2014-06-27. Retrieved 2011-05-03.
- ^ iLOUD (2009-03-27). "VERBAL × MADEMOISELLE YULIA 対談". Retrieved 2009-04-22.
- ^ CNNGo. "Verbal and Yoon: Tokyo's ultimate fashion power couple". Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ Robert Michael Poole (2011-05-05). "Verbal wants to hit the reset button on pop". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2011-05-15.