
About
VERBAL
Overview
Verbal (born August 21, 1975, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese rapper, music producer, and creative director, best known as one half of the hip-hop duo m-flo and as a founding member of the groups Teriyaki Boyz and PKCZ®.
Raised in Tokyo and educated in Boston, Verbal is bilingual in Japanese and English, a skill that has shaped his signature lyrical style blending both languages. He returned to Japan in the late 1990s, where he co-founded m-flo with DJ Taku Takahashi. Their early collaborations helped popularize hip-hop and club music in Japan, leading to major chart success and the innovative “m-flo Loves” series, which featured collaborations with dozens of vocalists across genres.
In addition to m-flo, Verbal gained international attention as a member of Teriyaki Boyz, a group formed under producer Nigo, known for their track “Tokyo Drift (Fast & Furious)” featured in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006). He has also worked with artists such as Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and Crystal Kay.
Beyond performing, Verbal is a producer and entrepreneur. He co-founded Ambush®, a Tokyo-based jewelry and fashion brand, with his wife Yoon Ahn, and has been active as a creative director in music and fashion.
Recognized as one of the pioneers of Japanese hip-hop, Verbal continues to influence both the music scene and street culture through his diverse artistic ventures.
Known for
Acting |
||||
2024 | CK NiーGoー~25TH ANNIVERSARY at KT Zepp Yokohama | Actor | Self | N/A N/A |
2022 | BoA 20th Anniversary Special Live -The Greatest- | Actor | Self | N/A N/A |
2017 | E-girls LIVE 2017 ~E.G.EVOLUTION~ | Actor | Self | N/A N/A |
2013 | m-flo’s “NEVEN” Live Tour at Shibuya AX | Actor | N/A N/A |
|
2011 | m-flo presents “BONENKAI” | Actor | N/A N/A |
|
2010 | m-flo 10 Years Special Live "we are one" | Actor | Self | N/A N/A |
2007 | m-flo Tour 2007 COSMICOLOR at Yokohama Arena | Actor | Self | N/A N/A |
2006 | m-flo TOUR 2005 BEAT SPACE NINE | Actor | Self | N/A N/A |
2005 | a-nation'05 BEST HIT LIVE | Actor | Self | N/A N/A |
Directing |
||||
2008 | R246 STORY | Directing | Director | N/A N/A |
2008 | DEAD NOISE | Directing | Director | 59 Average |
Writing |
||||
2008 | R246 STORY | Writing | Screenplay | N/A N/A |