Hip-hop MC and music producer Verbal was born August 21, 1975, in Tokyo. He also performs as a member of m-flo and Teriyaki Boys.
After being exposed to hip-hop culture in New York, he began writing lyrics and rapping in English at the age of 14. He then enrolled in an international school, where he met future m-flo member Taku Takahashi. He briefly left music to focus on his studies, but in 1998, he and ☆Taku Takahashi formed m-flo, later joined by vocalist Lisa.
He made his major debut in July 1999 with "the tripod e.p.", which debuted at number 9 on the Oricon charts. His second album, "EXPO EXPO," released in 2001, reached number 3 on the Oricon charts and sold 800,000 copies. After Lisa left the band in 2002, he launched the "Loves" series, collaborating with various artists. His hit songs, featuring Crystal Kay, BoA, and Miliyah Kato, were also popular. In addition to m-flo, he also formed the hip-hop group Teriyaki Boys. Its members include Ilmari and Ryoji from RIP SLYME, NIGO®, producer of the fashion brand A BATHING APE, and musician Wise. Outside of music, he's garnered attention for his eccentric fashion sense. His signature sunglasses are his signature style. He owns his own jewelry brands, AMBUSH and ANTONIO MURPHY & ASTRO, and serves as the Asia-region creative director for the Reebok Classic Collection, where he has released collaborative models.