VERBAL

VERBAL promoting VISIONAIR (2011)

VERBAL is one-half of the J-Urban group m-flo. He serves as the unit's rapper and main lyric writer, and also acts as a producer. Along with bandmate and close friend Takahashi Taku and former group member LISA, VERBAL formed m-flo in 1999. Outside of the m-flo umbrella, VERBAL has collaborated with some of the biggest names in J-Pop, including Amuro Namie and Koda Kumi and he was one of the creators behind the SUITE CHIC project. In 2005, he was featured as one of the MCs of Teriyaki Boyz, alongside WISE, Nigo, Ilmari and Ryo-Z of Rip Slyme. He was also a part of The Rocket Scientists (along with SPHERE OF INFLUENCE). VERBAL has also released two English-language singles under the alias L Universe. His other (rarely used) aliases are Vincent Galluo and Johnny Astro. On March 16th, 2011, VERBAL will release his first solo album titled VISIONAIR which features many prominent names including Lil Wayne, Swiss Beats, Jermaine Dupri, Nicki Minaj, and Japanese DJ/fashion designer MADEMOISELLE YULIA.

Profile

• Real Name: Ryu Yong Gi (류 영기）
• Birthdate: August 21, 1975 (1975-08-21)
• Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
• Ethnicity: Korean
• Blood Type: B (he thought he was O for a long time)
• Religion: Christanity
• Marital Status: Married to wife Yoon since September 2004
• Musical Influences: Gang Starr, Company Flow, Ras Kass, RUN D.M.C., A Tribe Called Quest, Leaders of the New Skool, De La Soul, Stetsa Sonic.

Trivia

• VERBAL attended Boston University. It was during his college years that his interest in rap deepened.
• VERBAL also became interested in Christianity during his college years, and became a bible study teacher and majored in theology. He is very outspoken on his Christian faith, often making references to it in his lyrics. In interviews, he has expressed interest in working in the field of urban ministry once he's finished with music.

Discography

Albums

• [2011.03.16] VISIONAIR

Split Singles

• [2001.12.27] lovin' it (Amuro Namie & VERBAL)

Split Digital Singles

• [2013.11.20] RUN FREE (AI+Kato Miliyah+VERBAL)

Other Video Releases

• [2004.06.30] Crystal Kay - CK99-04 MUSIC CLIPS (#6 Ex-Boyfriend feat. VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2011.11.02] Kato Miliyah - "ETERNAL HEAVEN" TOUR 2010-2011 (#12 Baby I See You feat. VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2014.03.26] AI - Moriagatchaimashita in Budokan (#29 RUN FREE feat. Kato Miliyah & VERBAL)

Compilations / Other

• [2001.07.04] Crystal Kay - Ex-Boyfriend feat. VERBAL (m-flo)
• [2001.08.22] Crystal Kay - 637 -always and forever- (#3 Ex-Boyfriend feat. VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2002.12.18] SUITE CHIC - GOOD LIFE / Just Say So (#2 Just Say So feat. VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2003.02.26] SUITE CHIC - WHEN POP HITS THE FAN (#10 WHAT IF feat. VERBAL, #16 Just Say So feat. VERBAL)
• [2003.03.26] SUITE CHIC - WHEN POP HITS THE LAB - (#8 WHAT IF (Ram Jam World Remix) feat. VERBAL)
• [2003.12.10] Amuro Namie - STYLE (#8 Fish feat. VERBAL & Arkitec (MICBANDITZ))
• [2004.01.15] BoA - LOVE & HONESTY (#3 SOME DAY ONE DAY feat. VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2004.06.30] Crystal Kay - CK5 (#3 Ex-Boyfriend feat. VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2006.01.18] YOSHIKA - timeless (#5 Sunshine feat. VERBAL)
• [2006.03.07] Ryohei - onelove feat. VERBAL (m-flo)
• [2006.11.29] RIP SLYME - EPOCH (#6 Party People hosted by VERBAL)
• [2006.12.20] May J. - HERE WE GO feat. VERBAL (m-flo)
• [2007.07.04] DOUBLE - SUMMERTIME feat. VERBAL
• [2007.07.18] Emyli - Tekito LOVER feat. VERBAL
• [2007.08.08] DOUBLE - Reflex (#9 SUMMERTIME feat. VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2007.09.12] DOUBLE - Reflex Remix (Disc 1 - #5 SUMMERTIME (Hisashi Nawata Remix) feat. VERBAL (m-flo), Disc 2 - #3 SUMMERTIME (Hisashi Nawata Remix Extended Ver.) feat. VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2007.12.05] May J. - Baby Girl (#7 HERE WE GO feat. VERBAL)
• [2008.02.06] DOUBLE - 10 YEARS BEST WE R&B (#14 SUMMERTIME feat. VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2008.10.22] DOPING PANDA - majestic trancer feat. VERBAL (m-flo)
• [2009.02.18] BoA - Eien / UNIVERSE / Believe in LOVE (#2 UNIVERSE feat. Crystal Kay & VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2009.03.18] BoA - BEST&USA (#1 UNIVERSE feat. Crystal Kay & VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2009.04.29] ravex - trax (#9 V.I.P.P. (Very Important Party People) feat. TRF & VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2009.09.24] Crystal Kay - BEST of CRYSTAL KAY (#6 Ex-Boyfriend feat. VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2009.10.28] BoA -BUMP BUMP! (#1 BUMP BUMP! feat. VERBAL (m-flo), #2 IZM feat. VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2009.11.11] LISA - Disco Volante (#1 falling for you... feat. VERBAL)
• [2010.02.19] BoA - IDENTITY (#3 BUMP BUMP! feat. VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2010.09.08] MINMI - Patto Hana Saku feat. VERBAL
• [2011.04.27] May J. - WITH ~BEST collaboration NON-STOP DJ mix~ (#1 HERE WE GO feat. VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2011.04.27] Amuro Namie - Checkmate! (#10 BLACK OUT feat. Lil Wayne & Amuro Namie (VERBAL), #14 WANT ME, WANT ME feat. VERBAL)
• [2012.08.22] MINMI - MINMI BEST Ame Nochi Niji 2002-2012 (Disc 1 - #10 Patto Hana Saku feat. VERBAL)
• [2013.02.06] May J. - May J. BEST -7 Years Collection- (#2 HERE WE GO feat. VERBAL (m-flo))
• [2013.11.20] AI - MOTTO MORIAGARO (#14 RUN FREE (AI+Kato Miliyah+VERBAL))
• [2014.02.19] Kato Miliyah - LOVELAND (#11 RUN FREE / AI+MILIYAH+VERBAL)

Works

Hamasaki Ayumi

• Merry-go-round (Original Mix) (Music, Rap)

External Links

• Official Blog
• KOZM AGENCY
• AMBUSH DESIGN
• Official Twitter