VerbalAliases: Johnny Astro, Vincent Galluo, Mr. V, L Universe, The Funky President.
Born Ryu Yong Gi in Tokyo, Japan on August 21, 1975. Of Korean descent. Verbal began rapping when he was 14. He received his bachelor's degree in theology at Boston college. He was responsible for forming espionage records; the label supported his pet projects Heartsdales and MIC BANDITZ. VERBAL has rapped for and produced many other successful J-Pop acts, including Namie Amuro, Kumi Koda, and BoA. In 2003 he contributed to the SUITE CHIC project alongside other top names in Japanese hip-hop. In 2005 he released an album, Beef or Chicken, with the Teriyaki Boyz.
Taku TakahashiAliases: ☆TAKU, Taku Takahashi, Startak.
Born Taku Takahashi in Yokohama City, Japan on March 29, 1974. Taku and VERBAL met in Setagaya-ku's St. Mary's International School (Class of 1993). Outside of the m-flo umbrella, Taku has produced tracks for such artists as Crystal Kay and melody. He also once had his own label, Tachytelic Records, which housed Emi Hinouchi. Being the DJ in m-flo, Taku's voice is rarely heard in m-flo music. In many songs, Taku may be heard saying short, disconnected phrases such as "Let's Go!". He has had substantial rap lines only in a small number of tracks, including "The Rhyme Brokers", "Get On" and "Vanessa".
LISA 1999-2002
Born Elizabeth Sakura Narita in Tokyo, Japan October 26 1974. A Japanese-Colombian singer and producer better known as just LISA. In 1999 she formed together with Verbal and Taku Takahashi the Japanese urban contemporary group m-flo. The group signed a record deal with the avex group's imprint Rhythm Zone and released their debut EP, "the tripod e.p.", on 7 July 1999. The group released 5 albums, 1 EP and 11 singles before LISA left m-flo in the spring of 2002, citing artistic differences. She has since resumed a solo career on Rhythm Zone, with limited success. She rejoined the band for a collaboration, "TRIPOD BABY", on their album BEAT SPACE NINE in 2005. "TRIPOD BABY" was also remixed by m-flo the same year to be used as a promotional song for the video game Shadow the Hedgehog.
