RIP SLYME

Forming in 1994, the leading Japanese hip-hop outfit Rip Slyme originated when Ryo-Z and Ilmari first teamed up to pen lyrics casually. Greater ambition soon prompted the addition of their friend Pes, whose rock background rounded out the crew, and the trio quickly began collecting prizes at underground rap competitions. Recognition paved the way for the 1995 debut album Lips Rhyme, after which DJ Fumiya joined the ranks. Following tours and further studio work, the quartet issued Talkin' Cheap in 1998. Growing domestic fame led to a series of independent singles that steadily gained traction, most notably the Fantastic Plastic Machine collaborations Underline No. 5 and Mata au Himade, which drew the attention of major label Warner. Warner secured the group in 2000, resulting in the March 22, 2001 release of their first Warner single, "Stepper's Delight." Momentum peaked in 2002 as Rip Slyme captured both Best New Artist and Best Hip-Hop Group honors at the MTV Japan Video Music Awards. Capitalizing on that peak, they delivered the lavish Tokyo Classic album later the same year, thereby becoming Japan’s first hip-hop act to surpass one million sales. Additional MTV trophies followed while the band maintained dominance at home across several years, issuing four major full-length projects alongside numerous singles and joint efforts. Illness sidelined DJ Fumiya from live duties by late 2005, with DJ Soma stepping in for Rip Slyme shows until Fumiya rejoined for the 2006 Epoch album and its 2007 successor Funfair.