Formed in Kanagawa, Japan in 1994, Rip Slyme is a Japanese hip-hop act founded
by MCs Ryo-Z (real name: Tyouji Narita), Ilmari (Keisuke Ogihara), and Pes
(Masatsugu Chiba). Influenced by old-school hip hop, the trio won an amateur rap
contest, which led to the release of their debut EP, Lip’s Rhyme, in 1995.
Adding new members Su and DJ Fumiya Takeuchi to the line-up, the group released
their debut album, Talkin’ Cheap, in 1998. Signing to Warner Music Japan, Rip
Slyme came to prominence in 2001 with their album Five, which climbed to the
number 6 position on the Japanese Albums ...