Half Japanese/Chinese and born in Taipei, Taiwan in 1987, Takuma Kawakami moved to Yokohama, Japan in 1995 where his journey down the path of the MC began. First introduced to hip hop and R&B when he was 12 years old, Takuma knew he wasn't the ordinary Japanese middle school student and began to sharpen his rhyming skills at a young age with his international background and vision. In the summer of 2001, Takuma connected with MC Zone, MC A.O., and track maker DJ Cover, and together they formed the now-classic Yokohama underground group E-TRADER. Through a long list of shows and the release of two albums, Takuma honed his skills seriously knowing that the MC had to be more than just a rapper. As every good thing must come to an end, the E-TRADER team dissolved leaving Takuma to carry on his career solo as he would strive to achieve the true rank of Master of Ceremonies. Takuma Kawakami, a fluent speaker in Japanese, English, and Chinese, is more than a gimmicky "bilingual rapper and instead sets a new bar for Japanese hip hop through original styles and powerful lyrics built on a unique combination of influences from the best of American and Japanese hip hop. In summation: Takuma is a one-of-a-kind rapper that has carved his way through the Japanese hip hop scene and shows no signs of slowing. Takuma has shared the stage with such acts as M.O.P, Smiff 'n Wessun, Pete Rock, DJ Clark Kent, and many more. In October 2010, he'll be droppin the bomb with his first solo album on Forte records and will continue to make waves as he tours Japan and brings his brand of mic skills to a town near you! The new international hip hop era is right here waiting for us! Let's go, Japan! -Takuma Kawakami (TK the Great)