Takayoshi Murota, born March 25, 1970 in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, is better known by his stage name MURO; he began his career as a hip-hop DJ, producer, and designer. Early exposure to the Japanese hip-hop scene led him to join KRUSH POSSE in 1987, and he launched his solo career in 1993. His first commercial single, “Street Life”, was released on April 21, 1994. In 1999 he released “THE VINYL ATHLETES” (December 22, 1999). Chronologically, MURO’s discography expanded steadily: the 1997 album DAI SAN DANRAKU 97 PAGE was followed by K.M.W. (King Most Wanted) (April 21, 1999) and Follow the Foot Steps of Tommy Boy (December 22, 1999). In 2000, PAN RHYTHM: Flight No.11154 (August 23, 2000) and El Carnaval (July 5, 2000) demonstrated his stylistic range, and the 2001 releases LYRICAL TYRANTS From Local To Global (January 24, 2001) and SPACE FUNK 2001 (May 23, 2001) further extended his catalogue. The early 2000s saw a series of compilations and mixes, including KING OF DIGGIN' presents…Sweeeet Baaad As Encounter (June 12, 2002), CHAIN REACTION (January 22, 2003), and BACK II BACK (March 10, 2004). In 2005, 20 Street Years (July 20, 2005) marked a milestone in his career, followed by MUROTIMATE BREAKS & BEATS VOL.1 and MUROTIMATE BREAKS & BEATS VOL.2 (both November 22, 2006). Subsequent releases such as DIGGERS DOZEN (2022) illustrate MURO’s continued activity into the 2020s. MURO’s collaborations include artists such as Zeebra and Nitro Microphone Underground, and his early career is closely associated with DJ Krush through KRUSH POSSE.
