KATAGI(introduction)
Born and raised in Canada's poorest postal code, an area noted for a high incidence of poverty, drug use, sex trade, and crime, katagi struggled with life in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. At the age of 21, katagi moved to Tokyo Japan to seek a new life for himself, but was met with yet another challenge, as he was stricken with a disease which left him unable to work for 3 years. On welfare, he learned to live off of 1000 dollars a month in the world's most expensive city. The challenge took its toll, as he often battled bouts of depression and emotional instability. He looked for an escape in music, and found it. In 2003, he founded the Japanese hip-hop collective, muragumo. The hip-hop collective put out a few singles that were well received among the Japanese hip-hop community. Later the same year, katagi disbanded muragumo to pursue a solo career and found even greater success. Although the majority of katagi's lyrics are in Japanese, he occasionally raps in English under the monikers Lex Shootah and Ace Da Quiet Science.
KATAGI (artist history)
2010
- Album [En Estado Libre] by Frost released in Argentina. includes one song feat Katagi. (recorded in 2007)
- Album [El Elegido] by Say released in Argentina. includes two songs feat Katagi. (recorded in 2008)
2008
*currently taking time off from making music.
- Featured on "Phhat Shit 2" mixtape available in Argentina.
2007
(available in Japan and Taiwan)
- Collaboration with FROST (Argentina grammy winner)
- Featured on Ish-One's [JP State Of Mind Vol.1]
2006
- Featured on nationally distributed compilation album "GROOVE".
- Featured on "Save NO.9 Records" mixtape available in Taiwan.
2005
- Featured on JSB Compilation Album vol3.
- Featured on DJ HALOON mix tape.
2004
- Contributed two songs to a freestyle ski video [unknown]
- Featured on JSB Compilation Album vol2.
- Featured as an up and coming artist in magazine [bloc]
- Released 2nd album "Game"
- Featured on a nationally syndicated anti-gang
TV commercial for the National Police Agency of Japan.
- Released 1st album "My Life"
- Opened for major recording artists at Club Vuenos.
- Featured as a guest artist on tv programs
[hitoe's real life, pbc world news]
- Featured as a guest mc at radio station [fm yamato]
2003
- Performed as the headlining artist at club [roppongi bar tokyo]
- Artist of the month on Japan's biggest indie music site [muzie]
- Featured on nationally distributed compilation album [signal]
- First live event in front of over 200 people at club [matrix]
The Beginning Of It All
1977 Born in Downtown Eastside Vancouver
1989 Started rhymng at the age of 12, influenced by
[me, myself, and I] by [de la soul].
1991 Bored by the materialistic nature of rap,
quit rapping to front an alternative rock band.
1991 to 1995 Fronted various punk bands.
1996 Won an mc contest held by a local radio station.
1997 Bored of life in Canada, decides to move to Japan.
1998 Hello Japan!
