- Monkey King (Taisuke Yamamoto)
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Monkey King 
Yamamoto at 2010 performance in SingaporeBackground information Birth name Taisuke Yamamoto Also known as Monkey King Born October 19, 1986
Surrey, U.K.Genres Rap Instruments Vocals Labels 1OR8FACTION Website 1or8faction.com Taisuke Yamamoto (born October 19, 1986), better known by his stage name Monkey King, is a rapper, CEO and entrepreneur based in Singapore.[1] He has released one EP, four street mixtapes and several singles, as well as download releases and videos.[2]
Taisuke was born in the United Kingdom but is a Japanese national and now resides in Singapore.[3] The name Monkey King comes from the classic Chinese tale Journey To The West.[4]
Contents
Early life
Taisuke was born in Surrey, United Kingdom and moved to Düsseldorf, Germany and Tokyo before finally settling down in Singapore in his twenties.[5] His father is in the construction and development industry.
Taisuke earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from PSB Academy in Singapore.
Musical career
Taisuke began rapping at age 13 and at 17 began selling CDs he produced to people in the streets of Japan.[6] He has also performed under the name MC Yama with bilingual rap crews 4corners and Sky-Fu.[7]
He went on to perform regularly in Shinjuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, Yokohama and Singapore.[8]
Taisuke released “We Gonna Get There,” his first single under the name Monkey King, in July 2009, and released the All Or Nothing EP later that year.[9]
Taisuke is also a songwriter, producer, and manager. He is seen mc-ing frequently at venues in Singapore such as Butter Factory and Home Club.
Musical influences
Taisuke has cited DMX and Ice Cube as major influences on his work. He has also mentioned Run-D.M.C., Eminem and Jay-Z as important artists as well.[10]
Record label & business
Taisuke’s record label 1OR8FACTION was founded to promote Singapore Hip-Hop and Singapore urban attire.[11] 1OR8FACTION also promotes artists from Sri Lanka, Korea and The Philippines.[12]
Taisuke was named “Most Street-Smart Bachelor” in the Cleo Bachelor Awards 2010 Singapore.[13]
References
- ^ reverbnation.com Retrieved 30 December 2010
- ^ amazon.com Retrieved 30 December 2010
- ^ "Rapper 'Monkey King' Releases Smash Debut Single In Asia" top40-charts.com 2009-5-28. Retrieved 30 December 2010
- ^ "Who Is The Monkey King? - Shot Entirely In Singapore - Globetrotter Official Video." aussiepete.com Retrieved 30 December 2010
- ^ reverbnation.com Retrieved 31 December 2010
- ^ "Rapper 'Monkey King' Releases Smash Debut Single In Asia" top40-charts.com 2009-5-28. Retrieved 31 December 2010
- ^ wavehousesentosa.com
- ^ 1or8faction.com
- ^ amazon.com Retrieved 31 December 2010
- ^ "Interview: Monkey King (1or8 Faction)" Retrieved 26 April 2011
- ^ linkedin.com
- ^ "Hip Hop in Singapore Has Promise" spacetoparty.com 2010-10-8. Retrieved 31 December 2010
- ^ Jaynes, Amanda (1 April 2010). "Bachelors' Night" citynews.sg Retrieved 31 December 2010
External links
Categories:- Living people
- 1986 births
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