Force of Nature (duo)
Japanese hip-hop DJ and production duo from Tokyo.
Force of Nature, also written as FORCE OF NATURE, is a Tokyo-based hip-hop duo made up of Ikuzumi Kitazawa (KZA) and Kento Sasaki (known as DJ Kent or The Backwoods). They are recognized globally for both DJing and producing, and they contributed to the music for the anime Samurai Champloo as part of its production team.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Tokyo, Japan
- Genre
- Hip Hop
- Instrumental hip hop
- house
- disco
- techno
- dub music
- electronica
- Years active
- 2000–present
- Label
- Dimid Recordings
- Libyus Music
- Victor Entertainment
- Exceptional Records
- Endless Flight
- Associated acts
- Yotsukaido Nature
- Fat Jon
- Nujabes
- Shakkazombie
- Tsutchie
- Current members
- KZA; DJ Kent
Facts from the source article.
Biography
In the 1990s, KZA (then known as Kita & Zawa), DJ Kent, and Akira "Mic Akira" Nakano were in a Japanese hip-hop group called Yotsukaido Nature, named after the city of Yotsukaidō, Chiba Prefecture. KZA, a founding member, was an emcee with Mic Akira, while Kent joined as DJ and producer after the original DJ left. Yotsukaido Nature appeared on the track "Ookinaosewa (Say What)" from Kimidori's self-titled album in 1993, released their self-titled EP, the single "HIGH-NIKKEN", and collaborated with punk band Super Stupid in 1995. In 1996, they performed at the Thumpin' Camp and Little Bird Nation Summer Festival concerts at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall in Tokyo. After producing the breakbeat "Urban Combatt 2001" for their 1998 album V.I.C. Tomorrow, KZA and DJ Kent adopted the name Force of Nature for their production project, a play on the word "Yotsu" (meaning "fourth") inspired by Jungle Brothers' album Done by the Forces of Nature and the group Naughty By Nature. Following two more singles, Yotsukaido Nature dissolved, KZA retired as an emcee, and Force of Nature continued as a DJ/production duo focused on instrumental music blending hip hop, disco, techno, house, dub, and electronica. They became fixtures in the Japanese dance music scene, remixing tracks for artists including Unkle, DJ Shadow, Shakkazombie, YOU THE ROCK★, Ayumi Hamasaki, Five Deez, Nigo, ECD, Rhymester, Halcali, Suiken of Nitro Microphone Underground, D.C.P.R.G., Sly Mongoose, Tokona X, and Keiichi Sokabe. In 2002, they released their first instrumental album The Forces Of Nature.
Other projects
KZA released the albums Dig And Edit in October 2009, An EP in December 2009, and Dig & Edit 2 in January 2014. He also started the Let's Get Lost label with Mule Musiq, releasing re-edits singles and compilations. DJ Kent is part of Galarude with Hiroshi Kawanabe of TOKYO NO.1 SOUL SET and bassist Noriyoshi Sasanuma of Sly Mongoose. His mix album (B)ape Sounds Mixtape was released in 2004 by Ape Sounds Records under the A Bathing Ape brand. In 2005, he joined Yanneck "Quarion" Salvo and Adrien "Rosario" Mazzei of Square Meal to form Enterplay, which released Water & Dust. As The Backwoods, he released his self-titled album in July 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Force of Nature (duo) from?
Force of Nature originated in Tokyo, Japan.
When was Force of Nature (duo) active?
Force of Nature has been active since 2000.
Which record labels has Force of Nature (duo) released music on?
Force of Nature has released music on Dimid Recordings, Libyus Music, Victor Entertainment, Exceptional Records and Endless Flight.
More in Japanese Hip-hop Groups
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