m-flo started in 1998 as a duo formed by ☆Taku Takahashi and VERBAL, who were classmates at an international school in Tokyo. Shortly after, vocalist LISA joined the group, and m-flo launched in full force. Their unique sound—combining ☆Taku’s high-caliber production, VERBAL’s sharp lyrical flow, and LISA’s expressive vocals—quickly garnered critical and commercial acclaim. Their indie releases achieved phenomenal sales, setting the stage for a powerful major label debut.
In July 1999, they made their major debut with the maxi single "the tripod e.p.", which entered the Oricon chart at No. 9. Their second album "EXPO EXPO" went on to sell over 800,000 copies, making a significant impact on the Japanese music scene.
In 2002, LISA departed the group to pursue a solo career, marking the end of an era. In 2003, m-flo reinvented themselves as a duo and launched the now-iconic "loves" series, collaborating with a wide array of artists across genres and borders. This innovative project reshaped the landscape of J-pop and featured partnerships with global names including BoA and Sik-K from Korea.
In 2017, after 15 years, the original members LISA, VERBAL, and ☆Taku Takahashi reunited, reigniting their legacy. Celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2024, their new single m-flo loves Maya "HyperNova" surpassed 150 million views on TikTok, highlighting their continued relevance. In March 2025, they released "Judgement?" featuring Mamiko Suzuki as their latest “loves” collaborator—proving that m-flo’s creative momentum is stronger than ever.