MEGARYU officially started in 2003, but before that, both members were already active in the reggae/dancehall scene. MEGA HORN, coming from the Gifu prefecture, first became interested in urban music in 1995. He especially liked the Jamaican artist Buju Banton, which peaked his interest in reggae music. In his home town he started a reggae crew with a number of friends in which he was one of the MCs. A few years later, he switched to the position of DJ and did performances around his home area once in a while.
Also from the Gifu prefecture is RYU REX, who was introduced to reggae music by his schoolmates. The bass fascinated him and he became a fan. He also started a reggae group with a number of friends, taking up the position of MC. Gradually during their lives, he switched from being an MC to a vocalist and started to focus on melodies and their compositions from then on.
In 1999, he spent the year in California, USA for a year where he performed in clubs and studios and polished up his performance. After his return to Japan, he and MEGA HORN met by chance and they started a unit called Magnitude together with R'n'B vocalist HITOMI. They released a mix-tape but HITOMI left the band the following year, and so they became the duo that they are nowadays, though using the name MEGA HORN & RYU REX.
They participated in a few compilation albums and in 2002 they were noticed by the renowned reggae artist NAHKI, who produced their first mini-album Garyu. The following year, they participated in a compilation released by the well known reggae artist RYO THE SKYWALKER and released another mini-album produced by NAHKI.
After the release of that mini-album, they started to use the name MEGARYU and it's also under that name that they performed at one of Japan's biggest reggae festivals, Japan Reggae Festa Okinawa, in April 2004. In the summer, they collaborated with pop queen Koda Kumi for the song Heat, which was used as the coupling track to her single CHASE. Shortly after, MEGARYU turned major and released their first mini-album, JUST NOW, on the Avex sub-label, cutting edge.
Their popularity increased steadily and they were able to release their first full album Joushou Kiryuu in July of 2005. They often performed in events, sharing the stage with other artists such as SEAMO, PUSHIM or MOOMIN. However, a highlight in their career was when they performed with Jamaican (roots) reggae and dancehall artist Sizzla in September, which roused many fans of reggae and helped them to gain even more attention in the scene.
In December 2006, a big step was made in their career as they performed in New York at a special Japanese reggae event, together with NAHKI and PANG. Afterwards, they continued to collaborate with PANG as they were featured on her single Kizuna and toured together with her.
Their most recent releases are their third album Motto Kiryuu in the summer of 2007 and the mini-album Uta ni shite okuru kotoba, released in February. Hopefully we can expect another new album next summer and we're curious to see what this talented group will present us this time!
