DJ Lead started his career in 1998, where his passion for Hip Hop music, combined with a strong work ethic, saw him grow to become one of the most popular DJs in Japan.
Several years later, he caught the attention of the world famous The Heavy Hitters DJ crew, who recruited him as their only Japanese member.
In 2013, Lead became the first international DJ to join the world’s most influential hip hop station, HOT 97 (NYC), with a weekly show called the International Hour.
In 2014, DJ Lead made his debut at NYC’s biggest Hip Hop festival, HOT 97 SUMMER JAM, which was the event that catapulted Lead into the limelight. His impact on the event resulted in its expansion to Tokyo, in 2016.
DJ Lead is a resident at the prestigious 1OAK Tokyo nightclub, ahich originated in NYC and has since established itself as one of Tokyo’s best nightclubs.
Lead is signed to Universal Music Japan, where he has released a number of projects, including the Def Jam 30th Anniversary prologue.
2018 marked the 20th Anniversary of DJ Lead, where he celebrated by touring the United States, Europe, and Asia. The same year saw Lead make his debut at Ultra Japan.
As an open format DJ, Lead has the ability to move between genres, such as Hip Hop, Dancehall, Pop and EDM. His stage presence and ability to read a crowd has enabled him to use music to bridge Japan and the rest of the world.
