As our parents know only too well, early educational measures are rarely crowned by success. And yet, when infant Yukihiro Kanesaka aka U-Key asked his mother how to become a ninja, she displayed some ingenious pedagogic skills: 'Well, if you learn how to play the piano first, it's a lot easier to become a ninja!'
Yuki, who totally fell for this harmless trick, soon took to the keys, composed his first songs at five and dove right into the world of synthesizers, computer programming, jazz funk and fusion before he had reached the double figures.

After a move from Japan to LA (USA) had added hip-hop and house to the mix, the former Yamaha trainee, still in his teens, was accepted at Boston's renowned Berklee College of Music. In the following years, he finished a number of professional studio productions, won first prize at 'THE SOURCE National Rap Music' awards and toured with the rap stars Cee-Lo (Gnarls Barkley, Pussycat Dolls), Maceo (De La Soul), Medusa and MC Supernatural.

The pseudonym U-Key gives Yuki an outlet for his own studio activities and collaborations with many national and international artists, among others Londonbased Mixed Tape fave Kay Suzuki. His favourite collaborators grace this track, singer OJ and rapper MC Raydar, whose harmonious vocal battle adds a tangible tension to 'I Know's hip-hop beats and jazzy R&B.

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