Nitro Microphone Underground, formed in Japan in 1997, comprised founding members Bigzam, Dabo, Deli, Gore‑Tex, Macka‑Chin, Suiken, S‑Word, and XBS. The group first appeared on stage that year, quickly establishing a collective style that mirrored the Wu‑Tang Clan concept, with each member releasing solo projects that highlighted individual lyrical prowess. Their breakthrough came with the album Nitro Works on 5 November 1999, followed by the self‑titled album Nitro Microphone Underground on 7 October 2000, which sold approximately 20 000 copies and was re‑issued by Def Jam Japan the same year, reaching Number 12 on the Japanese charts. In December 2000, the EP Uprising was released, becoming a staple in Japanese rap. Released in February 2003, "NITRICH / SPARK DA L" was issued as a limited edition of 30,000 copies exclusively through Shinseido. It was later included on the compilation NITRO X 99-09 (2009). The group’s second studio album, Straight from the Underground, dropped on 25 August 2004 and achieved significant commercial success. Subsequent releases included the album Special Force in 2007, produced largely by B‑Money, and the DVD Nitro Reflections in 2005. Nitro Microphone Underground collaborated with prominent Japanese rappers such as Shakkazombie and DJ Muro, and their members featured in the 2007 PS2 game Def Jam Vendetta. The group disbanded in 2012, concluding a decade‑long career that left a lasting imprint on the Asian hip‑hop scene.
