Major Lazer
Major Lazer | |
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Years active | 2008–present |
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Major Lazer is a Jamaican-American electronic dance music and DJ trio, which includes record producer
Major Lazer has released four full-length albums: Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do in 2009, Free the Universe in 2013, Peace Is the Mission in 2015, and Music Is the Weapon in 2020. They have also released six EPs, including Apocalypse Soon in March 2014, which featured vocal contributions from Pharrell Williams and Sean Paul, and Know No Better in 2017, which featured appearances from Camila Cabello, Quavo, Travis Scott, and J Balvin, among others. Major Lazer has also notably produced Reincarnated, the debut reggae album by Snoop Dogg under his "Snoop Lion" persona.[7] In March 2018, Billboard ranked Major Lazer at number five on their 2018 Billboard Dance 100 ranking of dance musicians.[8][9]
History
2009–11: Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do and Lazers Never Die EP
Originally made up of DJs
The album's first single was "Hold the Line", the video for which, directed by Eric Wareheim, was nominated for a MTV Video Award in the Breakthrough Video category. It was also featured in the video game FIFA 10. The track "Zumbie" has a music video that features comedian Andy Milonakis.[14] Music videos for the songs "Pon de Floor", "Keep It Going Louder", and "Bubble Butt" were directed by Eric Wareheim. In June 2009, Major Lazer were featured for the first time on the cover of the publication The Fader, in its 62nd issue.[15] Major Lazer performed at the Falls Music & Arts Festival (Lorne, Victoria, Australia) on December 30, 2009, and the
A mixtape with
2012–15: Free the Universe, Apocalypse Soon EP, and Peace Is the Mission
Major Lazer's live shows previously included hype man Skerrit Bwoy,[18] although he left the group in 2012 to pursue religion. In 2012, Major Lazer began working with Snoop Dogg to produce some tracks that were to be included on his new reggae project. Along with the project came his new alter ego persona known as "Snoop Lion". Switch left the collaborative effort due to "creative differences" as claimed by Diplo. He departed in late 2011 and was replaced with DJ/Producers Jillionaire and Walshy Fire. Also, Boaz van de Beatz, artist from Mad Decent (record label of Diplo), has collaborated with most of the group albums and is considered a member of the group.[citation needed] In September 2012, Major Lazer announced that its upcoming album, Free the Universe, would be released on March 12, 2013, on Mad Decent. They also announced Fall 2012 tour dates.[19]
Major Lazer partly produced UK singer Rita Ora's debut album, Ora. Major Lazer worked with No Doubt for their sixth studio album, Push and Shove. The album's title track features producers Major Lazer and Jamaican reggae artist Busy Signal, and was released as a promotional single in August 2012. Major Lazer launched their Fall Tour 2012 in October, with shows in Oakland, Washington, D.C., Boston, and New York City, among others.[citation needed]
In February 2013, Major Lazer signed with indie record label Secretly Canadian. At the same time, they announced the new release date, April 16, for their album Free the Universe. They also announced the Free the Universe 2013 World Tour, which ran through the spring of 2013.[citation needed]
On February 8, 2015, during the
The first single, "
Four promotional singles were released; "Roll the Bass" March 23, 2015, "Night Riders", a collaboration with Travi$ Scott, 2 Chainz, Pusha T and Mad Cobra, released April 20, 2015, and "Too Original", a collaboration with Elliphant and Jovi Rockwell, released on May 11, 2015. On June 2, 2015, a lyric video was released for "Be Together", a collaboration with Wild Belle, making it the fourth promotional single.[citation needed]
The second single from the album, titled "Powerful", featured English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding and Jamaican singer Tarrus Riley. It was released simultaneously with the album, and was added to BBC Radio 1's playlist on June 21, 2015. It reached the Top 10 in Australia and Poland.[citation needed]
In an interview with
On November 27, 2015, Major Lazer released a re-issue of their third studio album Peace is the Mission, re-titled as Peace is the Mission: Extended. It featured five additional songs, including a collaboration with Dutch electro house DJ
On November 5, 2015, Major Lazer featured on Katy B's single ''Who Am I'' alongside Craig David.[citation needed]
Exactly one year after Peace is the Mission was released, Major Lazer announced a new remix album titled Peace Is the Mission: Remixes. It featured remixes of selected tracks from their third studio album, including "Lean On", "Powerful", "Be Together", "Night Riders", and "Roll the Bass". Major Lazer had over 27 million tags in music identification service Shazam in 2015. This, along with Diplo's other collaboration Jack Ü, gave Diplo the greatest number of Shazams in 2015.[27]
2016–19: Know No Better EP, Essentials and Africa Is the Future EP
On July 22, 2016, a new track titled "Cold Water", featuring vocals from MØ and Justin Bieber, was released by Major Lazer. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 1 in several other countries including on the UK Official Charts, making it their most popular single yet.[28] On September 30, 2016, "Believer", a collaboration with Dutch production duo Showtek, was released as the second single from Major Lazer's upcoming fourth album. The album's title, Music Is the Weapon, had been announced in May 2015, and was set to have "a few more club songs, a few more festival songs" than Peace is the Mission, but to be "in the same spectrum."[29]
On December 6, 2016, Major Lazer released a promotional single for Music Is the Weapon, titled "My Number". The song is a collaboration with Bad Royale that samples "54-46 That's My Number", which Pitchfork describes as "a genre-defining classic from legendary ska/reggae group Toots and the Maytals."[30] The song contains newly recorded vocals from frontman Toots Hibbert specifically designed for Major Lazer, changing the original lyrics to incorporate the group into the song while keeping the original melody.[31][32]
Following the success of singles "Cold Water" and "Believer", Major Lazer released their third single titled "Run Up" January 26, 2017. The song features Canadian musician PartyNextDoor and rapper Nicki Minaj, serving as a follow-up to the tropical, laid-back sound of "Cold Water". Music Is the Weapon, however, still failed to arrive, prompting rumors that Major Lazer would not be releasing an album after all. However, in 2018, Diplo stated that the album will be released in 2019 and that it will be their last.[33]
On June 1, 2017, Major Lazer released a six-song extended play titled
On October 19, 2018, Major Lazer released a compilation album titled Major Lazer Essentials, a 10-year anniversary record that includes all of Major Lazer's greatest hits, and new songs including "Blow That Smoke", featuring Tove Lo, which was released October 17, 2018.[citation needed]
On March 20, 2019, Major Lazer released an extended play titled Africa Is the Future.[citation needed]
2019–present: Jillionaire's departure and Music Is the Weapon
On May 10, 2019, Major Lazer released the song "Can't Take It from Me", featuring Skip Marley, as the new lead single for their fourth studio album.[34] In June 2019, Jillionaire left the group to focus on solo projects, and was replaced by American DJ and record producer Ape Drums.[1][35] The album's second single, "Que Calor", featuring J Balvin and El Alfa, was released September 11, 2019. The album's fifth single, "Lay Your Head on Me", featuring Marcus Mumford of the band Mumford & Sons, was released on March 26, 2020.[citation needed]
In a 2019 interview with
Band members
This is a list of the members of Major Lazer.[38]
Current members
- Diplo – production (2008–present)
- Walshy Fire – production (2011–present)
- Ape Drums – production (2019–present)
Former members
- Switch– production (2008–2011)
- Jillionaire – production (2011–2019)
Discography
- Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do (2009)
- Free the Universe (2013)
- Peace Is the Mission (2015)
- Music Is the Weapon (2020)
Television series
A Major Lazer animated series premiered April 16, 2015, on FXX. Diplo serves as co-creator and executive producer of the show.[39]
Awards and nominations
Year | Awards | Category | Nominee/Work | Outcome | Ref |
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2015 | GAFFA Awards (Denmark) | Best Foreign Song | "Lean On" | Won | [40] |
2016 | NRJ Music Awards | Best Live Performance | Major Lazer | Nominated | [41] |
Best Single Dance/Electro | "Light It Up" | Nominated | |||
Best Collaboration of the Year | Major Lazer | Won | |||
Billboard Music Awards | Top Dance/Electronic Song | Lean On | Won | [42] | |
American Music Awards | Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music | Major Lazer | Nominated | [43] | |
2017 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Dance Artist of the Year | Nominated | [44] | |
Dance Song of the Year | "Cold Water" | Nominated | |||
Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite DJ/EDM Artist | Major Lazer | Nominated | [45] | |
Billboard Music Awards | Top Dance/Electronic Artist | Nominated | [46] | ||
Top Dance/Electronic Song | "Cold Water" | Nominated | |||
Teen Choice Awards | Choice Electronic/Dance Artist | Major Lazer | Nominated | [47] | |
MTV Video Music Awards | Best Dance Video | "Cold Water" | Nominated | [48] | |
Electronic Music Awards | Single of the Year | Won | [49] | ||
Remix of the Year | "Shape of You" (Major Lazer Remix) | Nominated | |||
2018 | Latin Grammy Awards
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Best Urban Fusion/Performance | "Sua Cara" | Nominated | [50] |
GAFFA Awards (Denmark) | Best Foreign Band | Major Lazer | Nominated | [51] | |
2020 | Latin Grammy Award
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Best Urban Song | "Rave de Favela" (with MC Lan, Anitta, BEAM) | Nominated | [52] |
NRJ Music Awards
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International Group Of The Year | Major Lazer | Nominated | ||
2020 | Grammy Awards | Best Dance/Electronic Album | Music is a Major Weapon | Nominated |
References
- ^ a b DeVille, Chris (June 3, 2019), "Jillionaire Quits Major Lazer, Replaced By Ape Drums", Stereogum, retrieved July 30, 2019
- ^ "Listen to Major Lazer's Jillionaire Join Forces With Soca Star Bunji Garlin on 'Television' (Exclusive)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
- ^ "Interview – EDM Band Interview – Major Lazer (USA)". indoclubbing.com.
- AllMusic. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ^ Dolan, Jon (June 2, 2015). "Major Lazer's New Album: Peace Is the Mission". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
- ^ Ma-less. "Diplo & Major Lazer – Meet the People Keeping Moombahton Alive – Complex CA". Complex CA.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (March 15, 2013). "Snoop Lion and Major Lazer Host Raucous Bash in Austin". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^ "Billboard Dance 100 Artists of 2018: The Complete List". Billboard. March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
- ^ "The Chainsmokers named top DJs in the world by Billboard". WJBD. Archived from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
- ^ Dacks, David (May 6, 2012). "Major Lazer Shoots To Thrill • Interviews •". Exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
- ^ "Major Lazer (Diplo + Switch) to Release "Digital Reggae" LP | News". Pitchfork. March 13, 2009. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
- ^ "Diplo takes Mad Decent Downtown". SoundBleed. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- ^ Deluca, Dan "The songs of summer", Philadelphia Inquirer
- ^ "Major Lazer, Zumbie Video", Filter magazine
- ^ "We Part (and Make Magazines)". The Fader. June 16, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
- ^ "Outside Lands 2011 lineup". Brooklyn Vegan. May 12, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
- ^ "Major Lazer, La Roux Team for Mixtape | News". Pitchfork. May 24, 2010. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
- ^ "Major Lazer Bio". Top 40 Charts. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
- ^ "UPDATE: Major Lazer's Free The Universe Release". Nymn.com. September 11, 2012. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- ^ "Diplo wanted Rihanna or Nicki Minaj to sing on Lean On". BBC News. August 20, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ "Major Lazer & DJ Snake's 'Lean On' Becomes Spotify's Most-Streamed Song of All Time". Billboard. November 11, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ Major Lazer & DJ Snake – Lean On (feat. MØ) (Official Music Video). majorlazer. March 22, 2015. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2016 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Major Lazer are "almost sure" they'll be in Australia this summer". Retrieved May 27, 2015.
- ^ "Major Lazer neemt nummer op met Selah Sue". Retrieved June 1, 2015.
- ^ "Diplo's Major Lazer Announce New Album Peace Is The Mission Featuring Collaborations with Pusha T, Ellie Goulding, 2 Chainz, Ariana Grande, More". Pitchfork. March 23, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
- ^ "Major Lazer Announce Expanded Edition of Peace Is the Mission". Pitchfork. November 20, 2015.
- ^ "Diplo is the most Shazamed artist of 2015". December 9, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
- ^ "Major Lazer, Justin Bieber & MØ Throw 'Cold Water' On Drake, Top Charts In Australia & More". July 31, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ "Major Lazer Name New Album 'Music Is the Weapon'". Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ "Major Lazer Sample Toots and the Maytals on New Song "My Number": Listen - Pitchfork". Pitchfork. December 6, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
- ^ "Major Lazer & Bad Royale - My Number". December 5, 2016. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2017 – via YouTube.
- ^ ""My Number - Single" by Major Lazer on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
- ^ "Diplo Says the Next Major Lazer Album Might Be Their Last". Complex.
- ^ Mao, Jessica (May 10, 2019), "Major Lazer share their first single 'Can't Take It From Me' from final upcoming studio album", Dancing Astronaut, retrieved May 15, 2019
- ^ Coney, Brian (June 4, 2019), "JILLIONAIRE HAS LEFT MAJOR LAZER", DJ Mag, retrieved July 30, 2019
- ^ Lutz, Quinn (June 21, 2019), "Ape Drums ushers in a new era for Major Lazer", Dance Music Northwest, retrieved September 21, 2019
- ^ "MAJOR LAZER on Twitter: "MUSIC IS THE WEAPON. OCTOBER 23 #ML4"". Twitter. September 30, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
- ^ Tryon, Oliver (June 4, 2019). "[Confirmed] Jillionaire left Major Lazer, and Ape Drums is in". Cultr. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "Major Lazer cartoon series to premiere on FXX next month". Consequence of Sound. March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ^ "GAFFA-Prisen – og vinderne er..." Gaffa (in Danish). Retrieved September 1, 2019.
- ^ "Palmares NRJ DJ AWARDS 2016 - Meilleurs DJs". NRJ.fr (in French). Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
- ^ "Billboard Music Awards 2016: See the Finalists". Billboard. April 11, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
- ^ "AMAs 2016: See the Full List of Winners". Billboard. November 21, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ "Here's The Complete List Of #iHeartAwards Winners | iHeartRadio Music Awards | iHeartRadio". iHeartRadio. Archived from the original on March 6, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
- ^ "Kids' Choice Awards 2017: Full Nominees and Winners List". Us Weekly. March 11, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
- ^ "Drake, The Chainsmokers Lead Nominees for the 2017 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard. April 10, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
- ^ Ceron, Ella (June 20, 2017). "The Pretty Little Liars Were ALL Nominated for the Same EXACT Award". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
- ^ "MTV Video Music Awards 2017 nominations". BBC News. July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
- ^ Rishty, David (August 8, 2017). "The Chainsmokers, Justice, Eric Prydz & More Nominated for 2017 Electronic Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
- ^ "NOMINEES 19th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards" (PDF). The Latin Recording Academy. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 20, 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
- ^ "GAFFA-Prisen – og vinderne er..." Gaffa (in Danish). Retrieved September 1, 2019.
- ^ Nobrega, Bruna (September 29, 2020). "Grammy Latino 2020: Anitta, Pabllo Vittar, Emicida, Caetano Veloso, Anavitória e mais brasileiros são indicados! Veja a lista completa". Hugogloss.uol.com.br. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
External links
- Official website
- Major Lazer discography at Discogs
- Major Lazer in VK