James Blake | Artist
James Blake Litherland is an English electronic dance musician and producer, born 1988 in London. Blake showed an interest and aptitude in music from a young age and went on to Goldsmiths, University of London, where he received a degree in Popular Music. While at university, Blake and friends hosted a series of "Bass Society" music nights that featured UK artists such as Distance, Skream and Benga. His 2009 debut 12" record, Air & Lack Thereof was recorded in his bedroom and released on small label Hemlock. The EP became a favourite of BBC Radio One DJ Gilles Peterson. As a second-year composition assignment for his studies at Goldsmiths, he submitted the Klavierwerke EP which was awarded high marks. In January 2011, Blake was awarded Single of the Year (2010) for "CMYK" at Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards. Blake's work found itself on numerous 2010 year-end best-of lists. His self-titled debut album was released in February 2011 to great acclaim, with singles "Limit to Your Love" and The Wilhelm Scream" gaining widespread airplay. Early in 2012, Blake spent time with American rapper Kanye West, who named Blake as his favourite artist. His second album Overgrown was released in April 2013 and the single "Retrograde", debuted on BBC Radio 1. The album features guest appearances from noted electronic music producer Brian Eno and rapper RZA of Wu-Tang Clan. The release received critical acclaim and won the 2013 Mercury Prize. Blake has gone on to release ten studio albums including collaborations with Endel and Lil Yachty. Standout releases include the studio albums James Blake (2011), Overgrown (2013), Friends That Break Your Heart (2021), and Playing Robots Into Heaven (2023). Blake's early releases are experimental and electronic in style, influenced by UK bass music such as dubstep and 2-step garage. On releases such as The Bells Sketch, CMYK and Klavierwerke, Blake's own voice is obscured and processed, also incorporating vocal samples from '90s R&B, prominent sub-bass frequencies, and uneven, sparse rhythms. Blake's work was described by journalists as "post-dubstep", alluding to his progress beyond the style's initial characteristics. In 2013 Blake's album Overgrown won the Mercury Music Prize, with the judges describing it as "late-night music for the digital age. An inventive, poignant and poetic record of great beauty." As a producer Blake has worked with names such as Oneohtrix Point Never, Travis Scott, Jay Rock, Kanye West, Beyoncé, and his partner Jameela Jamil. Blake's father James Litherland, was a guitarist/vocalist for UK progressive rock bands Mogul Thrash, Colosseum, and Bandit.
Artist Website: jamesblakemusic.com
Featured Albums: James Blake
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