The European Electronica group Actress originated in South London, England, in 2002. Their music has been described as experimental drum ‘n’ bass, 2-step and post-dubstep. Actress is comprised of British producer and songwriter, Darren Cunningham, who performs under the stage name Actress (or “Acton”), and the visual artist, Robin Needham.

Actress’s sound is heavily inspired by both experimental and electronic music. Using primarily samples from obscure vinyl records and found sound recordings, Cunningham has co-engineered, programmed, written and produced many albums by other established electronic music artists. He has also produced remixes for acts such as The Knife and Kings of Convenience. He usually records and produces his tracks and mixes on the fly, leaving out any superfluous techniques in favour of capturing the unique sound he hears in his head.

Apart from DJ’ing in clubs as part of the Dynamic Squirm collective, Cunningham has worked on various electronic projects since 1997 and released over 30 singles prior to the official formation of Actress. By 2002, Cunningham had become tired of the unmotivated and lacking attitude of some of his peers in the UK music industry. Dissatisfied with the limited potential of his own tracks, he decided to form a new project with Needham. Together crafted a human electronic sound that soon became a hit in clubs across Europe.

Actress released their first studio album Splazsh in 2010. The concept of Splazsh was based on Cunningham’s newfound interest in the works of Chicago’s “House Rules” label. He used it as a guide to interpret the sounds from the American House scene. The album marks the beginning of a thematic and sonic refinement for the band, one that honours traditional four-to-the-floor ideas but also reaches out for something new. The album featured productions from long-time collaborator, UZOK STORY, as well as vocal collaborations with vocalists Nat Thomas, Nicolette nn Hope, Siobhan Alice and Eddie Pherson. “Splazsh” was critically acclaimed and won the Polaris Prize in 2010.

The band has since released a number of acclaimed albums, most notably Ghettoville (2014). The album displayed a darker tone to their previous releases. It was heavily influenced by Cunningham’s continual effort to revisit his teenage odyssey into UK garage and incorporate new sounds into his music. It included collaborations with Niko Mark and Chris Cunningham.

Actress has had multiple sold-out worldwide tours and continues to DJ, sample, and create new unique music. They’ve had many opportunities to explore the relationship between music and visuals, crafting abstract visual statements for their shows. Unlike many of their peers, they’re often credited with meaningfully reinvigorating the design and execution of synchronised light and visuals.

The band continues to challenge and defy conventions in both performance and sound. Today, Malone and Needham walk the line between connecting emotion to identity and bringing a narrative experience to a broader population. Actress is not only a masterful example of electronic and experimental music, but also an example of sheer persistence in a transitioning industry.

Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. is a Japanese psychedelic music collective formed in 1995 by guitarist Kawabata Makoto and bassist Sugino Koji. The group has drawn influences from psychedelic rock, progressive rock, ambient acts, and Eastern spiritual music, becoming known for their aggressive experimental sound. During their career the group has released over 60 albums, experimented with virtually every type of instrument in unconventional ways, and built a dedicated cult following throughout the world.

Makoto Kawabata formed Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. in the wake of his experience playing with the folk-inspired Acid Mothers Temple Soul Collective. With Melting Paraiso U.F.O., Kawabata wished to create music of an art rock and psychedelic variety, free from any predetermined stylistic reason. He invited Koji Sugino, a former collaborator, to form the rhythm section, and recruited former Neo Cosmic Tribe and Yonin Bayashi member Higashi Hiroshi to play with synthesizer. The core lineup was further expanded by the additions of Shimura Koji on drums, Yoshida Tatsuya on percussion, Kōchi Nishio on mandolin, and Cotton Casino on vocals and synthesizer.

The group debuted with their self-titled EP in 1997, experimenting between heavy rock tunes and some more folk-inspired songs. Immediately, their lineup began to fluctuate—some members left to pursue other musical projects, and some joined because of personal recommendations from Kawabata or others in the group. As the group ran through numerous lineups, one core feature of the Acid Mothers Temple collective became their flexibility and willingness to experiment with any type of musical and stylistic combination.

The group’s second full-length album, Electric Dream Ecstasy, was released in 1998 and featured longer instrumental pieces and an emphasis on improvisation. Their sound was also becoming increasingly experimental, with more noise elements made from treated instruments such as an electric rames and a drum synthesizer. In 2000, Acid Mothers Temple released their third album, Electric Heavyland, and their first live album, Live in Occident, the same year. This marked the beginning of the group’s peak of popularity; the group gained attention in the music scene in Japan and throughout the world after receiving mentions in publications such as The Wire Magazine and Rolling Stone.

Throughout the 2000s, the group released three more studio albums and over 20 live albums. 2009 saw the group launching its first European tour, covering countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Czech Republic, and Poland. In the following years, the group toured several more continents, becoming recognised as a staple of the international psychedelic music scene.

In 2015, Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso UFO released Myth of the Love Electrique, their twelfth studio album. This marked the return of Sugino Koji as a core member and the introduction of Satoshima Nani and Himi as live members. This lineup disbandend shortly afterwards, with Kawabata reconvening Acid Mothers Temple with Tsuyama Atsushi, Kawana Sachiko, and Tabata Mitsuru from Dust Of Blitz Snow Council—the last lineup to perform under the Acid Mothers name before disbanding and introducing yet another lineup entitled Acid Mothers Sacred And Divine.

Throughout their 20+ year career, Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. have maintained their energetically adventurous and always unpredictable style. The group continues to contribute to the international psychedelic scene, going strong in influence, live shows, and album releases. As long as they’re around, Acid Mothers Temple will continue to shape contemporary psychedelic music and remain as an integral part of its history.

Acid Bath is a sludge metal/doom metal four-piece band from Houma, Louisiana that formed in 1991 and released several albums and singles before disbanding in 1997. The band consisted of vocalist/guitarist Dax Riggs, guitarist Audie Pitre, bassist Mike Sanchez and drummer Sammy Pierre Duet.

The roots of Acid Bath can be traced back to the musical séance of the early to mid 1990s, when sludge metal and doom pioneers like Eyehategod and Crowbar were raised from the depths of urban obscurity to unexpected prominence. Drawing inspiration from not only sludge metal and doom, but also psychedelic, progressive, classic rock and jazz, amongst other many genres, Acid Bath was formed in 1991 by guitarist Audie Pitre, drummer Sammy Pierre Duet, vocalist and guitarist Dax Riggs and bassist Mike Sanchez, while the members were still in their late teens.

The four-piece soon began working on original material, and their early efforts paid off, as less than a year after Acid Bath’s founding, they were signed to decade-long record label Rotten Records. The young band collected praise for their talent and creativity, and released their debut album, ‘When the Kite String Pops’ in 1994. Exploring themes such as suicide, drugs, madness and war, the record took off in sludge metal and doom circles, and further solidified Acid Bath’s position in the scene.

The band’s esteem only shot up higher after their sophomore album, ‘Paegan Terrorism Tactics’, released in 1996. Possessing sonic complexity beyond anything previously heard in the world of sludge metal/doom metal, Acid Bath made sure to keep their material relentlessly aggressive without surrendering creativity and intelligence. Containing a down-tuned classic rock section, as well as jazzy acoustic interludes and spellbinding instrumental sections, the record pleased fans unreservedly, in addition to earning esteem from critics.

The members of Acid Bath, however, weren’t willing to remain content in the underground, and aiming attain a mass following for their art. To this end, they embraced all kinds of angles, including a mention of the band in an episode of cult series ‘Beavis and Butt-Head’.

The hard work put in by Acid Bath was all worth the effort, as evidenced by their final and critically acclaimed album, ‘Grave under the Summer Snow’. Containing viciously memorable tracks such as ‘Dope Fiend’ and ‘Dead Girl’, as well as a surprisingly sombre rendition of Hendrix classic ‘Hey Joe’, the album effortlessly transcended genre boundaries and reached a variety of music audiences. Tragically, the arrival of ‘Grave under the Summer Snow’ in 1997 served not as a triumphant taste of success and fame for Acid Bath, but as an end rather than a beginning, as the band members soon started to engage in solo projects and Acid Bath disbanded in the same year.

All four members of Acid Bath have since gone on successful solo careers. Dax Riggs has released four albums under his own name as well as three with Spillblack. Pitre and Sanchez have produced and contributed for variety of bands, while Duet joined The Radiators and Corrosion Of Conformity at various points. Despite having been gone for more than twenty years, Acid Bath’s influence continues to be profoundly felt within the metal scene today, and their albums still evoke strong nostalgia amongst old fans and new listeners alike.

Ace of Base is one of the most well known Swedish pop music groups, selling over 60 million records worldwide. The original band consisted of siblings Ulf Ekberg (Ulveson), Jonas Berggren, his sister Linn Berggren, and Jenny Berggren, another sibling. With their distinct sound and first album, Happy Nation, the band enjoyed international success in the 90’s. They are well remembered for their hit tracks “The Sign” and “All That She Wants”.

The songwriting and production was mostly done by the two brothers, Jonas and Ulf. The recording session for the band’s first album Happy Nation happened in Norway in the beginning of 1992 until April 1993. The first album contained the songs such as “Wheel of Fortune”, “Voulez-Vous Dancer”, “All That She Wants”, and the mega hit singles “The Sign” and “Don’t Turn Around”. Ace of Base found major success with their first album as it sold 9 million copies in the United States and topped the charts in multiple countries. Their success continued with a follow-up album called The Bridge, released in 1995. The Bridge continued the band’s success on the charts, containing hits such as “Beautiful Life” and “Lucky Love.”

By 1997, the band began to experience several lineup changes. Ulf Ekberg left the group to pursue personal interests, with his sister Linn taking over many of his songwriting tasks. Jonas, Linn, and Jenny continued on as a trio, helped by several studio musicians. In 1995, the band released their third and last studio album, Flowers. This album was met with great success, with the single “Cruel Summer” becoming popular. The band embarked on an expansive tour to promote the album worldwide and were well received by their legions of fans.

The band pursued a side project of more serious style of music with the Swedish instrumental group Optimus in 2000 and also began work on their final album, Da Capo, which was released in 2002. Da Capo contained songs by all three remaining members, as well as a track written by Ulf, though he was not involved in the recording of the album. Unfortunately, after the release of the album, the Berggren siblings tested the waters of solo projects which marked the end of Ace of Base. Despite this, the band has had a lasting impact on pop culture.

Today, Ace of Base is remembered by fans and critics the world around as one of the greatest pop/dance bands of the 90s. Even though members have come and gone, eight studio albums have been released, showing how much they have achieved in their short career. Truly, the group has left an unforgettable mark in music history. Avery impressive feat, indeed.

Acceptance was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1998 by vocalist/guitarist Jason Vena, bassist Kaylan Cloyd and guitarist/keyboardist Christian McAlhaney. The band began playing local shows and quickly developed a devoted fan base in their hometown, who responded enthusiastically to the band’s emotionally charged blend of melodic rock and post-hardcore angst.

Determined to share its music on a larger level, Acceptance released its debut EP, “Lost for Words”, in 1999. Ecstatic reviews, following the EP’s release, helped boost the band’s momentum when it signed to a major label. The band spent the next six months recording the album “Phantoms”, on which they worked with noted producer Barrett Jones, who had produced several albums with Sunny Day Real Estate, another well-known band from Seattle.

The band was hailed by critics and fans alike upon the release of “Phantoms”, for its heady mix of urgent guitars, dense melody, and thoughtful lyrics. The band enjoyed both a successful album launch and nationwide tour in support of its record. After a sell-out tour in which they displayed their untarnished stage presence, the band gained critical acclaim.

Acceptance was quickly signed to the popular punk rock label, Victory Records, for whom they recorded their follow-up, “Black Lines to Battlefield”. The album was a marked departure from their first record, and showcased the band further broadening their sound to explore various approaches to heavy rock. The album continued to be well-received by fans, and almost immediately, Acceptance began planning a huge tour in support of “Black Lines to Battlefield”.

On the evening of August 13th, 2004 a major electrical accident occurred in The Matrix House, a 1000-capacity venue in Barcelona, Spain. The accident was linked to the band’s equipment and resulted in vocalist Jason Vena suffering a second-degree burn to his left arm and leg. He was married to keyboardist Christian McAlhaney at the time and the couple were expecting their first child.

The accident put the band on indefinite hiatus while Jason went into recovery and focused on the birth of his first child. After nearly a year of hiatus, the band returned in 2005 to record an album of acoustic renditions of their songs, titled “Dreams of A Trapdoor Moving Slowly”. While the album marked the band’s transition period, they were committed to return to making hard rock.

In 2006, Acceptance released their third proper album, “Phantoms”. The album was another ambitious rock record with a generally more positive message. Despite a successful tour to promote the album, Acceptance co-headlined a concert at the Showbox in Seattle, Washington in October 2008, where they confirmed their disbandment.

Since disbanding, Acceptance’s members moved on to different careers, and some still play music independently. Vena and Cloyd joined the indie rock band Kit Walters. Christian and Dave Strackany embarked on solo careers. Vena eventually co-founded the indie folk band Listener, with Christian, to whom he is married, acting as their lead singer.

In alternate timelines, Acceptance are commemorated as a fan favorite, with new resurgence due to streaming services. The post-hardcore angst that defined much of their work transcends their original setting, to endear contemporary listeners. The band was instrumental in creating Seattle’s song data genre, laying the groundwork for others.

Eight Reissue of phantoms was released In 2019, with extra tracks added to note their significant contribution to music. Having toured the US, Europe and parts of Asia, Acceptance have lent music to pivotal moments whether historical or personal, and stand out as an important 90s and 2000s rock band, with a lasting legacy still felt.

Accept is a German heavy metal band that rose to prominence in the 1980s due to their aggressive style of playing. Their music is considered a crucial development in the evolution of the genre. Though most of their recordings have a harsh, industrial sound, later albums have shown a more progressive approach.

The band was formed by guitarist Gerhard “Geri” Schröer in 1976, in the German city of Solingen. The first lineup featured singers Peter Baltes, Frank Friedrich and Udo Dirkschneider, and engineer Horst Maehler playing bass. The group was soon re-tooled with bassist Peter Szigeti and drummer Stefan Kaufmann.

With this lineup, Accept quickly rose to international recognition. Their debut album Accept (1979) was met with mixed reviews, but received enough attention to spur a tour of the US in 1980. On their accompanying tour, Accept gained notoriety, with bands like Metallica, Megadeth, and Ratos de Porão shouting out their influence.

Their next albums Breaker (1981) and Restless and Wild (1982) perfected the aggressive sound and fast riffs that became the signature of the group. Following the release of these two albums, the band achieved worldwide fame. All the time touring extensively, Accept was later described as Germany’s answer to the Rolling Stones.

After the release of their fourth album Balls to the Wall (1983), Accept changed their sound somewhat. By this point, Baltes had left the group and was replaced by David Reece. That same year, they released the number one single “Balls to the Wall” in various countries.

But not everyone was happy with the new sound. Investing heavily in a North American tour (1984) failed, resulting in the band going on hiatus following their next release Metal Heart (1985). Eventually, after turbulent years of under-and-outs, internal conflicts and dramatic touring, the band members decided to part ways in 1989.

Fast forward to the start of the new millennium: Accept was resuscitated by founding members Baltes, Dirkschneider, and guitarist Wolf Hoffmann. With Jörg Fischer joining on guitar and Stefan Schwarzmann on drums, they performed several reunion shows all over the globe. This was followed by a new studio album, Blood of the Nations (2010).

The band’s style evolved once more, spawning a fast, dynamic musical language. Following the success of this record, Accept got the recognition that they originally had in the 80s. Albums such as Stalingrad (2012), Blind Rage (2014) or The Rise of Chaos (2017), finally gained them the international fame their early days in the 1980s.

Today, Accept is still at the top of the metal scene, headlining major festivals such as Wacken Open Air or Graspop Metal Meeting. Their impressive musical career hasn’t diminished, as the band continues to make and play new music. It’s hard to imagine metal music without the influence of Accept; their ongoing relevance in the scene speaks for itself.

AC/DC is one of the most influential and best-selling hard rock bands of all time. They are a staple of many classic rock playlists and have concerts that still pull in capable of. AC/DC was formed in Sydney, Australia in 1973 made up of the brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, vocalist Bon Scott, bassist Mark Evans, and drummer Phil Rudd.

The story of Ac/DC begins with the Young brothers, Malcolm and Angus. Angus began playing guitar in the the band ‘The Velvet Underground’ at age 15 and it did not take long before his brother, Malcolm, joined him on rhythm guitar, just one year later. The two wrote music and formed a band with names like ‘Marcus Hook Roll Band’, and ‘Kantuckee’. While further experimenting with these line-ups, the brothers eventually settled upon the upper-billing of AC DC and decided it was the name of their band.

The majority of AC/DC’s early material was rooted in the British studio blues rock sound of the day; Flirting with the rockabilly found in move such as High Voltage and their debut album „T.N.T.“, they worked toward a heavier sound featuring elements of good Vaudeville rock ‘n’ roll. This sound eventually evolved into their signature style featuring monstrous riffs and shouted choruses.

Throughout the ’70s and the ’80s, AC/DC released one supremely successful album after another, including Highway to Hell, Back in Black and Who Made Who. They toured extensively during this time, primarily playing shows in the United States, Canada, Australia and Great Britain. The band maintained a formidable presence on radio with singles like “You Shook Me All Night Long” and “Back In Black”. Though numerous lineup changes hindered the staying power of the band’s early years, they enjoyed continued success as longtime front man Brian Johnson and bedrock drummer Phil Rudd returned in the ’80s to help define the act as nearly indestructible.

Throughout the ’90s and into the ’00s, AC/DC released steady offerings of albums and live DVDs, beginning with the Razor’s Edge record in 1990 and straggling into 2014’s Rock or Bust. Airplay and single success for songs like “Thunderstruck,” “Hell’s Bells,” and “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” has not diminished in the decades since they’ve first charted; rather, AC/DC has bred into one of the most revered modern rock acts with an armory of memorable tunes and a legacy that should rock forever.

AC/DC has achieved enormous success with record sales estimated at more than 200 million copies worldwide. They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, hold eight Grammy Award wins, and were awarded the Australian Recording Industry Authority’s (ARIA) highest honor, the ARIA Hall of Fame, for their contribution to the Australian music industry. With a fan base across all ages and four decades of hard rock to their credit, AC/DC continue to prove their lasting power as musical influencers.

Ab-Soul is an American hip-hop artist from Carson, California. Born via birthname Herbert Anthony Stevens IV in 1986, Ab-Soul has risen to fame over the last decade and a half as one of the most truly unique figures in the rap game. With a blend of uncarved lyricism, determined ambition and a fearless willingness to both innovate and experiment, Ab-Soul has successfully carved out his own lane to stand among the generational titans of today’s rap music.

Before establishing himself as a prominent rapper, Stevens was just an unknown emcee growing up amid the throng of Los Angeles’s hip-hop scene. His father, a music industry veteran, could often be found nurturing young Ab-Soul into his own personal rap protege. Unfortunately, Ab-Soul’s opportunity at a prolific music career was cut short in 2003 as the emcee’s father passed away due to a brain aneurysm. During his father’s passing, Ab-Soul gained the notion that music is transcendental and acts as a lasting landmark in that it lives eternally regardless of owners. With that debut philosophy, he selected his moniker “Ab-Soul” which can be summarized by concept that “our souls remain ageless.” While mourning the unfortunate blow of his father, and subsequently moving from Los Angeles to Carson, Ab-Soul made his first mixtape in 2006.

In the early days of his music career, Ab-Soul considered himself an underground artist who focused on making distinct soundscapes that were generated from witty wordplay and unpredictable flows. As a young unknown trying to make his mark, Ab-Soul spent time linking up with the right circle and familiars to reach an ever expanding listener pool. Getting his name out, Ab-Soul joined East Coast rapper J. Cole on his worldwide release “Friday Night Lights”, and later connected up with fellow Grammy Award-winning West Coast rapper Kendrick Lamar. To further promote his own talent, Ab-Long Beach-native even recruited some of Southern Californias ear engineering minds such as producer Sounwave or feature Sean “P. Diddy” Combs to throw a flavor to his crafts.

In late 2010, Ab-Soul group Black Hippy was announced and represented four some hip-hop luminaries tag teaming and building together by the powers of Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q and Jay Rock as Top Dawg Entertainment’s first line up collective. Entitled after their hometown of `Cali” prior to they signed to rap music mogul Dr. Dre’s Interscope Records as the first grade of TDE’s roster. Consequently, Black Hippy would perfect their self-produced debut single “Zip That Chop That” together and extend their dynamic as a cohesive musical unit. Spearheaded by Ab-Soul, the foursome would apply classic raw lyricism and an element of relatable storylines to revive the Los Angeles Underground Hip-Hop scene

Between 2011 to now, Ab-Soul has gone on to release four solo cut projects, each advancing his strong fundamental cornerstones hip-hop delivery: excellent worldplay and tireless wordplay, personifying conceptually amazing raw soundscapes that pair up the infinitesimal ingenuity you hear on each bar. Ab Soul studio efforts began with 2012’s “Control System” released on Top Dawg Entertainment and rolled on with his next release having guest appearances of guest Jay Rock, and Kendrick Lamar. Aside from success locally and nationally, Ab-Soul even achieved a Grammy nod for his work on 2013s ”good kid, m.A.A.D City” title track for ”Best Rap Song.” After a three years hiatus, Ab-Soul put out a total of four independently-released albums, including 2017’s “Why Do I Love You”.

A true visionary of hip-hop, Ab-Soul continues to puts out respectable projects as a solo artist, combining both soulful life depictions and ethereal lyrical elements within a panoramic imaginative style that is all Ab-Soul’s own. His initiative to break boundaries and willingness to take risks have molded Ab-Soul into the authoritative creator of his time. Having toured overseas across Europe and North America, Ab-Soul takes parts in hip-hop writing and collects inspiring new material that he combines into a tantalizing cocktail to be enjoyed by the masses. Entertaining a generation of growing rap fans, Ab-Soul serves up cultural cuisine of conscious thought provoking stimulation in a manner that simply cannot be overlooked.

So nearly 15 years in the game, Ab-Soul is established to be a leader of hip-hop for generations to follow. With an eclectic beat selection and global collaborators, Ab-Soul is crating his own unique legacy, transcending over hardships as he journeys for more soundscape genius. Having steadily proving his weight since his father’s passing, Ab-Soul is living with an inspirational appreciation for the craft, and is word the way music. This journey to his dream-reality is inspriation to intellectual ears across the world, and is a constant reminder that your demise can become your destiny.

Absolute Beginner was born as Jan Delay on 28th June 1976 in Hamburg, Germany. He is a German rapper, singer, songwriter and reggae artist who has made an exceptional impact on the German hip-hop and reggae scene.

Jan Delay was born to a musical family, which had a strong influence on his musical desire from a young age. His father played in a band named Sgt. Pepper’s Band and often had young Jan on stage, providing him with his initial performance experience. At age twelve, he founded the hip-hop group “DSDS” with classmates Cora E. and Dean D. Together they put out mixtapes and spread the word of hip-hop through the city. After graduating from high school, Jan spent six years in Paris, where he polished his writing and performance skills and visited renowned universities in different world cultures.

At the turn of the millennium, his career hit high gear with the release of his debut album “Wave”. The album addressed broad themes such as loneliness, freedom, and the captivating appearance of the great city of Hamburg. With this seminal record, Jan established himself as one of the most creative, pioneering, and exciting hip-hop and reggae artists in Germany, and positioned himself at the forefront of the emerging German hip-hop scene.

In 2004, Jan Delay released the groundbreaking album “Adjuva”, essentially a new musical language that would influence an entire hip-hop generation. The album’s content dwelled deep in themes such as social injustice or technical advances, without ever forgetting the party intent. With this record, Jan established himself as one of the most respected and engaging recording artists in Germany, earning him the Middle German Cinema Award and the German Respected Music Award in 2005. Moreover, he founded the band D.E.P.P.E.N.D.E.N.T. that year in collaboration with other members of the hip-hop scene from Hamburg.

Jan Delay’s international breakthrough came in 2006, with the game changing album, “Virus” which was almost unanimously hailed by critics as the “Hip-Hop Album of the Year”. The album was an electro-soulful trip through social criticism, everyday life, and technology, and certainly a key work for any German rap fan. This was followed by the equally successful “Grundlos” album in 2007 and “44 Inertlich” in 2008.

On the back of his albums, Jan Delay has had numerous No 1. hits include Keep On Trying, So Long Goodbye, and An der Nordseekuste. His skillful use of the German language and his incredibly creative rhythms and rhymes have won him accolades for his music which has been downright chiselled in stone. On top of his impressive solo career, Jan was part of several side projects over the years, including collaborations with cult musicians such as The Wolfsheim, Pete Doherty, Lee Scratch Perry, and Michael Franti.

In recent years, Jan Delay has started to conquer the international market, with performances in Europe, UK, US, and Japan. He has made guest appearances on mainstream TV shows such as “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “The Tonight Show”. He has also shown no sign of slowing down in 2017 with the release of the single “Light My Fire”, a jazzy, romantic duet between Jan and the singer Miriam Lugo.

Jan Delay is undoubtedly one of the most important and influential hip-hop and reggae artists of the 21st century. His passion for music, sound, intuition, and imagination have led him to become an iconic German artist with a well-deserved place in the annals of hip-hop histor. With his captivating live performances and ability to blend reggae, hip-hop, soul, and technological music advances into one electrifying music which has seen him reach higher heights.

ABC is an English pop band that emerged in the early 1980s in Sheffield, England. Founded by the trio of singer Martin Fry, bassist Mark White, and keyboardist Stephen Singleton, the band was a pioneering force in the happy-go-lucky, neon-lit era of early-1980s synthpop. While ABC’s career peaked early with the acclaim of its 1982 self-titled debut album, the band went on to record six more albums in their career before taking a hiatus in the late 1990s.

ABC’s short-lived but exceptionally fruitful career began in 1980 when Martin Fry responded to an ad placed by Stephen Singleton, who was looking for a singer for a synthpop act he was putting together. Fry had previously performed in various bands around the punk and new wave scenes. He jumped at the opportunity to turn to synthpop, eager to try a different approach to music-making. Fry and Singleton eventually met up with Mark White, who had played keyboards and guitar in several local bands, and the three were instantaneously drawn to one another’s shared vision for an avant-garde synthpop outfit.

Drawing inspiration from David Bowie, Roxy Music, and other new wave bands of the time, ABC set out to carve out a signature sound for themselves. Applying the colorful spirit of funk well-incorporated into 1980s synth music, Fry, White, and Singleton concocted a glittery dance-pop sound that displayed extreme finesse and ear for detailed production. Taking advantage of George Martin’s AIR Studios, where they recorded their debut album, the band crafted their most beloved unique style, beginning with their self-titled 1982 album.

The self-titled debut featured the hit single “The Look of Love,” which became ABC’s biggest hit, reaching No. 4 on the UK Single chart and No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The single was propelled by its engaging new wave grooves and plaintive anticipation delivered through Fry’s tight, cutting lead vocals. While the single certainly demonstrated ABC’s knack for crafting infectious little earworms, the band’s discography is rife with additionally stylish cuts, from the breezy “Poison Arrow” to the rolling dance grooves displayed on the ferocious lead-off track of the 1982 album, “Show Me.”

ABC managed to follow up on the success of their debut in much the same manner. In 1983, ABC released the album “Lexicon of Love.” Featuring a vibrant array of styles from Davidson riffs to jazz-funk shuffle beats, the album brazenly established the band’s royal status in the new wave scene. 17 singles appearing in the UK Top 30 between 1982 and 1990 stand as a beacon to the incredible accomplishments of the band in the studio.

Though never given proper attention due to their aesthetic focus, reigned by MTV, ABC HQ announced that Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley joined Martin Fry in the band lineup for a South American tour in 1999. The tour, which was quite successful for the band, marked the beginning of their fifth studio album project. However, the unfinished tracks, written in Sheffield and London and initially scheduled to follow “Millennium” (1997) into late 2000, were considered a disappointment subject wise and not released until later.

The band experienced a brief period of activity between 2001 and 2004, scoring a handful of live performances in such prestigious music festivals like the Montreux Jazz Festival and Roskilde Music Festival, and releasing “Look of Love Vols. 1 & 2”, two 25-track retrospective compilation box sets. Signing off with a mightily successful headline show at Sheffield Arena in September 2002, ABC soon enough disappeared entirely for many years. After a prolonged period of inactivity, the band regrouped in 2011 to perform at the OneGreenPlanet.com launch event and to play a few dates in the first half of 2012, demonstrating their firm footing in the public memory and media attention

ABC had a significant impact on the 1980’s synth and new wave scene. They are best known for their hit singles such asThe Look of Love and Poison Arrow, though they had a number of chart toppers during their wildly successful career. Significant as much for their sound as for the sophistication of their productions, ABC had a significant impact across the musical community as a whole.