• 2003-

  Saul Milton

  Will Kennard
• The UK electronic production duo first met in London while both were university students in Manchester. Kennard (Status) was studying art history at the University of Manchester and Milton (Chase) was studying English and Humanities at the Manchester Metropolitan University. They started hot with a string of hits on the UK dance charts, including their breakthrough single "Pieces."
• Drummer Andy Gangadeen and vocalist MC Rage form their live band.
• They've invited an array of artists to lay down vocals on their tracks, including Plan B, Liam Bailey, Tinie Tempah, Cee Lo Green, Nile Rodgers, and Rihanna.
• In 2013, they averted disaster during a performance at the Reading Festival, where they took the stage before Eminem. Fans in the front were being crushed against the barrier and MC Rage refused to continue with the performance until the crowd calmed down. Throughout the rest of the show, he had to keep shouting reminders to curb overzealous fans.
• In 2014, Kennard announced he was opening a free school, East London Arts and Music - The Industry Academy, to offer disadvantaged teens the chance to thoroughly study music, concentrating on performance, technology, and business.
• They established MTA Records in 2009, subsequently introducing artists like Abigail Wyles, Louis M^ttrs, Jacob Banks, and Moko, all of whom contributed to the duo's third studio album, Brand New Machine.

Comments

More Songfacts:

Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran

Ed Sheeran wrote the 2014 love song "Thinking Out Loud" about his girlfriend at the time, Athina Andrelos. They split the following year, and Ed started seeing Cherry Seaborn, whom he married in 2019; songs like "Perfect" and "No Strings" are about her.

SundownGordon Lightfoot

The inspiration for Gordon Lightfoot's "Sundown" came when he was worrying about his girlfriend, who was out at bars all day while he was home writing songs.

All of the LightsKanye West

Alicia Keys, Elton John, Fergie, and Rihanna all sang on "All of the Lights" by Kanye West.

GhostbustersRay Parker, Jr.

Ray Parker Jr. had to get the word "Ghostbusters" in the title when he wrote the theme song for the 1984 film, which was no easy task. When it came time to sing the title in the chorus, he brought in friends to make it a gang vocal.

In-A-Gadda-Da-VidaIron Butterfly

"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" was supposed to be titled "In The Garden Of Eden," but someone in the studio wrote down the title phonetically, and it stuck.

All Of MeJohn Legend

John Legend wrote "All Of Me" about his fiancée Chrissy Teigen. He sang it to her at their wedding ceremony in Como, Italy.

Editor's Picks

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.