• 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:

I SwearAll-4-One

"I Swear" was a #1 country hit for John Michael Montgomery before All-4-One made it a #1 pop hit.

I Won't Back DownTom Petty

"I Won't Back Down" is a very personal song for Tom Petty. "I thought it wasn't that good because it was so naked," he said.

MargaritavilleJimmy Buffett

"Margaritaville" is a state of mind, but it's most associated with Key West, Florida, where Jimmy Buffett moved when he was 24.

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On MeElton John

Recording "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me," Elton John was frustrated and sang the line "don't discard me" with an exaggerated American accent, which is why is sounds strange.

Cult of PersonalityLiving Colour

"Cult of Personality" by Living Colour incorporates speeches by John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Street HassleLou Reed

Lou Reed's 11-minute "Street Hassle" features a spoken part by Bruce Springsteen.

Editor's Picks

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

They Might Be GiantsSongwriter Interviews

Who writes a song about a name they found in a phone book? That's just one of the everyday things these guys find to sing about. Anything in their field of vision or general scope of knowledge is fair game. If you cross paths with them, so are you.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.