Keys N Krates

Last updated
Keys N Krates
KNK 4.jpg
Keys N Krates members 2019
Background information
Origin Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Years active2008 (2008)-present
Labels Dim Mak Records, Mad Decent
Members
  • Jr. Flo
  • Matisse
  • Adam Tune
Website www.keysnkrates.com

Keys N Krates is a Canadian electronic music band formed in 2008 out of Toronto, Ontario. The group consists of drummer Adam Tune, keyboardist David Matisse and turntablist Jr. Flo (Greg Dawson). [1] The band started as a live hip-hop act reliant on rough a cappella loops on top of heavy bass-driven beats. [2] The band has had their music synced via EA Sports, FIFA, SkySports/SoccerAM, Toronto Raptors, Apple and more.

Contents

Career

2013–2017: Debut

In 2013, Keys N Krates released their EP titled SOLOW on Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak Records. The first single off of the EP, "Treat Me Right" was premiered on Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 program and received support from electronic music artists Diplo, Major Lazer, Flosstradamus and TNGHT. [3]

Their second single off of SOLOW, "Dum Dee Dum" was also premiered on Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 program. [4] The music video for "Dum Dee Dum" was directed by Amos LeBlanc. [5] The video was nominated for a Prism Prize in Canada, as well as a Berlin Music Video Award in Germany. [6] [7] Keys N Krates later remixed the track which featured G.O.O.D. Music’s Cyhi The Prynce, King Louie, and Tree. [8] On September 23, 2016, "Dum Dee Dum" was certified Gold by The Recording Industry Association of America for selling 500,000 units. [9]

In June 2014, Keys N Krates teamed up with Canadian producer/DJ Grandtheft and released the single Keep It 100 on Diplo's Mad Decent Records. [10] The single was later featured in a TV ad for the animated film Minions (2015). [11]

In September 2014, Keys N Krates released their second EP via Dim Mak Records titled Every Nite. The first single off of the EP titled "Are We Faded" was premiered on Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 program as well as the YouTube channel All Trap Music. [12] [13] The release of Every Nite ran in conjunction with the band's first headline tour across North America. [14]

In June 2015, Keys N Krates released the single Save Me featuring British pop singer/songwriter Katy B. The single was featured on Pitchfork Magazine and was later nominated for 'Dance Recording Of The Year' at the 2016 JUNO Awards. [15] [16] The Fader premiered their next single, "U Already Know", online and announced the release of their next EP titled Midnite Mass along with a coinciding tour. [17] The track "Nothing But Space", featuring Aqui, off of Midnite Mass was premiered on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 Radio program on January 6, 2016. [18]

On January 15, 2016, Keys N Krates released Midnite Mass making it their third EP release on Dim Mak Records. The release ran in conjunction with the Midnite Mass Tour, with dates across the United States and Canada featuring support acts Stooki Sound, Hermitude, GANZ and Jesse Slayter. [19]

2018–2022: Cura and Original Classic

On February 2, 2018, Keys N Krates released their debut album Cura on Dim Mak Records. The album consists of nine songs and features artists such as New Orleans–based R&B singer/songwriter Ambré Perkins, [20] Tory Lanez, and hip-hop artist 070 Shake (G.O.O.D. Music). [21] Keys N Krates also set out on the 'Cura World Tour', with dates spanning across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Hungary and more [22]

In July 2019, Keys N Krates self-released a new project titled A Beat Tape For Your Friends. On a statement released by the band, the project displays them "paying homage" to beloved influences like J Dilla's Donuts . [23] The all instrumental project is composed of 11 tracks and features California-based producer Jansport J. Subsequent to the project's release, Keys N Krates embarked on a tour spanning across the US and Canada. [24]

On November 12, 2021, Keys N Krates released their album Original Classic on Last Gang Records. Complex Magazine called the album, "A richer musical niche [with] balmy Brazilian melodies, vibrant Bollywood samples, and other such offbeat elements." The album consists of 13 tracks, including singles Original Classic and Pull Up and featured artists such as Juicy J, Chip, Haviah Mighty, Lido Pimienta, and Marbl. The Original Classic Deluxe album was released in September 2022, and included remixes from Soul Clap, Justin Martin, TEK.LUN, Byron The Aquarius, etc.

Since 2023

On November 10, 2023, Keys N Krates released their third studio album, In: Tension via Last Gang Records, [25] along with the album's fourth single "Fantasy", in collaboration with American singer, Ciara. [26] [27]

Discography

Albums

Extended plays

Singles

Awards and nominations

YearOrganizationAwardNominated WorkResult
2014 The Association for Music and Innovative Arts Prism Prize "Dum Dee Dum"Nominated
The Berlin Music Video Awards Video of the YearNominated
Much Music Video Awards Dance Video of the YearNominated
2015 Much Music Video Awards Best EDM/Dance Video"Keep It 100" - Grandtheft & Keys N KratesWon
Best DirectorNominated
Best MUCHFact VideoNominated
2016 Juno Awards Dance Recording of the Year"Save Me" (feat. Katy B)Won
2016 The Recording Industry Association of America Gold Certification "Dum Dee Dum"Won
2019 Juno Awards Dance Recording of the Year"Cura"Nominated
2021 A21M Libera Awards Dance Album of the Year"Original Classic"Nominated

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References

  1. "Keys N Krates are warmer and more soulful than their contemporaries on Cura". NOW Toronto. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  2. "Bio". keysnkrates.com. Keys N Krates. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  3. Grimalda, Matthew. "Keys N Krates New Single 'Treat Me Right' Out March 5th + Free BBC Radio 1 Guest Mix". mixjunkies.com. Mix Junkies. Archived from the original on 2014-11-05.
  4. Gauthier, Tim. "Out Now: Keys N Krates – Dum Dee Dum (Single)". dimmak.com. Dim Mak Records.
  5. Saunders, John (21 October 2013). "Keys N Krates – "Dum Dee Dum" [Video]". Earmilk . Earmilk.
  6. Hudson, Alex. "Videos by Arcade Fire, Drake, Shad Nominated for Prism Prize". exclaim.ca. Exclaim!.
  7. "The first Nominees for the Berlin Music Video Awards 2014". berlinmva.com.
  8. "DUM DEE DUM (REMIX) FEAT. KING LOUIE, TREE & CYHI THE PRINCE". hypem.com. Hype Machine.
  9. "Keys N Krates song 'Dum Dee Dum' is certified Gold by the RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America .
  10. "Grandtheft & Keys N Krates - Keep It 100 (Official Music Video)". YouTube. Mad Decent. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  11. "MINIONS - TV Spot #4 (2015) Despicable Me Spinoff". youtube.com. Monde Animation.
  12. "Annie Mac BBC Radio 1 Premiere of "Are We Faded"". Soundcloud. Keys N Krates. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  13. "Get 'Faded' With The Latest Offering From Keys N Krates New EP 'Every Nite'". The DJ List. Amanda Pearl. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  14. Buerger, Megan. "Exclusive: Keys N Krates Announce New EP and Major U.S. Tour". billboard.com. Billboard.
  15. Lau, Melody. "Keys N Krates - Save Me (feat. Katy B)". pitchfork.com. Pitchfork.
  16. "2016 JUNO Awards Nominess" (PDF). junoawards.ca. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-02-05.
  17. Thomas, Amara. "Keys N Krates Announce Midnite Mass EP, Share "U Already Know"". thefader.com.
  18. Yau, Jeffrey (7 January 2016). "Keys N Krates Debuts New Single On Zane Lowe Beats 1, EP + Tour To Follow Soon". youredm.com. Your EDM.
  19. Middleton, Ryan. "Keys N Krates Midnite Mass Tour: Ganz, Hermitude, Stooki Sound Supporting N.A. Dates". musictimes.com. Music Times.
  20. "Glitter (feat. Ambre) on iTunes". iTunes .
  21. "KEYS N KRATES DROP DEBUT ALBUM 'CURA' VIA DIM MAK RECORDS". EDM Sauce. 2 February 2018.
  22. Rishty, David. "Keys N Krates Break Down Their Debut Album 'Cura': Exclusive". Billboard.
  23. "Keys N Krates Release Smooth, Dilla-Inspired Project 'A Beat Tape For Your Friends'". Magnetic Magazine. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  24. "Keys N Krates A Beat Tape For Your Friends Tour Poster". Instagram. Keys N Krates. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  25. "Keys N Krates - In: Tension". Apple Music. November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  26. Samuels, Keithan (November 10, 2023). "Ciara Joins EDM Trio Keys N Krates on New Song 'Fantasy'". Rated R&B. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  27. "Fantasy (single) Keys N Krates, Ciara". Apple Music. November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  28. "Original Classic by Keys N Krates on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  29. "Premiere: Keys N Krates Return With Hypnotic New Single "My Soul Is Falling"". Complex . August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.