major lazer
Major Lazer lost an arm in the secret war against zombies in Jamaica in 1984. A massive laser pistol was attached to the stump remaining, and ever since, he has been fighting against vampires, ghosts and zombies. At least that’s what this ¨Geyperman¨ type animated figure says. Major Lazer, the band, was started by the well-known DJs Diplo and Switch in 2009. They met each other on the production of an MIA record and they felt the need to create a project that would be an outlet for their most savage side. They got together and straightaway started work on a record in the mythical Jamaican Tuff Gong studios. They chose the title Guns Don´t Kill People... Lazers Do and the moment it was released it was a total smash hit on dance floors everywhere. Lazer takes a new look at electronica, dancehall, reggae, trap and soca music. With the help on vocals and playing from many collaborators, they basically meshed a load of stuff together to come up with something that was their very own. Major Lazer do Caribbean music with a veneer of electronica whose rhythms are strong enough to break any clubber’s hips. In 2011, they released the EP Original Don and it became clear that Major Lazer does not pay attention to what is happening out there on the street; the street eagerly awaits whatever Major Lazer comes up with next. We have mentioned one of the three pillars that sustain the Major Lazer project: the explosion of eclectic music. The second one is that of image. Major Lazer, following in the footsteps of Gorillaz, have been built around an animated character. Major Lazer are top of the class when it comes making any pop iconography their very own. TV shows and video games, punk, famous clothes brands, social movements… Major Lazer just lashes it all into a blender and comes up with something very theirs. In this universe of image, video clips have been nothing less than essential. The Eric Wareheim-directed Pon de Floor or Keep it Going Louder in 2010 have caused the same revolution in aesthetics that Michel Gondry did back in his day.
This year, they released their second album Free The Universe in April. Switch has left and now Diplo is working with Jillionaire, Walshy Fire DJ and producers. Major lazer are unknown to general audiences. Amongst music listeners here you will still find prejudices when it comes to Caribbean music. Major Lazer’s wild music and lyrics will not be found on formula radio. This brings us to the third main pillar of the project, the final one of the three responsible for their success: their live shows. Major Lazer’s live performances are like something from another planet, just out of this world. If we had to support a new form of energy, well, we’d certainly choose Lazer energy, then. Thousands of listeners, spectators and dance fans know this already. That’s the secret to why the likes of MIA, Beastie Boys, Wyclef Jean, Snoop Dog, Buraka Sound System, Tyga, Bruno Mars, Thom York, No Doubt, La Roux, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Santigold and many other s are knocking on their door.
majorlazer.com
This year, they released their second album Free The Universe in April. Switch has left and now Diplo is working with Jillionaire, Walshy Fire DJ and producers. Major lazer are unknown to general audiences. Amongst music listeners here you will still find prejudices when it comes to Caribbean music. Major Lazer’s wild music and lyrics will not be found on formula radio. This brings us to the third main pillar of the project, the final one of the three responsible for their success: their live shows. Major Lazer’s live performances are like something from another planet, just out of this world. If we had to support a new form of energy, well, we’d certainly choose Lazer energy, then. Thousands of listeners, spectators and dance fans know this already. That’s the secret to why the likes of MIA, Beastie Boys, Wyclef Jean, Snoop Dog, Buraka Sound System, Tyga, Bruno Mars, Thom York, No Doubt, La Roux, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Santigold and many other s are knocking on their door.
majorlazer.com
