| Jamie xx | |
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Jamie Smith (far left) performing live with his band The xx |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jamie Smith |
| Origin | London, UK |
| Genres | Indie pop, electronic music, post-dubstep |
| Occupations | Producer, remix artist, DJ |
| Instruments | Sampler, drums, steel drums, turntable, personal computer, percussion |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | XL Recordings, Young Turks |
| Associated acts | The xx, Gil Scott-Heron, Drake, Noah "40" Shebib, Rihanna |
Jamie Smith (known by the stage name Jamie xx) is an English music producer and remix artist, who gained fame both as solo act and as a member of the London-based band The xx.
Smith's musical career began in 2007 when he joined The xx accompanying old school friends Romy Madley Croft, Oliver Sim, Baria Qureshi of the Elliott School in London, notable for alumni including Hot Chip, Burial and Four Tet.[1] He first used the stage name Jamie xx in July 2009 in a promotional mix for the band's début album xx released on the FACT mix series of the FACT Magazine.[2] The mixtape was compiled by Jamie Smith and featured amongst others four tracks credited to Jamie xx - one own production and three remixes. The xx album went on to become platinum in the UK.[3] and Jamie Smith went on to do more remix work for artists like Florence + The Machine, Adele, Jack Peñate and Glasser.[4]
In late 2010 a Jamie xx remix of the song "NY Is Killing Me" from Gil Scott-Heron's last album I'm New Here aired on radio stations across the UK and Europe. The remix of "I'll Take Care Of U" followed in January 2011. Both singles drew the attention of the general public and the critics. They set the way for a 13-track remix album entitled We're New Here, produced entirely by Jamie xx and credited to "Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx". The album was released on February 21, 2011 on the XL Records label, but a full album preview could be streamed on the website of The Guardian as early as February 14.[5] We're New Here received very positive critical acclaim and was named "masterpiece in its own right" by BBC's Ele Beattie.[6]
On June 6, 2011 the two-track self-produced single "Far Nearer"/"Beat For" was released. The song "Far Nearer" was selected Best New Track by the influential Pitchfork Media music site,[7] and the double A-side single charted at #128 in the UK singles chart.[8]
Later the same year Smith produced the title track off Drake's sophomore album, Take Care, which features pop singer Rihanna. In addition, Smith helped create several reworks for Radiohead's song "Bloom" which were released on a remix album entitled TKOL RMX 1234567.
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