The Knux

"Knux" redirects here. For the Sonic the Hedgehog character, see Knuckles the Echidna. For the professional wrestler, see Mike Knox

The Knux is an American alternative hip hop duo, formed in 2003, composed of brothers Kentrell "Krispy" Lindsey and Alvin "Joey" Lindsey. Both brothers are multi-instrumentalists, who sing and rap as well as produce the bulk of their own music. Their music contains elements of rock, electronic and pop music. The Knux are well known for their intense live shows; in 2009, they were invited to perform at almost every major music festival in North America . They have also toured with a slew of diverse artists spanning various genres, including Common, Q-Tip, Nas, The Roots, Shwayze, Lupe Fiasco, DJ AM, Travis Barker and DJ Cobra, among other renowned artists.^[1][2] The duo currently reside in Koreatown, Los Angeles, California. They released their debut album Remind Me in 3 Days..., on October 28, 2008. They released their follow-up, Eraser, on September 27, 2011.

History

Early life and career beginnings

The Lindsey brothers were born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana by their single mother. The two brothers were initially not very close. Joey likes to describe their childhood as him being a nerd: "I was like the nerd, into video games and stuff like that, and Krispy was more like, popular and into hanging out and girls." True to their often cantankerous relationship, Krispy begs to differ: "Ah man, that’s just how Joey likes to say it, but that ain’t how it was. Joey was always a cool mu’fucka, it’s just that we didn’t fuck with each other like that." Although they shared the same roof, and the same interest in marching band, where they honed their playing prowess, the two ran in different circles in high school. Joey cites Nas’ second album It Was Written (1996) as the first rap album that he really listened to. Joey has credited the Gravediggaz second album The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel (1997) as the album that brought them together: "I bought that tape and we’d just sit around after school listening to it all afternoon." Within a year of the two hanging out and writing rhymes, they hooked up with an uncle who was a local producer and started to create songs together. Krispy has said: "We started off calling ourselves The Knuckle Heads and we’d go over to his studio to make beats and songs." The brothers were displaced after Hurricane Katrina hit their hometown, after which the brothers relocated to Los Angeles, California.^[3]

2006-2008: Remind Me in 3 Days...

The Knux began to gain recognition in 2007, when they were the opening act for Common's Finding Forever Tour. "Cappuccino" was the first Knux song officially released by Interscope, featured in an episode of the fourth season of the HBO show Entourage as well as Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay; a video for the song was subsequently filmed. With the singles "Bang, Bang" and "Cappuccino" garnering attention, they released their debut album, Remind Me in 3 Days..., was released in 2008. The album charted at number twenty-three on the U.S. Top Heatseekers.^[4]

2009-2011: Eraser

After spending most of 2009 touring to promote their debut album, 2010 had The Knux back in the studio working on their Sophomore release. They announced the title of the album to be Eraser due to them wanting to reshape their image: "With this album, we want to take those preconceived notions and shatter and erase them" said eldest brother Krispy.^[5] The album was initially to be released on June 21, 2011 but was pushed back to September. They recorded the album with Robert Orton who has handled production duties on Police and Lady Gaga albums.^[6]

On February 9, 2011, Consequence of Sound posted the song "She's So Up" which was later officially released on March 1 and serves as the album's first single.^[7][8] On July 12, 2011, The Knux released their second single titled "Run" featuring Kid Cudi. Unlike their previous effort, Eraser included guest appearances from artists such as Natalia Kills, Jack Davey, Blake Miller and Kid Cudi. The album was released on September 27, 2011.

2012-present: KTWN

On July 27, 2012, The Knux released the first offering from their new project KTWN, a song titled "Animal". The project, KTWN, stands for the place The Knux now call home: Koreatown in downtown Los Angeles. "Animal" is the first single from KTWN and it has them back to doing what they do best with a combination of high energy rapping, singing, and nice guitar work. Throughout August and September the duo toured in the U.S., and revealed plans to bring the electric live show to Japan, the U.K., and Paris. On November 7, 2012 "Toke Up", the second offering from KTWN, was released. Their EP KTWN, was released on November 26, 2012.^[9]

Discography

Studio albums

• Remind Me in 3 Days... (2008)
• Eraser (2011)

EPs

• Fuck You (2010)^[10]
• KTWN (2012)^[9]

Production discography

B.o.B - B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray (2010)

• 09. "Fame"

STS - The Illustrious (2011)

• 06. "Cliché"

References

External links

• Official website