Artists & Writers

Although Arnalds started out as a drummer for a number of Icelandic metal bands, he has emerged as a composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer. He is in the premier league of creators of neo classical work which includes subtle elements of pop and electronic music, and this activity commenced with his work for the Erased Tapes label. He also formed the experimental techno group Kiasmos with Janus Rasmussen. His subsequent output has gained real favour for film and television soundtracks, with the BBC series Broadchurch being a particular highlight. He has gone on to receive an Emmy nomination for his theme to the Apple TV mini series ‘Defending Jacob’.

No ID’s career is firmly rooted in his Chicago history, working both as an artist himself and also alongside Chicago based rapper Common. He continues to become a close confidant to many artists along the way including Kanye West, who has name checked his influence in several songs. He has also forged some extensive relationships, building albums together alongside the likes of Vince Staples, Big Sean, and Jay-Z. He’s also been involved early, nurturing the talent of new breed of RnB stars like Jhene Aiko and Snoh Aalegra.

In 2009 he won the Grammy for Run This Town by Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West for The Best Rap Song.

Nominations have flowed ever since then including D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune) with Jay-Z also in that year, and then dominating the Best Rap Song category for Daughters with Nas in 2012, Jay-Z for Holy Grail in 2013 and Kanye West for Bound 2 in 2014. Then in 2017 he enjoyed 5 nominations, primarily as Producer Of The Year Non Classical but also with Jay-Z for Record Of The Year and Best Rap Song for The Story of OJ and Song of The Year and Album of the Year for 4.44.

Nile Rodgers, born on September 19, 1952, is an American musician, songwriter, producer, and composer. He is best known as the co-founder of the iconic band CHIC and for his prolific work as a producer for numerous successful artists.

Rodgers’ musical journey began as a session guitarist and songwriter in the 1970s. In 1976, he co-founded CHIC with Bernard Edwards, and the band quickly gained fame for their disco-infused funk sound. Hits like Le Freak and Good Times solidified their status as disco pioneers and had a lasting impact on the music scene.

In addition to his work with CHIC, Nile Rodgers became one of the music industry’s most sought-after producers. He collaborated with a diverse array of artists, including David Bowie, Madonna, Diana Ross, Duran Duran, and Daft Punk, among others. His production style, characterized by infectious grooves and intricate guitar work, became synonymous with chart-topping hits.

Despite facing personal and professional challenges, Rodgers’ determination and talent allowed him to maintain his influence over several decades. He continued to produce music, collaborate with contemporary artists, and receive recognition for his contributions to the industry.

Beyond his musical achievements, Nile Rodgers is also known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting various causes, including cancer research and humanitarian initiatives.

Nile Rodgers’ impact on the music world remains immense, and his legacy as a multi-talented musician and producer continues to inspire both aspiring artists and seasoned professionals alike. His timeless compositions and infectious rhythms continue to resonate with audiences, making him an enduring figure in the history of popular music.

Nikki Sixx has led a very busy life. He has lived life to the full excess, has been a major hell raiser, and has also been the key musical driving force and key songwriter behind the premier glam metal band Mötley Crüe. This is a band that has sold over 25 million albums in the US alone, and over 100 million in total globally.

Born in California and experiencing a troubled childhood, Feranna changed his name to Nikki Sixx in the late 70s ahead of the foundation of Mötley Crüe in 1981. The band released their debut album Too Fast For Love in that year, but it was the follow up album Shout at the Devil which escalated things majorly for the band. Car Crashes and drug addiction went hand in hand with the Satan baiting mission of the band. Power ballads like Home Sweet Home took the band to a far wider audience. They released albums prolifically throughout the 1980s, arguably peaking with Dr. Feelgood in 1989. This album included the track Kickstart My Heart based on when a paramedic, a fan of the band, had to inject adrenaline into Sixx after a near fatal overdose. This was a Number 1 US album and one that stayed on the charts for over two years after release. Both the single Dr. Feelgood and Kickstart My Heart were Grammy nominated for a Grammy for Best Hard Rock performance.

Sixx also formed several off-shoot bands, including Brides Of Destruction and Sixx:AM as off shoots for his creative energies during hiatus’s in Mötley Crüe’s existence.

Nelly Furtado is a Canadian singer-songwriter, born on 2 December 1978, in Victoria, British Columbia. Her multicultural background, with Portuguese ancestry, influenced her music style. Nelly rose to fame in 2000 with her debut album Whoa, Nelly! and the hit single I’m Like a Bird, which earned her a Grammy Award. Throughout her career, she continued to release successful albums like Folklore, Loose, and The Spirit Indestructible. Known for her versatile vocals and blending of various genres, Nelly Furtado remains an influential figure in the music industry.

Midwestern pop rap superstar Nelly began his career with the hip hop group The Lunatics and arrived at the turn of the century with songs like Country Grammar and Ride Wit Me. This prompted two Grammy nominations, first for Best Rap Solo Performance for the Single Country Grammar, as well as for Best Rap Album for the same-titled album which reached Number 1 on the US chart. This was followed by another nomination for his feature on Jagged Edge’s Where The Party At.

In 2002, Nelly released his Nellyville album, featuring Kelly Rowland’s duet Dilemma, which was nominated for Record Of The Year and won Best Rap Collaboration at the Grammys. On top of this was the Hot In Herre single which won the Grammy for Best Male Rap Solo Performance. Both of these were Number 1 US singles. The Nellyville album was also nominated for Album Of The Year.

Nelly’s single Shake Ya Tailfeather was also nominated for Best Rap Performance in 2003.

The Suit album followed in 2004, reaching Number 1 on the chart and featured another host of sure fire pop rap hits, including the single Grillz, which as a single was nominated for Best Rap Performance and the album for Best Rap Album too in 2004. Overall, Nelly has sold over 21 million albums and delivered a suite of hits that stand proud in the history of American songwriting.

Canadian born Young cut his teeth in early bands playing with the likes of Rick James before slowly developing relationships with key players like Joni Mitchell and Stephen Stills with whom he established his first successful outfit the Buffalo Springfield, pioneers of the Californian folk rock scene. He released his first solo album in 1968.

The next 50-odd years have been spent travelling a course between acoustic folk and full on guitar explosions. Commercial peaks were hit with the 1970 album After The Gold Rush, one of the definitive singer songwriter albums, the 1972 Harvest album featuring a conventional hit single Heart Of Gold and perhaps the critics’ favourite Tonight’s The Night in 1975, as well as reappearing and capturing the moment again in the grunge inspired early 90’s with his Harvest Moon album. Along the way he also delivered so much confrontational material, so often at odds with his audience expectations.

Journey set the benchmark for power driven ballads throughout their initial period of activity between 1973 and 1987. Driven by the founding and consistent band member Neal Schon, (previously of the band Santana) they released 11 albums during this period. They achieved nineteen top 40 singles in the US, 6 of which were top ten and nearly 50 million albums sold in the US alone.

Their commercial success reached amazing new heights with the addition of vocalist Steve Perry for the 1978 album Infinity, and when Jonathan Cain joined the band for the Escape album of 1981 album, which features the legendary emotive anthem Don’t Stop Believin’, the band catapulted themselves to the very top tier of global success and an arena touring phenomenon. Great musicianship, heartfelt stories, passionate delivery make Journey a band carved into history as one of the true greats.