My dirty music corner: MOBY

Thursday, May 3, 2012

MOBY

Moby

Richard Melville Hall (born September 11, 1965), better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.

Moby gained attention in the early 1990s with his electronic dance music work, which dabbled in the techno and breakbeat hardcore (also known as "rave") genres. With his fifth studio album, the electronica and house-influenced Play, he gained international success. Originally released in mid-1999 to an unflattering response, it re-entered the charts in early 2000 and slowly became an unexpected hit, producing eight singles and eventually selling over 10 million copies worldwide.

Moby followed the album in 2002 with 18, which was also successful, selling over 5 million copies worldwide and receiving mostly positive reviews, though some criticizing it for being too similar to Play. His next offer, 2005's mostly upbeat Hotel was a stylistic departure, incorporating more alternative rock elements than previous albums, and received mixed reviews. However, it still sold around 2 million copies worldwide. After 2008's dance-influenced Last Night (2008), he returned to the downtempo electronica of Play and 18 with 2009's mostly-ambient Wait for Me, finding higher critical acclaim and moderate sales. Moby's latest album, Destroyed., was released on May 13, 2011.

Moby has co-written, produced, and remixed music for The Smashing Pumpkins, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Mylène Farmer, Brian Eno, Pet Shop Boys, Britney Spears, New Order, Public Enemy, Guns N' Roses, Metallica, and others.

Worldwide, Moby has sold over 20 million albums. Allmusic considers him "one of the most important dance music figures of the early '90s, helping bring the music to a mainstream audience both in the UK and in America."

Birth name: Richard Melville Hall

Born: September 11, 1965 (age 46), Harlem, New York, U.S.

Origin: Darien, Connecticut, United States

Genres: Electronica, techno, electronic rock, alternative rock, ambient, downtempo

Occupations: DJ, singer-songwriter, musician, photographer

Instruments: Turntables, keyboards, vocals, guitar, bass guitar, drums

Years active: 1982–present

Labels: Mute (UK), V2 (US), XL (UK), Elektra (US), Instinct (US), Outer Rhythm (UK), Virgin/EMI (Brazil)

Associated acts: Vatican Commandos, UHF, Voodoo Child, Diamondsnake, Mylène Farmer.

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