Jump to content

James Blake (musician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

James Blake
Blake performing in 2021
Blake performing in 2021
Background information
Birth nameJames Blake Litherland
Also known asHarmonimix
Born (1988-09-26) 26 September 1988 (age 36)
Enfield, London, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
DiscographyDiscography (songs)
Years active2009–present
Labels
PartnerJameela Jamil (2015–present)
FatherJames Litherland
Websitejamesblakemusic.com

James Blake Litherland (born 26 September 1988)[1] is an English singer, songwriter, and record producer. He first gained recognition following the release of three extended playsThe Bells Sketch, CMYK and Klavierwerke—in 2010. He signed with A&M Records to release his self-titled debut album (2011) the following year, which was met with critical praise and peaked within the top ten of the UK Albums Chart.[2]

Blake departed A&M in favour of sister label Republic Records, on which he released his second album, Overgrown (2013) to further critical and commercial success; it likewise peaked within the chart's top ten and moderately entered the US Billboard 200.[3] His third album, The Colour in Anything (2016), was followed by his 2018 single "King's Dead" (with Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and Future), which peaked at number 50 on the UK Singles Chart and number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its success foresaw the release of his fourth album, Assume Form (2019), which became his highest-charting entry on both the UK Albums Chart and Billboard 200. His fifth and sixth albums, Friends That Break Your Heart (2021) and Playing Robots Into Heaven (2023), followed thereafter.

Along with recording, Blake has done songwriting and production work for other artists. Often doing so with Oneohtrix Point Never, Dominic Maker, Justin Vernon or his partner Jameela Jamil, Blake has been credited on releases for Jay-Z, Kanye West, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, Rosalía, Strick, JID, Travis Scott, Normani, and Lil Yachty.[2] He has won a Mercury Prize from two nominations, two Grammy Awards from nine nominations, a Latin Grammy Award, and three Brit Award nominations.[4]

Early life

[edit]

Blake is the only child of musician James Litherland and Helen Litherland, and showed an interest and aptitude in music from a young age.[5] He received classical training in piano as a child,[6] and completed primary education at Grange Park Primary School, Winchmore Hill and secondary education at The Latymer School, Edmonton.[7] He went on to Goldsmiths, University of London, where he received a degree in Popular Music.[8] While at university, Blake and friends hosted a series of "Bass Society" music nights that featured UK artists such as Distance, Skream and Benga.

Career

[edit]

2009–2010: Early releases

[edit]

Blake began his music career by releasing his debut 12" record, Air & Lack Thereof in the United Kingdom during July 2009, while being persistent in recording songs in his bedroom. Having been released on the record label Hemlock, the extended play became a favourite of BBC Radio 1 DJ Gilles Peterson.[9] Soon after the release of the record, Blake was invited by Peterson to do a special mix on his international show, including an exclusive Mount Kimbie track.[9] As a second-year composition assignment for his studies at Goldsmiths, he submitted the Klavierwerke EP which was awarded high marks.[10]

Blake performing at Glastonbury Festival June 2011

A third EP, entitled CMYK, was released through R&S Records during 2010.[11] The title track, "CMYK" was selected by BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw as his Record of the Week[12] and also received airplay from other DJs. On 29 September 2010, Zane Lowe selected Blake's cover version of "Limit to Your Love" as his "Hottest Record in the World". The song was written and originally recorded by Feist and appeared on her studio album, The Reminder. The single was released in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2010,[13] where it debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 47.[14]

2011: Self-titled album

[edit]

Blake was nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011, an annual poll that highlights the forthcoming year's likely successful musicians.[15] He placed second ahead of fellow shortlisted acts The Vaccines, Jamie Woon and Clare Maguire. On 15 December 2010, Blake was runner-up behind singer-songwriter Jessie J at the BRIT Awards' "Critic's Choice".[16] In January 2011, Blake was awarded Single of the Year (2010) for "CMYK" at Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards. Blake's work found itself on numerous 2010 year-end best-of lists, with "CMYK" ranking 24th on Frontier Psychiatrist's top 40 songs of the year,[17] the Bells Sketch/CMYK/Klavierwerke EPs ranking 8th on Pitchfork Media's top 50 albums of 2010, and "I Only Know (What I Know Now)" ranking 8th on Pitchfork's top 100 tracks of 2010.[18]

Blake revealed in late December 2010 that his album would be self-titled, and the 11-track James Blake was released on 7 February 2011.[19] Only days after the original announcement was made, the album was leaked onto the internet.[20] On 9 January 2011, "The Wilhelm Scream" was trailed as the album's second single ("Limit To Your Love" was also included on the album).[21] In February 2011, Blake first appeared on the cover of the publication The Fader, in its 72nd issue.[22] Blake debuted a collaboration with Bon Iver called "Fall Creek Boys Choir" in August 2011 and during the next month, the BBC released an exclusive mix by Blake, which included 10 of his unreleased songs. These included "Deeds", "Olivia Kept", and "Evening Fell Hard for Us". During the final weeks of 2012, Blake performed three "intimate" shows where he debuted new songs.[23]

Later that year, Blake released both the Enough Thunder and Love What Happened Here EPs in 2011. These EPs, noticeably more structured than his previous releases, featured R&B-tinged work as opposed to the experimental electronic style found on CMYK.

2012–2013: Overgrown

[edit]
Blake performing in 2013

Early in 2012, Blake spent time with American rapper Kanye West (who named Blake as his favourite artist)[24] and singer Justin Vernon. Later that year, Blake announced a new collaborative non-single release under the moniker Harmonimix with British rapper Trim; the single "Confidence Boost/Saying" was released on 24 September 2012. Also in 2012, Blake and friends (including Foat, Nick Sigsworth, and touring musicians Rob McAndrews and Ben Assiter) secured a residency at the club Plastic People as the collective 1-800 Dinosaur, hosting a series of impromptu dance nights.[25] In summer 2013, the collective launched a label of the same name, on which Blake and other artists released material.[25]

His second album, Overgrown, was released on 5 April 2013.[26] The first single from the album, "Retrograde", was debuted the same day on BBC Radio 1, and was released on 11 February. On 25 February, the track listing and album art were revealed.[27] It was selected as Variance Magazine's Album of the Year as of December 2013.[28] The album features guest appearances from noted electronic music producer Brian Eno and rapper RZA of Wu-Tang Clan.[29] The release received critical acclaim and was awarded the 2013 Mercury Prize. Blake revealed to Hot Press that falling in love had influenced the warm nu-soul sound on the album, as opposed to the experimentalism found on his self-titled effort.[30] A remix featuring Chance the Rapper, of a track from Overgrown, "Life Round Here", was released on 11 October alongside a music video directed by Nabil Elderkin.[31][32]

2014–2017: The Colour in Anything

[edit]

In an interview with Spotify, Blake revealed that a day prior to the release of Drake's single "0 to 100 / The Catch Up", he received an email asking whether a beat from one of his older tracks could be used on the single; he refused and asked Drake's label to remove the sample. Blake's publisher later approached him and asked him about his decision. Blake in return asked how much money he had lost by turning down the offer and reportedly spat out his drink when he found out.[33]

In December 2014, during his BBC Radio 1 Residency, Blake announced that his third studio album would be titled Radio Silence and would be released in the first half of 2015.[34][35] He later confirmed that the album would feature Bon Iver and Kanye West, as well as feature guitar work from Connan Mockasin.[36] Blake received a Grammy Award nomination in 2014 for Best New Artist.[37]

On 11 February 2016, Blake premiered a new song entitled "Modern Soul" during his BBC Radio 1 residency.[38] On 14 April 2016, Blake revealed during a surprise hosting spot on BBC Radio 1 that he'd finished the album, and that it was 18 tracks in length. He stated that it includes one track that stretches to 20 minutes in length. Later in the broadcast he premiered a new song titled 'Timeless', though did not say whether it would be included on the album.[39] In a May 2016 interview with BBC Radio 1, Blake stated that he began work on the album in England, and after "running out of steam" went to the United States to complete the recording at Shangri La Studios with producer Rick Rubin.[40]

Blake produced and was featured on the song "Forward" from Beyoncé's 2016 album Lemonade. He also co-wrote the album's opening track, "Pray You Catch Me". On 28 April, social media posts by Blake and his label, 1-800 Dinosaur, reposted photos of a mural by children's novel illustrator Sir Quentin Blake (best known for his work with writer Roald Dahl) that hinted at the new album title The Colour in Anything;[41] this was confirmed as the title of his new album several days later.[42] The album was released on 6 May 2016.[43]

Blake collaborated with Jay-Z on his album 4:44, handling the production on two of the three bonus tracks off the album and was also featured on the bonus track "MaNyfaCedGod".[44][45] He also handled production on Kendrick Lamar's song "Element" as the original version of the track sounded "a little too jazzy".[46] On 2 September 2016, Blake released a remix of "Timeless" featuring Vince Staples which had already been leaked on the internet earlier.[47] In December 2017, Blake released a cover of the song "Vincent" by Don McLean alongside a performance video shot in the studio.[48]

2018–2020: Assume Form

[edit]

On 11 January 2018, Blake co-wrote and performed alongside Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, and Future on the single "King's Dead" from Rock's album Redemption and the soundtrack Black Panther: The Album.[49][50] The song was commercially successful, reaching number 21 in the United States and number 50 in the United Kingdom; later, the song (alongside Anderson .Paak's "Bubblin") would receive the Grammy Award For Best Rap Performance at the 2019 ceremony.[51][52] Blake also appeared on another track from the Black Panther soundtrack album, "Bloody Waters", which Blake co-wrote alongside Lamar, Mark Spears, Robin Braun and Ab-Soul.[49]

Blake performing at Hopscotch Music Festival 2019

On 26 January 2018, Blake released a new single, "If the Car Beside You Moves Ahead", alongside its music video, having premiered at his BBC Radio 1 residency.[53] Blake's second solo single of that year, "Don't Miss It", was shared on 24 May alongside a lyric video and was released the next month.[54][55] Despite receiving acclaim from music critics, a less positive review by Kevin Lozano of Pitchfork described the track as "sad boy music" prompted a response from Blake, who said "I can't help but notice, as I do whenever I talk about my feelings in a song, that the words 'sad boy' are used to describe it. I've always found that expression to be unhealthy and problematic when used to describe men just openly talking about their feelings."[56][57]

Blake mixed and worked on additional production on the ninth album by American electronic musician Oneohtrix Point Never, titled Age Of, which was released in June 2018.[58] He also co-wrote and was featured on the track "Stop Trying to Be God" from Travis Scott's third studio album, Astroworld, and made an appearance in the song's music video.[59]

In December 2018, Blake announced that he would be embarking on a tour of North America in February/March 2019.[60] People who had purchased tickets for the North America tour also received a copy of his forthcoming album.[61] Later that month Blake teased new material with André 3000 during a show in Brooklyn, his second collaboration with the artist after "Look Ma No Hands" on which Blake provided the piano part, which was released earlier that year.[62][63] In early January 2019, Amazon.fr accidentally leaked details of Blake's fourth album, Assume Form, including its track listing and a list of features including collaborations with André 3000, Travis Scott and Metro Boomin.[64][65][66] Soon after, LED billboards appeared in London and New York promoting the album.[67] The album's release date was later confirmed to be on 18 January 2019 due to advertising in the London Underground.[68] The day prior to the album's release, Blake released the tracks "Mile High" featuring Travis Scott and Metro Boomin[69][70] and "Lullaby for My Insomniac", respectively.[71][72] Following the album's release, the tracks "Barefoot in the Park" and "Mulholland", the latter of which is only included on the vinyl version of Assume Form, were released as singles on 4 and 26 April respectively, the former accompanied by a music video.[73][74][75][76]

Blake released several new tracks throughout 2020,[77] including "You're Too Precious",[78] as well as the Before EP in October.[79]

2021–2023: Friends That Break Your Heart and Playing Robots Into Heaven

[edit]

Blake released his fifth album, Friends That Break Your Heart, on 8 October 2021, following a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A mostly stylistically traditional release, the record was followed-up by an ambient album titled Wind Down on 18 March 2022, created with German artificial intelligence media company Endel to help listeners fall asleep.[80] The following year saw Blake collaborate with several hip hop artists, such as Kanye West,[81] Flatbush Zombies,[82] JID[83] and Don Toliver.[84] Blake released his sixth album, Playing Robots Into Heaven, on 8 September 2023.[85] The album features electronic, dance, and experimental music and was seen by critics as a return to roots. The lead single, "Big Hammer", was released on 28 June 2023.[86] A heist-themed music video was directed by Oscar Hudson and follows around three robbers in white tracksuits.[87]

2024–present: CMYK Group

[edit]

Blake left Polydor Records and formed CMYK Group, a production house and record label, in 2024.[88][89] He released the music video and single "Thrown Around" in May 2024. The following month, Blake released the "CMYK 002" extended play and Bad Cameo, a collaborative album with Lil Yachty.[90][91]

Personal life

[edit]

Blake was previously in a relationship with American musician Theresa Wayman and has been in a relationship with British actress Jameela Jamil since 2015.[92][93]

Musical style

[edit]

Blake is a baritone. Blake's early releases are experimental electronic in style,[94] influenced by UK bass music such as 2-step garage and the dubstep of Burial and Digital Mystikz, as well as 1990s trip hop and American R&B artists such as Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone, and D'Angelo.[95][96][97] On releases such as The Bells Sketch, CMYK and Klavierwerke, Blake's own voice is obscured and processed, also incorporating vocal samples from '90s R&B, prominent sub-bass frequencies, and uneven, sparse rhythms.[95][98][99] Blake's work was described by journalists as "post-dubstep", alluding to his progress beyond the style's initial characteristics.[100][101] By the time of his 2011 debut album, Blake's vocals and piano had become more prominent while traditional song structures became increasingly apparent, reflecting the influence of gospel, soul and ambient music, while still utilizing experimental production styles.[98][102] His second album Overgrown (2013) continued this trend, integrating an electronic approach with balladry and Blake's soul-inflected vocals, and featuring contributions from hip hop artist RZA and electronic musician Brian Eno.[94][95]

Describing his stylistic development in 2013, music critic and theorist Mark Fisher wrote that "listening back to Blake's records in chronological sequence is like hearing a ghost gradually assume material form; or it's like hearing the song form (re)coalescing out of digital ether."[95] Author Madison Moore noted the prominent use of minimalism, sparseness, and silence in Blake's work, a quality also noted by Eno in 2013: "he takes a lot of stuff out and ends up with very skeletal pieces."[103] In 2016 Blake revealed that a primary inspiration for his live performances was the Jimi Hendrix live album Band of Gypsys (1970), stating that "I want to be that. It’s so free."[104]

Discography

[edit]

Solo studio albums

Collaborative studio album

Awards and nominations

[edit]

On 19 July 2011, Blake was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize 2011 for his self-titled debut album;[3] the award was won by PJ Harvey. However, in 2013, he was nominated again for Overgrown, and subsequently won the award, the result being announced on 30 October. The judges at the event described his album as "...late-night music for the digital age. An inventive, poignant and poetic record of great beauty."[105][106] He was also nominated for Best New Artist at the 2014 Grammy Awards, he won one out of five Grammy Awards nominations.

Award Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
Berlin Music Video Awards 2018 Best Experimental "If the Car Beside You Moves Ahead" Nominated
BBC Sound of... 2011 BBC Sound of 2011 James Blake 2nd place [107]
Brit Awards 2011 Critic's Choice Nominated [108]
2012 British Male Solo Artist Nominated [109]
2014 Nominated [110]
Grammy Awards 2014 Best New Artist Nominated [111]
2017 Album of the Year Lemonade (as featured artist and producer) Nominated [112]
2019 Best Rap Song "King's Dead" Nominated [113]
Best Rap Performance Won
2020 Best Alternative Music Album Assume Form Nominated [114]
2022 Best Dance/Electronic Recording "Before" Nominated [115]
2024 "Loading" Nominated [116]
Best Dance/Electronic Album Playing Robots into Heaven Nominated
Best Rap Song "Scientists & Engineers" (as songwriter) Won
Ivor Novello Awards 2012 Best Contemporary Song "The Wilhelm Scream" Nominated
2014 "Retrograde" Won [117]
2022 "Coming Back" (featuring SZA) Nominated [118]
Latin Grammy Awards 2022 Album of the Year Motomami (as songwriter and producer) Won [119]
Mercury Prize 2011 Best Album James Blake Nominated [120]
2013 Overgrown Won [121]
MTV Video Music Awards 2020 Best Editing "Can't Believe the Way We Flow" Nominated [122]
MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2012 Best New Artist "Limit to Your Love" Nominated
Best Dance Video Nominated
mtvU Woodie Awards 2014 Best Collaboration Woodie "Life Round Here" (featuring Chance the Rapper) Nominated
Music Producers Guild Awards 2014 UK Album of the Year Overgrown Nominated
Q Awards 2011 Breakthrough Artist James Blake Nominated
UK Music Video Awards 2011 Best Alternative Video - UK "Lindisfarne" Nominated [123]
2012 "A Case of You" Nominated [124]
Best Cinematography in a Video Nominated
Best Telecine in a Video Nominated
2013 Best Alternative Video - UK "Overgrown" Nominated [125]
Best Colour Grade In a Video "Retrograde" Nominated
2019 Best Artist James Blake Nominated [126]
Best Alternative Video - UK "Can't Believe the Way We Flow" Nominated
Best Editing in a Video Nominated
2021 Best Alternative Video - UK "Say What You Will" Won [127]
Best Performance in a Video Nominated
Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Video - UK "Feel Away" (with slowthai and Mount Kimbie) Nominated
2023 Best Dance/Electronic Video – UK "Big Hammer" Won [128]
Best Editing in a Video Nominated
2024 Best Dance/Electronic Video – UK "Thrown Around" Pending [129]
"Playing Robots in Heaven" Pending
Best Cinematography in a Video Pending
World Music Awards 2014 World's Best Male Artist James Blake Nominated
World's Best Live Act Nominated
World's Best Entertainer Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "James Blake on his 23rd Birthday, Limit To Your Love". 26 September 2011. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2013 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ a b "James Blake – Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Ministry of Sound Biography – The IMO Records Blog". Imorecords.co.uk. 3 November 2011. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  4. ^ Horner, Al (5 February 2019). "James Blake: how the producer became hip-hop's favourite Brit". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  5. ^ "James Blake Re-Conquers The BBC, Covers His Dad and Joni Mitchell". The Fader. 11 February 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  6. ^ Pytlik, Mark (21 March 2011). "James Blake". Pitchfork. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  7. ^ Bellotti, Alex. "Highly-strung sounds of success for Clean Bandit". Hampstead Highgate Express. Archived from the original on 29 December 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  8. ^ Edwards, Rhiannon (5 September 2013). "Interview: My university experience « The Telegraph". Thetelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Radio 1 Programmes – Gilles Peterson, James Blake Live In The Studio". BBC. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
  10. ^ "Interview: My university experience « The Telegraph". thetelegraph.co.uk. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  11. ^ ShareTweet. "James Blake – CMYK EP review | Juno Plus". Junodownload.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
  12. ^ "Music – James Blake". BBC. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
  13. ^ "James Blake – Limit To Your Love – Release Date Archived 13 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine". Retrieved 6 January 2011
  14. ^ "James Blake – Limit To Your Love – Chart Run". Retrieved 6 January 2011
  15. ^ "BBC Sound of 2011 – James Blake Profile". Retrieved 6 January 2011
  16. ^ "The BRIT Awards 2013". Brit Awards. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  17. ^ "Frontier Psychiatrist: Top 40 songs of 2010". Frontpsych.com. 7 December 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  18. ^ "Top 50 Albums of 2010". Pitchfork. 16 December 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  19. ^ "James Blake – Album Release Information Archived 21 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine". Retrieved 6 January 2011
  20. ^ "Leaked: James Blake – James Blake". Jpsblog.net. 21 December 2010. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  21. ^ "The Wilhelm Scream revealed as second single". One Thing. 9 January 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  22. ^ "World Premiere! The FADER Issue #72: Wiz Khalifa, James Blake and Casely-Hayford". The FADER. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  23. ^ "Watch James Blake Play Two New Songs". Pitchfork. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  24. ^ Doyle, Patrick (21 February 2014). "Kanye Wants James Blake for Next Album". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  25. ^ a b Cliff, Aimee. "1-800 Dinosaur: a bunch of mates and a bunch of grapes". Dummy Mag. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  26. ^ "Overgrown – James Blake". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  27. ^ Blake, James (25 February 2013). "Brian Eno, RZA Guest on New James Blake Album". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  28. ^ "The Top 25 Albums of the Year 2013". 7 January 2016.
  29. ^ Fitzmaurice, Larry; Phillips, Amy (25 February 2013). "Brian Eno, RZA Guest on James Blake Album". Pitchfork.
  30. ^ ""I fell in love" – James Blake tells Hot Press". Hot Press. 1 March 2013.
  31. ^ Cooper, Leonie (14 October 2013). "James Blake and Chance The Rapper reveal 'Life Round Here' video – watch". NME. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  32. ^ Life Round Here (feat. Chance The Rapper) - Single by James Blake, January 2013, retrieved 4 January 2019
  33. ^ Lozano, Kevin (13 July 2016). "James Blake Reveals He Ignored Beyoncé Lyrics and Turned Down Drake". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  34. ^ "James Blake announces new album title". Pitchfork. 13 January 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  35. ^ "James Blake says new album out in about five months". Pitchfork. 23 November 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  36. ^ "James Blake Says Kanye West and Bon Iver's Justin Vernon Will Appear on His New Album - Pitchfork". Pitchfork.com. 21 July 2015.
  37. ^ "Grammy Awards 2014: Full Nominations List". Billboard. 7 December 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  38. ^ "James Blake Shares 'Modern Soul'". Pitchfork. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  39. ^ "James Blake announces album completion". FACT magazine. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  40. ^ Lobenfield, Claire (5 May 2016). "James Blake's The Colour in Anything will be released tonight". Fact. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  41. ^ Bowe, Miles. James Blake Hints at New Album Title and Artwork. Fact. 28 April 2016.
  42. ^ Bowe, Miles (2 May 2016). "James Blake confirms next album title, debuts new artwork on billboard". Fact. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  43. ^ Bowe, Miles (5 May 2016). "James Blake's announces album release date". Pitchfork. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  44. ^ 4:44 (Digital booklet). Jay-Z. Roc Nation. 2017. B0027184-02. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2019.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  45. ^ Helman, Peter (29 July 2017). "JAY-Z – "MaNyfaCedGod" (Feat. James Blake) & "Blue's Freestyle / We Family" (Feat. Blue Ivy Carter)". Stereogum. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  46. ^ Neubeck, Kyle (24 April 2017). "How James Blake Contributed to Kendrick Lamar's 'Damn'". Complex. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  47. ^ Schwartz, Danny (1 September 2016). "James Blake - Timeless (Remix) Feat. Vince Staples". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  48. ^ Monroe, Jazz (24 December 2018). "James Blake Releases Cover of Don McLean's 'Vincent': Listen". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  49. ^ a b "Various Artists – Black Panther: The Album [Booklet]". Genius. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  50. ^ Blais-Billie, Braudie (8 June 2018). "Jay Rock's New Album Redemption Features Kendrick, J. Cole, SZA, More". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  51. ^ "Jay Rock Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  52. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  53. ^ Blais-Billie, Braudie (26 January 2018). "James Blake Returns With New Song 'If the Car Beside You Moves Ahead': Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  54. ^ Wilson, Scott (25 May 2018). "James Blake shares new track, "Don't Miss It"". Fact. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  55. ^ "Don't Miss It – Single by James Blake". iTunes. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  56. ^ "Singer James Blake slams 'sad boy' label amid 'epidemic of male depression and suicide'". Sky News. 27 May 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  57. ^ Lozano, Kevin (25 May 2018). "Don't Miss It by James Blake Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  58. ^ Geffen, Sasha (2 June 2018). "Oneohtrix Point Never: Age Of". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  59. ^ Maine, Samantha (7 August 2018). "James Blake, Stevie Wonder and Kylie Jenner star in Travis Scott's new video for 'Stop Trying to Be God'". NME. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  60. ^ Sodomsky, Sam (4 December 2018). "James Blake Announces 2019 Tour". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  61. ^ Rossignol, Derrick (13 December 2018). "Tickets For James Blake's Tour Come With A Copy Of His Next Album". Uproxx. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  62. ^ Saponara, Michael (11 December 2018). "James Blake Teases New Andre 3000 Collab During DJ Set in Brooklyn: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  63. ^ Matheson, Anna (13 May 2018). "James Blake and Andre 3000 collaborate on new track 'Look Ma No Hands'". NME. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  64. ^ Findlay, Mitch (3 January 2019). "James Blake Tracklist Leaks, Revealing Andre 3000 & Travis Scott Features". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  65. ^ "James Blake's new album reportedly features Andre 3000 and Rosalía". Fact. 3 January 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  66. ^ Ryce, Andrew (3 January 2019). "New James Blake album, Assume Form, surfaces on Amazon France". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  67. ^ Stiernberg, Bonnie (5 January 2019). "James Blake Teases New Album, 'Assume Form'". Billboard. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  68. ^ Renshaw, David (10 January 2019). "James Blake to release new album next week". The Fader. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  69. ^ "James Blake - "Mile High" (Feat. Travis Scott & Metro Boomin)". Stereogum. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  70. ^ "Mile High (feat. Metro Boomin & Travis Scott) - Single". iTunes Store. 17 January 2019. Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  71. ^ Gottsegen, Will (17 January 2019). "James Blake – "Lullaby For My Insomniac"". Spin. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  72. ^ Yoo, Noah (18 January 2019). "James Blake Releases New Album Assume Form: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  73. ^ Daramola, Israel (4 April 2019). "Video: James Blake – "Barefoot in the Park" (feat. Rosalía)". Spin. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  74. ^ Alston, Trey (24 May 2019). "James Blake Brings Peace And Serenity To Ellen With 'I'll Come Too' Performance". MTV. Archived from the original on 24 May 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  75. ^ Hussein, Wandera (26 April 2019). "Stream James Blake's new single "Mulholland"". The Fader. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  76. ^ Shatz, Lake (26 April 2019). "James Blake reveals new song "Mulholland": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  77. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (9 July 2020). "James Blake unveils new track 'Are You Even Real?'". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  78. ^ Kreps, Daniel (24 April 2020). "Hear James Blake's Dreamy New Love Song 'You're Too Precious'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  79. ^ Moore, Sam (15 October 2020). "Listen to James Blake's new EP 'Before'". NME. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  80. ^ Fu, Eddie (23 May 2022). "James Blake Releases Wind Down, An Ambient Album Meant to Help You Sleep". Consequence. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  81. ^ Cowen, Trace William (27 September 2022). "James Blake Responds to Kanye West Previewing New Music He Produced in London". Complex. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  82. ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (2 November 2022). "Flatbush Zombies have '40 new songs' & unreleased James Blake-produced album". HipHopDX. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  83. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (23 August 2022). "Kaytranada, James Blake and Thundercat have producer credits on JID's new album". Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  84. ^ Caraan, Sophie (24 February 2023). "Don Toliver Enlists Future, James Blake, Toro y Moi and More for 'Love Sick'". Hypebeast. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  85. ^ Strauss, Matthew (28 June 2023). "James Blake Announces New Album and Tour Dates, Shares Video: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  86. ^ Kreps, Daniel (28 June 2023). "James Blake Returns With New Album 'Playing Robots Into Heaven'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  87. ^ Jones, Abby (28 June 2023). "James Blake Announces New Album Playing Robots Into Heaven, Shares 2023 Tour Dates". Consequence. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  88. ^ Robinson, Kristin. "James Blake Talks 'Anarchistic' Campaign Behind His First Single Since Going Indie". Billboard. Retrieved 1 July 2024.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  89. ^ LeJarde, Arielle Lana (16 February 2024). "James Blake expands CMYK project, teases new album with Lil Yachty". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  90. ^ Pilley, Max (16 June 2024). "James Blake releases surprise EP 'CMYK 002 – Let Her Know'". NME.com. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  91. ^ Jones, Abby (6 June 2024). "James Blake & Lil Yachty's Collab Album Bad Cameo Gets Release Date". Stereogum. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  92. ^ Lynskey, Dorian (5 May 2016). "James Blake: 'I'm the opposite of punk. I've subdued a generation'". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  93. ^ Ernsberger, Parry (24 June 2019). "Jameela Jamil & James Blake's Relationship Timeline Features So Many Supportive Moments". Bustle. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  94. ^ a b Haddrill, Matthew. "James Blake – Overgrown". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  95. ^ a b c d Mark Fisher (18 April 2013). "The Secret Sadness of the 21st Century". Electronic Beats. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  96. ^ Bevan, David (15 November 2010). "New Vocabulary". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  97. ^ "James Blake James Blake - Album Review". Slant Magazine. 15 February 2011.
  98. ^ a b Miller, Derek. "James Blake – James Blake: RA Review". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  99. ^ Powell, Mike (24 May 2010). "James Blake: CMYK EP". Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  100. ^ "A profile of James Blake – post-dubstep artist". BBC News. 6 January 2011.
  101. ^ Aaron, Charles (4 March 2011). "10 Post-Dubstep Artists Who Matter". Spin.
  102. ^ Legal, Dave. "It's a Post-Dubstep White Soul Thing; You Might Understand". The Stranger. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  103. ^ Madison, Moore (25 February 2016). Katherine Williams, Justin A. Williams (ed.). "James Blake, digital lion". Cambridge Companion to the Singer-Songwriter: 175. ISBN 9781107063648.
  104. ^ Leight, Elias. "James Blake: How Rick Rubin, Frank Ocean Helped Singer Overcome Obsession". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  105. ^ "Mercury Prize 2013: The nominees « BBC News". BBC. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  106. ^ Halliday, Josh (31 October 2013). "James Blake wins Mercury music prize for album Overgrown". The Guardian.
  107. ^ "Sound of 2011". BBC. 8 January 2011.
  108. ^ "Tinie Tempah nominated for four Brit Awards". BBC News. 13 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 January 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  109. ^ The BRIT Awards 2012 nominees Archived 28 November 2015 at the Wayback Machine Brits.co.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2012
  110. ^ "Brit awards 2014 – as it happened". The Guardian. 19 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  111. ^ "Jay Z Tops 56th Grammy Nominations With Nine". GRAMMY.com. 6 November 2013.
  112. ^ Johnston, Maura (6 December 2016). "Grammy nominations 2017: Beyoncé and R&B artists shine while rock suffers". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  113. ^ "Grammys 2019: Kacey Musgraves and Childish Gambino win big – as it happened". The Guardian. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  114. ^ "Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X top 2020 Grammy nominations". The Guardian. 19 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  115. ^ "2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominations List". Grammys.com. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  116. ^ Zee, Michaela; Horowitz, Steven J. (4 February 2024). "Taylor Swift, Victoria Monét and More Women Artists Win Big at 2024 Grammys (Complete Winners List)". Variety. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  117. ^ Davidson, Amy (22 May 2014). "The Ivor Novello Awards 2014: Winners in full". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  118. ^ Smith, Carl (7 April 2022). "Ivor Novello Awards 2022: Adele, Ed Sheeran, Dave and Inflo lead list of nominations". Official Charts. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  119. ^ Cobo, Leila (17 November 2022). "Latin Grammys 2022: Jorge Drexler & Bad Bunny Lead Early Winners (Updating)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 18 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  120. ^ Topping, Alexandra (19 July 2011). "Adele leads Mercury prize 2011 shortlist". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  121. ^ "Mercury Prize: James Blake wins with Overgrown". BBC News. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  122. ^ Hosken, Patrick (30 July 2020). "Your 2020 VMA Nominations Are Here: Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, And The Weeknd Lead The Pack". MTV News. Archived from the original on 30 August 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  123. ^ "uk music video awards 2011 here are nominations". promonews. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  124. ^ "UK Music Video Awards 2012: here are the nominations!". promonews. 8 October 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  125. ^ "UK Music Video Awards 2013: here are the nominations..." Promonews. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  126. ^ "UK Music Video Awards 2019: all the nominations!". Promonews. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  127. ^ "UK Music Video Awards 2021: all the nominations for this year's UKMVAs". Promonews. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  128. ^ "See Who Won at the UK Music Video Awards 2023". LBB Online. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  129. ^ "UK Music Video Awards 2024: all the nominations for this year's UKMVAs". Promonews. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
[edit]
Preceded by Sound of... Runner-up
2011
Succeeded by