Fusing the energetic sounds of dancehall with the upbeat, innovative realm of EDM, the group Major Lazer has been a major player in EMD since 2009. Started by the legendary DJ/producer Diplo the group consisted of he and DJ/producer Switch until 2011 when he separated from the group. Switch and Diplo met after working with artists, M.I.A. and their first release came on June 16th 2009 entitled, Guns Don’t Kill People… Lazers Do.
Honing in on their signature reggae fusion sound the pair recorded the album at Tuff Gong Studios in Jamica and featured such notable acts as, Ward 21, Santigold Prince Zimboo, Vybz Kartel, Leftside Turbulence, T.O.K, Busy Signal, Nina Sky, Mr. Vegas, Amanda Blank and Mapei. Many of the singles off the duo’s first LP went on to become major hits such as, “Hold the Line” which was nominated for an MTV Video Award as well.
After the great success of their record, Major Lazer performed at some of the biggest festivals in the world such as, Coachella, Sasquatch, Pitchfork Music Fest, and the Falls Music & Arts Festival in Victoria, Australia. In 2010 the group released their 2nd EP, Lazers Never Die which had remixes by alternative rock star, Thom Yorke and many other famous musicians. It was around this time that Switch and former hype man, Skerrit Bwoy both parted from Major Lazer. Project kept coming in and Diplo found himself working with Snoop Dog on a reggae album as producing records for No Doubt.
Major Lazer has since been signed to record label Secretly Canadian and anticipated a third record to be released in 2013.
