Lotic (musician) facts for kids

J’Kerian Morgan (born March 22, 1989), who is known by her stage name Lotic, is an American electronic musician who lives in Berlin, Germany. Lotic became well-known in the early 2010s as part of a group of artists called the Janus Collective. She also released several popular EPs (short albums) during this time.

In 2016, the famous singer Björk asked Lotic to create two official remixes for her album Vulnicura. Lotic's first full-length album, Power, came out in 2018.

Early Life and Education

Morgan grew up in a strong Black community in southwest Houston, Texas. When she was 12, she started learning to play the alto saxophone. In high school, she played the saxophone in the marching band.

After high school, Morgan went to the University of Texas at Austin. She wanted to create music for movies, so she first studied film production. She later switched her major to film studies. While in college, she was active in the university's electronic music studios.

Music Career

Starting as a DJ

In 2009, Morgan became interested in being a DJ after seeing another artist perform. She got involved with her college's student radio station, KVRX. She often performed live DJ sets at events around Austin, which helped start her music career.

After finishing college in 2012, Morgan moved to Berlin to focus on her music. There, she joined the Janus Collective, a group of American artists making new and exciting music in the city. In 2013, she released a mixtape called Fallout, and another one called Damsel in Distress in 2014.

Working with Björk

In 2015, Morgan released two EPs, Heterocetera and Agitations. Her work caught the attention of the singer Björk. In 2016, Björk asked her to create two official remixes of the song "Notget." Lotic also performed as the opening act for Björk's concert in Berlin.

During this time, she also created music for fashion shows. She made the soundtrack for a promotional video for the brand ifeoma and for a show at Paris Fashion Week.

First Album: Power

Lotic's first full-length album, Power, was released in 2018. To go with the album, she created a special audio-visual show called "Endless Power." She performed this show at big music festivals like CTM Festival in Berlin and Sónar in Barcelona. She also created music for dance performances.

Recent Music

In 2020, Lotic signed with a new record label, Houndstooth Records. She released the single "Burn a Print" to announce the new partnership.

In 2021, Lotic announced her second album, Water, which came out in October of that year. She released two singles from the album, "Come Unto Me" and "Emergency," each with its own music video. In 2022, she released an EP called Sparkling Water, which featured remixed songs from the Water album with new brass instrument arrangements.

Musical Style

Lotic's music often explores important ideas about society and identity. Even though she lives in Berlin, her music is influenced by her experiences as an African American. Her sound includes elements from ball culture (a performance scene that celebrates identity) and marching band drumlines. Her album Power was partly inspired by the book Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

She also explores ideas about gender in her music. One of her EPs is named Heterocetera, a term she found in the writings of the author Audre Lorde.

Critics often say Lotic's music mixes powerful, aggressive sounds with softer, more beautiful melodies. The album Power was a change in her style because it was the first time she included her own singing. Her music is different from the techno music that is common in Berlin.

Personal Life

Morgan is a transgender woman and has spoken about her identity since 2018. She often talks about the need for fairness and respect for all people in the electronic music world.

While making her album Power, Morgan went through a difficult time for two years without a stable home. She continued to work on her music during this period, showing great determination.

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

Remixes