UNKLE facts for kids

Quick facts for kids UNKLE
UNKLE in concert at Somerset House in London in 2008
Background information
Origin	London, England
Genres	Trip hop Downtempo Electronica Trip rock
Years active	1994–present
Labels	Mo' Wax, Global Underground, Surrender-All
Associated acts	UNKLESounds, Josh Homme, Queens of the Stone Age, South, Badly Drawn Boy, Mike D, Beastie Boys, Lupe Fiasco, Richard Ashcroft, The Verve, The Duke Spirit, Ian Brown, Autolux, Oasis, Gavin Clark, Robert Del Naja, Ian Astbury, Massive Attack, The Stone Roses, Alice Temple, Kool G Rap, Thom Yorke, Radiohead, Men From U.N.K.L.E.
Members	James Lavelle Pablo Clements
Past members	DJ Shadow Toshio Nakanishi Masayuki Kudo Tim Goldsworthy Richard File

UNKLE (also written as Unkle or U.N.K.L.E.) is a British music group that started in 1994. It was created by two friends, James Lavelle and Tim Goldsworthy, in London, England. They began by making trip hop music, which is a cool mix of hip-hop beats and electronic sounds. Over the years, many different artists and producers have worked with UNKLE, making their sound unique and always changing.

About UNKLE

UNKLE is known for its interesting blend of musical styles. They often combine different genres like electronic music, rock, and hip-hop. This makes their songs sound fresh and exciting. The group has released several albums and has toured around the world, sharing their music with many fans.

How UNKLE Started

The band UNKLE was formed in 1994 by James Lavelle and Tim Goldsworthy. They were school friends who shared a love for music. Their goal was to create new sounds by mixing different types of music. Early on, they were part of the trip hop music scene, which was very popular in the 1990s.

A famous producer named DJ Shadow joined the group for a while. He helped create their first album, Psyence Fiction, which came out in 1998. This album was a big step for UNKLE and showed off their unique style.

Their Unique Sound

UNKLE's music is often described as a mix of downtempo and electronica. Downtempo music is usually calm and relaxing, while electronica uses electronic instruments to make new sounds. UNKLE combines these with rock elements, creating what some call "trip rock."

They are famous for using samples from other songs and adding guest vocalists. This means they take small parts of existing recordings and blend them into their own music. They also invite different singers and musicians to perform on their tracks. This makes each of their albums sound different and full of surprises.

Working with Other Artists

One of the most exciting things about UNKLE is how many artists they have worked with. James Lavelle, the main member, loves to collaborate. This means he brings in other musicians to help create songs.

Some of the famous artists who have worked with UNKLE include Thom Yorke from Radiohead, Richard Ashcroft from The Verve, and Ian Brown from The Stone Roses. They have also worked with hip-hop artists like Kool G Rap and Lupe Fiasco. These collaborations add many different voices and styles to UNKLE's music.

Key Music and Albums

UNKLE has released several important albums throughout their career. Their first album, Psyence Fiction (1998), is considered a classic. It featured many guest artists and helped define their sound.

Later albums like Never, Never, Land (2003) and War Stories (2007) continued to explore new musical ideas. They often create music that is deep and thought-provoking, with strong beats and interesting melodies. Their songs are often used in movies, TV shows, and video games.

UNKLE Today

UNKLE continues to make music and perform. While members have changed over the years, James Lavelle has always been at the heart of the group. He keeps the band's creative spirit alive.

Today, UNKLE is still known for its innovative sound and exciting collaborations. They keep pushing the boundaries of electronic and rock music, always finding new ways to create amazing songs for their fans.

Images for kids

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  UNKLE in concert at Somerset House in London in 2008