Dan Black

Career

Black began his musical career as a guitarist in Minty, the former band of the late Leigh Bowery. He was also a founding member of Massive Ego, a late addition to the Romo scene; Minty had previously been cited as a core band of that scene by Melody Maker. Black later became the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the alternative rock band the Servant, remaining with them from their formation in 1998 until their split in 2007. In 2008 he released the solo single "HYPNTZ", whose lyrics were taken from rapper The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Hypnotize" and whose instrumental sampled a cover of "Starman" by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Apple Inc's "Vintage Funk Kit 03".

The single received positive reviews, but before a planned music video could be shot, The Notorious B.I.G.'s estate objected to the use of the lyrics, and the single was taken out of circulation. Black then signed with The:Hours and released two singles, "Alone" and "Yours". In 2009 his track "U + Me =" was chosen as the UK iTunes Store's "Free Single of the Week" and later used as the signature tune for BBC Switch's The Cut. Signing with A&M, his debut album UN was released on 13 July 2009, preceded by the single "Symphonies" after a performance at Glastonbury 2009 in the John Peel Tent.

He also performed at the Freeze:Freesports on 4 main stage at London Battersea Power Station in November that year, alongside Friendly Fires and Chase & Status.

Did You Know?

• The "Symphonies" video was nominated for Best Special Effects in a Video and Breakthrough Video at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.
• "Symphonies" was included in the popular video game NBA 2K11.