Kidda
Encyclopedia
Kidda is the artist name for UK electronic music and video producer Ste McGregor. Described by one national newspaper in the UK as “a bearded 30-something one-man cottage industry”, he is signed to the Brighton-based Skint Records
– the home of Fatboy Slim
, aka Norman Cook. McGregor has released one album on Skint, "Going Up", and his second long-player "Hotel Radio" is scheduled for release in the summer of 2011.
His track "Under The Sun" was used in Bacardi
’s worldwide TV advertising campaign, and other singles from his debut sample-based album such as "Strong Together" have made the charts in several European countries including Italy, Belgium and Holland, and has recently been licensed to Ultra Records
in America.
In addition to being a recording artist and DJ, Kidda is an animator and video director and has made music promos for assorted artists such as Midfield General
, the Lo-Fidelity Allstars, X-Press 2
and Phil Kieran
– as well as completing animation work for the stage shows of US artists Kanye West
and Rihanna
. McGregor also sewed his own tapestry to make up the artwork for his 2008-released album "Going Up".
Born and raised in Middlesbrough in the north-east of England, McGregor moved to Nottingham in the Midlands region of the UK to study fine art. In his spare time he began to craft hip-hop beats, and after completing an MA in animation back in Middlesbrough he moved to Brighton on the south coast of England. He moved into a house with Skint Records artist Danielsan, and was soon invited to make a promo video for Danielsan’s "Force Ten" single. This led to more video work with other Skint Records artists, and after a couple of EPs for the Brighton-based Catskills Records in the mid-00s – "The Shoe Cash EP" and "The Word Booty EP" – he signed to Skint as a recording artist.
Kidda’s debut album featured Gary Lightbody
from indie band Snow Patrol
(on "Shining 1") and various other vocalists, and was notable for being constructed from samples that were then all re-recorded. First single from the album, "Smile", used the theme tune from BBC sports show Ski Sunday
, while "Under The Sun" contained elements of a song written by US songwriters Ashford and Simpson. A section of the single was used in a Bacardi worldwide TV advertising campaign, although most of the money the spirits company paid for its use went to Ashford and Simpson's publishers EMI
.
The "Going Up" album received favourable reviews in most music publications. “With infectious hooks, tasty beats and soul-tinged melodies, Kidda’s debut feels like the natural sequel to The Avalanches’ universally acclaimed ‘Since I Left You’,” said MOJO
magazine. It was awarded album of the month status in DJ magazine, album of the week in DMC Update, while BBC Music
said: “Somewhere between funk, pop, hip-hop and old skool rave, ‘Going Up’ is the perfect soundtrack to this summer’s festivals.” However, the same review went on to say: "While Going Up's blatant and intended cheesiness appeals to this particular scribe, more straight-laced musos may find it all a bit too camp and annoying. Basically Kidda's a bit like Marmite; you'll either love him or hate him." The NME
, meanwhile, said: "Like airy muzak in a shopping centre, most of ‘Going Up’ washes over you."
The remix of "Under The Sun" by British producer Hervé
was a club hit supported by the likes of BBC Radio One's Annie Mac
and Kissy Sellout and was subsequently licensed to a number of compilations, including Ministry Of Sound
’s "The Annual 2009" and Godskitchen
"Anthems 2009". "Strong Together" was also used on a TV ad for Warner Leisure.
Second album "Hotel Radio" is thought to have a more pop-orientated feel, and contain no samples whatsoever – it’s purported to be all original songwriting from Kidda and his co-writer Lee Muddy Baker
. McGregor is also thought to be preparing a live show to support the release of "Hotel Radio".
Albums:
Skint Records
Skint Records is a Brighton based dance music record label owned by JC Reid, Tim Jeffery and Damian Harris. It was created as a sublabel of Loaded Records, also founded by Reid and Jeffery...
– the home of Fatboy Slim
Fatboy Slim
Norman Quentin Cook better known by his former stage name Fatboy Slim, is a British DJ, electronic dance music musician, and record producer. He is a pioneer of the big beat genre that achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s...
, aka Norman Cook. McGregor has released one album on Skint, "Going Up", and his second long-player "Hotel Radio" is scheduled for release in the summer of 2011.
His track "Under The Sun" was used in Bacardi
Bacardi
Bacardi is a family-controlled spirits company, best known as a producer of rums, including Bacardi Superior and Bacardi 151. The company sells in excess of 200 million bottles per year in nearly 100 countries...
’s worldwide TV advertising campaign, and other singles from his debut sample-based album such as "Strong Together" have made the charts in several European countries including Italy, Belgium and Holland, and has recently been licensed to Ultra Records
Ultra Records
Ultra Records is an American independent electronic dance music record label. Ultra was formed in New York City in 1995 by former Polygram and Virgin Records executive Patrick Moxey, who is still currently the owner...
in America.
In addition to being a recording artist and DJ, Kidda is an animator and video director and has made music promos for assorted artists such as Midfield General
Midfield General
Midfield General, real name Damian Harris, is the original founder of the Skint Records label, which became the forerunner of the big success of Norman Cook's Fatboy Slim....
, the Lo-Fidelity Allstars, X-Press 2
X-Press 2
X-Press 2 is an English electronic and dance music duo. The members are DJ Diesel and DJ Rocky . Ashley Beedle left to pursue solo projects in 2009.-History:...
and Phil Kieran
Phil Kieran
Phil Kieran is a DJ, music producer and electronic music recording artist from Belfast, Northern Ireland.Kieran is primarily a club DJ, making his name as the resident at Shine in Belfast and later playing at venues across the world. He plays a wide variety of music including techno, breaks and house...
– as well as completing animation work for the stage shows of US artists Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
and Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
. McGregor also sewed his own tapestry to make up the artwork for his 2008-released album "Going Up".
Born and raised in Middlesbrough in the north-east of England, McGregor moved to Nottingham in the Midlands region of the UK to study fine art. In his spare time he began to craft hip-hop beats, and after completing an MA in animation back in Middlesbrough he moved to Brighton on the south coast of England. He moved into a house with Skint Records artist Danielsan, and was soon invited to make a promo video for Danielsan’s "Force Ten" single. This led to more video work with other Skint Records artists, and after a couple of EPs for the Brighton-based Catskills Records in the mid-00s – "The Shoe Cash EP" and "The Word Booty EP" – he signed to Skint as a recording artist.
Kidda’s debut album featured Gary Lightbody
Gary Lightbody
Gary Lightbody is an Northern Irish musician and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the alternative rock band Snow Patrol.- Early life :...
from indie band Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
(on "Shining 1") and various other vocalists, and was notable for being constructed from samples that were then all re-recorded. First single from the album, "Smile", used the theme tune from BBC sports show Ski Sunday
Ski Sunday
Ski Sunday is the BBC Sports weekly magazine-style television show covering winter sports, broadcast in the United Kingdom on Sundays in a late afternoon or an early evening time-slot...
, while "Under The Sun" contained elements of a song written by US songwriters Ashford and Simpson. A section of the single was used in a Bacardi worldwide TV advertising campaign, although most of the money the spirits company paid for its use went to Ashford and Simpson's publishers EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
.
The "Going Up" album received favourable reviews in most music publications. “With infectious hooks, tasty beats and soul-tinged melodies, Kidda’s debut feels like the natural sequel to The Avalanches’ universally acclaimed ‘Since I Left You’,” said MOJO
Mojo (magazine)
MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
magazine. It was awarded album of the month status in DJ magazine, album of the week in DMC Update, while BBC Music
BBC Music
BBC Music is a team working in the department of Audio and Music Interactive at the BBC. Responsible for the BBC Music website - the portal site to music content across the BBC website....
said: “Somewhere between funk, pop, hip-hop and old skool rave, ‘Going Up’ is the perfect soundtrack to this summer’s festivals.” However, the same review went on to say: "While Going Up's blatant and intended cheesiness appeals to this particular scribe, more straight-laced musos may find it all a bit too camp and annoying. Basically Kidda's a bit like Marmite; you'll either love him or hate him." The NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
, meanwhile, said: "Like airy muzak in a shopping centre, most of ‘Going Up’ washes over you."
The remix of "Under The Sun" by British producer Hervé
Hervé
Hervé is a French given name of Breton origin. In English, it is sometimes rendered Harvey or Hervey. It already appears in Latin sources of the eighth century as Charivius. A later Latin form is Herveus. It derives from Old Breton Huiarnviu Hervé is a French given name of Breton origin. In...
was a club hit supported by the likes of BBC Radio One's Annie Mac
Annie Mac
Annie Mac is an Irish DJ and television presenter who hosts an eponymous electronic dance music show on BBC Radio 1 in the United Kingdom which airs at 7:00 pm on Friday evenings as well as a Sunday evening show alongside co-presenter Nick Grimshaw.-Personal life:Annie Mac was born in Dublin,...
and Kissy Sellout and was subsequently licensed to a number of compilations, including Ministry Of Sound
Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound London, commonly referred to as simply Ministry of Sound or MoS, is a nightclub based in London, United Kingdom and an associated record label. It was ranked fourth in the 2010 DJ Magazine top 100 clubs poll 2010. As well as the nightclub in London, there is another in Egypt and...
’s "The Annual 2009" and Godskitchen
Godskitchen
Godskitchen is an international superclub brand which is associated with dance music and organises events, particularly in the UK and US. The company runs a club night of the same name at their nightclub AIR, in Birmingham, England and has an in-house music label...
"Anthems 2009". "Strong Together" was also used on a TV ad for Warner Leisure.
Second album "Hotel Radio" is thought to have a more pop-orientated feel, and contain no samples whatsoever – it’s purported to be all original songwriting from Kidda and his co-writer Lee Muddy Baker
Lee Muddy Baker
Lee "Muddy" Baker is a UK-based singer-songwriter, producer, performer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist.-Early years:...
. McGregor is also thought to be preparing a live show to support the release of "Hotel Radio".
Discography
Singles:- The Shoe Cash EP (Catskills Records, 2004)
- The Word Booty EP (Catskills Records, 2005)
- V.I.P. featuring Psycho Les (Skint Records, 2007)
- Smile (Skint Records, 2008)
- Under The Sun (Skint Records, 2008)
- Strong Together (Skint Records, 2009)
- Feel Too Good (Skint Records, 2009)
- Wanna Be Loved (Skint Records, 2009)
Albums:
- Going Up (Skint, 2008)
- Hotel Radio (Skint Records, 2010)
External links
- http://www.kiddamusic.com/
- http://www.facebook.com/iamkidda
- http://www.twitter.com/iamkidda