Clazziquai (Classic + Jazz + Groove) initially started out as an experimental project by leader and mastermind, DJ Clazzi a.k.a 김성훈 (Kim Sung-hoon). Kim graduated from Capilano College, and continued his study at CDIS (Center for Digital Image). After his graduation, he worked as a web designer, uploading his music online in his leisure time. Eventually, netizens (nickname given to Korean web surfers) discovered his music and were drawn to its experimental nature, which is the reason why Clazziquai was initially labelled a “project group”; in other words, it was meant to be a temporary partnership made for a specific music project, experimenting with music in order to create a more distinguished sound. Although this implied that Clazziquai would not exist long-term, this group has explained that their partnership was created for music, and thus they continue to exist. Their music, similar to the shibuya-kei movement, is a fusion of different genres but is predominantly house, electronica and acid jazz. The group remained predominantly underground until their participation in the OST for the award-winning K-drama My Lovely Sam Soon. In late 2005, after collaborating with Japanese artists Fantastic Plastic Machine and m-flo, the group signed a contract under Avex Trax to release their music in Japan, while still being signed under Fluxus Music in Korea. Clazziquai has so far released four albums plus one remix album, three VA releases, a song for the MBC show We Got Married (which Alex was a part of) and were featured on the OSTs for the dramas My Lovely Sam Soon and April Snow in Korea. In Japan, they have released two albums and were a part of the Lovebeat Disney VA album released by Avex Trax. The members themselves have also participated in various other OSTs and on albums for other artists such as Epik High, J (제이), Dynamic Duo, 윤종신 (Yoo Jongshin), Buga Kingz and Mighty Mouth. Alex has currently released his own digital single and album along with collaboration digital singles with 지선 (JiSun) and her group Loveholic, whilst Horan released one solo song for a VA album and a digital coupling for a commercial with 8Eight and 박기영 (Park Kiyoung), as well as an album with her other group Ibadi. |
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