Mura Masa
Mura Masa performing at Field Day in 2017
Mura Masa performing at Field Day in 2017
Background information
Birth nameAlexander George Edward Crossan[1]
Born (1996-04-05) 5 April 1996
Castel, Guernsey
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
  • disc jockey
  • record executive
Years active2013–present
Labels
Websitemuramasa.me

Alexander George Edward Crossan[1] (born 5 April 1996), better known by his stage name Mura Masa, is a Guernsey-born electronic music producer and songwriter.[3][4] Crossan is best known for his 2016 song "Lovesick" (featuring ASAP Rocky), which reached number one on the Spotify Viral charts in the United Kingdom and the United States.[5] In 2022, he produced the single "Boy's a Liar" by PinkPantheress, which peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Crossan's self-titled debut album (2017) was nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album and Best Recording Package at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.[6] His remix of Haim's "Walking Away" won Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.[7]

Early life

Crossan was born and raised in Guernsey.[8] After playing guitar, bass, drums and singing in local punk, hardcore, deathcore, and gospel bands, Crossan started self-producing at the age of 15, "searching for samples on YouTube and other corners of the internet".[9] He entered the electronic music scene after learning about Hudson Mohawke[10] and streamed music via YouTube, where he discovered James Blake, Cashmere Cat, and Sbtrkt. Crossan's influences, including Gorillaz and the Smiths, inspired him to write music and learn to play different instruments.[11] At 16, Crossan started to make electronic songs using Ableton Live, and uploaded them to SoundCloud the following year under the alias Mura Masa,[12] taken from Japanese swordsmith Muramasa Sengo.[13] He adopted the alias as he grew up with Japanese anime and Nintendo games, which led to his interest in the myth of Muramasa.[14] His early work incorporated elements of hip hop music, East Asian music (such as Shakuhachi flutes and thumb pianos), and glitchy electronica.[13][14]

At 17, Crossan uploaded his first tracks, remixes and bootlegs to SoundCloud. The track "Lotus Eater" was picked up by BBC Radio 1 with Zane Lowe, Annie Mac, Huw Stephens, and Phil Taggart all playing the song on their shows. After leaving Guernsey to study English literature at University of Sussex in Brighton, Crossan began playing his music live, with sold-out shows at the Green Door Store in Brighton[15] and Electrowerkz[16] in London. Crossan started his career by posting a mixtape called Soundtrack to a Death to SoundCloud in 2014. The mixtape was subsequently distributed globally by German label Jakarta Records.[17]

Music career

2015–2016: Someday Somewhere

Crossan signed to his own label Anchor Point Records in 2015, in partnership with Polydor Records and Interscope Records who distribute in the UK and in North America respectively. As well as Mura Masa records, the label has released music by Dublin artist Bonzai[18] and post-music duo Jadu Heart.[19]

In April 2015, he released his debut EP Someday Somewhere, with lead track "Firefly" being chosen for the In New Music We Trust playlist at BBC Radio 1.[20][21] Released via Anchor Point, the EP featured UK vocalists Nao, Denai Moore, and Jay Prince.[22] The track "Lovesick" from the EP reached number 1 on the Spotify Viral charts in the UK and US.[5] On 27 April 2015, he broadcast a 60-minute mix on the BBC Radio 1 show Diplo and Friends.[23] Crossan was long-listed for the BBC Sound of... 2016 in December 2015, and placed 5th overall in the shortlist in January 2016.[24][25]

On 15 March 2016, he unveiled the second single "What If I Go?" from his upcoming album.[26][27][28] On 30 September 2016, he released his collaborative single titled "Lovesick" featuring American rapper ASAP Rocky via Anchor Point and Downtown Records and Interscope Records.[29][30] The song is a newer version of Masa's 2015 single "Lovesick Fuck".[31] Crossan said he arranged a meeting to discuss the collaboration with Rocky when he happened to be in London for several days.[29] An official music video for the song was published on 3 November 2016 by Mura Masa's YouTube channel.[32][33]

2017–2019: Mura Masa

Crossan co-wrote the track "First Things First" on Stormzy's Gang Signs & Prayer, which entered the UK Albums Chart at number 1 on 3 March 2017. The track also entered the singles chart at number 25. On 17 March 2017, he released "1 Night", a collaboration with Charli XCX.[34] Speaking about the collaboration, he said "I think I just had that beat lying around for a while and we sent it to a couple of people. Then Charli just did her thing".[35][36]

Crossan released his self-titled debut studio album, Mura Masa on 14 July 2017.[21][35] It was released by Polydor, Interscope, Downtown, and Anchor Point Records. The album was produced and recorded from 2014 to 2016, and has guest features by A. K. Paul, ASAP Rocky, Bonzai, Charli XCX, Christine and the Queens, Damon Albarn, Desiigner, Jamie Lidell, Nao, and Tom Tripp. Upon release, it received positive reviews by critics, and debuted at number 19 on the UK Albums Chart and at 192 on the US Billboard 200. The album received nominations for Best Dance/Electronic Album and Best Recording Package[37] at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.[38]

In June, Crossan worked with Nile Rodgers-organised collective Chic on the band's comeback album, It's About Time. He was featured alongside Cosha and Vic Mensa on the comeback single "Till the World Falls", which was released on 22 June 2018. Before that, on 12 June 2018, the band also premiered another song from the album "Boogie All Night", which features Crossan, alongside working affiliate Nao. Crossan's remix of Haim's "Walking Away" won Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards on 10 February 2019.[39][40]

Awards and nominations

AwardsYearCategoryWorkResultRef.
Grammy Awards 2018 Best Dance/Electronic Album Mura Masa Nominated [41][42]
Best Recording Package Nominated
2019 Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical "Walking Away (Mura Masa Remix)" Won
2022 "Talks (Mura Masa Remix)" Nominated [43]
Ivor Novello Awards 2017 Best Contemporary Song "Lovesick" (featuring ASAP Rocky) Nominated [44]
2022 "Just for Me" (as songwriter) Nominated [45]
UK Music Video Awards 2016 Best Dance Video – Newcomer "What If I Go?" Nominated [46]
2017 Best Urban Video - UK "Lovesick" (featuring ASAP Rocky) Nominated [47]
Best Live Session "Blu (Live)" (featuring Damon Albarn) Won
2020 Best Alternative Video - UK "Teenage Headache Dreams" Nominated [48]
Best Dance/Electronic Video - UK "Deal Wiv It" (with Slowthai) Nominated
2023 Best Dance/Electronic Video - Newcomer "Whenever I Want" Won [49]

Discography

References

  1. 1 2 "Boy's A Liar". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  2. ↑ Monger, Timothy. "Mura Masa Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  3. ↑ "Mura Masa previews new music in an album documentary". DIY. 11 May 2016. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  4. ↑ Kielman, Daniel (17 May 2016). "Photos: Mura Masa loves the Independent". The Bay Bridged. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  5. 1 2 @SpotifyUK (30 April 2015). "Viral 50 Song Of The Week: 'Love Sick Fuck' from @mura_masa_ a fresh burst of sampled beauty http://spoti.fi/1DMg8qj" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ↑ "Grammys 2018 Winners: The Complete List". Billboard. 28 January 2018. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  7. ↑ "Grammys 2019: The Complete Winners List". Rolling Stone. 10 February 2019. Archived from the original on 12 February 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  8. ↑ Muir, Jamie (3 January 2017). "Mura Masa and his pop sensibilities will take over in 2017 | Dork". Dork. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  9. ↑ Stone, Avery (10 July 2017). "Mura Masa Will Teleport Your Brain into the Future of Pop". Noisey. Vice Media. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  10. ↑ Deeley, Chelsea (3 May 2016). "Mura Masa Talks Growing Up In Isolated Guernsey & Running His Own Label - Music Feeds". Music Feeds. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  11. ↑ Dudek, Mandi (2 August 2016). "Mura Masa Brings Mystery to The Music Hall of Williamsburg". Baeble Music. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  12. ↑ Dukoff, Spencer (13 July 2017). "Meet Mura Masa, the streaming era wunderkind marching to the beat of his own drum machine". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on 15 July 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  13. 1 2 Savage, Mark (4 January 2016). "BBC Sound Of 2016: Mura Masa interview". BBC News. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  14. 1 2 "This is Mura Masa: A KSCU Interview with the Grammy-Nominated Producer". KSCU. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  15. ↑ "Green Door Store Gig Listing". Songkick. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  16. ↑ "Electrowerkz Gig Listing". Songkick. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  17. ↑ "Mura Masa - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org. Archived from the original on 13 April 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  18. ↑ "Bonzai KBG Review". Blushing Panda. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  19. ↑ "Jadu Heart". Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  20. ↑ "Huw Stephens In New Music We Trust". BBC. Archived from the original on 3 June 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  21. 1 2 Chung, Max (11 January 2017). "Mura Masa Announces Upcoming Album in Recent Interview". Run The Trap: The Best EDM, Hip Hop & Trap Music. Archived from the original on 19 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  22. ↑ "Someday Somewhere Review". Pigeons and Planes. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  23. ↑ "Diplo and Friends". BBC. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  24. ↑ "Live Lounge month: Five questions for Mura Masa". BBC. 21 September 2016. Archived from the original on 28 May 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  25. ↑ Insolia, Julia (14 April 2016). "Mura Masa spreads the love for the 'What If I Go?' video | Purple Sneakers". Purple Sneakers. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  26. ↑ Kim, Michelle (18 March 2016). "Listen to New Mura Masa Single, "What If I Go?"". The FADER. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  27. ↑ Hunt, El (18 March 2016). "Mura Masa - What If I Go?". DIY. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  28. ↑ Hunt, El (11 April 2016). "Mura Masa's certified banger 'What If I Go?' now has a video". DIY. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  29. 1 2 Pearce, Sheldon (29 September 2016). "Listen to A$AP Rocky and Mura Masa's New Song "Love$ick" | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  30. ↑ Williams, Alex (19 October 2016). "Single Review: Mura Masa ft ASAP Rocky - Love$ick | Redbrick". Redbrick. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  31. ↑ Darville, Jordan (29 September 2016). "Mura Masa Taps A$AP Rocky For "Love$ick"". The FADER. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  32. ↑ Darville, Jordan (3 November 2016). "Watch The Music Video For Mura Masa And A$AP Rocky's "Love$ick"". The FADER. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  33. ↑ Muir, Jamie (3 November 2016). "Mura Masa has a video for the A$AP Rocky-featuring 'Love$ick' | Dork". Dork. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  34. ↑ Bein, Kat (17 March 2017). "Mura Masa and Charli XCX Get Intimate for '1 Night:' Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on 21 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  35. 1 2 Braboy, Mark (17 March 2017). "Mura Masa and Charlie XCX Join Forces For "1 Night"". Vibe. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  36. ↑ Thompson, Hunter (15 March 2017). "A Mura Masa and Charlie XCX Collab Titled '1 Night' is Dropping Soon". Run The Trap: The Best EDM, Hip Hop & Trap Music. Archived from the original on 21 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  37. ↑ "Grammys 2018: See the Complete List of Nominees". Billboard. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  38. ↑ "See The Full List Of 60th GRAMMY Nominees". GRAMMY.com. 27 November 2017. Archived from the original on 28 January 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  39. ↑ "Grammys 2019: The Complete Winners List". Rolling Stone. 10 February 2019. Archived from the original on 12 February 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  40. ↑ Middleton, Ryan (11 February 2019). "2019 Grammy Awards: Justice, Silk City, Mura Masa Take Home Dance / Electronic Awards on Not Terrible Night". magneticmag.com. Magnetic Magazine. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  41. ↑ "Mura Masa". Grammy.com. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  42. ↑ "Alex Crossan". Grammy.com. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  43. ↑ "2022 Grammy Nominations List". Grammy.com. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  44. ↑ "Archive | the Ivors | the Ivors Academy | Champions of Music Creators".
  45. ↑ Smith, Carl (7 April 2022). "Ivor Novello Awards 2022: Adele, Ed Sheeran, Dave and Inflo lead list of nominations". Official Charts. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  46. ↑ "UK Music Video Awards 2016: here are the nominations..." www.ukmva.com. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  47. ↑ "UK Music Video Awards 2017: all the winners!". Promonews. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  48. ↑ "UK Music Video Awards 2020: all the nominations!". Promonews. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  49. ↑ Malt, Andy (28 September 2023). "UK Music Video Award Nominations 2023". Complete Music Update. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
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