Those who caught #TheProdigy live know that the onstage urgency of singer #KeithFlint was a perfect parallel to the music’s vicious attack. The revered British outfit – one of early EDM’s most celebrated and successful – espoused the idea that a key part of rock’s impact comes from flaunting its brutal side, and the 49-year-old Flint, who passed away at his home in Essex, England on March 4 2019, was expert at embodying the fury of his band’s art. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Performance-wise, Flint came off as a cross between Iggy Pop, Johnny Rotten and the Bad Brains’ H.R., a master of animated aggression who rode a menacing mix of techno and breakbeat designed by Prodigy founder Liam Howlett on synths and samplers, and rendered by a raging group bolstered by drums and guitar. Part of UK rave culture in the 80s, Flint initially joined The Prodigy as a dancer, and indeed, his hype man kinetics were explosive (“shouting with my body” as he described it to Rolling Stone). He had no need to play a character when inciting Prodigy audiences to join him in his exclamation; he once told The Guardian about being hypnotized at school to mute some of his boundless energy, and often cited punk rock’s inherent frenzy as an influence. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ “People often think all that high-energy stuff is just for the stage, but that's me. When I was younger I would listen to the Jam in my bedroom and jump around.” ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ The Prodigy’s accomplishments are many. Howlett’s innovative designs – made in the 90s when digital technology was bringing new textures to the music – earned the group seven number one albums in the UK, including ‘The Fat of the Land,’ which featured Flint’s vocals on “Breathe,” “Firestarter” and the controversial “Smack My Bitch Up,” which was banned by the BBC, decried by the National Organization of Women, and deemed the “Best Dance Video” of 1998 by MTV. Flint helped lead the charge when The Prodigy rampaged through Glastonbury in mid-90s, the first dance band to be part of the festival’s bill. Wherever he went, he brought commitment & outrageous charisma with him. ⠀⠀⠀⠀ “I’m not there for the beauty of my voice or to be the best dancer,” he has said, “I go out to express myself.”

vevoさん(@vevo)が投稿した動画 - 2019/03/05 06:06:44