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Chromeo
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Chromeo
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Chromeo is a Canadian electro-funk duo from Montreal, formed in 2002 by musicians David "Dave 1" Macklovitch and Patrick "P-Thugg" Gemayel. Their sound draws from soul music, dance music, rock, synth-pop, disco and funk.[4]

Key Information

As of 2024, the band has released six studio albums, with three of them hitting the Billboard 200 charts.[5] In 2018, Chromeo received their first Grammy Award nomination for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for their album Head over Heels.[6]

History

[edit]

The duo met in the mid-1990s at Collège Stanislas in Montreal. Speaking on their different ethnic backgrounds, the two jokingly describe themselves as "the only successful Arab/Jewish partnership since the dawn of human culture."[7]

Around the time when they were both 15, Macklovitch joined Gemayel's band.[8][9] During this time, Macklovitch's younger brother A-Trak (of Duck Sauce) started winning the Disco Mix Club Championships, becoming World Champion in 1997.[10] After the band, Dave 1 and P-Thugg started to produce hip hop music together. Also at this time, Tiga was working with Dave 1 at a record store and asked Dave 1 to work on a project for his label, Turbo.[9] Dave 1 and P-Thugg signed as Chromeo and started creating music together.

Reviews of their 2004 debut album, She's in Control, were mostly favorable. Critics compared the sound to 1980s groups Hall & Oates,[11][12] Zapp,[13] Prince,[13] Klymaxx and Sylvester.[14] "Needy Girl" became a worldwide club hit.[15] According to Dave 1, "She's in Control didn't blow up. But we had "Needy Girl", and "Needy Girl" was like a musical passport. That song went all around the world and DJs played it everywhere". The song "You're So Gangsta" was featured as the theme tune for the PC game Space Colony.

In 2005, Chromeo released a mix CD of funky dance tracks on Eskimo Belgium records entitled Un Joli Mix Pour Toi (French for: A Nice Mix for You). In 2006, the group was featured in DJ Mehdi's song "I Am Somebody". During early 2007, Chromeo supported indie rock group Bloc Party on their British tour.[15]

Chromeo at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in 2008

After a three-year break, they released a second album, Fancy Footwork, which also received positive reviews.[16][17] In 2008, Chromeo performed with Daryl Hall as a part of his online series Live from Daryl's House.[18] They also performed with Hall at the 2010 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, TN.[19] On a 2009 episode of Yo Gabba Gabba!, Chromeo appeared performing original song "Nice 'N Clean".[20]

Chromeo released their third studio album, Business Casual, on September 14, 2010.[21] As of 2025, the music video for the album's single "Night by Night" had received over 6.1 million views on YouTube.[22] The band has appeared on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic,[23] been on the cover of Future Magazine,[24] and sold out The Forum in London.[25]

At the beginning of March 2011, Chromeo sent out notice that they had recorded the "world's smallest album", entitled Drive Time, which consists of 55 songs in only 183 seconds.[26] About a week later, it was revealed that Drive Time is actually a free musical Nokia Own Voice satellite navigation pack for Ovi Maps, made for usage with Nokia's compatible cell phones.[27] A red vinyl 5" single consisting of regular, instrumental and a cappella versions of "Turn Left" and "Follow" was released to promote it, with a sticker on the shrink wrap saying that it was a numbered limited edition of 40 copies.

In September 2013, the group announced their fourth studio album White Women with a trailer video featuring the track "Over Your Shoulder".[28] It was released May 9, 2014, in Ireland and May 12 elsewhere.

Chromeo performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival[29] in April 2014.

On November 2, 2017, Chromeo announced a new album called Head Over Heels. The first single "Juice" was released on November 7, 2017.[30] In December of 2018, Chromeo received their first Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical in the 61st Grammy Awards for the album.[citation needed]

On May 4, 2020, Chromeo announced the launch of its own record label, "Juliet Records" via Facebook.[31]

On June 12, 2020, the band released "Quarantine Casanova," an EP of five new tracks written and recorded under lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic. 100% of the proceeds from digital downloads, physical sales, and merch will be donated to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp COVID-19 Relief Fund. [32]

On June 12, 2021, the live album Date Night: Chromeo Live! was announced for release on June 25, alongside the release of the single "Don’t Sleep (Live in Washington D.C.)". Tracks were recorded during a 2019 North America concert tour, where Chromeo performed live with a full band for the first time.[33]

Chromeo performed at the 22nd Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2023.[34]

Members

[edit]
David "Dave 1" Macklovitch in June 2024

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Chromeo discography

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result
2007 Bucky Award Best Sweatin' to the Indies Workout Song "Fancy Footwork" Won[40]
2008 Woodie Award Left Field Woodie — Won[41]
Juno Award Dance Recording of the Year Fancy Footwork Nominated[42]
2011 Business Casual Nominated[43]
MTV Video Music Award Best Special Effects "Don't Turn the Lights On" Nominated[44]
2019 Grammy Awards Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical Head Over Heels Nominated[45]
2022 Juno Awards Producer of the Year On My Mind" (Anomalie & Chromeo), "Tango" (Onyx Collective) Nominated[46]

References

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Chromeo

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Chromeo is a Canadian electro-funk duo formed in in 2002 by childhood friends David "Dave 1" Macklovitch and Patrick "P-Thugg" Gemayel, blending 1980s-inspired , , and elements with themes of , , and relationships. Macklovitch, who handles vocals and guitar, and Gemayel, responsible for keyboards, synthesizers, and production, met as teenagers in high school and share diverse cultural backgrounds—Dave 1 of Jewish heritage and P-Thugg of Lebanese descent—while both drawing from influences like Prince, , and early electro-funk acts. Their self-described "Jewish-Arab " has fueled a distinctive sound characterized by groovy basslines, talkbox effects, and witty, hook-driven lyrics that evoke nostalgic yet modern dancefloor energy. The duo debuted with the album She's in Control in 2004, introducing their playful electro-funk style through tracks like "Needy Girl" and establishing a in underground club scenes. Their breakthrough came with the 2007 sophomore release , which elevated their profile with infectious singles such as the title track and "Bonafied Lovin'," blending analog synths with party-ready beats and solidifying Chromeo's reputation as torchbearers of retro-futurist funk. By their third album, Business Casual (2010), they refined their sound with more sophisticated production, including lush strings on "Don't Walk Away" and a French-language "J'ai Claqué la Porte," while exploring heartbreak and romance in a polished, 1980s-inflected package. Chromeo's later work expanded their collaborative scope and commercial reach, with White Women (2014) featuring guests like Solange on "Lost on the Way" and of on "Old 45s," marking a peak in their fusion of pop accessibility and funky experimentation. The 2018 album Head Over Heels earned them their first Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, highlighting their meticulous analog recording process and tracks like "Bad Decision" that balanced humor with emotional depth. Three of their albums have charted on the , reflecting sustained popularity in indie and electronic music circles. In 2024, Chromeo released their sixth studio album Adult Contemporary, a mature reflection on midlife relationships and fidelity, with standouts like "(I Don't Need A) New Girl" and collaborations including on "Replacements," maintaining their signature groove while addressing aging in the modern dating landscape. Throughout their career, the duo has toured extensively, performed at major festivals, and influenced a revival of funk-infused electronic , all while emphasizing live instrumentation and a lighthearted yet precise approach to their craft.

History

Formation and Early Years (2002–2007)

Chromeo originated in , where David Macklovitch (known as Dave 1) and Patrick Gemayel (P-Thugg) first met during high school in the late 1990s. The two bonded over their mutual fascination with hip-hop tracks that sampled 1980s , leading them to experiment with production techniques inspired by those sounds. By , they formalized their collaboration as the electro-funk duo Chromeo, deliberately framing themselves as an "Arab-Jewish partnership" to inject humor and cultural commentary into their identity, often quipping that they represented "the only successful Arab/Jewish partnership since the dawn of human culture." Macklovitch, a Jewish Canadian raised in Montreal, balanced his emerging music career with academic pursuits, earning a bachelor's degree from McGill University and later pursuing a PhD in French literature at Columbia University, where he also taught undergraduate courses. Gemayel, of Lebanese heritage and born to Egyptian-Lebanese parents who immigrated to , brought his roots in hip-hop production to the duo; he had already been sampling beats and teaching Macklovitch sampler techniques during their high school years. This blend of cultural backgrounds and musical influences shaped Chromeo's early sound, emphasizing synth-driven grooves and ironic takes on romance. The duo's initial releases came through Turbo Recordings, to which they had submitted a demo and signed prior to their official formation. That same year, they released their first full-length album, She's in Control, recorded in and New York, which explored themes of romantic irony—such as unrequited longing masked in detachment—through tracks like the single "Destination: Overdrive," a rubbery number about impulsive desire. Despite critical praise from niche outlets, Chromeo's early work received limited mainstream attention, confining them to the underground electronic scenes in and New York, where they built a among funk and electro enthusiasts. The duo focused on honing their live setup—featuring Gemayel on keyboards and alongside Macklovitch's guitar and vocals—while navigating the challenges of balancing day jobs and academic commitments with their burgeoning project.

Breakthrough and Mid-Career (2008–2014)

The release of Chromeo's second album, Fancy Footwork, in 2007 marked the beginning of their commercial ascent, with the title track and "Tenderoni" emerging as key hits that propelled the duo into wider recognition by 2008. Issued via Last Gang Records, the album's electro-funk sound resonated in clubs and on radio, establishing Chromeo as rising figures in the indie dance scene and paving the way for major-label interest. The music video for "Fancy Footwork," directed by Ben Levine, adopted a nostalgic 1980s VHS aesthetic, featuring aerobics-inspired choreography and retro visuals that amplified the track's playful, synth-driven appeal and contributed to its viral spread on platforms like YouTube. This breakthrough solidified their fanbase and led to a signing with Atlantic Records, as the positive reception to Fancy Footwork positioned them for broader distribution. Balancing their roots in with increasing time in New York and , Chromeo relocated aspects of their creative process to NYC studios during this period, influencing the urban polish of their evolving sound. Their third album, , served as their major-label debut on , released on September 14, 2010, and produced in collaboration with mixer Philippe Zdar. Singles such as "Night by Night" and "Don't Turn the Lights On" highlighted the record's glossy '80s-inspired production, blending talk-box vocals with upbeat rhythms, while "Hot Mess" followed as a later single. The album debuted at No. 70 on the and performed strongly on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart, reaching No. 4, reflecting their growing commercial traction. Media outlets like praised its "squelchy chart pop" sophistication in a 7.9 review, and Spin provided coverage of their rising profile, underscoring Chromeo's shift toward mainstream electro-funk accessibility. Touring expanded significantly, including European dates and festival appearances that built on their momentum. By 2014, Chromeo reached a mid-career peak with White Women, released on May 12 via Last Gang Records, which delved into themes of racial and gender dynamics through humorous, self-aware lyrics about interracial relationships and societal tropes. The album featured guest appearances from Solange on "Lost on the Way Home" and on "Come Alive," alongside contributions from of and others, enhancing its collaborative electro-funk palette with lush synth layers and funky basslines. Critics acclaimed its production for capturing a vibrant, synth-heavy essence that refined the duo's signature style, with awarding it a 7.8 for its near-realization of their sonic vision. This release cemented Chromeo's status as electro-funk pioneers, bridging indie roots with polished, genre-blending appeal amid their ongoing transatlantic lifestyle. To engage fans, they issued free mixtapes like Nineteen 84 in 2010 and Horizons in Funk in 2011, offering remixes and exclusive tracks that expanded their digital presence without commercial pressure.

Recent Developments (2015–present)

In 2018, Chromeo released their fifth studio album, Head Over Heels, on June 15 via Big Beat and Atlantic Records, marking a shift toward a more collaborative and analog-focused production process recorded primarily at their Los Angeles studio. The duo emphasized an analog recording approach, drawing on vintage equipment and live instrumentation to infuse the synth-funk sound with warmer, organic textures, as detailed in discussions with the Recording Academy. Key singles included "Bad Decision," which highlighted their playful exploration of romantic missteps, and the album featured contributions from artists like D.R.A.M. and The-Dream, alongside producers such as Raphael Saadiq and Rodney Jerkins. This effort earned Chromeo their first Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, recognizing the meticulous sound design that blended retro funk with contemporary polish. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Chromeo's touring momentum following Head Over Heels, leading to a period of creative adaptation rather than a full hiatus, during which they released the surprise EP Quarantine Casanova in June 2020, a collection of five tracks written and recorded in lockdown to capture the era's isolation and humor while donating proceeds to COVID-19 relief efforts for Black and POC communities. In subsequent reflections, such as a 2024 NPR interview, the duo discussed the challenges of sustaining their partnership and career longevity amid global disruptions, crediting their 20-plus years of friendship as a foundation for resilience in an evolving music landscape. This period also inspired the 2021 live album Date Night: Chromeo Live!, compiled from pre-pandemic tour recordings to evoke nostalgia and maintain fan connection during restricted live performances. Chromeo's sixth studio album, Adult Contemporary, arrived on February 16, 2024, via , showcasing a matured genre-blend of electro-, R&B, and pop that delved into themes of adult relationships, commitment, and enduring friendship. Tracks like "Lost and Found" and "Replacements" (featuring ) exemplified this evolution, with lush horn arrangements and synth layers addressing modern romance in a contemporary world, as the duo self-produced and arranged the 14-song set to reflect personal growth. The album's release was supported by promotional efforts including music videos for singles such as "Personal Effects" and the deluxe edition addition "On the Move" (featuring Cannons), alongside launch events and interviews where Chromeo addressed industry challenges in reviving amid streaming dominance. With members maintaining a split residence—Dave 1 in and P-Thugg in —the pair hinted at future projects centered on live innovation in 2025 discussions. Critical reception praised the album's sustained relevance, with outlets like Grammy.com highlighting its risk-taking intimacy and noting its role in bridging classic with current pop sensibilities. In July 2025, Chromeo announced a series of intimate fall concerts performing their 2007 album in full to celebrate its anniversary.

Members

David Macklovitch

David Macklovitch, known professionally as Dave 1, was born on June 7, 1978, in , , , to a Jewish family. His mother, a Moroccan Jewish immigrant who arrived in in 1964, heads a translation bureau, while his father, a Canadian-born Ashkenazi Jewish linguist, raised the family speaking French to support Québecois culture. Growing up in a culturally diverse environment, including attending a French lycée with students from African, Haitian, and Lebanese backgrounds, Macklovitch developed an early interest in and music, particularly through hip-hop. By high school, he was producing hip-hop records and hosting a radio show called "Rap Attitudes," blending lyrical analysis with rhythmic experimentation. Macklovitch pursued higher education in literature, earning a in 2000 and a in 2003, both in French Language and Literature from . He later moved to to pursue a PhD in at as a doctoral candidate and in French and Romance Philology, where he was accepted into PhD programs at Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Columbia, placing it on indefinite hiatus to focus on music. Macklovitch has reflected on balancing academia with music, noting that he misses teaching at institutions like . In Chromeo, the electro-funk duo he co-founded with childhood friend Patrick Gemayel, Macklovitch serves as and , contributing significantly to songwriting. His musical style draws heavily from Prince and 1980s pop and funk acts like and , infusing their work with a nostalgic yet innovative edge. This blend reflects his analytical approach to music, influenced by studies at McGill. Macklovitch resides in Los Angeles, where he rents a midcentury modern home since 2018, and married creative director Atlanta de Cadenet Taylor in a Sicilian island wedding on September 27, 2025, following an earlier courthouse ceremony. He continues to balance his music career with occasional academic and writing pursuits, including past roles as a music editor at Vice and recent essays on art and culture for publications like the monograph Untitled by Spencer Lewis. Through Chromeo, he advocates for cultural diversity in electronic music, highlighting the duo's identity as a rare successful Arab-Jewish partnership in the genre.

Patrick Gemayel

Patrick Gemayel, professionally known as P-Thugg, was born on July 31, 1979, in , , to a family of Arab and Italian heritage. Exposed to a mix of , Italian, and French music during his early years in the , he immigrated to , , at the age of eight, where his family settled. Growing up in Montreal's multicultural environment, Gemayel immersed himself in North American music scenes as a teenager, particularly hip-hop, which shaped his initial creative pursuits. In his early career, Gemayel engaged in DJing and beat-making within Montreal's vibrant community during the . Starting in high school, he experimented with production using tools like the S950 sampler and software, creating hip-hop tracks with crunchy, dirty drums and layering guitar over rap samples such as King Bee's "Back By Dope Demand," which drew from James Brown's "." Largely self-taught, he mastered synthesizers like the Micro Preset 500 and the — inspired by Roger Troutman's work with Zapp—learning keyboard techniques to "sing" through the device for a humanized robotic vocal effect. These skills transitioned from hip-hop experimentation to broader electronic production, emphasizing analog textures over purely digital sounds. Within Chromeo, formed in 2002, Gemayel serves as the primary instrumentalist and , handling keyboards, synthesizers, , and occasional guitar while co-producing tracks. He is instrumental in crafting the duo's signature funky basslines—often synthesized for a retro electro-funk groove—and electro elements that blend seamless production with live-feel dynamics, distinguishing their sound from sample-heavy contemporaries. His contributions ensure the music retains an organic pulse, drawing on hardware synths and sequencing to evoke influences while updating them for modern floors. Gemayel's personal influences stem from discovering funk through 1990s rap samples, including those from Zapp, Parliament, and Herbie Hancock's "Wiggle Waggle," which prompted him to trace samples back to their 1970s funk roots like Parliament-Funkadelic's organic grooves. This hip-hop gateway fueled his appreciation for bass-driven rhythms and talk box effects, informing Chromeo's electro-funk hybrid. His Lebanese-Arab heritage subtly informs the duo's self-described identity as the "only successful Arab-Jewish supergroup," occasionally appearing in thematic lyrics that touch on cultural duality and immigrant experiences, though their work prioritizes universal funk narratives. Beyond music, Gemayel maintains a private family life in Montreal, where he resides with loved ones; he occasionally performs DJ sets, collects vintage synthesizers, and adheres to a production philosophy that prioritizes live instrumentation and meticulous refinement to sustain funk's relevance in pop music.

Musical Style and Influences

Genre Characteristics

Chromeo's music is primarily characterized by its electro-funk style, which fuses elements of synth-pop, , and contemporary electronic production to create a danceable, retro-futuristic sound. This genre blend emphasizes groovy rhythms and melodic hooks that evoke the exuberance of classic while incorporating modern electronic textures, resulting in tracks that are both nostalgic and forward-looking. A hallmark of their sonic identity is the heavy use of the , which processes vocals through a tube connected to a or guitar amp, producing a distinctive robotic, synthesized vocal effect that adds a playful, otherworldly layer to their tracks. This technique, often handled by keyboardist and producer P-Thugg, imparts a signature "talking synth" quality to melodies, enhancing the electro-funk vibe without overpowering the human elements. Instrumentation centers on analog for lush, warm tones, funky lines that drive the groove, and machines for punchy, programmed beats that mimic live drumming. The duo deliberately avoids excessive quantization in their sequencing, preserving an organic, slightly imperfect feel that contrasts with the precision of much electronic music, allowing for a more soulful and humanized funk expression. Lyrically, Chromeo's songs feature humorous and ironic explorations of romance and relationships, often delivered with witty, self-deprecating flair that pokes fun at tropes and interpersonal dynamics. A recurring motif, exemplified in their 2014 album White Women, serves as cultural commentary on interracial attraction and societal perceptions of beauty, blending lighthearted with catchy pop sensibilities to make the themes accessible and entertaining. Over time, their production has evolved from sample-heavy arrangements in early works—relying on chopped drum hits and vintage loops for a gritty texture—to more live-band-oriented approaches in later albums, incorporating performed bass and synth parts for greater dynamism and authenticity. This evolution continued in their 2024 album Adult Contemporary, which features more stripped-back arrangements while preserving the electro-funk core, drawing subtle nods to artists like in its sophisticated maturity. As a duo, Chromeo's format inherently limits their core setup to vocals, keyboards, and guitar, with David "Dave 1" Macklovitch handling lead vocals and guitar while P-Thugg manages keys, , and production; this streamlined approach fosters tight, focused compositions that prioritize interplay between the two members. In studio and live settings, they augment this foundation with additional musicians or backing tracks to expand the sound without diluting their intimate electro-funk essence.

Key Influences

Chromeo's musical style draws heavily from 1980s funk pioneers, particularly the synth-funk innovators of the era. The duo has frequently cited Prince as a foundational influence, whose blend of intricate guitar work, synthesizers, and sensual lyricism shaped their approach to electro-funk. Similarly, Zapp & Roger, led by , profoundly impacted Patrick Gemayel (P-Thugg), who adopted the technique after being mesmerized by Troutman's performance on "More Bounce to the Ounce" from Zapp's 1980 debut album. Morris Day and The Time, emblematic of the , represent another key pillar, with their suave, humorous funk serving as a blueprint for Chromeo's playful yet polished aesthetic. Hip-hop served as the primary gateway for Chromeo to these funk roots, with David Macklovitch (Dave 1) and Gemayel discovering classic tracks through samples in 1990s rap productions. They reverse-engineered originals by artists like Dr. Dre and A Tribe Called Quest, whose jazz-inflected and G-funk sampling on albums such as Midnight Marauders (1993) introduced them to the layered grooves of Sly and the Family Stone alongside more direct funk sources. This process not only informed their production techniques but also instilled a reverence for sampling as a creative homage. Beyond funk and hip-hop, Chromeo incorporated elements from electro, disco, and R&B. Kraftwerk's pioneering electronic minimalism and Michael Jackson's pop-funk fusion, especially the synthesizer experimentation on Thriller (1982), influenced their embrace of drum machines and vocoders as tools for futuristic yet accessible sounds. The disco elegance of Chic, with its rhythmic guitar interplay, subtly echoes in their bass-driven tracks, while Jackson's vocal charisma and stage presence added to their performative flair. Within the Canadian electronic scene, Montreal's vibrant community—exemplified by DJ and producer Tiga—provided early inspiration, fostering Chromeo's integration of house and electro into funk frameworks. The duo's immigrant backgrounds further colored their influences, infusing themes of identity and humor into their . Macklovitch, of Moroccan-Jewish descent and born in , and Gemayel, born in to a Lebanese family and raised in from age 8, grew up in households disconnected from Western and '80s sounds, as their parents favored , French, and . This outsider perspective led them to approach these genres with fresh irony and self-aware wit, often joking about their "only successful Arab/Jew duo" dynamic to explore cultural displacement. Modern parallels also resonate in Chromeo's work, particularly Daft Punk's elaborate live shows and innovative sampling of funk elements, which mirrored the duo's own evolution from hip-hop-inspired discoveries to full-band performances. ' production style, with its crisp, genre-blending on tracks like those from In My Mind (2006), offered a contemporary model for balancing retro vibes with forward-thinking polish.

Discography

Studio Albums

Chromeo's studio albums represent the duo's progression from underground electro-funk to polished, major-label productions, each building on their signature blend of synth-heavy grooves, witty lyrics, and 1980s-inspired aesthetics. Their debut album, She's in Control, released on February 17, 2004, by Turbo Recordings, consists of 10 tracks that establish Chromeo's raw electro sound, with highlights including "Needy Girl" and "Destination: Overdrive," which showcase playful vocals over driving beats and analog synths. Fancy Footwork, the follow-up released on May 8, 2007, by Turbo Recordings and Last Gang Records, expands to 11 tracks and marks their breakthrough, propelled by the for the title track and infectious singles like "Bonafied Lovin'" that fused basslines with electronic flourishes. Business Casual, their major-label debut on on September 14, 2010, features 10 tracks with a smoother, R&B-inflected polish, highlighted by "Tenderoni (f. La La La)" and "When the Night Falls," reflecting a maturation in songwriting while retaining dancefloor energy; it peaked at No. 70 on the 200. White Women, released on May 13, 2014, by and , contains 11 tracks bolstered by guest features from artists like on "Come Alive" and Solange on "Lost on the Way," emphasizing collaborative pop-funk vibes and themes of ; it reached No. 11 on the . The fifth album, Head Over Heels, issued on June 15, 2018, by and , comprises 10 tracks recorded using all-analog equipment to capture a live-band feel, with standouts like "Bad Decision" and "Juice" demonstrating refined instrumentation; it peaked at No. 91 on the and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. Chromeo's sixth studio album, Adult Contemporary, released on February 16, 2024, by , includes 10 tracks that expand their genre palette into mature pop and territory, praised by critics for its emotional depth and tracks like "Personal Effects" and "Replacements"; it received acclaim for signaling the duo's artistic growth.

Singles and Extended Plays

Chromeo's early non-album releases included the 12" single "You're So Gangsta" in 2002 and "Destination: Overdrive" in 2003, both issued on Turbo Recordings and establishing their electro-funk sound prior to their debut album. These were followed by the self-titled Chromeo EP in 2004, featuring tracks like "Needy Girl," which served as a precursor to their full-length debut and marked their initial breakthrough with club play. The track "Needy Girl" gained traction as a dance hit, peaking at number 8 on the UK Dance Singles Chart. In 2008, "Tender Loving Criminal" emerged as a standout single from their second album era, noted for its funky synth hooks and receiving that extended its club appeal. The 2010 single "When the Night Falls," featuring Solange, peaked at number 38 on the Dance/Electronic Songs chart and inspired official , including one by that emphasized its disco-infused groove. Chromeo also released the free Nineteen 84 that year, a collection of 1980s-inspired covers and originals available as a digital download to promote their evolving style. The duo achieved significant commercial success with "Jealous (I Ain't With It)" in 2014, the lead single from White Women, which debuted at number one on the iTunes electronic chart and reached the top 40 on the Billboard Pop Songs airplay chart. In 2018, "Bad Decision" from Head Over Heels continued their dance dominance, while the instrumental EP SEVENTEEN 84 offered a retro-futuristic exploration of synth sounds outside their vocal-led work. Chromeo followed with the guest mix compilation Horizons in Funk in 2011, blending their tracks with funk classics for a promotional mixtape. In 2020, Chromeo released the EP Quarantine Casanova, featuring five tracks written and recorded during lockdown, including "Clorox Wipe" and "6 Feet Away," blending humor with pandemic themes. More recently, "Words With You" arrived in 2023 as the from Adult Contemporary, showcasing their enduring electro-funk formula with international airplay in . Overall, Chromeo has secured five number-one positions on the Dance/Electronic Songs chart across their singles, underscoring their impact in the genre. Their catalog includes notable remixes by artists like (on early tracks such as "Needy Girl") and , enhancing the replay value of hits like "When the Night Falls."

Live Performances and Tours

Touring History

Chromeo's touring career commenced with a series of North American club performances from 2004 to 2007, primarily in support of their debut album She's in Control, establishing a following in venues across and the . These early shows focused on intimate settings, such as Montreal's Cabaret Just for Laughs in 2004 and various East Coast clubs in 2005, building momentum through consistent regional appearances. The duo expanded internationally with their first European dates in 2006, including stops in the UK and , marking a pivotal step toward broader recognition. The release of Fancy Footwork in 2007 propelled Chromeo into a breakthrough era, with the 2008 tour encompassing over 50 documented dates across the US and Europe, including headlining slots and festival appearances that amplified their electro-funk sound to larger audiences. This period included high-profile festival debuts, such as their performance at Coachella in April 2009, where they delivered standout sets featuring tracks like "Fancy Footwork," and Lollapalooza in August 2010, solidifying their presence on major US festival circuits. The tour's extensive reach, spanning clubs to mid-sized venues, helped accumulate a global fanbase during this phase. In the mid-career years, Chromeo's Business Casual world tour from 2010 to 2011 featured over 18 months of headline dates, extending to international markets and including their debut performances in Asia, such as at Japan's Fuji Rock Festival in 2011. The tour emphasized North American and European strongholds while venturing into new territories, with notable stops in cities like Tokyo and Seoul. Following the 2014 release of White Women, the duo launched their own headlining "Come Alive" tour across North America, including a performance in Phoenix, Arizona, exposing them to diverse audiences and enhancing their profile. The Head Over Heels tour in 2018-2019 marked a high point, comprising approximately 50 dates across North America, Europe, and Australia, with phases that included festival slots and headline shows in venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The COVID-19 pandemic halted live activities from 2020 to 2023, leading to a pause in full-scale touring, though the duo released a live album capturing prior performances. Resuming in 2024, the Adult Contemporary tour focused on North America with co-headlining runs alongside The Midnight, alongside European legs in spring, featuring venues such as London's O2 Academy Brixton. By November 2025, the tour included key dates like the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles on November 13 and festival appearances at Dreamy Draw in Scottsdale, Arizona, on November 8. This phase continued with special "Fancy Footwork… Front to Back!" performances, including sold-out shows at Thalia Hall in Chicago on November 20 and The Danforth Music Hall in Toronto on November 21, as of November 18, 2025. Over their two-decade career, Chromeo has performed more than 1,000 shows worldwide, with enduring strongholds in Canada, the US, and the UK, where they maintain frequent returns to major cities and festivals. In 2025, additional DJ sets in Denver on November 7 and Scottsdale underscored their ongoing global footprint through varied performance formats.

Performance Style

Chromeo's live performances feature the core duo of David "Dave 1" Macklovitch on vocals and guitar and Patrick "P-Thugg" Gemayel on bass, , and keyboards, augmented by 4-6 additional musicians including drummers, bassists, keyboardists, and percussionists to create a full-band electro-funk sound that contrasts their studio electronic roots. This setup, often drawing from Philadelphia-based players with experience alongside artists like and , allows for layered instrumentation that emphasizes live grooves over pre-recorded elements. The duo's visuals evoke a retro 1980s aesthetic through synchronized lighting rigs and occasional LED elements, such as chrome accents on guitars that scatter light like disco balls, enhancing the nostalgic vibe without relying on overly modern or extravagant projections. Performances incorporate humorous skits and costumes, including matching suits or themed uniforms like go-go-style outfits embroidered with "Funk Lordz," adding a layer of playful theatricality to their stage presence. Audience engagement is central, with high-energy dancing from the duo and crowd participation through call-and-response during funk-heavy tracks, fostering an interactive, dance-inducing atmosphere that builds communal energy. P-Thugg's solos deliver robotic vocal effects that punctuate key moments, while the overall presentation encourages movement and cheers, turning venues into lively spaces. Their performance style has evolved from early minimalist DJ sets relying heavily on samples and backing tracks in the mid-2000s to more elaborate full-band productions after 2010, enabling greater and song manipulation for dynamic live interpretations. This shift, solidified by their first consistent use of a backing band around 2018, prioritizes organic jamming over rigid sequencing, allowing the music to adapt in real time. Signature elements include Dave 1's charismatic, confident vocals that drive the ironic, libido-charged lyrics, paired with P-Thugg's versatile guitar solos and riffs, often performed back-to-back with Dave 1 for dramatic effect. The duo's banter infuses themes of fun and irony, with zingers and playful crowd addresses that underscore their self-aware, joyful approach to electro-funk.

Collaborations and Side Projects

Notable Collaborations

Chromeo has produced remixes for numerous artists, including Cut Copy's "Future" (2004), Lorde's "Green Light" (2017), and ' "Lose Your Love" (2020). They also produced tracks for , such as "Hoops" (2015). Additionally, the duo runs Juliet Records, their independent label launched in 2021, which has released music by artists like Ian Isiah.

Individual Endeavors

Patrick Gemayel, professionally known as P-Thugg, began his musical career producing hip-hop tracks alongside David Macklovitch before the formation of Chromeo, drawing from their shared interest in the genre during their high school years in . He has maintained an active presence as a DJ, performing residencies and sets that highlight his eclectic influences from , hip-hop, and electronic music. In recent years, Gemayel launched Ya Habibi Market, a platform celebrating Middle Eastern culture through merchandise and events, which included a charity capsule in 2020 to support relief efforts for Black and people of color communities, reflecting his immigrant roots from . David Macklovitch, known as Dave-1, balances his music career with scholarly pursuits in . He earned a PhD in and from , where he also served as a and in French at , focusing on 19th-century authors and cultural analysis. Macklovitch has explored the intersections of music and through public discussions and writings, including contributions on cultural influences in publications like Bidoun. In 2024, he and Gemayel addressed themes of —drawing from their experiences as a Canadian Jew and Canadian Arab—in interviews promoting Chromeo's album Adult Contemporary, emphasizing the duo's fusion of immigrant backgrounds with traditions. Gemayel has engaged in non-musical initiatives supporting immigrant and diverse artists through Ya Habibi Market efforts, which extend to promoting cultural exchange and relief for underrepresented communities. As of , neither has released a full solo , prioritizing their collaborative work while pursuing these individual paths.

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Nominations

Chromeo received its first Grammy at the in 2019 for Best Engineered , Non-Classical for the Head Over Heels. The recognized the 's exceptional audio production, crediting a team of engineers including Nathaniel Alford, , Chris Galland, , Patrick "P-Thugg" Gemayel, Matt Mysko, Joey Montoya, and , with mixing handled by Chris Gehringer and mastering by Gehringer and Michelle Mancini. This category honors albums demonstrating superior achievement in sound quality, regardless of , and Head Over Heels was noted for its electro-funk sound that stood out through meticulous craftsmanship. The album's production emphasized an analog approach, aligning with Chromeo's signature style of blending vintage synths and funk elements in a predominantly digital era. Recorded primarily at the duo's studio over two years, Head Over Heels incorporated collaborative sessions that enhanced its sonic depth, contributing to the nomination's focus on innovative techniques. This recognition marked a significant milestone for Chromeo, underscoring their commitment to high-fidelity production and elevating the visibility of electro-funk within broader music engineering discourse. As of 2025, Chromeo has not secured a Grammy win, with Head Over Heels remaining their sole nomination. Albums in non-classical engineering categories, including those with electronic influences like electro-funk, are submitted by members through a peer-review process that evaluates technical excellence in mixing, mastering, and overall . The nomination highlighted Chromeo's production innovations, such as analog-inspired recording methods, as a to prevailing digital workflows in .

Other Recognitions

Chromeo has received several nominations from the , Canada's premier music honors, particularly in categories recognizing their contributions to and electronic music. In 2008, their album was nominated for Dance Recording of the Year, while Business Casual earned a similar nomination in 2011. Additionally, the duo has garnered more recent recognition, including nominations in 2019 for Group of the Year and Pop Album of the Year for Head Over Heels, as well as a 2022 nod for Producer of the Year for their work on "On My Mind." In the realm of video accolades, Chromeo has been nominated at the MuchMusic Video Awards, with "Come Alive" (featuring ) earning a nod for Dance Video of the Year in 2014. The duo's work has earned critical acclaim from prominent music publications. awarded Fancy Footwork a 7.9 out of 10 in 2007, praising its electro-pop fusion of 1980s influences, effects, and playful romance themes. has frequently featured Chromeo in in-depth interviews and profiles, highlighting their evolution in electro-funk, as seen in a 2023 Coachella-focused piece on their enduring appeal and collaborations. For their 2024 release Adult Contemporary, covered the album's announcement and themes of mature relationships, underscoring Chromeo's consistent innovation in the genre. Chromeo has also been honored by industry bodies for songwriting excellence. At the 2015 SOCAN Montréal Awards Gala, they won the Popular Song Award (Anglophone) for their contributions to Canadian music. The pair frequently headlines major festivals, including a spotlight as headliners at FLOODfest during SXSW 2024, affirming their status in the circuit. Beyond formal awards, Chromeo maintains a dedicated within the electronic music scene, drawn to their retro-futuristic sound and humorous lyricism that has transcended trends over two decades. Peers in the industry, including figures like through shared influences and festival circuits, have acknowledged their impact, though direct shoutouts remain part of broader electronic community admiration.

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