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| Baauer | |
|---|---|
| Name | Baauer |
| Background | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| Birth name | Harold Philip Hongju Koh |
| Birth date | 1992 |
| Birth place | New York City, United States |
| Occupation | Record producer, DJ |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Labels | LuckyMe, Mad Decent, Downtown Records |
| Associated acts | RL Grime, Rustie, Hudson Mohawke, ZHU, Burial, Diplo |
Baauer Baauer is an American record producer and DJ known for shaping contemporary electronic music and viral cultural moments. Emerging from New York City, he gained global attention through a blend of trap, electronic, and experimental production that influenced scenes across London, Los Angeles, Glasgow, and Seoul. He has released music on labels tied to Scotland-based collectives and United States electronic imprints while collaborating with artists from South Korea to Japan and touring major festivals in United Kingdom, United States, and Europe.
Harold Philip Hongju Koh was born in New York City and raised in a bicultural household with ties to South Korea and the United States. He attended local schools in New York City before studying at an arts-oriented institution connected to the United States music and technology scenes. During formative years he engaged with scenes centered in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and nearby Queens, frequenting venues that hosted artists from Philadelphia, Baltimore, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Influences from family heritage, urban culture, and travel to cities such as Seoul, London, and Glasgow informed his early explorations in production and DJing.
Baauer first surfaced in electronic music circles through releases on labels associated with Scotland-originated collectives and United Kingdom tastemakers, connecting him to producers from Glasgow and Edinburgh. He released breakout tracks on imprints linked to LuckyMe and later signed with Mad Decent, a label founded by Diplo. His 2012 single achieved viral prominence after being circulated on platforms connected to Twitter, YouTube, and Vine, intersecting with internet culture figures and meme communities in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Subsequent EPs and albums were issued on labels distributed through Downtown Records and other United States distributors, leading to collaborations and tours with artists from London, Berlin, Paris, and Tokyo. He performed at major festivals including Coachella, Glastonbury Festival, Pitchfork Music Festival, Ultra Music Festival, and club residencies in Ibiza, working alongside DJs from Major Lazer, The xx, Four Tet, and Skrillex.
Baauer's production blends elements from Southern United States trap scenes, United Kingdom grime, Glasgow's experimental electronic movement, and Seoul's pop production techniques. His work nods to producers such as Hudson Mohawke, Rustie, Burial, and Flying Lotus, while integrating rhythmic approaches from New Orleans bounce, Atlanta hip hop, and Jamaica dancehall. He has cited inspirations tied to labels and artists across LuckyMe, Warp Records, XL Recordings, and Mad Decent, and draws on sampling traditions connected to Motown Records and Stax Records. The sound palette references equipment associated with studios in Los Angeles and New York City, analog textures from vintage hardware popularized by Apollo Studios, and contemporary software workflows promoted by entities like Ableton and Native Instruments.
Albums - Debut studio album released on imprints connected to Downtown Records and international distributors; features collaborations with artists from South Korea and United Kingdom.
EPs and Singles - Early EPs released on labels tied to LuckyMe and releases curated by Warp Records-adjacent producers. - Viral single that circulated via Vine and YouTube catalyzed crossover into mainstream charts and streaming playlists on platforms influenced by Spotify and Apple Music.
Compilations and Remixes - Remixes appearing on compilations alongside tracks by Diplo, RL Grime, ZHU, and Skrillex. - Contributions to soundtrack projects for media distributors and festivals curated by organizations in Los Angeles and New York City.
(For complete track listings, seek authoritative discography sources maintained by label catalogs and music archives.)
He received industry recognition including chart placements in the United States and certifications influenced by recording industry associations in United Kingdom and United States. His work earned nominations and awards from organizations and festival programming committees, and he was profiled in major publications and outlets covering scenes in New York City, Los Angeles, London, and Seoul. The viral success of a single was noted by music industry trackers and cultural commentators in Rolling Stone, NME, Pitchfork, and Billboard-type outlets.
Baauer has collaborated with a wide array of artists and producers across genres, including partnerships with figures from Atlanta rap, London electronic acts, and Seoul-based pop producers. He has contributed production to releases by artists on labels such as Mad Decent, LuckyMe, and XL Recordings, and remixed songs for performers associated with Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. Outside studio work, he has participated in scoring projects for visual media tied to companies and festivals in Los Angeles and New York City, DJed at events coordinated by promoters from Boiler Room and Red Bull Music Academy, and engaged in limited-edition merchandise collaborations with brands and designers active in New York City streetwear and London fashion circuits.
Category:American record producers Category:American DJs Category:Living people