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A-Trak
A-Trak performing at Beta Nightclub in Denver, Colorado in 2008
A-Trak performing at Beta Nightclub in Denver, Colorado in 2008
Background information
Birth nameAlain Macklovitch
Born (1982-03-30) March 30, 1982 (age 42)
OriginMontréal, Quebec, Canada
Genres
Occupation(s)DJ, producer, label executive, turntablist
Years active1997–present
LabelsFool's Gold
WebsiteOfficial website

Alain Macklovitch (born March 30, 1982), known by his stage name A-Trak, is a Canadian DJ, turntablist, record producer, and music label executive. He is the owner of the record label Fool's Gold which was founded in 2007 and is credited for developing the careers of artists such as Kid Cudi, Danny Brown, and Flosstradamus.[2] A-Trak's career has spanned nearly two decades, leading Rolling Stone to name him one of the 50 Most Important People in EDM.[3] A-Trak is also part of the DJ duo Duck Sauce with Armand Van Helden, which was nominated for a Grammy in 2012 for their song "Barbra Streisand". A-Trak was featured on the covers of Billboard[4] and Complex and recently appeared in campaigns for Adidas,[5] Grey Goose,[6] Converse and Cadillac.[7] A-Trak has also penned a number of articles for The Huffington Post and owns the travel website Infinite Legroom. After residing in Brooklyn for many years, he now calls Los Angeles home.

Career

Early career

Macklovitch was born to a Moroccan Jewish mother and a Russian Jewish father in Montréal, Quebec. When he was 18 years old, his mother took him and his brother back to Morocco to connect with their roots. His older brother, David Macklovitch, is one-half of the electro-funk duo Chromeo.

A-Trak was the first DJ to win all three major DJ competition titles (DMC, ITF and Vestax), as well as being the first DJ to win five World Championships.[8] He won the DMC World DJ Championship in 1997 at the age of 15, making him the youngest and first Canadian winner of the competition.[9] He was an honorary member of the now defunct DJ crew Invisibl Skratch Piklz,[10] and a member of The Allies alongside frequent collaborator DJ Craze.[11]

In the late 90's A-Trak developed a notation system for scratching.[12] He gave a lecture about it at the Skratchcon 2000 conference and published an article in Tablist Magazine.[13][14] He has also appeared on the cover of multiple magazines including Billboard, URB (twice), BPM and Status.[15][16]

A-Trak and his brother Dave ran the record label Audio Research from 1997–2007.[17] After moving to Williamsburg, he founded the label Fool's Gold Records with Nick Catchdubs in 2007.[18]

Kanye West

A-Trak had been booked to play a show, in 2004 at a tiny record shop in London. Kanye West came to support John Legend who was also playing in the same show.[19] In 2004, Kanye West recruited A-Trak as his personal tour DJ,[20] and he has worked closely with him ever since, including performances alongside the rapper at MTV specials, the Grammy Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards, and worldwide stadium shows. A-Trak also recorded scratches on Kanye West's second and third studio albums Late Registration (2005) and Graduation (2007) and was an influence on the overall sound of the latter.[21]

Kanye West performing backed by A-Trak in Portland, Oregon, 2005

Over the years he has endorsed several brands including Serato Scratch Live[22] and Rane DJ equipment.[10]

He is known for merging the sounds of rap and electronic music through his remix work, his 2007 CD Dirty South Dance,[23] his production for Kid Sister and Lupe Fiasco, and his remixes for electronic artists including MSTRKRFT and Boys Noize.[24] However, some of his production displays a separation of his electronic and hip hop identities, with releases such as "Piss Test" featuring Juicy J and collaborations with Tommy Trash on "Tuna Melt".[25] Another hip hop production, "Ray Ban Vision", was used in the 2012 movie Project X.[citation needed]

In 2009, A-Trak collaborated with Armand Van Helden to form a disco house production duo under the name Duck Sauce. They released the song "Anyway" in October on Ministry of Sound. Duck Sauce has achieved success worldwide including reaching the top chart position in twelve countries and attaining the #1 spot on the US Dance Billboard charts.[citation needed] Following the announcement of a debut album, Duck Sauce released the singles "It's You" and "Radio Stereo".[26]

In February 2010, it was announced that A-Trak would perform live shows with Travis Barker, who had previously worked with their mutual friend, the late DJ AM.[27] On June 8 of that year, A-Trak released his wildly successful remix of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' track "Heads Will Roll", which was also featured on the Project X (2012 film) soundtrack.

In 2012, A-Trak was featured on the cover of Billboard Magazine alongside Diplo and Skrillex.[28] Also in 2012, A-Trak collaborated with Kimbra and Mark Foster on a song, entitled "Warrior", for Converse's 3 Artists, 1 song.

In February 2013, A-Trak released the video for his "Piss Test" remix off of the Fool's Gold album. The video features appearances by Jim Jones, Juicy J, A$AP Ferg, El-P, Flatbush Zombies, and Flosstradamus and was directed by Shomi Patwary.[29] A-Trak's video for "Tuna Melt", off of his 'Tuna Melt EP', was nominated in the Best Cinematography category at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.[30]

Push EP

In January 2014, A-Trak teamed up with Cadillac in a campaign to introduce their new logo and the 2015 ATS Coup.[31] On November 25, 2014 A-Trak released his Push EP, featuring his single "Push" (featuring Andrew Wyatt).

In January 2015, A-Trak was featured on fellow producer Diplo's BBC Radio 1 show Diplo & Friends.[32]

A-Trak was named as one of the featured artists in the 2015 Renaissance Hotels' music and entertainment program in April 2015.[33]

On May 4, 2015 A-Trak released his remix of Alesso's song "Cool" (featuring Roy English). On May 18, 2015 the Push remix album was released featuring remixes from The Chainsmokers, Cazzette, René LaVice, DallasK, GANZ, Shash'U PWRFNK, Mak and Pasteman, and Patrick Hagenaar.

A-Trak then began his own weekly two-hour radio show on Beats 1, listened to via Apple Music Connect, named Day Off Radio on July 4, 2015.

A-Trak was featured on Zhu (musician)'s 2015 EP Genesis Series for his track "As Crazy as It Is" with ZHU and Keznamdi. He was also featured on Disclosure (band)'s Magnets [The Remixes] EP, for his remix of "Magnets" (featuring Lorde).

We All Fall Down

A-Trak released his EP We All Fall Down on October 30, 2015 featuring his single "We All Fall Down" (featuring Jamie Lidell), as well as remixes by Volt & State, CID and Jarreau Vandal. On December 11 later that year, the We All Fall Down [Remixes] EP was released featuring remixes by JayKode, eSQUIRE, Cory Enemy and Syre, Dombresky, STFU, and Willy Joy. A week later on December 18, 2015 A-Trak's "Place on Earth" single with ZooFunktion was released on Spinnin' Records.[34]

A-Trak was featured on the 2016 Fool's Gold Records compilation album Fool's Gold Presents: Night Shift, for his song "Only One" with Ookay.

On May 3, 2016 A-Trak premiered his single "Parallel Lines" (featuring Phantogram (band)) on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 Radio show. The Parallel Lines [Remixes] EP is set to be released on July 1, 2016 and features remixes from MSTRKRFT, Chris Lorenzo, Bart B, Holl & Rush, BLU J, and Doobious.

A-Trak will embark on an Australian Tour with fellow producer What So Not on June 30, 2016.[35]

In August 2016 Fool's Gold Day Off, the annual festival put on by Fool's Gold Records, will celebrate its sixth year with shows in New York City, Miami and Los Angeles.

In 2018, the single "Ride for Me" was released as a collaboration by A-Trak, Falcons, Young Thug and 24hrs via A-Trak's record label Fool's Gold.[36]

Awards

  • 1997 : Or Technics / DMC World Champion (15 years old – youngest ever)[37]
  • 1998 : Argent Technics / DMC World 2nd Runner Up[38]
  • 1999 : Or ITF World Champion (Advancement category)[38]
  • 1999 : Or ITF Western Hemisphere Scratching Champion[38]
  • 1999 : Or Vestax World DJ Extravaganza Champion[38]
  • 2000 : Or ITF World Champion (Advancement category)[38]
  • 2000 : Or DMC Team Champion (with DJ Craze)[38]

In 2017, A-Trak was nominated for DJ of the Year at the Electronic Music Awards.

Discography

Charted albums

Title Year Peak chart positions
US
Dance
[39] 		US
Heat
[40]
Running Man: Nike + Original Run 2008 20 —
Tuna Melt (EP) 2012 21 35

Charted singles

As lead artist

Title Year Peak chart positions
CAN
[41] 		US
[42] 		US
Dance
[43] 		BEL
"Out The Speakers"
(with Milo & Otis featuring Rich Kidz) 		2015 — 98 10 —
"We All Fall Down"
(featuring Jamie Lidell) 		— — 27 30
[44]
"Push"
(featuring Andrew Wyatt) 		86 — — —
Title Year Peak chart positions
NZ
"Warrior"
(Kimbra featuring Mark Foster and A-Trak) 		2012 22
[45]

Other singles

  • "Umbilical Chord" - London/FFFR (1999)
  • "Enter Ralph Wiggum" - Stones Throw (1999) [7"]
  • "All Hail To My Hands" - Asphodel (2000)
  • "Gangsta Breaks" - Ammo (2001) [12"]
  • "Monkeyboy Breaks" - Ammo (2003) [12"]
  • "Don't Fool With The Dips" featuring J.R. Writer, Hell Rell and 40 Cal. - Audio Research (2005) [12"]
  • "Sunglasses Is A Must" - Smelly Fatso/Monkey Studies Records (2006) [12"]
  • "Step Off" featuring Little Brother - Audio Research (2006) [12"]
  • "Knucklehead" - Audio Research (2006) [7"]
  • "Quitte La Piste" featuring TTC (2006)
  • "Mastered (Me & My Sneakers)" featuring Lupe Fiasco - Nike+ (2007)
  • "Running Man" - Nike+ (2007)
  • "Say Whoa" - Kitsuné (2007) [12"]
  • "Roll With The Winners" with Herve - Cheap Thrills (2008)
  • "Shake It Down" with Laidback Luke - Fool's Gold/Mixmash (2008)
  • "Ray Ban Vision" featuring CyHi Da Prince - Fool's Gold (2010)
  • "Big Bad Wolf" as Duck Sauce - Big Beat (2011)
  • "Stingray" with Zinc - Fool's Gold (2011)
  • "Piss Test" featuring Juicy J and Danny Brown - Fool's Gold (2012)
  • "Warrior" with Mark Foster and Kimbra - Converse (2012)
  • "Money Makin'" with Dillon Francis - Fool's Gold (2012)
  • "Landlines 2.0" with GTA - Fool's Gold (2013)
  • "Piss Test Remix" featuring Juicy J, Jim Jones, Flatbush Zombies, El-P, and Flosstradamus - Fool's Gold (2013) [Label Compilation]
  • "NRG" as Duck Sauce - Fool's Gold (2014) Quack
  • "Out the Speakers" featuring Rich Kidz - Green Label Sound (2015)
  • "Ibanez" featuring Cory Enemy and Nico Stadi - Spinnin' Records (2015)
  • "We All Fall Down" featuring Jamie Lidell - Fool's Gold (2015)
  • "As Crazy As It Is" with ZHU and Keznamdi - Columbia Records (2015)
  • "Place on Earth" with Zoofunktion - Spinnin' Records (2015)
  • "Parallel Lines" featuring Phantogram - Fool's Gold (2016)
  • "Lose My Mind" with Tommy Trash - Fool's Gold (2016)
  • "Believe" featuring Quavo and Lil Yachty - Fool's Gold (2017)
  • "Ride for Me" with Falcons featuring Young Thug and 24hrs - Fool's Gold (2018)
  • "Prayer Hands" with YEHME2 - Fool's Gold (2018)
  • "DJs Gotta Dance More" with Todd Terry - Fool's Gold (2018)[46]

Extended plays

  • "Greatest Hits" as Duck Sauce - Fool's Gold (2009) [EP]
  • "Anyway" as Duck Sauce - Ministry of Sound/Fool's Gold (2009) [EP]
  • "Barbra Streisand" as Duck Sauce - 3Beat/Downtown/Fool's Gold (2010) [EP]
  • "Big Bad Wolf Remixes" as Duck Sauce - Big Beat (2011) [EP]
  • "Money Makin' Remixes" with Dillon Francis - Fool's Gold (2012) [EP]
  • "Don't Stop" with Lifelike - Kitsuné (2012) [EP]
  • "Like the Dancefloor" with Zinc featuring Natalie Storm - Fool's Gold/Rinse (2012) [EP]j
  • "Tuna Melt EP" - Fool's Gold (2012) [EP]
  • "Tuna Melt Remixes" - Fool's Gold (2013) [EP]
  • "It's You" as Duck Sauce - Casablanca (2013) [EP]
  • "Radio Stereo" as Duck Sauce - Casablanca/Republic (2013) [EP]
  • "Federal Reserves EP" with Cam'Ron - Fool's Gold/Poppington/Dipset (2014) [EP]
  • "Low Pros" with Lex Luger - Fool's Gold (2014) [EP]
  • "Push" featuring Andrew Wyatt (2015) [EP]
  • "We All Fall Down Remixes" featuring Jamie Lidell - Fool's Gold (2015) [EP]
  • "Parallel Lines Remixes" featuring Phantogram - Fool's Gold (2016) [EP]
  • "Fern Gully / Dumbo Drop" with Baauer - Fool's Gold (2017) [EP]

Remixes

Production

Scratches

See also

References

  1. ^ Mansfield, Brian (July 16, 2012). "Thanks to Gotye, she is 'Somebody'". USA Today. Retrieved September 28, 2014. The single Warrior (...) features Canadian electro-house DJ A-Trak and Foster the People's Mark Foster.
  2. ^ "The Windish Agency: A-Trak". windishagency.com. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  3. ^ "A-Trak - 50 Most Important People in EDM". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  4. ^ "Skrillex, Diplo & A-Trak: The Billboard Cover Story". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  5. ^ adidas Originals (August 1, 2013), adidas Originals | Unite All Originals, retrieved June 14, 2016
  6. ^ "Exclusive Video! A-Trak Pops His Grey Goose Cherry in Hotel Noir". Vibe. August 22, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  7. ^ "Cadillac Partners with A-Trak to Introduce its New Crest and 2015 ATS Coupe". Highsnobiety. April 15, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  8. ^ "A-Trak Bio, Music, News & Shows". DJZ.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2013. Retrieved March 6, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "1997 World DJ Champion – A-Trak (Canada)". Disco Mix Club. Archived from the original on May 23, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b "A-Trak". Rane Corp. Archived from the original on August 17, 2007. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
  11. ^ "4idols.com DJ A-Trak Bio, Photo Gallery, and Videos". 4idols.com. MadCool Network LLC. Archived from the original on December 18, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Online Turntable Music Resource – A-trak". Spin Science. November 19, 2004. Archived from the original on February 16, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Invisibl Skratch Piklz To Host Turntablist Conference". MTV News. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  14. ^ ":: urban smarts . com | audio research artists' a-trak, dj serious, dj simahlak | interview ::". www.urbansmarts.com. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  15. ^ "A-Trak : Fat-free since 1982! » Blog Archive » Cover of Billboard Magazine!". Djatrak.com. February 5, 2012. Archived from the original on April 24, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "A-Trak : Fat-free since 1982! » Blog Archive » Cover of Status magazine". Djatrak.com. May 12, 2009. Archived from the original on April 2, 2010. Retrieved May 12, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Audio Research Records Archived September 1, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ "Fool's Gold". Foolsgoldrecs.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2010. Retrieved May 12, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ "Before Leaping Onto Kanye's Records, A-Trak Forged A Career From Scratch". Npr.com. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  20. ^ "Featured Artist Profile: A-Trak : Frequency New York". Newyork.joonbug.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "A-Trak : : HARD New Year's Eve : December 31st, 2009". Hardfest.com. December 31, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  22. ^ "Artists – A-Trak". Serato.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "RA Reviews: A-Trak – Dirty South Dance (Album)". Residentadvisor.net. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  24. ^ "A-Trak Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  25. ^ "Music: A-Trak Feat. CyHi Da Prynce "Ray Ban Vision"". Highsnobiety. October 15, 2010. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  26. ^ "Duck Sauce unveil 'Radio Stereo,' second single from upcoming 'Quack' album - Dancing Astronaut". www.dancingastronaut.com. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  27. ^ Montgomery, James (February 17, 2010). "Travis Barker, A-Trak Talk About Their New Project, Tour – News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News". Mtv. Archived from the original on April 3, 2010. Retrieved May 12, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ "Skrillex, Diplo & A-Trak: The Billboard Cover Story". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  29. ^ Minsker, Evan. "Video: A-Trak's "Piss Test" Remix With Jim Jones, Juicy J, El-P, Flatbush Zombies, Flosstradamus". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  30. ^ Minsker, Evan. "Video: Viral A-Trak 'Tuna Melt' video earns MTV VMA nomination for two upstate NY natives". Syracuse.com. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  31. ^ "Cadillac Partners with A-Trak to Introduce its New Crest and 2015 ATS Coupe". Highsnobiety. April 15, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  32. ^ "A-Trak - Diplo & Friends January 2015 Mix". SoundCloud. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  33. ^ "A-Trak, AWOLNATION & The Lone Bellow Head Renaissance Hotels Music Program". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  34. ^ "A-Trak & Zoofunktion - Place On Earth (Radio Edit) - Dancing Astronaut". www.dancingastronaut.com. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  35. ^ "What So Not & A-Trak 2016 Australia Tour | Sweat It Out". Sweat It Out. June 8, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  36. ^ Spanos, Brittany. "Hear Young Thug, A-Trak's Rowdy New Song 'Ride For Me'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  37. ^ "DMC World DJ Champions". Dmcworld.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ a b c d e f "A-Trak". GigLocator. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ "Dance/Electronic Albums". www.billboard.com. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  40. ^ "Heatseekers Albums". www.billboard.com. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  41. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100". www.billboard.com. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  42. ^ "The Hot 100". www.billboard.com. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  43. ^ "A-Trak - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  44. ^ Hung, Steffen. "lescharts.com - A-Trak feat. Jamie Lidell - We All Fall Down". lescharts.com. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  45. ^ Hung, Steffen. "lescharts.com - Kimbra feat. Mark Foster and A-Trak - Warrior". lescharts.com. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  46. ^ Bein, Kat (August 1, 2018). "A-Trak & Todd Terry Celebrate the House Grind On 'DJs Gotta Dance More': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 2, 2018. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  47. ^ Bootleg Series 001: Voulez-Vous, retrieved March 20, 2019
  48. ^ Evans, Steph (November 24, 2018). "A-Trak remixes Ferreck Dawn and Robosonic's 'In Arms'". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  49. ^ Fleisher, Grace (May 27, 2018). "A-Trak's remix of Charlotte Gainsbourg's 'Sylvia Says' is certified disco gold". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on May 28, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
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