Surkin
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Surkin
| alias = Gener8ion
| background = non_performing_personnel
| birth_name = Benoit Heitz
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1985}}
| genre = French house, electro house, chiptune
| years_active = 2006–present
| label = Institubes, Marble, Ed Banger, EMI Music Japan
| associated_acts = M.I.A., Bobmo, The Highpowered Boys
| website = http://www.myspace.com/surkin
}}
Benoit Heitz (born 1985), known by his stage name Surkin, is a French musician, record producer, DJ and art director. He is known for his electronic music compositions under the names Surkin and Gener8ion.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/59671-mia-teams-with-surkins-gener8ion-on-the-new-international-sound-pt-ii/|title=M.I.A. Teams With Surkin's Gener8ion on "The New International Sound Pt. II"|website=Pitchfork|language=en|access-date=2019-10-03}}
Life and career
Surkin was born in Arles, the south of France. He studied contemporary art at Villa Arson in Nice before moving to Paris to start his music career.{{Cite web|url=https://i-d.vice.com/fr/article/xwyw3a/gener8ion-le-porte-parole-du-cool-globalis-de-notre-gnration|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206062707/https://i-d.vice.com/fr/article/xwyw3a/gener8ion-le-porte-parole-du-cool-globalis-de-notre-gnration|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 6, 2021|title=gener8ion, le porte-parole du cool globalisé de notre génération|last=Lochanski|first=Tess|date=2016-03-03|website=i-D|language=fr|access-date=2019-10-03}}
He first gained attention in 2006 with his first releases on the French Institubes music label, DJ performances in clubs and music festivals such as Coachella,{{Citation|title=surkin coachella 2008|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcpmD_mXfUc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/bcpmD_mXfUc |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2019-10-03}}{{cbignore}} Fuji Rock Festival{{Cite web|url=http://fujirock-eng.com/frf14/history_07.html|title=Fuji Rock Festival 14 - English|website=fujirock-eng.com|access-date=2019-10-03}} and Ultra Music Festival,{{Cite web|url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/full-ultra-music-festival-lineup-revealed-6437003|title=Full Ultra Music Festival Lineup Revealed|last=Duran|first=Jose D.|date=2009-02-13|website=Miami New Times|access-date=2019-10-03}} and remixes for artists like Paul Johnson, Justice, Chromeo, DJ Mehdi, Kavinsky. During this time, Surkin's productions are notable for their use of heavily modified vocal samples and the use of cut-up.
In 2011 he launched the independent record label Marble along with Para One and Bobmo.{{cite web|url=http://www.xlr8r.com/news/2011/03/surkin-bobmo-and-para-one-unveil|title=Surkin, Bobmo, and Para One Unveil New Marble Imprint, XLR8R|date=25 March 2011|accessdate=4 July 2013}}
Surkin released his first album "USA" late 2011,http://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=15137 - Surkin readies debut album, USA which was called by dance magazine Mixmag "one of the most exciting concept albums of the 21st century".Mixmag, December 2011. Album Of The Month "Surkin - USA" The album is influenced by Detroit techno, 80's electro and Chicago House, featuring vocals by Ann Saunderson (from Inner City) and Marshall Jefferson collaborator Kevin Irving.{{cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/surkin-usa|title=Surkin - USA Review Clash Magazine|date=28 November 2011|accessdate=30 July 2013}}
In 2015 he released the E.P. "The New International Sound Part II" featuring vocals by M.I.A, under the name GENER8ION. The subsequent music video, directed by Inigo Westmeier and executive produced by French director Romain Gavras, was shot at the Chinese fighting school of Shaolin Tagou and featured a synchronized choreography by 36,000 of their students.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/da/article/watch-mia-and-36000-chinese-fighters-in-the-video-for-the-new-international-sound-pt-ii/|title=Watch 36,000 Chinese Fighters Battle in the Video for M.I.A and Gener8ion's "The New International Sound Pt. II"|date=2015-06-16|website=Vice|language=da|access-date=2019-10-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/mia-gener8ion|title=M.I.A and Gener8ion's new vid features 36,000 Chinese fighting school kids|date=2015-06-16|website=It's Nice That|access-date=2019-10-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/a3gneg/mia-and-generation-enlist-36000-kung-fu-kids-for-new-video|title=m.i.a and generation enlist 36,000 kung fu kids for new video|last=Collins|first=Hattie|date=2015-06-15|website=i-D|language=en|access-date=2019-10-03}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
In 2016, Surkin composed the original music of the Nike campaign 'Da Da Ding'{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/surkin/posts/10154248312733498|title=Surkin|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-03}} which won numerous awards at international advertising competitions {{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/prixdelacreationmusicale/photos/a.906036646099274/1289799097723025/?type=3|title=Prix de la Création Musicale|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://bestmediainfo.com/2017/06/cannes-lions-2017-wieden-kennedy-s-da-da-ding-brings-final-gold-for-india/|title=Cannes Lions 2017: Wieden+Kennedy's Da Da Ding brings final Gold for India|date=June 25, 2017|website=www.bestmediaifo.com|access-date=2019-10-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dandad.org/awards/professional/2017/film-advertising-crafts/26152/nike-da-da-ding/|title=Nike Da Da Ding |website=www.dandad.org|access-date=2019-10-03}} and scored the launch video of the iPhone 7 "Don't Blink" which was shown in September at the Apple keynote in Cupertino.{{Cite web|url=https://www.creaminal.com/en/apple-dont-blink-2/|title=Apple|date=2016-09-08|website=Creaminal Music Supervision Agency|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-03}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.industrytap.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-apple-iphone-7-event-in-2-minutes/38447|title=Everything You Need to Know About the Apple iPhone 7 Event In 2 Minutes|last=Smith|first=Marshall|date=2016-09-07|website=Industry Tap|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-03}} In March 2016 he released a visual magazine called "Unite Or Perish" and a new EP under the name Gener8ion called "GN8003" on French label Bromance.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bewaremag.com/gener8ion-lancement-du-magazine-unite-or-perish-nouvel-ep-g3n003/|title=Gener8ion: Lancement du magazine Unite Or Perish|website=Beware Magazine|language=fr-FR|access-date=2019-10-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://thevinylfactory.com/product/gener8ion-magazine/|title=Gener8ion Magazine|website=The Vinyl Factory|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.clique.tv/lalbum-de-semaine-gener8ion-g8n003-ep/|title=L'Album de la Semaine: Gener8ion, "G8N003 - EP"|date=2016-03-07|website=Clique.tv|language=fr-FR|access-date=2019-10-03}}
In 2017 Surkin collaborated with fashion brand Dior to create the music of their campaign Poison Club{{Citation|title=Dior Poison Club (Official)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2whw2ZEiLtw|language=en|access-date=2019-10-03}} and composed the music of the global Mercedes-Benz campaign "Never Stop Improving" featuring Roger Federer.{{Cite web|url=http://lbbonline.com/news/your-shot-never-stop-improving-with-mercedes-benz-roger-federer-and-antoni/|title=Your Shot: Never Stop Improving with Mercedes-Benz, Roger Federer and antoni |website=lbbonline.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-03}}
Awards
- 2017: D&AD Awards – 'Nike, Da Da Ding' – Wood Pencil - Use of Music for Film Advertising {{cite web |url=https://www.dandad.org/awards/professional/2017/film-advertising-crafts/26152/nike-da-da-ding/|title=D&AD Awards 2017, Nike Da Da Ding|date=June 6, 2017|publisher=D&AD|accessdate=September 16, 2019}}
- 2017: Cannes Lion – 'Nike, Da Da Ding' – Bronze Lion - Use of Original Music {{cite web |url= https://bestmediainfo.com/2017/06/cannes-lions-2017-india-wins-7-lions-in-creative-effectiveness-radio-and-film-craft/|title=Cannes Lions 2017: India wins 7 Lions in Creative Effectiveness, Radio, and Film Craft |date=June 6, 2017|publisher=Best Media Info|accessdate=October 3, 2019}}
Discography
=Production=
- M.I.A. - Bring The Noize (2013, Interscope)
=Albums=
- Action Replay (2007, Institubes/Klee)
- USA (2011, Marble/Ed Banger/EMI Japan)
- USA Club Mixes (2012, Marble)
=EP and singles=
- Ghetto Obsession (2006, Institubes)
- Play Do / I Joke On You (2006, Arcade Mode)
- Radio Fireworks (2006, Institubes)
- Fireworks Refired (2007, Institubes)
- Next of Kin (2008, Institubes)
- Next of Kin, Mark II (2008, Institubes)
- Silver Island (2010, Institubes)
- Fan Out Remixes (2010, Institubes)
- Ultra Light (2011, Marble)
- Lose Yourself (2012, Marble)
- I Want You Back (with Todd Edwards) (2012, Sound Pellegrino)
- Advanced Entertainment System (2013, Marble)
=Remixes=
| class="wikitable"
!align="center" valign="top" width="40"|Year !Artist !Title !Label |
| align="center" valign="center" rowspan="1"|2005
|"Sunshowers" (Surkin vs. M.I.A.) |Institubes |
| align="center" valign="center" rowspan="2"|2006
|"Epiphanie Teaser" (Surkin Megamixx) |Institubes |
| Para One
|"Midnight Swim" (Surkin Drowning Mix) |Institubes |
| align="center" valign="center" rowspan="13"|2007
|"Don't Believe the Hype" |Boysnoize Records |
| Chromeo
|"Fancy Footwork" (Surkin Rogue Teens Remix) |Vice/Turbo |
| DJ Mehdi
|"Lucky Boy" |Ed Banger Records |
| Foals
|"Hummer" |Transgressive Records |
| Goose
|"Low Mode" (Surkin Mode) |Skint Records |
| Justine Electra
|"Killalady" |City Slang |
| Kate Wax
|"Catch the Buzz" |Mental Groove Records |
| Klaxons
|"Golden Skans" |Because Music |
| Paul Johnson
|"Hot" |Blackjack |
| Spencer Parker
|"Open Your Eyes" |Cr2 Records |
| Teki Latex feat. Lio
|"Les Matins de Paris" |Virgin |
| VHS or BETA
|"Burn It All Down" |Astralwerks |
| Yuksek
|"Composer" |Relish Recordings |
| align="center" valign="center" rowspan="2"|2008
|"DVNO" |Ed Banger Records |
| Nacho Lovers
|"Acid Life" |Scion Audio/Visual |
| align="center" valign="center" rowspan="2"|2009
|"One Day" |DFA |
| Street Fighter IV
|"Bionic Commando" | |
| align="center" valign="center" rowspan="1"|2011
|"Totem" (Surkin 'Gravity' Edit) |Marble |
| align="center" valign="center" rowspan="4"|2012
|"Bam Me" |EMI Music Japan |
| Drop the Lime
|"Bandit Blues" |Ultra Records |
| Usher
|"Scream" |RCA |
| M.I.A.
|"Bad Girls" | |
| align="center" valign="center" rowspan="1"|2013
|"Odd Look" |Mercury |
| align="center" valign="center" rowspan="1"|2014
|"Boom Clap" |Atlantic |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.facebook.com/Surkin Surkin's Facebook Page]
- [https://www.twitter.com/Surkin Surkin's Twitter]
- [http://www.dailymusicguide.com/Reviews/surkn-next-of-kin-white-knight-two-single-review-29102008-1553.aspx Daily Music Guide review of Next Of Kin Mark II]
- [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Surkin Surkin at Discogs.com]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Surkin}}