Years active 1997–present Active from 1997 | Past members Jazzy
Ruby Record labels EMI, EMI Records | |
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Origin Mayfair, London, United Kingdom Members Marieangela King, Jazzy King, David King, Michael King, Natalia King Genres Pop music, Dance-pop, Hip hop music | ||
King, stylized KING, is an English pop/hip hop quartet, started in 1997. The band consisted originally of five siblings, Trillion, Queenie, Jazzy, Ruby and Lucius. In November 2013 Jazzy and Ruby left the quintett to form their own band Blonde Electra and their younger sister Jemima joined the group.
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Biographical information
The three eldest siblings were born in India and the two younger ones in Ukraine. All were home-schooled by their father, Michael Jaffray King (British) and mother, Irmgard King (German). They were raised in over 30 countries throughout the world. Due to being born in different countries, all siblings hold a number of different passports and have dual citizenship. They are fluent in four languages.
They have two younger sisters, Jemima and Michelle King, who currently reside in Cologne, Germany with their parents.
Marieangela "Queenie" King married, on 1 December 2013, musician and artist Elijah Blue Allman, the son of Cher and Gregg Allman.
Music
Their music and performance is characterized by electronic raps, big melodic choruses and unique fashion styles.
Early life
They began their professional singing careers in 1997 and quickly moved on to do TV and radio shows in several different countries around the world. In 1998, Word Records/Warner Music Group (U.S.) approached the group and offered them a $4 million recording contract which was, however, rejected by both parents as they felt the siblings were too young to take on the music business at that time.
The band
In 2007, they formed their own band called King Family, and started writing/producing their own songs. They were soon signed to EMI Capitol Records in Germany.
In January 2008, their debut single "Carry Me Home" was released and made it into the German Single Charts. Only three months later, the album of the same name, as well as the second single "Perfect Day" appeared, which also reached a position in the charts. A tour throughout Germany, TV appearances and numerous public performances followed.
In June 2009, the siblings parted ways with EMI. They renamed their band to 'KING' and moved to the U.S. to pursue their musical careers. This move was supported by the American music manager Doc McGhee (long time manager of Kiss. The German TV channel VOX documented this journey for their series Goodbye Deutschland! Die Auswanderer. The band has written with songwriters and producers with the likes of Grammy Award winner Glen Ballard, Bonnie McKee, Mitch Allan, Jon Ingoldsby and Justin Trugman.
They have homes in Hollywood, California and in Mayfair, London. The siblings are currently recording their 2nd studio album and working on television projects.
In December 2013, KING released the music video "B.O.M.B.", directed by Nicholaus Goossen.
Philanthropy
KING has worked together with and donated to various charity organizations such as International Committee of the Red Cross, and Caritas.