◇ image via WikipediaAmerican Boy
American Boy is a Disco and Funk act. Their sound grew out of will.i.am, John Legend, Hi-Tek and M.I.A.. Those roots explain a lot about how American Boy arrange songs and choose their tones. They run in the same orbit as Chasing Pavements, Shine On, Hate That I Love You, Lose Yourself and Love On Top, sharing audiences, venues and reference points rather than a straight line of influence. Their influence carried into Lone Ranger, Darren Criss, Timati, Busta Rhymes and Lost Frequencies, where the same ideas turn up rearranged for a later generation. Altogether the chart holds 19 connections around American Boy, reaching back through will.i.am and forward to Lone Ranger. Follow any of those threads to keep travelling the influence between bands and genres on Starverb.
Background
"American Boy" is a song by British singer Estelle featuring rapper Kanye West from the former's second album Shine (2008). The song was written by the artists, alongside Ethan Hendrickson, William Adams Jr., John Legend, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir, and Keith Harris. It was produced by will.i.am, and uses the instrumental from his own song, "Impatient", from his third studio album Songs About Girls (2007). "American Boy" is a breezy R&B and disco-funk song that lyrically describes a romance with an American suitor. The song's conception came after Legend, Estelle's mentor, suggested she write a song about meeting a man from the United States.
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American Boy connections
American Boy grew out of will.i.am, John Legend, Hi-Tek and M.I.A., shares an orbit with Chasing Pavements, Shine On, Hate That I Love You and Lose Yourself, went on to shape Lone Ranger, Darren Criss, Timati and Busta Rhymes. 19 connections mapped across roots, kindred and legacy.
Who influenced American Boy
Sounds and acts that shaped American Boy.
Artists similar to American Boy
Artists and scenes sharing an orbit with American Boy.
Bands American Boy shaped
Where the influence of American Boy travelled next.
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