追逐状态

Chase & Status are an English drum and bass duo composed of Saul Milton (Chase) and Will Kennard (Status). In addition, Andy Gangadeen is the drummer when the band performs live. MC Rage formerly performed as MC with the group, but left in July 2021 to focus on solo ventures. The duo are from London, and formed in 2003 after meeting at university in Manchester. The duo have since released seven studio albums and collaborated with major artists such as Plan B, CeeLo Green, Rihanna, Example, Tinie Tempah, and Stormzy. They run the independent record label MTA Records. William Kennard founded ELAM (East London Arts and Music) in 2014.

In 2023–24, Chase & Status won their first Brit Award for "Producer of the Year". Their second consecutive top four album, 2 Ruff, Vol. 1, included four singles in the UK top 40 simultaneously, a feat not achieved by a UK band since 2010. The lead single, "Baddadan", reached the UK singles chart top four [the discography page says it reached number 5]. In 2024, they achieved a UK number one single with "Backbone", a collaboration with Stormzy. In 2025, Kennard was awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire for "services to music and to creative arts education".

History

2003–2009: Beginnings and More Than Alot

Saul Milton (Chase, born June 23, 1981) and Will Kennard (Status, born October 21, 1980) originally met in London through a mutual friend, although they met up again whilst university students in Manchester. Kennard studied History of Art at the University of Manchester, while Milton studied English and Humanities at Manchester Metropolitan University. Kennard decided to drop out of university to pursue a music career, although Milton did manage to achieve an honours in his studies, despite spending most of his time on music.

The duo cited the Prodigy and Orbital as major influences on their music and creativity alongside the original jungle and drum & bass scene. They were supported by BBC Radio 1Xtra DJs early in their career, with "Love's Theme", released via DJ Zinc's Bingo Beats, played on air in 2004.

Chase & Status had three number one singles on the UK Dance Singles Chart between 2007 and 2009; the double A-side "Hurt You" / "Sell Me Your Soul" in 2007 and "Take Me Away" / "Judgement (Informer)" in 2008, then on 5 October 2008, they reached number 70 on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the UK Dance Singles Chart again with the single "Pieces" featuring vocals from Plan B. In 2009, they peaked at number 45 with "Against All Odds", which featured UK rapper Kano.

2009–2011: No More Idols

In November 2009, the duo entered the top forty of the UK Singles Chart for the first time with the track "End Credits". The track was released on 2 November 2009 and features Plan B; it reached a peak of number nine on the UK Singles Chart.

The duo released "Let You Go" on 15 August 2010, revealing it to be the second single to be released from their second studio album No More Idols. The single featured vocals from Mali and debuted at number eleven on the UK Singles Chart, marking the duo's second consecutive Top Forty hit. "Hypest Hype" (featuring Tempa T) was confirmed in October 2010 to be the third single from the album. As it was released as a free download from their website on 8 November 2010, it did not qualify to chart. The fourth single from the album is "Blind Faith", which features soul singer/songwriter Liam Bailey and was released in January 2011. Other singles include "Time" (featuring Delilah), "Hitz" (featuring Tinie Tempah) and "Flashing Lights" (with Sub Focus featuring Takura). The album also contains the song "Heavy" with Dizzee Rascal. The album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and was certified gold in the first week of sales by the British Phonographic Industry.

2012–2014: Brand New Machine

In contrast to More Than Alot and No More Idols, the new album has a darker sound. The duo performed as a sub-headline on Friday night at Download Festival 2012, provoking an outcry from regular Download enthusiasts (the festival is recognized as a rock/metal festival), not least due to them being higher on the bill than fan favourites Machine Head, who had been subject to an internet campaign to headline the festival. However, they were well received. Chase & Status have also headlined electronic music festival South West Four hosted on London's Clapham Common. Chase & Status: Live at Brixton, a CD/DVD featuring appearances from Tinie Tempah, Liam Bailey, Mali and Delilah, was released on 2 April 2012. On 15 October 2012, the track "Big Man" featuring Liam Bailey was released on the Chase & Status website as a free download. The following day, it was released through online retailers. The music video was also published on 15 October on their YouTube channel and the 'UKFDrumandBass' channel.