The English band Sneaker Pimps emerged in the 1990s within the trip hop movement, although the band's trip hop style was more pop and less experimental, as recorded on their debut album Becoming X, released in 1996 by Clean Up Records and which sold over a million copies and featured the hits "6 Underground" and "Spin Spin Sugar".
The band was formed in 1994 by producer and musician Liam Howe and guitarist Chris Corner. As vocalist, the two hired Kelli Dayton, later known as Kelli Ali. Guitarist Joe Wilson and drummer Dave Westlake also joined the group.
Despite the success of Becoming X and a long tour, Liam Howe and Chris Corner decided to fire Kelli, claiming that her voice did not fit with the new compositions. In fact, the mentors did not want the band to be stereotyped as a trendy female trip-hop band. With Ali's departure, Corner became the lead vocalist.
Splinter, the band's second album, was released in 1999. In 2002, Bloodsport arrived on Tommy Boy Records. Neither album achieved the success of Becoming X, and the group went on a long hiatus.
Liam Howe became a sought-after producer, working with artists such as Lana Del Rey, FKA Twigs, Marina and the Diamonds and Ellie Goulding.
After leaving the band, Kelli Dayton began a solo career under the name Kelli Ali and collaborated with several artists.
In 2021, Liam Howe and Chris Corner returned with Sneaker Pimps. And with the collaboration of singer Simonne Jones, they released the album Squaring the Circle.
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