Today is the birthday of Keith Flint, a British musician, singer, and dancer, best known as the iconic frontman of The Prodigy. The edit above and his portrait on the musical birthday calendar/reference work below were made by me, Frieke.
Keith Flint was born on September 17, 1969, in Redbridge, London, and grew up in Essex. His youth was marked by rebellion, and he likely had a difficult time in school due to his ADHD. Before joining The Prodigy, Keith Flint held various jobs, mostly as a construction worker. He also traveled around for a while, seeking adventure and new experiences. He was known for his interest in motorcycles and alternative subcultures like punk and the emerging rave scene of the late '80s and early '90s.
Keith Flint started his career with The Prodigy as a dancer. When the band was founded in 1990 by Liam Howlett, Flint was initially not a singer, but, along with his friend Leeroy Thornhill, one of the group’s dancers. It wasn’t until 1996, with the iconic single Firestarter, that Flint introduced himself as a singer. His unusual appearance (a shaved head with two mohawks) and anarchistic performance in the music video made him world-famous. This song, followed by the equally successful singles Breathe and Smack My Bitch Up, firmly established The Prodigy on the music scene. Flint was known for his energetic, provocative performances, where he whipped up the audience during The Prodigy’s live shows. The band was known for its innovative sound, with influences from punk, rave, and rock, and released several groundbreaking albums in the ’90s, such as Music for the Jilted Generation (1994), The Fat of the Land (1997), Invaders Must Die (2009) en No Tourists (2018).
Flint was known for his intense lifestyle, both on and off stage. He was open about his past struggles with drugs and depression, though he often mentioned in interviews that he didn’t have his life together anymore. He lived in Dunmow, Essex, where he sponsored a motocross team and owned a pub called The Leather Bottle. He was married to Japanese DJ Mayumi Kai.
On March 4, 2019, Flint was found dead at his home in Essex. He was 49 years old. The official cause of death was suicide by hanging. His death shocked the music community and fans worldwide, and his bandmates described him as a brother and a legend. His passing brought significant attention to mental health and the importance of support for those struggling with depression.
After Flint’s death, Mayumi Kai withdrew from public life, and little has been heard from her since. However, her influence on Keith Flint’s life and her own career in electronic music remain an important part of their shared legacy.
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