King Diamond (band) Danish heavy metal band formed by vocalist King Diamond after Mercyful Fate split. Renowned for theatrical stagecraft, high-pitched vocals, horror concept albums and a lasting infl…
King for a Day — Pierce the Veil song King for a Day “King for a Day” is a 2012 single by American rock band Pierce the Veil, featuring Kellin Quinn. A high-energy post-hardcore anthem from Collide with the Sky, it became a live stap…
Kings of Leon Kings of Leon, an American rock band of three brothers and their cousin, rose from Southern roots to international success with a blend of garage, Southern and arena rock.
KinKi Kids (Japanese pop duo) Kinki Kids KinKi Kids are a long-running Japanese pop duo formed in 1992 and debuting in 1997, known for chart-topping singles, television and stage work, and their origin in the Kinki region…
Kino (Soviet rock band) Kino (band) Kino was a Soviet rock band formed in Leningrad in 1982, led by Viktor Tsoi. Pioneers of late‑Soviet rock, they influenced a generation with introspective lyrics, melodic post‑punk…
Kinto Sol — Mexican-American hip hop group Kinto Sol Kinto Sol is a Mexican hip hop trio of brothers from Irámuco, Guanajuato, known for Spanish-language rap that blends Mexican cultural themes with urban hip hop and immigrant experi…
Kiroro — Japanese pop duo from Okinawa Kiroro Kiroro is a Japanese pop duo formed by singers Chiharu Tamashiro and Ayano Kinjō. Known for piano-driven ballads and close harmonies, they rose to national recognition in the late…
Kiss (band) American hard rock band formed in New York City in 1973, known for theatrical makeup, pyrotechnic concerts, prolific merchandising and classic anthems such as “Rock and Roll All Ni…
Kiss Unplugged — MTV Unplugged performance and live album Kiss Unplugged Live acoustic performance by Kiss recorded for MTV Unplugged on August 8, 1995; released as the live album Kiss Unplugged in March 1996. Noted for stripped-down arrangements and it…
Klezmer: Jewish Musical Tradition of Eastern Europe Klezmer Klezmer is the instrumental folk music of Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe, known for expressive, vocal-like melodies, dance forms, modal scales drawn from synagogue chant, and a…
Klips ve Onlar — Turkish band and Eurovision 1986 act Klips ve Onlar Klips ve Onlar were a Turkish band best known for performing "Halley" at the Eurovision Song Contest 1986, achieving a then-record 9th place for Turkey and launching singer Candan…
KMFDM: German industrial rock collective KMFDM KMFDM is a long-running German industrial music collective known for heavy electronics, guitar-driven beats, provocative lyrics, striking artwork and an influential catalog since t…
Knife Party (Australian electronic music duo) Knife Party Knife Party is an Australian electronic dance music duo formed by Rob Swire and Gareth McGrillen. Known for aggressive bass-driven tracks and high-energy releases including several…
Knock Madness — Hopsin's third studio album (2013) Knock Madness Knock Madness is the third studio album by American rapper Hopsin, released on November 24, 2013 through Funk Volume. It was supported by singles including "Old Friend" and "Rip Yo…
Knut Nystedt — Norwegian choral composer and conductor Knut Nystedt Profile of Knut Nystedt (1915–2014), a leading Norwegian composer and conductor known for his choral and orchestral work, organ performance, and for founding major Norwegian choirs…
Kobukuro — Japanese folk-pop musical duo Kobukuro Kobukuro is a Japanese male duo known for acoustic-driven folk-pop, close vocal harmonies, and popular songs such as "Tsubomi" and "WINDING ROAD". Formed in Osaka, they record and…
Kokomo (song) A 1988 tropical-themed pop single recorded by the Beach Boys, written by John Phillips, Scott McKenzie, Mike Love and Terry Melcher; featured on the Cocktail soundtrack and a U.S.…
Kongesangen — the Norwegian royal anthem Kongesangen Kongesangen is Norway’s royal anthem, set to the tune of 'God Save the King' with Norwegian lyrics first penned in 1841; it is used at royal events and differs from the national an…
Kool & The Gang American band formed in 1964 that fused jazz, funk, R&B, disco and pop; known for hits like "Jungle Boogie" and "Celebration" and for enduring influence on popular music and film.
Kora — West African 21-string harp-lute Kora (instrument) A West African plucked instrument with 21 strings, the kora bridges harp and lute families and plays a central role in Manding oral tradition, ceremonial music, and contemporary wo…
Korn — American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California Korn Korn is an influential American band from Bakersfield known for pioneering the nu metal sound, blending heavy riffs, hip-hop rhythms and raw vocals. They rose to prominence in the…
Kraftwerk: Pioneers of German Electronic Music Kraftwerk Kraftwerk, formed in early 1970s Germany, are pioneers of electronic music whose minimalist, machine-like sound and use of synthesizers and sequencers shaped synth-pop, techno and…
Krematorij (Крематорий): Russian rock band led by Armen Grigoryan Krematorij Krematorij is a Russian rock band formed in Moscow in 1983 and fronted by singer-songwriter Armen Grigoryan. Noted for its violin-driven sound and the 1985 breakthrough album Illus…
Kris Kross (American hip hop duo) Kris Kross Kris Kross were an American hip hop duo from Atlanta, known for their 1992 hit “Jump,” their teenage image and backwards clothing. Active mainly in the 1990s, they released three s…
Kumbia Kings (Los Kumbia Kings) Kumbia Kings Kumbia Kings are a Mexican-American cumbia and Latin pop ensemble formed by A.B. Quintanilla III in 1999, noted for blending traditional cumbia with hip hop, R&B and reggaeton and…
Kurt Masur Kurt Masur (1927–2015) was a German conductor renowned for his long leadership of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, international work with major orchestras, advocacy for German Ro…
Kurt Weill: German-born composer of theatre, song and American musical theater Kurt Weill Kurt Weill (1900–1950) was a German-born composer who bridged classical training and popular song, famed for his work with Bertolt Brecht and later for Broadway and American collab…
Kylie and Garibay Kylie and Garibay is a musical collaboration between Australian singer Kylie Minogue and American producer Fernando Garibay, best known for the 2014 Sleepwalker EP and its experime…
Kyuss — pioneers of the Palm Desert desert rock scene Kyuss Kyuss, formed in Palm Desert, California, were a foundational stoner/desert rock band (1987–1995). Known for heavy downtuned grooves and generator‑party origins, they influenced la…
L'Aube nouvelle — the national anthem of Benin L'Aube nouvelle A concise encyclopedia entry on 'L'Aube nouvelle', Benin's national anthem: authorship, adoption at 1960 independence, later modification in 1975, musical and civic role.
L'elisir d'amore — Donizetti's comic opera (The Elixir of Love) L'elisir d'amore Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore is a two-act Italian comic opera famed for its bel canto melodies, the aria "Una furtiva lagrima" and its enduring popularity since its 1832 Milan prem…
L'Orfeo — Monteverdi's early operatic setting of the Orpheus myth L'Orfeo L'Orfeo, by Claudio Monteverdi with a libretto by Alessandro Striggio, premiered in Mantua in 1607. A landmark early opera, it bridges Renaissance polyphony and emerging Baroque dr…
La Belle au bois dormant (opera by Michele Carafa) La Belle au bois dormant (opera) An 1825 three‑act French opera by Michele Carafa to a libretto by de Planard, based on Charles Perrault's fairy tale; premiered at the Paris Opera with choreography by Gardel and s…
La bohème — Puccini's opera of love, youth and bohemian life La bohème La bohème is a four-act Italian opera by Giacomo Puccini about love, poverty and friendship among young bohemians in 19th-century Paris; a cornerstone of the operatic repertoire.
La Brabançonne — the national anthem of Belgium La Brabançonne La Brabançonne is Belgium's national anthem, written during the 1830 revolution. It exists in official French, Dutch and German versions and is used at state and public ceremonies.
La Carcacha (Selena song) La Carcacha La Carcacha is a 1992 Tejano/cumbia single performed by Selena. Its playful lyrics and first official music video helped broaden her audience in Mexico and placed the track in Bill…
La clemenza di Tito — Mozart's opera seria (1791) La clemenza di Tito La clemenza di Tito is a two-act opera seria by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart from 1791, with a libretto by Caterino Mazzolà adapted from Pietro Metastasio. Themes: mercy, political duty…
La Dessalinienne — Haiti's national anthem La Dessalinienne La Dessalinienne is Haiti's national anthem, honoring Jean-Jacques Dessalines. Lyrics by Justin Lhérisson and music by Nicolas Geffrard; officially adopted in 1904 during the indep…
La fanciulla del West (The Girl of the Golden West) La fanciulla del West An overview of Giacomo Puccini's opera La fanciulla del West: origins in David Belasco's play, premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in 1910, principal characters, musical style, and…
La forza del destino An overview of Giuseppe Verdi's four-act Italian opera La forza del destino: its origins, musical characteristics, plot themes of fate and honor, performance history and notable fe…
La Gioconda (Ponchielli) La Gioconda La Gioconda is a four-act Italian opera by Amilcare Ponchielli with a libretto by Arrigo Boito, premiered at La Scala in Milan in 1876; best known for the orchestral ballet "Dance…
La Isla Bonita — Madonna song La Isla Bonita La Isla Bonita is a Latin-flavored pop song by Madonna from the 1986 album True Blue, released as a single in February 1987. It became an international hit and is known for its Spa…
La Leyenda — Selena's 2010 Greatest Hits Box Set La Leyenda La Leyenda is a 2010 posthumous greatest-hits box set celebrating Selena, released by Q-Productions and EMI Latin in multiple editions featuring hits, live tracks, remastered audio…
La Llamada (song) — Selena La Llamada La Llamada is a 1993 single by American Tejano singer Selena, released from the live album Selena Live!. The song blends Tejano and pop influences and reached top 10 positions on s…
La Llorona (song) — Mexican folk ballad and cultural standard La Llorona (song) Traditional Mexican folk song associated with the La Llorona legend, with many lyrical variants. Popularized in the 20th century, recorded by numerous artists and featured in film…
La Marseillaise (French national anthem) La Marseillaise La Marseillaise is the national anthem of France, composed in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle; a revolutionary marching song that became a symbol of the Republic and is used…
La Primavera (Sash! song) La Primavera (song) La Primavera is a 1998 Eurodance single by German DJ project Sash! featuring singer Patrizia Salvatore, released as the lead single from the album Life Goes On (1998).
La Roux (British synth-pop project) La Roux British synth-pop act formed by Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid, noted for 1980s-influenced electronic pop, hit singles such as "Bulletproof", and a transition from duo to Jackson's…
