Jamie xx
A sonic architect who builds immersive, melancholic dance floors from the sparse textures of UK garage, dub, and soul.
Born 1988 (age 38)·British DJ and producer·Birthday: October 28·Millennials
Biography
Emerging from the hushed, minimalist world of the xx, Jamie Smith carved out a parallel identity as Jamie xx, a studio alchemist and DJ with a panoramic view of dance music history. His 2015 solo album 'In Colour' was a watershed moment, a vibrantly emotional tapestry that wove together rave nostalgia, soulful samples, and crisp modern production, speaking equally to headphones and festival fields. As a producer and remixer, he applies a meticulous, atmospheric touch, transforming tracks by artists like Florence + The Machine and Drake into sleek, rhythmic sculptures. Operating often from behind the decks or in the studio, he has become a defining voice in 21st-century electronic music, one who finds profound feeling in the space between beats.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jamie was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jamie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Jamie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Released the critically adored and commercially successful solo album 'In Colour', which was nominated for the Mercury Prize and a Grammy.
- Won a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album for 'In Colour' in 2016.
- His remix of the late Gil Scott-Heron's 'I'll Take Care Of U' became a defining track of his early sound.
- As part of the xx, co-created a stark, influential indie pop sound that won the Mercury Prize for their debut album.
Did You Know?
The distinctive sound of his solo work often features samples from the vast archive of UK pirate radio recordings.
He designed and built his own unique, luminous DJ booth for the xx's 'Coexist' tour.
He is a noted collector of rare vinyl, particularly from UK dance subgenres like jungle and hardcore.
“I'm always trying to find a balance between something that's personal and something that you can play in a club.”
