The Magic! Musical Biography: From Reggae Roots to Pop Stardom

Have you ever heard the catchy hit Rude on the radio and wondered about the artist behind the tune? Look no further than the band Magic!. This Canadian band, fronted by lead singer and guitarist Nasri Atweh, burst onto the scene in 2013 with their debut album, Don't Kill the Magic. But before that, the band members each had unique musical backgrounds that ultimately came together to create their signature pop-reggae sound. In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the musical biography of Magic!, from their beginnings to their most famous albums and songs.

Blog Body: Nasri Atweh, the lead singer of Magic!, first found success as a songwriter for other artists. He's credited with co-writing hits like As Long As You Love Me by Justin Bieber, Wrapped Up by Olly Murs, and Angel by Akon. In addition to his songwriting, Atweh had his own solo career with the release of his R&B-influenced album Here's to the Zeros in 2014. But it wasn't until he formed Magic! with guitarist Mark Pellizzer, bassist Ben Spivak, and drummer Alex Tanas that his career took off.

Magic!'s debut album Don't Kill the Magic was released in 2014 and was a commercial success, reaching number six on the Billboard 200 chart. The album's title track was a hit, but it was Rude that really made the band a household name. The song topped the charts in multiple countries, including the United States, and has been streamed over a billion times on Spotify. The song's catchy chorus, reggae-inspired beat, and romantic storyline make it a go-to for weddings and sing-alongs.

In 2016, Magic! released their second album, Primary Colours. The album's lead single Lay You Down Easy featured Sean Paul and had a more dancehall-influenced sound than their previous work. But the album's second single, Red Dress, failed to gain much traction. The band continued to tour and release music, with their most recent album Expectations dropping in 2018. The album featured collaborations with Brandy, Sean Paul, and more.

So what sets Magic! apart from other pop bands? Their sound is heavily influenced by reggae and ska, with a dose of catchy pop hooks thrown in. Atweh has cited Bob Marley, The Police, and Stevie Wonder as some of his musical inspirations. The band's music often features a positive and uplifting message, with lyrics about love, unity, and social justice.

Conclusion: Magic! may have burst onto the scene with their catchy hit Rude, but their music and talent go much deeper than that. With their unique blend of pop and reggae, the band has carved out a niche for themselves in the music industry. If you're a fan of catchy hooks, positive vibes, and a go-to wedding song, give Magic! a listen.