| PAULi | |
| Landscape: | yes |
| Alias: | Pauli Lovejoy, The PSM |
| Origin: | London, England |
| Birth Name: | Paul Stanley McKenzie |
| Birth Date: | 1988 11, df=yes |
| Genre: | Pop, hip hop, R&B, alternative rock, electronica |
| Instruments: | Drums, percussion, vocals, OP-1 synth |
| Occupations: | Drummer, recording artist, music director, model |
| Years Active: | –present |
| Label: | Kobalt |
| Associated Acts: | Eliza, FKA twigs, Gorillaz Sound System, Jamie xx, Kindness, Kwes, MLKnCRL, Sampha, Tawiah, Harry Styles |
PAULi (born 8 November 1988) is a UK born drummer, recording artist, music director and model.
In 2005, Pauli won the Young Drummer of The Year award and performed on the BBC's Blue Peter.[1] [2]
In 2008, Pauli was appointed the role as music director for MOBO award-winning artist Jahaziel and platinum selling artist Eliza Doolittle. They have also appeared in acclaimed music videos for Duffy, Jordin Sparks, Shingai Shinowa (Noisettes), Raghav and Mutya Buena (Sugababes/MKS).
In 2009, at age 20, Pauli started working with Gorillaz,[3] which features the Grammy Award-winning cartoon band's music remixed to visual effects and toured with the outfit, playing corporate club shows and headlining festivals around the world. Playing with Gorillaz Sound System introduced Stanley-McKenzie to Africa Express, which led to his contribution in the collective's international shows and the Cultural Olympiad UK train tour, playing alongside Paul McCartney, John Paul Jones, and a host of African musicians including Tony Allen, Baaba Maal and Amadou and Miriam. In January 2014, it was announced that Stanley-McKenzie would play drums for Damon Albarn on tour in support of his debut solo album Everyday Robots, alongside Seye, Jeff Wootton and Mike Smith.[4]
In December 2014, Pauli wrote "Give Me A Sign" which premiered on The Fader[5] and championed by Stereogum[6] as a “Protest Song” was dedicated to Mike Brown, Eric Garner, Rafael Ramos & Wenjian Liu, this was a collaboration with Brooklyn-based oil painter Amar Stewart and marked the first solo recording under the guise “Pauli Lovejoy”. The music for "Give Me a Sign" was co-produced with Brooklyn-based music producer and artist "Heavy Mellow".
In 2015, Pauli served as a music director for FKA twigs’ headline ‘Congregata’ shows in London (Roundhouse / Alexander McQueen), New York (Red Bull Music Academy), Glastonbury (West Holts Headline), LA (FYF Fest Headline) and at the MOBO Awards.[7] Subsequently, this led to working with FKA twigs' label-mate, Jamie xx as music director for the live promo of his debut record ‘In Colour,’ which saw Pauli directing live performances on Le Grand Journal (Canal+) (Paris) and Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Still recognized as a prominent music influencer, Pauli was called upon as the primary talent for the Tanqueray "Greatness Starts at Ten" campaign.[8]
On 24 September 2015, "i DON'T CARE" had its radio debut on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 radio show on Apple Music.[9] The accompanying video premiered on Noisey.[10]
On 27 October 2016, "Waiting (Getting On This Train)" the first single from his forthcoming EP, THE IDEA OF TOMORROW premiered on Zane Lowe's Apple Music Beats 1 radio show. That same week, The Fader included "Waiting" on their playlist of "11 Songs You Need in Your Life This Week.".[11] In addition, "Waiting" was featured on Wonderland Magazine's Tracks of the Week Playlist.[12]
"Believe in Me" the second single from THE IDEA OF TOMORROW, premiered on Complex.[13] and had its first radio play on Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 show. Apple Music included the single on their Best of The Week Playlist.[14] "Believe in Me" garnered attention from Dazed [15] and Nylon.[16]
On 9 December 2016 Pauli released his debut EP, THE IDEA OF TOMORROW, with long-time collaborator and fellow London-producer Kwes on Kobalt.
In partnership with social media app, Vero, Pauli premiered his Visual EP, THE IDEA OF TOMORROW,[17] an afrofuturist fairytale set on Kepler-452b, directed by Rohan Blair-Mangat. Pauli states “there is a vital synergy between my music and the visuals (as will be demonstrated with my forthcoming releases).”
In 2017 Pauli debuted his first live show as a solo artist during Paris Fashion Week at Les Bains Paris.
Their EP Secret Life of a Badman was released December 20, 2018.
Throughout the spring of 2021, Pauli released singles that culminated in the EP Secret Life of a Badman (Vol.2) which was released May 21, 2021. Later that year, they joined Harry Styles' band as a percussionist and MD for Love on Tour.[18]
Lovejoy served as the opening act for Irish rock band U2 during their 2023–2024 concert residency, U2:UV Achtung Baby Live, at Sphere in the Las Vegas Valley.[19] During the pre-show, they DJ'ed music from inside a neon Trabant that moved around the general admission area.[20] [21]
Pauli identifies as non-binary[22] and uses he/they pronouns.[23]