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Nero is a British electronic music act originating from London, England consisting of Daniel Stephens and Joseph Ray with Alana Watson, a vocalist, who are best known for producing drum and bass, dubstep and house. On 6 December 2010, Nero were announced as nominees for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll.

History
Daniel and Joe were both born in 1984 and spent their childhood together in Northwood, London. Ray played classical guitar and Stephens, encouraged by his free-jazz musican father, played cello. By the time a mutual friend introduced them at the age of 15, Stephens was attending the specialist music school at Pimlico. Outside school both were making electronic music on home computers. They began working together at 17, setting up a studio in Stephens' bedroom. The latter has been already a fan of jungle music after seeing M-Beat featuring General Levy on Top of the Pops in 1994. Ray’s epiphany (according to Q), happened in the London club Fabric where the duo's ideas about DJing got cemented.

Nero's debut release was "Space 2001" as part of the "Straight Outta Leicester" three piece vinyl LP on Reformed Recordings in 2004. Nero's debut dubstep release was "This Way."

Sasha Frere-Jones, journalist for the New Yorker Magazine, listed Nero's remix of The Streets, "Blinded by the Lights" in his top songs of 2009. The track had radio airplay in the UK as well as being played by DJs including Chase & Status, Skream, Tiësto and Diplo.

Welcome Reality (2010–present)
The duo released their first single on MTA, "Innocence", in the United Kingdom on 26 April 2010. The single was released as a double A-side with the track "Electron" as a digital download, as well as on vinyl. The track peaked at number 167 on the UK Singles Chart besides peaking at number 16 and 11 on the Dance and Independent charts. On 6 December 2010, Nero were nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll.

The nomination was followed by the addition of their second single on MTA "Me & You" to BBC Radio 1's A List playlist on 8 December 2010. The single was released in the UK as both a digital download and a 12" vinyl on 2 January 2011, where it debuted at number 15 on the singles chart, also managing to reach the number one spot on the independent releases chart. The duo's third single, "Guilt" made its premiere on 22 February when Zane Lowe selected it as the Hottest Record in the World.

Having been released on 24 April, "Guilt" debuted at number 8 in the UK. The London duo's debut album Welcome Reality was released on 15 August 2011 and features tracks "Innocence", "Me & You", "Guilt", "Promises", "Crush on You", "Reaching Out" & "Must Be The Feeling". The latter track, "Promises" made its debut on 17 May when Zane Lowe named it Hottest Record in the World - the third consecutive single from the duo to achieve this feat. On 14 August 2011, "Promises" debuted at number 1 in the UK singles chart. Their debut album entitled "Welcome Reality" was released on 15 August 2011 and debuted at number 1 in the UK album chart. They also produced Example's single "Stay Awake" which also topped the charts in 2011. Nero released 'Reaching Out' on 18 December 2011. The music video starred Daryl Hall as well as both members of the band. It charted at 17 on the UK Dance Chart. The next single would be "Must Be The Feeling".

The duo toured their live show during Autumn 2011 in both the UK and US.

Additional works

 * Nero composed an orchestral piece known as The Dubstep Symphony (later officially titled 'Symphony 2808'), performed by the duo in collaboration with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Joe Duddell on BBC Radio 1 on 6 June 2011.

Discography

 * Welcome Reality (2011)