A Great Big World
Biography
A Great Big World is an American musical duo from New York, composed of singer-songwriters Ian Axel and Chad King. The two met at New York University's Steinhardt Music Program where they were both music business students. King, who initially managed Axel, was convinced to write a song with him after hearing him sing. This collaboration marked the beginning of their musical partnership, initially with Axel as a solo artist with songs co-written by King.
Breakthrough and Mainstream Success
In 2012, the duo officially formed as A Great Big World and released a six-song EP funded through Kickstarter. Their song "This Is the New Year" gained significant traction in 2013 after being performed by the cast of the TV show *Glee*. This exposure led to a record deal with Epic Records. The duo's major breakthrough came with their song "Say Something." After it was featured on *So You Think You Can Dance*, the song caught the attention of pop superstar Christina Aguilera. A re-recorded version of "Say Something" featuring Aguilera was released in November 2013 and became a global hit, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. The collaboration led to a performance on *The Voice* and at the American Music Awards. In 2015, this version won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Albums and Musical Style
A Great Big World released their debut album, *Is There Anybody Out There?*, in January 2014. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart. Their second album, *When the Morning Comes*, was released in November 2015 and featured the single "Hold Each Other." The duo's music is often described as optimistic, piano-driven pop with a theatrical flair and uplifting messages.
Recent Work
Beyond their albums, Ian and Chad have been involved in other creative projects, including writing a Broadway musical. They have continued to release new music, including a reunion with Christina Aguilera for the song "Fall On Me" in 2019. As of 2024, A Great Big World continues to create and share their music.