LMFAO, the electric pop duo that brought us the hit song “Party Rock Anthem”, once stood at the epicenter of the pop music world. Consisting of Redfoo (Stephen Gordy) and Sky Blu (Skyler Gordy), the pair rocked the Billboard Top 100 for eight non-consecutive weeks, propelled by their infectious dance pop sound. Uniquely, the duo weren’t just musical partners, but also family – Redfoo is Sky Blu’s uncle and Redfoo’s father is Berry Gordy Jr, the legendary founder of Motown Records,
While their sound was a departure from the soul and R&B music that defined Motown, they carved out their own niche in the electronic dance scene of the early 2010s. However, their success was not as enduring as their famous forebear’s. They separated in September 2012, just a year after performing at the Super Bowl halftime show.
In explaining the separation, Redfoo mentioned the duo had been together for over half a decade and they wanted to explore what came naturally to them rather than forcing things. Sky Blu echoed this sentiment, assuring fans that they were not breaking up, but simply pursuing individual interests. Nevertheless, almost a decade later, the pair has not reunited to make new music or perform together.
After splitting up, both Redfoo and Sky Blu took different paths. Redfoo took a shot at reality TV, appearing on Season 20 of “Dancing with the Stars”, but was the first contestant to be eliminated. After a stint on “X Factor Australia” and a less-than-successful solo album, he stepped away from the music industry, focusing on playing tennis and living a vegan lifestyle. He’s been dating Jasmine Alkouri since 2018 and even set up a vegan branch! Redfoo also developed a passion for programming and crypto.
On the other hand, Sky Blu continued his music career, releasing two albums, 2013’s “Rebel Music” and 2016’s “F*** Yeah: Chaos To Consciousness”. Despite his efforts, none of his songs charted, except for his debut single “Pop Bottles,” which reached the top 25 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs.
However, the split wasn’t without controversy. Sky Blu, now going by the stage name “8ky 6lu”, claimed that his uncle abandoned him during a severe back injury and refused to pay royalties from the group’s work. He even alleged that his uncle pushed him out of the group.
Despite the difficulties, the LMFAO spirit is not completely extinguished. In a surprising turn of events, Redfoo returned to the studio after a six-year hiatus, lending his vocals to a Dainjazone-produced single “Long Live Party Rock”. The song is a modern reimagination of the Party Rock/Electropop sound that once dominated 2011, marking Redfoo’s exhilarating reemergence into the limelight.
Despite their tumultuous journey, the legacy of LMFAO remains etched in the archives of pop music. Their story serves as a testament to the fleeting nature of fame. From chart-topping success to individual pursuits and personal conflicts, the duo’s narrative continues to intrigue fans.
