Korn is a popular nu-metal band from America, which is best known for pioneering the nu-metal genre and bringing it into the mainstream. The band was initially formed in 1993 by three members of the funk metal band L.A.P.D. James “Munky” Shaffer, Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu, and Brian “Head” Welch. The current lineup also features lead vocalist Jonathan Davis, Ray Luzier on drums, and David Silveria. The band has earned two Grammy Awards out of eight nominations and two MTV Video Music Awards out of eleven nominations.
Inception
The metal band Korn was formed in 1993 by three people, but later, David Silveria joined them when he was just 16. Later, Silveria dropped out of high school when the band moved to Los Angeles. They released their first EP “Love and Peace Dude” in 1989 via Triple X Records.
In 1994, Korn released their self-titled debut album through Immortal Records. The album peaked at number one on the Heatseekers Albums chart and reached till number 72 on the Billboard 200. It was liked by both the audience and critics and was certified two-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). After recording the album, the music group began touring with Biohazard and House of Pain. At that time, the band released four singles, “Blind,” “Shoots and Ladders,” which received a Grammy nomination in 1997 for Best Metal Performance, “Need To,” and “Clown.”
Korn released their second studio album, Life Is Peachy, in 1996. The album peaked at number one in New Zealand and went upto number three on the Billboard 200. The album was certified double platinum in the United States, platinum in Australia, and gold in Canada and sold more than 106,000 copies in its first week. The single “No Place to Hide” of the album earned a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance.
Evolution
In 1998, the music band produced a weekly online TV show, KornTV, which featured special guests like Limp Bizkit, Ron Jeremy, 311, and many more. In the same year, the band released its third studio album, Follow the Leader, that had guest performances from vocalists Ice Cube, Tre Hardson, Fred Durst, and others.
The album sold more than 268,000 copies in its first week of release and made its debut at number one on the Billboard 200. The single “Freak on a Leash” of the album earned several big awards, including a Grammy Award. In 1999, the band’s fourth music album Issues was released. It also debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold more than 573,000 copies.
To celebrate the success of the album, Korn performed in front of a live audience at New York’s historic Apollo Theatre. The fourth album Untouchables was recorded in 2002, which reached number two on the Billboard 200. The band released their greatest hits album, Greatest Hits Vol. 1 in 2004. The single “Word Up!” from the album peaked at number twenty-three on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
Later, Korn signed to Virgin Records and released the album, See You on the Other Side in 2005. The album managed to stay in the top half of the Billboard 200 for thirty-four consecutive weeks. It featured several famous artists like Xzibit, Lil Jon, Snoop Dogg, and David Banner.
In 2013, their album The Paradigm Shift was recorded. In the same year, their music video for “Spike in My Veins” was released. Their twelfth studio album The Serenity of Suffering was released in 2016, which featured Corey Taylor.
Awards & Achievements
Korn has won several awards and nominations. In 2000, the band won the Grammy Award in the category of “Best Short Form Music Video” for their album “Freak on a Leash.” They also won the same award for their another music album “Here to Stay” in 2003.
They have won two MTV Video Music Awards out of eleven nominations. In 2006, the music group won the MTV Asia Award for their song “Twisted Transistor.” The band was awarded the Revolver Golden Gods Award for their tenth studio album, The Path of Totality. They have also won two Kerrang! Awards, Drummies! Awards, Alternative Press Music Awards, and one MuchMusic Video Awards.
Net Worth of Korn in 2024
As of December 2024, Korn has an estimated net worth of more than $150 million. They have made this huge fortune through their successful music albums, videos, and singles.
They have sold millions of copies and earned their hundred million of worth through releasing music all over the world. They received $25 million upfront as a part of an agreement by Virgin Records for a share in the profits of their next two studio albums, including tours and merchandising.
Some of the most commercially successful albums of the band include Korn (1994), Life Is Peachy (1996), Take a Look in the Mirror (2003), The Path of Totality (2011), The Nothing (2019), and many more. The band also makes money by performing at various live events, musical tours, stage shows, and media programs.
Korn is considered as the pioneers of nu-metal music. The band has released seven video albums, thirty-nine music videos, forty-one singles, twenty-eight of which have charted. They have contributed music to the soundtracks for movies like Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, Spawn, The Crow: City of Angels, and many more.