10 Things You Didn't Know About Kraftwerk

At four decades and running, Kraftwerk are true pioneers within electronic music... and hip-hop. Their "Trans Europe Express" was huge for the art of

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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At four decades and running, Kraftwerk are true pioneers within electronic music... and hip-hop. Their "Trans Europe Express" was huge for the art of electronic music, but also helped show the emerging hip-hop scene the power of drum machines and synthesizers. This German outfit has had success the world over, crafting quirky anthems about German motorways, cycling, and many other seemingly-random topics. They are true auteurs in both sound manipulation and DIY machinery, and have spent countless hours creating their own equipment, selling their own merchandise, and entrancing scores of music lovers with their material. We have a feeling that, outside of knowing their worth, there are bits about their career that you might not be aware of. Here are 10 things about Kraftwerk you probably don't know.

Two former Kraftwerk members formed NEU!

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Their 1974 album "Autobahn" hit #5 on the US Billboard Top 200 chart

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"Autobahn" is said to be Vertigo Records' only international hit

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Kraftwerk spent three years desiging their mobile setup for the "Computer World" tour

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Kling Klang is more than just Kraftwerk's studio

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They declined touring with David Bowie

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They made performance rules about their conduct in public

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"Trans-Europe Express" was their attempt to move away from being associated with Nazi Germany

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"Pocket Calculator" was recorded in five different languages

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For the Computer World single, Kraftwerk recorded versions of "Computer Love" in German, Japanese, and French, with a version in Italian being lip-synched on Italian TV in 1981:

"Tour de France" was featuring in the 1984 movie "Breakin'"

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Kraftwerk's influence in hip-hop didn't stop with Afrika Bambaataa sampling "Trans Europe Express" on "Planet Rock." Their 1983 single "Tour de France" was featured in the film Breakin', although Kraftwerk would not allow it to be on the movie's soundtrack. That still didn't stop a mysterious single attributed to 10 Speed coming out with a cover of "Tour de France," however.

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