Cornelius is the creative Japanese multi-instrumentalist Keigo Oyamada. Performing music since his teens, Oyamada created his creative alter-ego (the name is an homage to Planet of the Apes), in the early 1990's from the ashes of his previous project, Flipper's Guitar.
With the 1997 release of Fantasma, Cornelius gained international recognition for his cut-and-paste style, reminiscent of American counterparts Beck and The Beastie Boys. Being called a "modern day Brian Wilson" for his orchestral-style arrangements and production techniques.
Fantasma was his creative and commercial breakthrough, a kaleidoscopic, genre-hopping joy ride through contemporary musical history that became Cornelius’ first American release when it was reissued by Matador a year later. Cornelius subsequently became one of the most sought-after producer/remixers in the world, working with artists ranging from Blur, Beck, Bloc Party, and MGMT to James Brown.