Similar to their nominal counterparts, the White Stripes, the Black Keys are known for making a great deal of sound with a minimal lineup. Formed in 2001 in Akron, Ohio, the duo is comprised of guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney, who after dropping out of the University of Akron began playing together and recording demos. Their demos garnered interest from Los Angeles-based indie label Alive Naturalsound Records, which released their debut album, 2002's The Big Come Up, which featured a mix of original songs, blues standards and a cover of the Beatles' "She Said, She Said."

Subsequent releases included 2003's Thickfreakness and 2004's Rubber Factory, the latter of which peaked at No. 11 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart. The Black Keys subsequently landed a deal with Nonesuch Records and released their 2006 effort, Magic Potion. The group's desire to explore the possibilities of their sound was evident on 2008's Attack & Release, on which they teamed with GRAMMY-winning producer Danger Mouse. In 2010 the duo released Brothers, which climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and earned two GRAMMY Awards for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for "Tighten Up."

The duo earned an additional five GRAMMY nominations for the 55th GRAMMY Awards, including Album Of The Year for their 2011 release El Camino and Record Of The Year for "Lonely Boy." Auerbach also earned a nomination for Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical.