Fun Lovin' Criminals are an American rock band formed in New York City in 1993. Their music combines alternative rock, hip-hop, funk, blues, jazz, Latin soul and disco, often shaped by programmed beats, sampled sounds and a relaxed, cinematic sense of groove. The band's lyrics draw on New York life, urban characters, crime films and streetwise humor, balancing gritty subject matter with a playful and frequently satirical tone.
The original lineup consisted of vocalist and guitarist Huey Morgan, multi-instrumentalist Brian "Fast" Leiser and drummer Steve Borgovini. Leiser and Borgovini had previously worked together before joining Morgan in New York's club scene. The group attracted the attention of EMI after performing as a last-minute replacement at a club engagement, leading to a recording contract and the release of their debut album, Come Find Yourself, in 1996.
The album established the band's distinctive identity. Its best-known track, "Scooby Snacks", combined a laid-back hip-hop beat, rock guitar and dialogue sampled from films by Quentin Tarantino. The single became an international alternative-radio hit and remains the group's signature recording. Other songs from the album, including "The Fun Lovin' Criminal", "King of New York" and "I'm Not in Love", helped the record develop a strong following in the United Kingdom and across Europe. Come Find Yourself eventually became a major commercial success in the UK, although the band's impact in the United States was more limited.
Fun Lovin' Criminals followed the debut with 100% Colombian in 1998. The album presented a darker and more varied sound, moving between hard-edged grooves, downtempo material and soul-influenced songwriting. "Korean Bodega" became one of the band's most successful singles, while "Love Unlimited" offered a warm tribute to singer Barry White and his backing group. In 1999, the band released Mimosa, a collection of covers, alternate versions and more subdued material that emphasized their lounge, jazz and soul influences.
After Borgovini's departure, drummer Maxwell "Mackie" Jayson joined the band. The lineup recorded Loco in 2001, an album that returned the group to a more direct rock and hip-hop approach. The title track became one of their biggest UK hits, and the album reached the UK Top 10. Further releases included Welcome to Poppy's (2003), Livin' in the City (2005) and Classic Fantastic (2010). The latter was issued through the band's own Kilohertz label and reflected an increased emphasis on independent production and touring.
Morgan left Fun Lovin' Criminals in 2021. Leiser subsequently assumed lead vocal duties, while drummer Frank Benbini, who had joined the group in the early 2000s, remained part of the core lineup. Guitarist Naim Cortazzi completed the new trio. This version of the band released The Roosevelt Sessions in 2022 and The Capistrano Sessions in 2023, followed by the seventh studio album A Matter of Time. Fun Lovin' Criminals have continued to tour, presenting their later material alongside the enduring songs that made them one of the most recognizable New York crossover acts of the 1990s.