Ezra Michael Koenig (/ˌkeɪnɪɡ/ KAY-nig; born April 8, 1984)[1][2][3] is an American musician, record producer, and radio personality.

Koenig's accolades include two Grammy Awards from five nominations; with Vampire Weekend, he won Best Alternative Music Album in 2013 and 2019.

[6][7][8][9] His parents lived on the Upper West Side of Manhattan before moving to Glen Ridge, New Jersey shortly after their son's birth.

[12] While attending Columbia University, he ran a blog called Internet Vibes about fashion, existentialism, personal identity, and modern culture.

[17] In 2004, Koenig formed the hip hop group L'Homme Run, which was notable for the comedic track "Pizza Party",[18] with Andrew Kalaidjian and fellow Vampire Weekend band member Chris Tomson, played saxophone for the indie rock band Dirty Projectors and worked as an intern for The Walkmen.

In the film, Ezra portrayed the protagonist, Walcott, a man hell-bent on escaping Cape Cod as he believed vampires were coming.

[citation needed] Rounding out the group was Chris Baio, Koenig's suite-mate in his sophomore year, with whom he shared a love of Destiny's Child.

The show, Time Crisis, features Koenig with co-host Jake Longstreth, an American painter, musician, and internet radio personality.

Each episode lasts two hours, during which Koenig and company discuss corporate snack food history, the tasteful palette of ’70s rock (with a focus on the Grateful Dead), portmanteaus, and respond to emails from listeners.

Following a hiatus from Vampire Weekend, Koenig wrote and produced an animated comedy-adventure series about a depressive, demon-slaying playboy voiced by Jaden Smith.

[31] Shannon Liao of The Verge criticised the show's story and voice-acting, writing that "the initial glamor of the backdrops and talent involved wears off fast.

"[32] The New York Times gave the show a more optimistic review, stating that "if a defensive reading of the line, “Yes, my girlfriend broke up with me to take a finance job in San Francisco,” makes you chuckle, “Neo Yokio” may be for you.

In the same year, he appeared on "Warm Heart of Africa" by the Very Best, "Pyromiltia" by Theophilus London, "I Could Be Wrong" by Chromeo and "Dynamo" by Abd al Malik.

His recording of the song "Papa Hobo", by Paul Simon, was included as part of the soundtrack for Max Winkler's film Ceremony.

In January and April 2016, Koenig vocally supported political candidate Bernie Sanders by performing at a number of his rallies.

In 2018, Koenig was credited as a songwriter and producer on the single "I Promise You" by James Corden, from the film Peter Rabbit, which also prominently featured Vampire Weekend's songs.

Also in 2022, Koenig was featured as a vocalist in Phoenix's song “Tonight,” which is the third single from the band's seventh album, Alpha Zulu.

By the time he got to high school, Koenig's taste had slightly changed: "I had some older friends who were really obsessed with hip-hop, De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest.

"[43] Koenig is also a self-professed fan of bands such as the Grateful Dead and Sublime, who he believes largely influenced his musical taste.