Redfoo

Stefan Kendal Gordy (born September 3, 1975), known professionally as Redfoo, is an American singer, rapper, record producer, disc jockey, and tennis player. He came to prominence as one half of the duo LMFAO, formed with his nephew Sky Blu in 2006; the duo are best known for their 2011 singles "Party Rock Anthem" and "Sexy and I Know It," both of which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100. They released two studio albums, Party Rock and Sorry for Party Rocking (2011), before disbanding in 2012. Redfoo released his first solo album in 2016: Party Rock Mansion.

Early life Stefan Kendal Gordy was born in Los Angeles on September 3, 1975, the son of songwriter and producer Nancy Leiviska and Motown founder Berry Gordy. His maternal grandfather was Finnish. His half-brother is recording artist Rockwell. He attended junior high school with will.i.am and GoonRock, and graduated from Palisades Charter High School in Pacific Palisades in 1993. A former day trader, he has been featured on the CNBC series Mad Money with Jim Cramer. He is the second cousin once removed of US president Jimmy Carter.

Musical career

1994–2005: Balance Beam In 1994, Redfoo scored his first major production credit for the song "Back in the Day" by Los Angeles rapper Ahmad and co-produced seven other tracks on Ahmad's self-titled debut album. In 1996, he signed with Bubonic Records, and he worked in collaboration with the rapper Dre' Kroon for an album together. The album, Balance Beam, was released on October 10, 1997. Redfoo and Kroon released two singles: "Life Is a Game Of Chess" and "The Freshest". In 1999, he collaborated on "Duet" with The Black Eyed Peas, from their album Behind the Front. He also produced Focused Daily for Defari. In 2004, Figgkidd released "I Gotta Know" as single which featured vocals from Redfoo and Tech N9ne. The song peaked at number 50 in Australia.

2006–2012: Breakthrough with LMFAO

He formed the electro-pop band LMFAO with his nephew Sky Blu in 2006. The duo started building a local buzz through their shows and radio play. Once they had recorded some demos, Redfoo's friend will.i.am introduced them to Interscope head Jimmy Iovine, who gave the green light for them to be signed to Interscope/will.i.am Music. Canada, the UK and over ten other countries, as well as being in the top ten in many others. The third single, "Sexy and I Know It", was released on October 3, 2011, and reached number one on the iTunes charts worldwide and number one on the Australian and Canadian Hot 100.

Also in 2011, LMFAO embarked on the world tour Sorry for Party Rocking Tour. On February 5, 2012, the group appeared with Madonna at the Super Bowl XLVI during the Bridgestone Halftime Show. Also in 2012, Redfoo was sued by a previous management company for $7 million, claiming breach of contract. On September 21, 2012, the duo released a statement announcing their hiatus. Redfoo said, "I feel like we've been doing this for so long, five or six years", and that he and Sky Blu would not be performing together anytime soon as they would be taking their careers in different directions.

2012–2015: Television and solo releases

In December 2012, Redfoo released his first solo single "Bring Out the Bottles" and appeared in the film Last Vegas. On April 21, 2013, Redfoo was confirmed as Guy Sebastian's replacement for the fifth season of the Australian version of The X Factor, a singing talent television show, joining Ronan Keating, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and fellow debuting judge Dannii Minogue, who replaced Mel B. Because of commitments to The X Factor, he relocated to Sydney, Australia in 2013. In September, Redfoo released a new hit single titled "Let's Get Ridiculous", which he premiered on The X Factor Australia, performing live during the third live show. The single debuted at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified four times platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association. On October 19, 2013, Redfoo released the pilot episode of his new comedy web series, Behind the Speedo. A second episode was released on March 25, 2014. In 2014, Redfoo returned for the sixth season of The X Factor Australia. In June 2014, he released a new single titled "Where The Baes At" with Eric D-lux and Rio. In August 2014, Redfoo released a new single titled "New Thang" and peaked at number three in Australia.

The promotional single "Like Ya Just Don't Care" was released on September 2, 2014. The single is part of his solo debut album, Party Rock Mansion, but under the title "Keep Shining", the first track on the album. In October 2014, Redfoo was featured on Play-N-Skillz song and video "Literally I Can't" along with Lil Jon and Enertia McFly. The song attracted widespread criticism for being misogynistic. On February 24, 2015, Redfoo was announced as one of the celebrities who will compete on the 20th season of Dancing with the Stars. He was partnered with professional dancer Emma Slater. He had been a guest judge on the 18th season of the show, and is the first guest judge ever to return as a contestant. He and Slater were the first couple eliminated from the competition on March 23, 2015. On May 1, 2015, Redfoo announced that he would not be returning for the seventh season of The X Factor Australia, and got replaced by Sebastian.

2016-2017: Party Rock Mansion Redfoo announced his album, Party Rock Mansion, near the end of December 2015. He released a promotional single, "Lights Out", on January 15, 2016. The album was released on March 18, 2016, receiving mixed reviews from music critics, as well as being a commercial failure, with only 144 copies sold throughout Australia in its first week of release.

He has since released the singles "Brand New Day" and "Sock It to Ya" in 2017, and "Everything I Need" in 2018.

2018–present: Semi-retirement and TikTok Revival

In 2020, his previously released single "New Thang" went viral on TikTok, being used in many videos and gaining newfound traction.

In 2023, after being retired for six years, Redfoo came back with his new track "Long Live Party Rock", a collaboration with Dainjazone, which was released on his official YouTube channel on April 20.

Tennis career Redfoo attempted to qualify for the 2013 US Open as a wild card entry; he entered the USTA Northern California Sectional qualifying tournament in June and was knocked out 6–1, 6–2 in his first match. He also played during the International Tennis Federation's 2021 beach tennis world tour. Following two prior appearances in Futures qualifying, he made his professional tennis debut during the ITF Men's World Tennis Tour in February 2025 at age 49.

Personal life Redfoo dated Belarusian tennis player Victoria Azarenka from 2012 to 2014. He attended the 2012 US Open, 2013 Australian Open, 2013 Wimbledon Championships, and 2014 Australian Open as a member of her player box. He began a relationship with chef and tour manager Jasmine Alkouri in 2018. They have a daughter together, who was born in 2023.

Redfoo sponsored the Red Rock Pro Open, an ITF Women's Circuit tournament taking place in Las Vegas from 2012 to 2013, through his Party Rock clothing line.

Redfoo started coding in 2017 and hosted a three-day hackathon at his home in 2022.

Discography

Studio albums Balance Beam (1997) Party Rock Mansion (2016)

Filmography + Films Year Title Role 2006 Very Heavy Love Chris Williams Potheads: The Movie Loco 2013 Last Vegas Himself 2015 Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip

+ Television Year Title Role Notes 2013–14 The X Factor Australia Himself / Judge / Mentor Season 5–6 2014 The X Factor "Live Show 5" (Season 11, Episode 23) Dancing with the Stars Himself / Judge / Performer Season 18, Episode 6 2015 Dancing with the Stars Himself / Contestant Season 20

+ Web Year Title Role Notes 2015–present Say It in Song Presenter 2016 Good Mythical Morning Participant Episode #879