Big Data emerged from the Brooklyn electronic music scene in 2013 as a collaborative project that masterfully blended indie rock sensibilities with synth-pop and dance music. The brainchild of producer Alan Wilkis, the project was conceived as a commentary on modern data culture and internet privacy, crafting catchy, thought-provoking anthems for the digital age. Wilkis, who had previously released solo material, adopted the Big Data moniker to explore these thematic concerns through a more collaborative and sonically expansive lens.

The project's debut single, "Dangerous," released in 2013, became an immediate and defining hit. Featuring the distinctive vocals of Joywave frontman Daniel Armbruster, the track was a sleek, paranoid pop gem that critiqued corporate data mining over an irresistible, driving beat. Its success was amplified by a clever, viral-ready music video and its inclusion in a global advertising campaign for Mr. Robot, cementing Big Data's place in the indie electronic landscape. The single's popularity laid the groundwork for the group's debut album.

In 2015, Big Data released its first full-length album, 2.0, which expanded on the themes and sound established by "Dangerous." The record was notably collaborative, featuring a roster of guest vocalists that included Kimbra, Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, and Jamie Lidell. Tracks like "The Business of Emotion" with White Sea and "Clean" with Jackie further demonstrated Wilkis's knack for pairing sharp production with compelling vocal performances. The album solidified Big Data's reputation for creating intellectually engaging yet highly danceable electronic music.

Following the album cycle for 2.0, Big Data continued to release new music and remixes, though at a less prolific pace. The project maintained its collaborative spirit, working with artists like Bear Hands on the 2017 single "Can't Help Myself." While not as omnipresent in the mainstream as during the initial surge of "Dangerous," Big Data remains a respected project within the electronic and indie communities, its work serving as a prescient and catchy soundtrack to ongoing conversations about technology, privacy, and modern anxiety.