Anomie describes a lack of social norms; "normlessness". It describes the breakdown of social bonds between an individual and their community ties, with fragmentation of social identity and rejection of self-regulatory values. It was popularized by French sociologist Émile Durkheim in his influential book Suicide (1897). Durkheim borrowed the word from French philosopher Jean-Marie Guyau. Durkheim never uses the term normlessness; rather, he describes anomie as "a rule that is a lack of rule," "derangement," and "an insatiable will."

For Durkheim, anomie arises more generally from a mismatch between personal or group standards and wider social standards, or from the lack of a social ethic, which produces moral deregulation and an absence of legitimate aspirations. This is a nurtured condition:

In 1893, Durkheim introduced the concept of anomie to describe the mismatch of collective guild labor to evolving societal needs when the guild was homogeneous in its constituency. He equated homogeneous (redundant) skills to mechanical solidarity whose inertia retarded adaptation. He contrasted this with the self-regulating behavior of a division of labor based on differences in constituency, equated to organic solidarity, whose lack of inertia made it differentially sensitive to need changes.

Anomie Belle ( /ænəˈmiː ˈbɛl/; born Toby Campbell 7 August 1980) is an American musician. Originally a classical violinist and songwriter from Portland, Anomie began performing and recording her own music as a child. She has since worked as a musician and producer in Madrid, Glasgow, Amsterdam, New York, Buenos Aires, and London before moving to Seattle in 2006. Anomie Belle is also active as a film composer.

Anomie Belle is noted for provocative vocals/lyrics set to complex, often down-tempo, beats and layers of herself on strings, electric guitars, and synths. Haunting melodies and experimental soundscapes transport listeners through the crowded nature of their modern minds and urban spaces. Her material grapples with issues ranging from suburban alienation, human spirituality, sexuality and critiques of consumerism, corporate power and inequality. Anomie Belle is also openly queer, and throughout her work she blurs typical representations of sexuality.

Anomie Belle released her debut album Sleeping Patterns in November 2008. In support of her debut release, Anomie Belle embarked on a West Coast tour with Little Dragon and Manuok in 2008. Sleeping Patterns garnered further commercial success after the song How Can I Be Sure appeared in the Xbox 360 game Alan Wake.

Mr. Lif (born Jeffrey Haynes) is an American hip hop artist from Boston, Massachusetts. Often noted for his political lyrics, he has released two studio albums on Definitive Jux and one on Bloodbot Tactical Enterprises. Mr. Lif is also a member of the hip hop group The Perceptionists with long-time friends and collaborators Akrobatik and DJ Fakts One.

Mr. Lif grew up in the neighborhood of Brighton in Boston, Massachusetts. After attending the Dedham, MA private school Noble and Greenough School, he went on to attend Colgate University for two years, and he eventually dropped out. He became a performer in 1994. Mr. Lif's family ancestry is Bajan.

Influenced by legendary MCs like Chuck D, KRS One, Rakim & Guru, Mr. Lif began releasing singles in the late '90s, when party rap and gangsta rap were the dominant styles for hip hop music, but Mr. Lif's lyrical agenda was a political and socially conscious one. Mr. Lif released his first single, Elektro, in 1998, attracting the attention of labels Grand Royal and Definitive Jux. Working closely with producer and Definitive Jux label head El-P, Lif released a series of critically acclaimed singles and EPs, starting with Enters the Colossus in 2000. In 2000 and 2001, he won the Kahlua Boston Music Awards for Outstanding Rap/Hip Hop Act. Touring kept him busy for the next year, but he still found time to release the Cro-Magnon single and a live CD. His track "Pull Out Your Cut" was featured in the soundtrack to the ESPN Video Game ESPN NFL 2K5.