Once a fashion designer, Kieren Kirby AKA Lady Kier met Russian native Dmitry Brill AKA Super DJ Dmitry in Washington Square, New York City. They later met Towa Tei (Japan DJ) in a dance-club. They began composing music using samples, drum loops and sound effects. Inspired by funk icon Bootsy Collins. He accepted a collaboration with them after hearing a demo tape. Their first album, "World Clique" (1990), contained the massive club hit "Groove Is In The Heart". The colorful costumes and videos of Deee-Lite were very distinctive by bringing back the style of the 60's and 70's into actual music and fashion with a futuristic style.

Deee-Lite is one of the few "dance" acts to have played live at the famous Montreux Jazz Festival (1991).

Their second opus "Infinity Within" came out in 1992. Tracks like "I Had A Dream I was Falling Thru A Hole In The Ozone Layer", "Rubber Lover", "Fuddy Duddy Judge" or "Vote Baby Vote" contained strong political and environmental statements.

Towa Tei left the outfit around 1994, prior to the release of "Dewdrops In The Garden" (although he was still involved in some production and appeared in the album's videos). With the help of DJ Ani (also called "On-E"), Deee-Lite went further into explorations of musical fusions.

The group officially disbanded in 1996. All members went on to solo careers.