In early 2012, the trio toured their live show entitled 'Second Reality Tour' across Australia, the United Kingdom and North America. The trio toured their live show after the release of their album during Autumn 2011 in both the United Kingdom and United States. Nero composed an orchestral piece known as The Dubstep Symphony (later officially titled 'Symphony 2808'), performed by the duo in collaboration with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Joe Duddell on BBC Radio 1 on 6 June 2011. Their debut album entitled "Welcome Reality" was released on 15 August 2011 and debuted at number one in the UK Albums Chart.
On the week ending dated 14 July 2012 "Promises" debuted at number eighty one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, which marked their first single to chart in the United States. The trio's third single, "Guilt" made its premiere on 22 February when Zane Lowe selected it as the Hottest Record in the World.
The single was released in the United Kingdom as both a digital download and a 12" vinyl on 2 January 2011, where it debuted at number fifteen on the UK Singles Chart, also managing to reach the number one spot on the independent releases chart. The nomination was followed by the addition of their second single on MTA "Me & You" to BBC Radio 1's A List playlist on 8 December 2010. On 6 December 2010, Nero was nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll. The track peaked at number one hundred and sixty seven on the UK Singles Chart besides peaking at numbers sixteen and eleven on the Dance and Independent charts respectively. The single was released as a double A-side with the track "Electron" as a digital download, as well as on vinyl. The trio released their first single on MTA, "Innocence", in the United Kingdom on 26 April 2010.
The track had radio airplay in the UK as well as being played by DJs including Chase & Status, Skream, Tiësto and Diplo.
Sasha Frere-Jones, journalist for the New Yorker Magazine, listed Nero's remix of The Streets, "Blinded by the Lights" in his top songs of 2009. Nero released the EP, 'Requiem', May 10, 2006, predominantly hard drum and bass, which quickly saw their acknowledgement rise within the dance music scene. Watson started featuring on Nero's songs from 2008, namely "Solid Air" (Punchy Recordings) and "This Way" (Audio Freaks) which was their debut dubstep release, and is now a full-time member of the band. Nero's debut release was "Space 2001" as part of the "Straight Outta Leicester" three piece vinyl LP on Reformed Recordings in 2004. Ray’s epiphany (according to Q), happened in the London club Fabric where the duo's ideas about producing were cemented. The latter had already been a fan of jungle music after seeing M-Beat featuring General Levy on Top of the Pops in 1994. They began working together at 17, setting up a studio in Stephens' bedroom. Outside school both were making electronic music on home computers. By the time a mutual friend introduced them at the age of 17, Stephens was attending the specialist music school at Pimlico. Ray played classical guitar and Stephens played cello with encouragement from his free-jazz musician father.
Ray grew up in Northwood, London whilst Stephens grew up in Notting Hill. On 10 February 2013, Nero won a Grammy for their collaborative remix of "Promises" with Skrillex. In August 2012, "Promises" achieved gold status in the United States. In August 2011, they released their debut studio album Welcome Reality which reached number one in the UK Albums Chart. Nero, stylized as NERO, is an English electronic music trio composed of members Daniel Stephens, Joe Ray and Alana Watson. Top 100 Greatest Hip-hop/Rap Singles Of All Time.