Daniel Caesar

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Daniel Caesar
Caesar performing in 2018
Caesar performing in 2018
Background information
Birth nameAshton Dumar Norwill Simmonds
Born (1995-04-05) April 5, 1995 (age 28)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada[1]
OriginOshawa, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2014–present
Labels
Websitedanielcaesar.com

Ashton Dumar Norwill Simmonds[1][3] (born April 5, 1995), known professionally as Daniel Caesar, is a Canadian singer and songwriter. After independently building a following through the release of two critically acclaimed EPs, Praise Break (2014) and Pilgrim's Paradise (2015), Caesar released his debut studio album, Freudian, in August 2017, which garnered widespread critical acclaim.[4] He released his second studio album, Case Study 01, in June 2019. In March 2021, Caesar was featured alongside Giveon on Justin Bieber's single "Peaches", which serves as his first number-one song on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Life and career

Ashton Dumar Norwill Simmonds was born on April 5, 1995, in the Scarborough district of Toronto, Ontario, and raised in Oshawa. He is the second eldest of four children to his mother Hollace and father Norwill Simmonds, a pastor and gospel singer who released his first album as a high school student in Jamaica. Caesar attended the Seventh-day Adventist Church and private school in Oshawa.[5][6] He is of Bajan and Jamaican descent.[7]

Caesar grew up in church, singing before his father's congregation in Oshawa.[8] He was raised listening to soul and gospel delivered through musicality and religion, even though his parents were cautious of temptations that came with music.[8] Caesar longed for the city, which was an hour’s drive from his home.[8]

At the age of 17, Caesar was kicked out of the house after a fight with his father on the weekend of his high school graduation; he was briefly homeless during this time.[9] He felt no choice but to pursue his calling as a musician.[8] After leaving his home, he began doing gigs. He connected with producers and future collaborators Jordan Evans and Matthew Burnett and began writing and recording what would by his debut EP Praise Break in 2014;[9] it was No. 19 on the "20 Best R&B Albums of 2014" by Rolling Stone and the top projects of 2014 by Noisey Canada.[10][11]

Caesar's career gained notability in 2015, with the release of his second EP, Pilgrim's Paradise.[8] The album received positive critical acclaim and, while not immediately a commercial success, tracks like the cover "Streetlights" became sleeper hits.[12][13]

On August 25, 2017, Caesar released his debut album Freudian, which includes the singles "Get You", "We Find Love", and "Blessed". The album was a shortlisted finalist for the 2018 Polaris Music Prize.[14] At the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, Caesar received two nominations for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance for "Get You".[15] At the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, Caesar won Best R&B Performance for his single "Best Part".[16] On March 19, 2021, Caesar was also featured alongside American singer-songwriter Giveon on fellow Canadian singer Justin Bieber's single "Peaches", from the latter's sixth studio album, Justice, which became his first chart-topping single on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Artistry

Caesar's music is influenced by soul and gospel. His music draws from his childhood experiences and integrates them with R&B and electronics, while his lyrics explore subjects of religion, philosophy and unrequited love. In his music, he often references concepts of philosophy. His singing voice reshapes itself on each track, often veering into a hushed, introspective lilting style.[8] According to Caesar, "In my religious surroundings growing up, the point is to be still, to direct as little attention to yourself as possible and instead, direct all attention to what you’re saying. Now, it’s kind of the opposite."[8] Caesar cites Frank Ocean, Kanye West, Beyoncé, and The Doors frontman Jim Morrison as musical and stylistic inspirations.[8]

Caesar works in close collaboration with producers Matthew Burnett and Jordan Evans, with whom he co-founded his independent label, Golden Child Recordings, and has co-produced almost all of his music with since 2015.[17] Caesar is also part of an informal collaborative of Toronto-based musicians and songwriters that includes River Tiber, BadBadNotGood, and Charlotte Day Wilson, among others.

Controversy

In April 2018, Caesar retweeted and then deleted tweets from conservative Candace Owens. He noted that he did not want to "martyr" for the tweets and that people should hear opposing arguments.[18] He later backtracked his comments.[19]

Also in April 2018, Caesar did not credit Jeremy Passion's "Lemonade" for lyrics to his song "Best Part" (with H.E.R.). [20]

In March 2019, Caesar defended his friend Julieanna Goddard via an Instagram live stream.[21][22] Goddard had been criticized for her insensitive comments on race, particularly those regarding black women.[23][24][25] Caesar came to her defense, asking why some black people were "being so mean," and called call out culture overly sensitive.[26][27][28] His comments were received negatively by some on social media.[29] Caesar later apologized for the way he gave his opinions, saying: "I was talking down to you guys. I apologize for how I expressed my idea, [t]here was no one there to challenge my ideas. That’s also dangerous. That’s why it’s tyrannical... that is where I went wrong. I believe in what I said. A real man can admit when he’s wrong. I can admit when I’m wrong."[30]

Discography

Main article: Daniel Caesar discography

Awards and nominations

BET Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Himself International Viewers' Choice Award Nominated [31]
2018 Best Male R&B/Pop Artist Nominated [32]
Best New Artist Nominated

Grammy Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Freudian Best R&B Album Nominated [33]
"Get You" (with Kali Uchis) Best R&B Performance Nominated
2019 "Best Part" (with H.E.R) Won [34][35]
2020 "Love Again" (with Brandy) Nominated [36]
2022 Justice (as featured artist and songwriter) Album of the Year Nominated
"Peaches" (with Justin Bieber and Giveon) Record of the Year Nominated
Song of the Year Nominated
Best R&B Performance Nominated
Best Music Video Nominated

iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Himself Best New Canadian Artist Nominated [37]

iHeartRadio Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 Himself R&B Artist of the Year Nominated [38]
2022 "Peaches" Song of the Year Nominated [39]
Best Collaboration Nominated
Best Music Video Nominated

Juno Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Pilgrim's Paradise R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Nominated [40]
2018 Himself Artist of the Year Nominated [41]
Freudian R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Won
2020 "Case Study 01" Nominated [42]
2022 "Peaches" Single of the Year Pending [43]

MTV Video Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 "Peaches" Best Pop Won [44]
Best Collaboration Nominated
Best Editing Nominated
Song of Summer Nominated

Polaris Music Prize

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 Pilgrim's Paradise Polaris Music Prize Longlisted [45]
2018 Freudian Shortlisted [46]
2020 Case Study 01 Longlisted [47]

SOCAN Songwriting Prize

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 "Paradise" (featuring BADBADNOTGOOD) SOCAN Songwriting Prize Nominated [48]
2017 "Won't Live Here" SOCAN Songwriting Prize Nominated

Soul Train Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Himself Best New Artist Won [49]
Best R&B/Soul Male Artist Nominated
"Broken Clocks"(as songwriter) The Ashford And Simpson Songwriter's Award Nominated
"Best Part"(featuring H.E.R.) Nominated
Best Collaboration Performance Won
2019 Himself Soul Train Certified Award Nominated [50]
Best R&B/Soul Male Artist Nominated

Other awards

Year Ceremony Nominee / work Award Result
2021 American Music Awards "Peaches" Collaboration of the Year Nominated
MTV Europe Music Awards Best Song Nominated
Best Video Nominated
MTV Millennial Awards Global Hit Nominated
MTV Millennial Awards Brazil Global Hit Nominated
MTV Video Play Awards Winning Videos Won
NRJ Music Awards International Song of the Year Nominated
People's Choice Awards The Song of 2021 Nominated
The Music Video of 2021 Nominated
The Collaboration Song of 2021 Nominated
2022 ASCAP Awards Winning Songwriters & Publishers Won
Billboard Music Awards Top Collaboration Nominated
Top R&B Song Nominated
Spotify Spotify Plaques Won

Concert tours

Headlining

References

  1. ^ a b Bin Shikhan, Amani (August 30, 2017). "Daniel Caesar's Holy Devotion to Love on 'Freudian'". noisey.vice.com. Vice Media. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  2. ^ "Canadian Artist Daniel Caesar Signs Deal with Republic Records, Talks New Album". Billboard.
  3. ^ Mistry, Anupa. "Stripped-Down Soul Music Sounds Like Home". thefader.com. The Fader, Inc. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  4. ^ "Stream Daniel Caesar's Impressive Debut Album 'Freudian'". Complex. August 26, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  5. ^ "Daniel Caesar's Mother, Hollace Simmonds, On Love (Interview)". January 16, 2018.
  6. ^ "Ten things you need to know about Daniel Caesar, the Toronto R&B singer who got a shout-out from Barack Obama". January 4, 2018.
  7. ^ "Toronto's Caesar has eye on the throne". Toronto Star. May 2, 2016.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Green, Alex (October 6, 2017). "Get to know Daniel Caesar, the Artist Baring His Soul on Gospel-tinged R'n'B". Mixmag.
  9. ^ a b Pastuk, Slava (October 2, 2014). "Daniel Caesar's Reign of Freedom". www.vice.com. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  10. ^ "20 Best R&B Albums of 2014". Rolling Stone Magazine. December 15, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  11. ^ "Noisey Canada's Top 10 Projects of 2014". www.vice.com. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  12. ^ "Daniel Caesar's Stripped-Down Soul Music Sounds Like Home". The FADER. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  13. ^ Pastuk, Slava (November 12, 2015). "Daniel Caesar's "Streetcar" is a Polished Take on a Kanye West's "Streetlights"". www.vice.com. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  14. ^ "Polaris Music Prize Reveals 2018 Short List". Exclaim!, July 17, 2018.
  15. ^ "60th GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominees List". The Recording Academy. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  16. ^ "61st Annual Grammy Awards". The Recording Academy. February 11, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  17. ^ Ritchie, Kevin (August 16, 2017). "Independent soul: Daniel Caesar is staying DIY... with a little help from his friends". NOW Magazine. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  18. ^ Farrell, Paul (March 20, 2019). "Daniel Caesar: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  19. ^ "Daniel Caesar "I'm Sorry I Offended So Many People '". Majic 102.1. April 27, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  20. ^ Staff·, Editorial (April 4, 2018). "Filipino-American Artist Jeremy Passion Calls Out Daniel Caesar's Song For Suspicious Similarities". NextShark. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  21. ^ nointroduction1 (March 19, 2019), Daniel Caesar Defends Culture Vulture YesJulz & Says Black People Need to Stop Being Victims, retrieved April 17, 2019
  22. ^ "Daniel Caesar under fire for 'drunk' video: 'Why are we being so mean to white people?' | Globalnews.ca". globalnews.ca. March 20, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  23. ^ "Dear YesJulz: Keep Black Women's Names Out Of Your Mouth". BET.com. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  24. ^ Kwateng-Clark, Danielle; Ibrahim, Shamira (October 22, 2018). "YesJulz, Voluntourism, and the White Savior Complex". Broadly. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  25. ^ "YesJulz Dropped From Two Toronto Events After Controversial Tweet". The FADER. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  26. ^ Stidhum, Tonja Renée (March 20, 2019). "Who Would've Thought She'd Get You? Daniel Caesar Drunkenly Asks Why Folks Are Being 'So Mean' To YesJulz". The Grapevine. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  27. ^ "Daniel Caesar Defends Yes Julz And Gets Slammed By Twitter". Vibe. March 20, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  28. ^ "Daniel Caesar Calls Black People 'Too Sensitive' In Controversial Rant". iheart.com. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  29. ^ "YesJulz Tried To Say Sorry For Her Trash Racist Bars, Twitter Slandered Her All Over Again". The Latest Hip-Hop News, Music and Media | Hip-Hop Wired. February 1, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  30. ^ "Daniel Caesar apologizes for controversial comments about race | Globalnews.ca". globalnews.ca. March 25, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  31. ^ Marcus, Emily (June 26, 2017). "BET Awards 2017: Complete List of Nominees and Winners". Us Weekly. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  32. ^ Amatulli, Jenna (May 16, 2018). "The 2018 BET Awards Nominations Are Here And DJ Khaled Must Be Screaming". HuffPost. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  33. ^ "Daniel Caesar". www.grammy.com. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  34. ^ "Toronto's Daniel Caesar Wins 1st Grammy For 'Best Part' With H.E.R." HuffPost. February 10, 2019.
  35. ^ "Toronto-raised R&B singer Daniel Caesar wins first Grammy Award". CTV News Toronto. February 10, 2019.
  36. ^ "Daniel Caesar". www.grammy.com. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  37. ^ "iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards 2017 Winners: The Complete List". E! Online. June 19, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  38. ^ "iHeartRadio Music Awards: Full List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. March 14, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  39. ^ "2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards: The Complete Winners List | Entertainment Tonight". www.etonline.com. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  40. ^ "Submissions". Juno Awards/CARAS. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  41. ^ "Junos 2018: the complete list of winners". CBC News, · March 25, 2018
  42. ^ Wallis, Adam (January 14, 2020). "Jann Arden to be inducted into Canadian Music Hall of Fame". Global News. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  43. ^ Jackson Weaver, "Charlotte Cardin, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber lead 2022 Juno Award nominees". CBC News, March 1, 2022.
  44. ^ Martoccio, Angie (August 11, 2021). "2021 MTV VMAs: Justin Bieber, Megan Thee Stallion, Olivia Rodrigo Lead Nominations". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  45. ^ "2016 Nominees". Polaris Music Prize. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  46. ^ "2018 Nominees". Polaris Music Prize. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  47. ^ "2020 Nominees". Polaris Music Prize. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  48. ^ "Past Winners". SOCAN Songwriting Prize. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  49. ^ "Soul Train Awards 2018: Here's the complete winners list". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. November 26, 2018.
  50. ^ "Soul Train Awards 2018: Here's the complete winners list". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. November 26, 2018.
  51. ^ Hughes, Josiah (August 25, 2017). "Daniel Caesar Brings 'Freudian' on North American Tour". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  52. ^ Chan, Louisa (January 9, 2018). "Daniel Caesar announces world tour — Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines confirmed". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved January 9, 2018.

External links

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