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Lana Del Rey

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Lana Del Rey
Background information
Birth nameElizabeth Woolridge Grant
Born (1986-06-21) June 21, 1986 (age 38)[1]
New York City, U.S.
OriginLake Placid, New York, U.S.
GenresIndie pop,[2] adult alternative,[2] chamber pop,[3] sadcore[4]
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, fashion model
Instrumentsnone
Years active2008–present
LabelsInterscope, Polydor, Stranger
Websitelanadelrey.com

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant[5] (born June 21, 1986), better known by her stage name Lana Del Rey, is an American singer-songwriter. She has been described as a "self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra",[6] and cites Britney Spears,[7][8][9] Elvis Presley and Kurt Cobain amongst her musical influences.[7][10] Del Rey possesses a contralto vocal range.[11][12]

Del Rey's major-label debut album, Born to Die, debuted at number one in seven countries, including the United Kingdom[13] and Australia, and at number two in six countries, including the United States.[14] The album has spawned two worldwide top 10 hits: "Video Games" and "Born to Die".

Biography

Early years

Grant was born in New York City and grew up in Lake Placid, New York.[15][16] When she was 15, she attended Kent School, a boarding school in Connecticut.[17][18] She is the daughter of domain investor Rob Grant, who supported her in her early career as a singer.[19][20][21][22] Del Rey attended Fordham University in New York City.[23] Lana said in a Vogue interview, "I wanted a name I could shape the music towards [...] I was going to Miami quite a lot at the time, speaking a lot of Spanish with my friends from Cuba - Lana Del Rey reminded us of the glamour of the seaside. It sounded gorgeous coming off the tip of the tongue."[24]

Del Rey first released a three-track EP titled Kill Kill in October 2008 under the name Lizzy Grant, featuring the tracks "Kill Kill", "Yayo" and "Gramma (Blue Ribbon Sparkler Trailer Heaven)".[25]

2010: Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant

Del Rey later released her first full-length studio album titled Lana Del Ray [sic] A.K.A. Lizzy Grant in January 2010.[26]. It was the singer's first professionally produced album, released under Lizzy Grant on an independent label with producer David Kahne.[27] Del Rey stated that "David asked to work with me only a day after he got my demo. He is known as a producer with a lot of integrity and who had an interest in making music that wasn't just pop."[28] Her father, Robert Grant, helped with the marketing of the album,[29] which was available for purchase on iTunes for a brief period before being withdrawn. According to David Kahne, who produced Grant, Grant bought the rights back from her label, 5 Points, as she wanted it out of circulation to "…stifle future opportunities to distribute it--an echo of rumors that the action was part of a calculated strategy."[30]


Track listing:
  1. "Kill Kill" (3:57)
  2. "Queen of the Gas Station" (3:04)
  3. "Oh Say Can You See" (3:40)
  4. "Gramma (Blue Ribbon Sparkler Trailer Heaven)" (3:55)
  5. "For K Part 2" (3:24)
  6. "Jump" (2:51)
  7. "Mermaid Motel" (3:59)
  8. "Raise Me Up (Mississippi South)" (4:22)
  9. "Pawn Shop Blues" (3:26)
  10. "Brite Lites" (2:58)
  11. "Put Me in a Movie" (3:13)
  12. "Smarty" (2:49)
  13. "Yayo" (5:45)

2011–present: Born to Die

Lana Del Rey performing at Paradiso, Amsterdam.

Later in June 2011, Del Rey was signed with Stranger Records,[31] to release her debut single "Video Games";[31] in October 2011, she signed a joint deal with Interscope Records and Polydor.[32][33] [34] While being interviewed by Rosie Swash of The Observer, Del Rey revealed, "I just put that song online a few months ago because it was my favorite. To be honest, it wasn't going to be the single but people have really responded to it. I get very sad when I play that song. I still cry sometimes when I sing it."[35] On October 24th 2011, it was announced that Del Rey had won the Q award for "Next Big Thing". Del Rey's song "Video Games" was featured for the first time on The CW's TV-Series Ringer on September 27 2011, during a pivotal scene, propelling Del Rey into the mainstream.[36] Del Rey also promoted the album in a number of live appearances, including for MTV Push,[37] and at the Bowery Ballroom, where, according to Eliot Glazer of New York, "the polarizing indie hipstress brought her 'gangsta Nancy Sinatra' swagu."[38] Rolling Stone commented that, despite Del Rey being nervous and anxious while performing her songs live, she "sang with considerable confidence", although they noted that "her transitions ...could be rather jarring."[39] Del Rey also performed "Video Games" on Dutch television program De Wereld Draait Door,[40] on British music television show Later... with Jools Holland,[41] and on an intimate show at Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, California.[42] Del Rey also gave several interviews for newspapers and online magazines such as The Quietus,[28] The Observer,[35] and Pitchfork Media,[43] while creating her own music videos for several tracks such as "Blue Jeans" and "Diet Mountain Dew".[44][45]

It was later reported that the singer would release her debut album under the labels in January 2012.[34] During an interview with French TV show Taratata, Del Rey revealed that the album would be named Born to Die.[46] Born to Die was released on January 27, 2012 in Ireland,[47] January 30, 2012, in the UK, and on January 31, 2012 worldwide.[48]

Del Rey performed two songs on Saturday Night Live on January 14, 2012 to a warm reception from the audience, but mixed reviews from critics and the general public. NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams called Del Rey's performance "one of the worst outings in SNL history". Del Rey's performance was defended by the evening's program guest host, actor Daniel Radcliffe, despite not having seen her perfomance.[49] He said in part: "It was unfortunate that people seemed to turn on her so quickly [...] I don't think [the performance] warranted anywhere near that reaction." Del Rey had earlier defended her spot on the program, saying: "I'm a good musician [...] I have been singing for a long time, and I think that [SNL creator] Lorne Michaels knows that [...] it's not a fluke decision."[50] On February 4, 2012, Kristen Wiig appeared on Weekend Update—a sketch on Saturday Night Live—parodying Del Rey, alongside Seth Meyers.

The second single and title track "Born to Die" was released on December 30, 2011.[51] The music video for it leaked on December 14, 2011,[52] and was based on a concept created by the singer, while being directed by Yoann Lemoine.[53] In January 2012, Del Rey revealed that she recently bought back the rights to her 2010 album Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant and will re-release it in the Summer of 2012 under Interscope Records and Polydor.[54] Contrary to Grant's press statement, her previous label (5 Point Records), and producer David Kahne have both stated that she bought the rights to the album when she and the label parted company, due to the offer of a new deal, in April 2010. [55] [56] On January 4, 2012, it was reported she had signed a deal with NEXT Model Management agency.[57]

Discography

Main article: Lana Del Rey discography
Studio albums
  • Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant (2010)
  • Born to Die (2012)
EPs

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result
2011 Q Awards Q's Next Big Thing Won
2012 BRIT Awards International Breakthrough Act Won
MTV Brand New for 2012 Nominated
NME Awards[58] Best New Band Nominated
Best Track ("Video Games") Nominated
Best Video ("Video Games") Nominated
mtvU Woodie Awards Breakthrough Act Pending

References

  1. ^ "Interview: Lana Del Rey Talks Backlash, Plastic Surgery, and New Album". Complex. 2011-10. Retrieved 2011-10-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b "Lana Del Rey". Allmusic. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  3. ^ "Lana Del Rey: Born To Die". "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans." "Dark Paradise" hammers home the dark chamber-pop atmospherics
  4. ^ http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-lana-del-rey-born-to-die-interscope-6296383.html
  5. ^ "College Yearbook". Yearbook. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  6. ^ Lester, Paul (May 13, 2011). "New band of the day – No 1,022: Lana Del Rey". The Guardian. London.
  7. ^ a b Michelson, Noah (August 8, 2011). "Look: Lana Del Rey's "Video Games"". Out. Joe Landry. Retrieved December 22, 2011.
  8. ^ Kaufman, Gil (2012-02-02). "Lana Del Rey 'Compelled' By Britney Spears". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2012-02-24.
  9. ^ Anitai, Tamar (2012-01-11). "Lana Del Rey Visits MTV, Talks Britney & Bruce, We All Collectively Fall In Love Even Harder (PHOTO)". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2012-02-24.
  10. ^ "Lana Del Rey: 'I was inspired by Nirvana's Kurt Cobain'". NME. December 9, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
  11. ^ Da Silva, Tom (18 February 2012). "Born to Try, but Sometimes Trying isn't Good Enough". TheMike. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  12. ^ Ethridge, Alexandria (31 January 2012). "Critics torn over Lana Del Ray's 'Born to Die'". Washington Square News. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  13. ^ http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1048405&c=1
  14. ^ http://www.billboard.com/#/news/lana-del-rey-debuts-at-no-2-on-billboard-1006124352.story
  15. ^ "Introducing… Lana Del Rey". The Prophet Blog. 2011-07-04. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  16. ^ Dombal, Ryan (2011-08-30). "Rising: Lana Del Rey | Features". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  17. ^ Cohen, Stefanie. "Who is Lana Del Rey and how did she become a sensation? Depends on who you ask". NY Post. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  18. ^ Swash, Rosie (Sunday 4 September 201). "One to watch: Lana Del Rey". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 October 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "Rob Grant.com". Rob Grant.com. Retrieved 2012-01-22.
  20. ^ "The Domain Giant You Didn't Know". april 2008. Retrieved 15 November 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |cover story= ignored (help)
  21. ^ "Hypnotic New Album from Domainer's Daughter Lana Del Rey (AKA Lizzy Grant) Now Available on iTunes". Dnjournal.com. 2011-09-10. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  22. ^ Dombal, Ryan. "Rising: Lana Del Rey". Pitchfork. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  23. ^ Ritchie, Kevin. "Lana del Rey - Charisma, sensuous sounds and a viral video make the New York singer songwriter 2011's hottest rising star". Now. Now Communications.
  24. ^ "Meet Lana Del Rey". Vogue Magazine. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  25. ^ "Kill Kill: Lizzy Grant: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2012-01-22.
  26. ^ "Jessica Collier,: Interview: Lizzy Grant aka. Lana Del Rey releases EP". adirondack daily enterprise.com. January 28, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  27. ^ "Lizzy Grant aka. Lana Del Rey releases album". Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  28. ^ a b "Original Sin: An Interview With Lana Del Rey". The Quietus. October 4, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  29. ^ "Jessica Collier,: Interview: Lizzy Grant aka. Lana Del Rey releases EP". adirondack daily enterprise.com. January 28, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  30. ^ "lana-del-rey-the-billboard-cover-story". January 13, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2012. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  31. ^ a b "Lana Del Rey signs to Stranger!". Stranger Records. June 30, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  32. ^ Savage, Mark. "Love, the law, and Lana Del Rey". BBC News.
  33. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. "Lana Del Rey: The Billboard Cover Story". Billboard.
  34. ^ a b Halperin, Shirley (December 5, 2011). "Lana Del Rey to Release Interscope Debut January 2012". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  35. ^ a b Swash, Rosie (September 4, 2011). "One to watch: Lana Del Rey". The Observer. London: Guardian News and Media. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  36. ^ "Lana Del Rey's 'Video Games' lands a prime spot on CW's 'Ringer' — Is she officially mainstream now?". Entertainment Weekly. 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  37. ^ "Video Games - MTV Push". VH1 Brasil. MTV Networks. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  38. ^ Glazer, Eliot (December 6, 2011). "Watch Lana Del Rey Perform 'Video Games' Live at Bowery Ballroom". New York. New York Media, LLC. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  39. ^ Perpetua, Matthew (December 6, 2011). "Lana Del Rey Tries to Live Up to Her Glamorous Image at New York Show". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  40. ^ Idolator Staff (November 12, 2011). "Lana Del Rey Sings "Video Games" On Amsterdam's 'DWDD'". Idolator. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  41. ^ Phillips, Amy (October 11, 2011). "Watch Lana Del Rey Perform "Video Games" on "Later With Jools Holland"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  42. ^ "Lana Del Rey explains significance of 'Video Games' location Chateau Marmont". NME. December 13, 2011. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  43. ^ Dombal, Ryan (August 30, 2011). "Rising: Lana Del Rey". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  44. ^ James, Nicole (September 12, 2011). "New Video: Lana Del Rey, 'Blue Jeans'". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  45. ^ Langshaw, Mark (December 22, 2011). "Lana Del Rey debuts 'Off to the Races' music video - watch now". Digital Spy. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  46. ^ Millar, Paul (November 27, 2011). "Lana Del Rey names debut album 'Born to Die'". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  47. ^ "Born to Die by Lana Del Rey". iTunes Store. January 27, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  48. ^ Phillips, Amy. "New Lana Del Rey: "Born to Die"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  49. ^ www.nme.com/news/lana-del-rey/61979
  50. ^ Posted 1/12/12 (2012-01-17). "Lana Del Rey's 'SNL' Performance Has Critics Howling - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2012-01-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link).
  51. ^ [1]
  52. ^ "Lana Del Rey's blood splattered 'Born To Die' video leaks online". NME. December 14, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  53. ^ Murray, Robin (December 15, 2011). "Lana Del Rey - Born to Die: Official Video Drops]". Clash Music. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  54. ^ "Lana Del Rey to release 'secret album'". BBC. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  55. ^ "Why Lana Del Rey's First Album Disappeared". MTV. Retrieved February 27, 20122. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  56. ^ "Why Lana Del Rey cover story". billboard. Retrieved February 27, 20122. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  57. ^ "Lana Del Rey signs deal with Next Model Management agency". NME. January 4, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  58. ^ "Arctic Monkeys, Noel Gallagher, The Vaccines, Lana Del Rey nominated for NME Awards 2012". nme.com. 30 January 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
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