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Kat DeLuna

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Kat DeLuna
Background information
Birth nameKathleen Emperatriz DeLuna
Born (1987-11-26) November 26, 1987 (age 36)
The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
GenresR&B, hip hop, pop, latin, dance
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, recording artist, dancer
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, guitar
Years active2006–present
LabelsEpic (2006–2008)
Republic (2009–present)
eOne (2011–present)
Websitekatdelunamusic.com

Kathleen "Kat" Emperatriz DeLuna (born November 26, 1987)[1][2] is a Dominican and American R&B singer-songwriter, recording artist and dancer. Born in The Bronx to Dominican parents, DeLuna began pursuing a career as a singer when she was a teenager. After signing with Epic Records, she released her debut single "Whine Up" in 2007. The single went on to become a commercial success, entering the Top 40 in numerous countries and topping the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. Her debut studio album, 9 Lives (2007), failed to see the success of its lead single. The album's third single, "Run the Show", became a hit in various territories, and reached number two on the Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Following the commercial performance of her first album, DeLuna was dropped from Epic Records. DeLuna continued to record both collaborations and soundtrack singles. DeLuna later began working on her second studio album, Inside Out (2010), which received a limited release through Universal Music Belgium. The album spawned a number of singles, notably "Unstoppable", "Push Push", and "Dancing Tonight" featuring Lil Wayne, Akon, and Fo Onassis respectively. Viva, the North American edition of the album, was slated to be released later that year; however, this never materialized. DeLuna is currently working on her third studio album, slated to be released in 2014.[3]

In 2007, DeLuna won "Best New Artist" at the Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica 2007 awards. In 2008, she won "Best New Artist" and "Best Urban Artist" at the TMF Awards. DeLuna's single, "Whine Up", won the award for "Latin Dance Club Play Track Of The Year" at the 2008 Latin Billboard Music Awards. She also won a Casandra Award in 2008 for "Best International Artist".

Early life

DeLuna was born in The Bronx to Dominican parents. At a young age, DeLuna and her family moved to the Dominican Republic. When she was 12, DeLuna performed onstage and was heard by Milly Quezada who commended her vocals. Friends and family recognized her talent at an early age, but it was not until she moved back to the United States at age 14, to Newark, New Jersey, that DeLuna realized her potential as a singer. She attended Benjamin Franklin Elementary in Newark, and was taught by Nicholas Straus. DeLuna then attended the Newark Arts High School, which was the only school she applied to.[4] While there, DeLuna and her friends formed an R&B group called Coquette. DeLuna had a tough upbringing and was raised in poverty. She spent her time listening to Aretha Franklin and Billie Holiday records, which she imitated daily on her karaoke machine.

At age 15, DeLuna entered a Coca-Cola sponsored karaoke competition. Her version of "I Will Always Love You" took first place. It was through this competition that she met Cuban salsa singer Rey Ruiz. Ruiz gave DeLuna this advice: "Nobody knows you better than you do, and nobody can help you if you can't help yourself." DeLuna began writing her own music and has continued to do so.[5] In 2004, while DeLuna was 17, Coquette opened for a Cassidy concert in New Jersey. In 2006, DeLuna chose to pursue a solo career and was signed by Epic Records.

Music career

2007–08: Early success with 9 Lives

After being signed to Epic Records, DeLuna began working with producers such as RedOne and Jane't Sewell-Ulepic, among others. The two worked together to produce the majority of the songs on DeLuna's debut album. On May 15, 2007, DeLuna released her debut single, "Whine Up".[6] The title comes from the Caribbean English pronunciation of Wind up, meaning to move one's hips on the dance floor. The single received mixed reviews from critics. A reviewer from TodaysMusic gave the song a mixed review: "The song itself is great musically. It has all the ingredients of a hot dance song. I love the driving Latin sound of the chorus. But Kat, you’re 19 as of this writing. You’re writing about very sensual things. Is this what you want to tell the young girls from your neighborhood? Is this what you give your parents after all their encouragement and support as you studied music diligently all your life? Reminds me of Rihanna- wanting to be a good example to young girls, but really not being one at all."[7] AssociatedContent had a more positive review of the song, stating "On the song Kat goes back forth between singing in English and Spanish. The song is catchy and fills a void currently in the marketplace. Elephant Man adds his traditional high energy approach and the song is a surefire hit." Billboard also spoke highly of the song, claiming "Talk about a summertime sure thing. Nineteen-year-old Dominican Kat Deluna is prepped to combust with a platinum-plated debut so certain you can practically smell the smoke emanating from its juicy one-spin hook and manic tempo. Accompanied by reggaeton queen Ivy Queen and dancehall staple Elephant Man, aka the Energy God, the bilingual crossover beauty – who grew up in poverty in the Dominican Republic and the Bronx before studying music at the New Jersey School of Performing Arts – combines Caribbean cadence with a novel mesh of hip-hip, R&B and merengue. Deluna's launch single offers ultimate seasonal sizzle – over the airwaves, on the beach, down the highway and across dance floors. A "Whine" to be heard loud and proud the world over."[8] The single experienced commercial success. In the US, the single debuted at number 24 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart. In the following weeks, the song would continue climbing the charts until it reached a peak of number 29, becoming her only US Top 40 hit. The single also topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, which monitors plays songs in night clubs.[9] The single peaked at number 43 on the Hot Latin Songs chart. On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, the single peaked at number 12. It reached the Top 20 of the Pop 100, peaking at number 14.[10] The single charted well internationally; it reached the Top 20 of the Canadian Hot 100, peaking at number 15, as well as reaching a peak of number 7 in Belgium and France.[11] The single peaked at number 18 on the Australian ARIA Charts, and at number 13 on the Romanian Singles Chart.[12]

DeLuna's debut album, 9 Lives, was released on August 7, 2007. The album peaked at number fifty-eight on the Billboard 200, selling 11,000 copies in its first week.[13][14] The album has since sold near 200,000 copies in the United States. The album was also well received commercially in the international market. In Belgium, the album debuted inside the Top 20, peaking at number 16. The album reached the Top 20 in Finland, where it peaked at number 15 on the official album chart. In France, the album debuted at number 24. On the Ö3 Austria Top 40 chart, the album peaked at number 64.[15] The album was successful in Poland, where it peaked at number 12 on the official albums chart.[16] DeLuna chose to release "Am I Dreaming" as the second single. It began receiving airplay on Latin radio stations, leading to its peak of 26 on the U.S. Billboard Latin Tropical Airplay chart.[17] Despite its early success in the Latin music industry, further plans for the single were immediately scrapped for unknown reasons, and a new single has yet to be chosen.

DeLuna performing in 2007

At the Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica 2007 awards show, DeLuna won the Best New Artist award.[18] In late 2007, DeLuna collaborated with Omarion on the single "Cut Off Time", which was the lead single from the Feel the Noise soundtrack. The song peaked at number 23 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles and at number 123 on the Hot 100. In December 2007 DeLuna announced that "Run the Show" would be the second single. It was released on January 15, 2008, for radio airplay. The US version of the song features rapper Busta Rhymes, while the international release of the single features Don Omar. The version on the album is different again, with guest vocals from Shaka Dee.[19] The single has become one of DeLuna's biggest hits to date. "Run the Show" reached the Top 10 in several countries, including Finland, where it peaked at number 2; Belgium, where it reached number 5; and Romania, where it peaked at number 8.[20][21][22][23] In the US, the failed to chart on the Hot 100. It did, however, peak at number 17 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart. Despite its failure on the Hot 100, the single managed to rise to number 2 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, only one spot lower than "Whine Up".[24] After the release of "Run the Show", the album was re-released on Akon's record label. Due to the poor performance of the single in the US, plans for the album's re-release in America were scrapped.

At the 2008 TMF Awards in Belgium, DeLuna won awards for Best New Artist and Best Urban Artist. At the Latin Billboard Music Awards 2008, DeLuna won the "Latin Dance Club Play Track Of The Year" Award for her single "Whine Up".[25] Shortly after the award shows, it was announced that "In the End" would be released as the third international single. The single was her first to receive no release whatsoever in the US. Due to a lack of promotion, the single failed to make an impact on music charts. In Belgium, it peaked at number 31 on the official singles chart.[21][22] In October 2008, "Breathing Your Love", a collaboration with Swedish singer Darin Zanyar, was released and went on to reach number 2 in Sweden and number 13 in Finland. DeLuna was dropped from Epic Records in 2008, and signed a record deal with Universal Motown. She began work on her second album, and premiered a new song, "Calling You", on her MySpace page and her official website in 2008.

In September 2008 DeLuna's performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at a Dallas Cowboys Monday Night Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles was roundly booed.[26] The crowd felt that DeLuna's vocals were "scathing" and overwrought. The event garnered much media attention,[27] and landed the number one-spot on Billboard Magazine's "10 Worst National Anthem Performances Ever" in 2010.[28]

2009–2011: Move to Universal Music and Inside Out

In January 2009, DeLuna released "Unstoppable", featuring Lil Wayne, as a single from the Confessions of a Shopaholic soundtrack. The song was originally due to be the lead single from her second album but its release was cancelled. The music video for "Unstoppable" premiered on Kat DeLuna's MySpace profile on January 23, 2009. The song was released for radio airplay on February 24, 2009.[29] In Canada, "Unstoppable" peaked at number 80 on the Canadian Hot 100.

In April 2009, DeLuna announced the album's title, Inside Out. In May 2009 DeLuna released "Dance Bailalo" as a digital-only promotional single. The song had a generally positive reception. Letssingit said of the song, "[Bailalo] demonstrates DeLuna's innovative new sound by blending tropical samba rhythms with new school dance melodies. This infectious combination paired with her seductive lyrics lure listeners to let loose and hit the dance floor hard." Internet blogger Perez Hilton commented on the song as well, saying "('Dance Bailalo' is) one of the most scorching dance singles we've heard all year!" Hilton called the song the next "Summer Jam".[30] The single failed to chart on the Hot 100, but reached number 2 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. It entered the top 20 on Latin charts, where it peaked at number 12.[31]

In June 2009, DeLuna performed alongside Shontelle at New York City's Fashion Industries High School prom as the star of My Prom Style's official website feature, the "Ultimate Prom" fashion reality series. Three aspiring teen designers competed to design a dress to wear to the prom, and a pattern of the winning dress was then produced and sold nationwide by Simplicity Patterns.[32][33][34] In February 2010, DeLuna participated in a Spanish remake of "We Are the World" called "Somos El Mundo", alongside other Dominican singers such as Juan Luis Guerra, Milly Quezada, Eddy Herrera, Romeo (Aventura), Fernando Villalona and Latin artists such as Paulina Rubio, Thalia, Belinda, Luis Fonsi, and Chayanne, among others. The piece was a fundraiser for victims of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake. Also in 2009, DeLuna recorded a track titled "Shake It Up" with Big Ali for his album Louder. The single was a commercial failure, failing to chart on any charts worldwide.

In April 2010, DeLuna released "Push Push" featuring Akon,[35] the lead single from her second album. During her mini promotional tour in Belgium and France in September, DeLuna signed a new contract with Universal Music Belgium. When asked of how the song with Akon came about, DeLuna said it was an accident. When they ran into each other at the studio one day, "He said, 'I have something I wanna show you,'" DeLuna said. "He played the beat and I went crazy." The single was a critical success. The New York Daily News wrote, "The [song] is a simple, fun and insanely catchy song with a multilayered oh-oh-oh refrain by DeLuna, a solid contribution from Akon on the bridge and a thumping beat that's sure to bring the house down at the club."[36] MTV compared the song to recent releases by Lady Gaga, saying, "Push Push," the first single from DeLuna's Inside Out album starts out with some "oh-oh-oh's" that wouldn't sound out of place on a Gaga record. "Push Push" was produced by Radio, but it still contains some of RedOne's signature sounds."[37] The single achieved some commercial success internationally. It debuted and peaked at number 84 on the Canadian Hot 100, mainly due to digital downloads. The single achieved greater success in Europe, where it peaked at number 37. In Belgium, "Push" became her third Top 20 hit on the singles chart, when it peaked at number 15. The single became her first Top 10 hit in France since "Run the Show", peaking at number 9.

DeLuna announced on Twitter[38] that the second single from the album would be "Party O' Clock". On October 22 the single was released on iTunes.[39][40] On November 2, DeLuna released a video premiering her release of Inside Out in Belgium and confirmed the tracklisting for the album. Inside Out was released on November 5, 2010, in Belgium. It was commercially successful in the country, debuting and peaking at number 16 on the official album's chart. The video for "Party O'Clock" was released on December 15, 2010. "Dancing Tonight" was the next single from the album, and she shot video in New York City on December 21–23, 2010.[41] "Dancing Tonight" debuted as the #1 Breakout on the Billboard Dance Chart.[42] The video for the song premiered on March 23. On July 29 the video for the single Drop It Low premiered on her YouTube channel, and the single was released September 27.[43] "Drop it Low" first surfaced on DeLuna’s international-only release ‘Inside Out,’ which is being re-worked for the American album that will be called ‘Viva.’ The song is produced by Belgian producer "Eightysix", who has been responsible for her single "Dancing Tonight" as well, which hit #1 on the Billboard Dance Chart in the US and #36 overall for most played dance song on the 2011 Billboard Year End Dance Chart.[44]

Shortly after Jennifer Lopez released her single "On the Floor" on February 22, 2011, many of DeLuna's fans, as well as critics, claimed that "On the Floor" plagiarised DeLuna's 2010 single "Party O'Clock". In a statement issued to the New York Daily News, DeLuna said "It's cool that artists like J.Lo are inspired by my musical sound and style. ... Jennifer helped pave the way for Latinas like myself. I love her", and insisted that there was not an issue.[45] Following previews of the music video for "On the Floor," DeLuna changed her mind about how she felt with the claims of copying. In another interview with the New York Daily News, several days after the first, she said "I've seen this before, where the more established artist tries to take the vision and artistic ideas away from an emerging artist, and assumes no one will notice because of their bigger shadow,... Luckily, my loyal fans and the power of the Internet have let the 'Kat' out of the bag".[46] DeLuna had previously said she was inspired by Lopez, and saw her as someone who opened doors for people like her to sing.[45] When Lopez was asked about the issue on the Latin-American entertainment program Despierta America, she replied, "What? Really? I'm not aware of that...," and when asked a second time, she insisted she had not heard about the comparisons.[47] It was alleged that "J.Lo's camp specifically requested that nothing about the DeLuna debacle be brought up during the interview."[47]

2012–present: Upcoming third studio album

On July 11, 2012, Kat DeLuna released her new Spanish single, "Sobredosis" (Feat. El Cata) on her official YouTube account. On August 21, 2012, Kat DeLuna premiered her new music video, "Wanna See U Dance" on On Air with Ryan Seacrest from her upcoming third studio album.[3] Also the same day the single became available to buy on iTunes. On August 24, 2012, Vevo released "Wanna See U Dance" music video on artist's official account. "Sobredosis" (Feat. El Cata) became available on iTunes September 10, 2012. In 2013, she released a new single, "Stars".

Discography

Main article: Kat DeLuna discography

Tours

  • 2012: VIVA Japan Tour (3 concert dates)

One show in Liverpool England

Awards and nominations

Nominations
  • ALMA Music Awards 2009
    • Female Rising Star

See also

References

  1. ^ "Twitter: KatDeLuna". November 16, 2009. Who else's bday is on the 26th of Nov. like me!
  2. ^ Johnson, Gregory. "Vixen: Sweet Thing" VIBE, October 2007
  3. ^ a b "PREMIERE: Watch Kat DeLuna’s ‘Wanna See U Dance’ [VIDEO"
  4. ^ Lustig, Jay. "Dream girl", The Star-Ledger, August 18, 2007. Accessed August 13, 2011. "From Newark's Arts High to a massive hit single, Kat DeLuna has done it her way. When it came time to apply to high schools, the No. 1 choice for Newark's Kat DeLuna was Arts High School. There was no No. 2 on her list.... Arts High did accept her, and she concentrated on vocal studies there. Representing Arts High, she was a finalist for The Star-Ledger Scholarship for the Performing Arts, in 2003."
  5. ^ "Kat De Luna New Single Whine Up". Female First. April 6, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  6. ^ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ^ Rob (September 9, 2007). "Review of Kat DeLuna 9 Lives". todaysmusic.wordpress.com. Today's Music. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  8. ^ "Billboard singles reviews: Faith Hill, Kat Deluna". Reuters. May 25, 2007.
  9. ^ "Latin Tropical Airplay – Am I Dreaming/Como Un Sueno – Kat Deluna". Billboard. July 28, 2007. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009.
  10. ^ "Pop 100 Airplay – Whine Up – Kat Deluna Feat. Elephant Man". Billboard. July 28, 2007. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009.
  11. ^ "Canadian Hot 100". Billboard.com. Retrieved June 7, 2011. [failed verification]
  12. ^ "Romanian Top 100 Singles Chart". RT100.ro. [failed verification]
  13. ^ "Discography – KatDeLuna". Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
  14. ^ Katie Hasty, "After Five-Year Absence, UGK Scores First No. 1 Album", Billboard.com, August 15, 2007.
  15. ^ "Kat Deluna – 9 Lives – Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  16. ^ "Top 100 List for the May 2007". Związek Producentów Audio-Video: Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on July 4, 2007.
  17. ^ "Latin Tropical Airplay – Am I Dreaming/Como Un Sueno – Kat Deluna". Billboard. September 22, 2007. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009.
  18. ^ "Videos de Música, Playlists de MTV, Reality Shows, Noticias de Artistas, Agenda, Concursos". MTVLA. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  19. ^ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  20. ^ Steffen Hung. "Finnish charts portal". finnishcharts.com. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  21. ^ a b "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  22. ^ a b "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  23. ^ "26+august.JPG (image)". 1.bp.blogspot.com. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  24. ^ "Singles – Bubbling Under – Hot 100". Billboard. May 31, 2008. [dead link]
  25. ^ Webmaster (April 11, 2008). "2008 Billboard Latin Music Awards Winners". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2011. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; February 28, 2009 suggested (help)
  26. ^ Fletcher, Dan (October 6, 2010). "Time Magazine Top 10 Worst National Anthem Rendition #8". Time.com. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  27. ^ "NFL fans boo Kat DeLuna's National Anthem Performance – International Business Times". Ibtimes.com. September 12, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  28. ^ "10 Worst National Anthem Performances Ever – Viral Videos". Billboard.com. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  29. ^ FMQB – March 2009 Airplay. FMQB.[failed verification]
  30. ^ "Artist News | Kat Announces New Single 'Dance Bailalo'- Kat Announces New Single 'Dance Bailalo'". Artists.letssingit.com. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  31. ^ "Charts : Singles : Latin Tropical Airplay – June 13, 2009". Billboard. [dead link]
  32. ^ "My Prom Style website". Hearst Communications Inc. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
  33. ^ "Ultimate Prom Concert & Backstage". Seventeen. June 2009.
  34. ^ "Live from the Carpet at the Ultimate Prom" (video and transcript). Seventeen. June 2009.
  35. ^ "Available for Airplay Archive 2010". FMQB.com.
  36. ^ Benigno, Anthony (June 11, 2010). "Kat DeLuna's 'Push, Push' pushes her into the big time and New York's Puerto Rican Day parade". Daily News. New York.
  37. ^ "Song You Need To Know: Kat DeLuna, 'Push Push' » MTV Buzzworthy Blog". Buzzworthy.mtv.com. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  38. ^ "twitter.com/redOne_Official and all my fans around the world picked "Party O'clock" as the next single! Here we come!! http://fb.me/sqnyMh7K". Twitter. October 2, 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2011. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  39. ^ "Party O' Clock – Single by Kat DeLuna – Download Party O' Clock – Single on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. October 19, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  40. ^ DeLuna, Kat (October 22, 2010). "Mes amis Belges, le nouveau single, "Party O' Clock" est disponible sur votre iTunes. ACHETEZ!!... http://fb.me/KxrsZuDb". Twitter.com.
  41. ^ "On Set of Kat DeLuna's 'Dancing Tonight' Video". Rap-Up.com. December 24, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  42. ^ About The AuthorPro Motion (March 7, 2011). "Kat Deluna's 'Dancing Tonight' #1 Breakout on the Billboard Dance Chart". Blog.promotion-us.com. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  43. ^ "CHR - Available for Airplay - 2011". FMQB.com.
  44. ^ End Chart, Billboard Year. "Kat DeLuna at #36 on Billboard Year End Dance Chart". Dancing Tonight. Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  45. ^ a b DiGiacomo, Frank; Griffith, Carson; Fischer, Molly (January 20, 2011). "J.Lo's New Song Sounds Suspiciously Like One From Hispanic Hottie Kat DeLuna". New York Daily News.com. Retrieved January 20, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  46. ^ DiGiacomo, Frank; Griffith, Carson; Fischer, Molly (January 27, 2011). "Jennifer Lopez's 'On the Floor' music video bears uncanny resemblance to Kat DeLuna's work". New York Daily News.com. Retrieved January 27, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  47. ^ a b DiGiacomo, Frank; Griffith, Carson; Fischer, Molly (February 7, 2011). "Jennifer Lopez denies hearing about controversy surrounding Kat DeLuna sound-alike song". New York Daily News.com. Retrieved February 7, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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