Gallant (singer)
Gallant | |
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![]() Gallant with plaid suit | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Christopher Joseph Gallant III |
Born | Columbia, Maryland, U.S. | November 14, 1991
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | 2013–present |
Labels | |
Website | gallant |
Christopher Joseph Gallant III (born November 14, 1991), better known as Gallant, is an American singer and songwriter from Columbia, Maryland, signed to Mind of a Genius Records and Warner Bros. Records.[1] He first began to gain recognition after self-releasing his debut EP, Zebra in 2014. His debut studio album, Ology, was released worldwide in April 2016 to critical acclaim, earning him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Gallant was born in Washington, D.C. When he was in elementary school, he and his family moved to Columbia, Maryland, where he attended Atholton High School. He started recording songs during middle school. He was influenced by R&B artists and then later alternative rock while growing up.[3]
In 2013, he graduated from New York University Gallatin School of Individualized Study[4] where he studied music.[5][6]
Musical career
[edit]2013–2015: Early career and Zebra EP
[edit]In the fall of 2013, Gallant moved to Los Angeles, California, to work on a career in music.[6]
In 2014, he self-released his debut EP, Zebra, which he describes as "a sonic diary about dealing with the aftermath of New York".[5]
In 2015, his single, "Weight in Gold", was played by Zane Lowe on Beats1's first air date in June 2015.[7] The same year Gallant toured with Sufjan Stevens on his North American tour, where he performed 18 shows throughout the country.[8] Following the debut of "Weight in Gold" and a North American tour with Sufjan Stevens, Gallant was named one of 15 artists that Spotify believed were destined to "breakout" in 2016.[9] He is also featured in Zhu's (another Mind of a Genius Records artist) "Testarossa Music" from the Genesis Series EP.[10] Gallant was also announced as the opener for Zhu's "Neon City" tour, spanning April and May in venues throughout America, beginning with Coachella.[11] On February 5, 2016, Gallant and Jhené Aiko released their first collaborative song, "Skipping Stones." The track was produced by Adrian Younge and co-produced by Stint (a frequent producer for Gallant), and features Gallant's signature falsetto style with specks of bold vocals and Jhené's signature soothing, a cappella-esque vocals. The song is licensed under Red Bull Media House and featured in its Red Bull Sound Select collection along with the B-side "Borderline".[12] Gallant performed both weekends of Coachella in 2016, which Billboard named the number one moment of the entire festival.[13] Weekend one included a surprise appearance from Seal, where the pair performed Seal's song "Crazy" and Gallant's song "Weight in Gold". The following weekend, included a surprise appearance from Jhené Aiko where the pair performed their collaboration "Skipping Stones".[14]
In the Room
[edit]On January 6, 2016, Gallant debuted the first episode of his new series In the Room with Sufjan Stevens. The pair performed Stevens' song "Blue Bucket of Gold".[15] Gallant partnered with Spotify for the second episode, which featured Seal and premiered on March 9, 2016. Gallant and Seal performed Gallant's hit song "Weight in Gold". At the end of the episode, Seal claimed that he was Gallant's biggest fan.[16] For the third episode, Gallant covered Janet Jackson's "I Get Lonely" with Jack Garratt.[17] Gallant's next collaboration was with John Legend, on Legend's song "Overload"[18] Gallant's next collaborations were with Andra Day and Dua Lipa for the fifth and sixth episodes respectively.
Gallant described the In the Room series as "an ongoing collaborative project – a chance to both pay tribute to and create something special with the artists that have inspired me the most".[19]
2016—present: Ology, Sweet Insomnia, Neptune, sneek, Zinc.
[edit]Ology
[edit]Gallant's debut studio album, Ology, was released on April 6, 2016 by Mind of a Genius Records.[20][21] The album received critical acclaim, including a rating of 7.5/10 from Pitchfork,[22] a rating 4/5 from The Guardian, which states, “If this is what R&B’s future looks like it’s brighter than ever”.[23] Also, Entertainment Weekly named Ology one of the 25 best albums of 2016 (so far).[24] The album was given praise given for his distinct and diverse sound, voice, and lyricism.[25]
On May 12, 2016, Gallant made his national television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Gallant performed "Weight in Gold", which ended with a standing ovation from the audience. Fallon ended the show praising Gallant's performance with the quote, “Oh my goodness! I told you… Watch out for this guy [GALLANT]!”.[26]
In September 2016, Gallant performed "Bourbon" and "Weight in Gold" for the BBC on Later... with Jools Holland.[27] On December 2, 2016, Gallant was a Special Artist at the 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards, singing "Weight in Gold".
In January 2017, he was chosen as Elvis Duran's Artist of the Month and on January 11, appeared on and performed "Weight in Gold" live on NBC's Today show with Kathie Lee and Hoda Kotb.[28] On January 26, he released "Cave Me In" in collaboration with Epik High's Tablo and Eric Nam.[29] In the spring of 2017, he performed as the opening act on John Legend's Darkness and Light tour.
Sweet Insomnia
[edit]On January 25, 2019, Gallant released his sophomore album Sweet Insomnia. The album features Sabrina Claudio on "Compromise" and 6lack on "Sweet Insomnia", the album's title track.[30]
Neptune
[edit]On March 26, 2021, Gallant released his second EP Neptune with features from Brandy, Arin Ray, and R&B duo VanJess.
sneek
[edit]On November 17, 2023, Gallant and Terrace Martin formed together sneek, for a mix of soul and jazz features.[31]
Zinc.
[edit]Releasing first his singles Coldstar. on June 13, and Fly on the Wall. on July 17 on 2024, and after annoucing its album, he introduces a more alternative/indie side; although describing as an "Ology remark".
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US R&B/ HH [32] |
US R&B [33] |
US Heat. [34] |
US Ind. [35] |
UK R&B [36] | ||
Ology |
|
39 | 18 | 17 | 50 | 34 |
Sweet Insomnia[37] |
|
— | — | — | — | — |
Zinc. (with Ariza)[38] |
|
— | — | — | — | — |
Extended plays
[edit]Title | Album details |
---|---|
Zebra[39] |
|
Neptune[40] |
|
sneek (with Terrace Martin)[41] |
|
|}
Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Adult R&B [42] |
US R&B/HH Airplay [43] | |||||||||||
"Please? (Vignette)"[44] | 2013 | — | — | Non-album single | ||||||||
"If It Hurts"[45] | — | — | Zebra EP | |||||||||
"Blue Bucket of Gold"[46] (featuring Sufjan Stevens) |
2016 | — | — | Ology | ||||||||
"Skipping Stones"[47] (featuring Jhené Aiko) |
— | — | ||||||||||
"Boderline"[47] | — | — | ||||||||||
"Talking in Your Sleep"[48] | — | — | ||||||||||
"Weight in Gold"[49] (solo or featuring Seal) |
21 | — | ||||||||||
"Talking to Myself"[51] | — | — | ||||||||||
"Cave Me In"[52] (with Tablo and Eric Nam) |
2017 | — | — | Non-album single | ||||||||
"Bourbon"[53] (featuring Saba and Lophiile) |
— | — | ||||||||||
"In the Room: Cruisin'"[54] (with Andra Day) |
— | — | ||||||||||
"Gentleman"[55] | 2018 | — | — | |||||||||
"Doesn't Matter"[56] | 6 | 29 | ||||||||||
"Haha No One Can Hear You!"[57] | — | — | ||||||||||
"Mad at You"[58] (with Noah Cyrus) |
— | — | Good Cry EP | |||||||||
"Toogoodtobetrue"[59] (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Rebecca Sugar) |
— | — | Non-album single | |||||||||
"Sharpest Edges"[60] | 2019 | — | — | Sweet Insomnia | ||||||||
"Sleep On It"[61] | 16 | — | ||||||||||
"Compromise"[62] (featuring Sabrina Claudio) |
— | — | ||||||||||
"311!"[63] (featuring Terrace Martin,Robert Glasper & Keyon Harrold) |
2023 | — | — | sneek EP | ||||||||
"Coldstar."[64] | 2024 | — | — | Zinc. | ||||||||
"Fly On the Wall. (Osaka Version)"[65] | — | — | ||||||||||
"Crimes Of Compassion."[66] | — | — | ||||||||||
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart. |
As featured artist
[edit]Title | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"Holding Back"[67] (SG Lewis featuring Gallant) |
2016 | Yours EP |
"Constantly Dissatisfied"[68] (Niia featuring Gallant) |
2018 | I |
"Run for Me"[69] (SebastiAn featuring Gallant) |
2019 | Thirst |
"Runaway Train"[70] (Jamie N Commons with Skylar Grey featuring Gallant) |
non-album single | |
"Exit Sign"[71] (The Knocks featuring Gallant) | ||
"Pulling Away"[72] (Sinead Harnett featuring Gallant) |
Lessons in Love | |
"Lose My Love"[73] (Sad Money featuring Gallant and Felix Cartal) |
2020 | Non-album single |
"Know Me"[74] (BRONSON featuring Gallant) |
BRONSON |
Guest appearances
[edit]Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Testarossa Music"[75] | 2015 | ZHU | Genesis Series EP |
"Hotline Bling (Encore)" | 2017 | Sufjan Stevens | Carrie & Lowell Live |
"Tears Dry on Their Own"[76] | Dua Lipa | Live Acoustic EP | |
"Rockville Station"[77] | 2018 | THEY. | Fireside
EP |
Songwriting credits
[edit]Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Finale" | 2019 | Zach Callison, Deedee Magno Hall, Estelle, Michaela Dietz, Grace Rolek, Uzo Aduba, Jennifer Paz, Shelby Rabara, Kate Micucci, Matthew Moy, Tom Scharpling, Toks Olagundoye | Steven Universe the Movie (Original Soundtrack) |
"Mind Games (feat. Jackson Wang)" | 2022 | 88rising, MILLI, Jackson Wang | non-album single |
Note: Gallant previously had a concept for Finale, but got scrapped. It was retrieved and released with the deluxe album on December 6, 2019
Awards and nominations
[edit]Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Ology | Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album[78] | Nominated |
2019 | Runaway Train (Jamie N Commons with Skylar Grey featuring Gallant | MTV Video Music Award for Best Video with a Social Message[79] | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ "40 Under 40: Music's Top Young Power Players Revealed". Billboard. 2017-10-06. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ "Gallant". GRAMMY.com. 2020-12-15. Retrieved 2022-03-03.
- ^ Case, Wesley (July 22, 2015). "Rising R&B singer Gallant on 'Weight in Gold' and growing up in Columbia". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
- ^ This Is Gallant's Golden Moment
- ^ a b Bain, Katie (July 8, 2015). "Gallant Played a Show for 10 People, But Two of Them Helped Launch His Career". LA Weekly. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
- ^ a b Luke, Winkie (December 2, 2015). "Meet Gallant, a Rising Artist With a Voice of Gold". Red Bull. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
- ^ Medved, Matt (June 30, 2015). "Gallant Premieres 'Weight in Gold' as Zane Lowe's First World Exclusive on Apple Music". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
- ^ Payne, Chris (2 November 2015). "Watch Sufjan Stevens & Gallant Cover Drake's 'Hotline Bling'". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
- ^ Klinkenberg, Brendan (3 December 2015). "15 Artists Spotify Thinks Will Be Huge Next Year". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ "ZHU x Gallant - Testarossa Music (Audio)". Youtube. October 1, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
- ^ "ZHU Announces First Headlining Tour 'Neon City'". This Song is Sick. 24 February 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ "Gallant - Skipping Stones feat. Jhené Aiko (prod. by Adrian Younge, co-prod. by Stint)". SoundCloud. February 5, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
- ^ "11 Best Moments From Coachella 2016". Billboard. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ^ Miller, Jeff (23 April 2016). "Jhene Aiko Reminsces About Dancing With Prince During One of His 2011 Concerts". Billboard. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ^ Bacle, Ariana (6 January 2016). "See Gallant & Sufjan Stevens collaborate for new Spotify series". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (10 March 2016). "Gallant Duets With Seal on "Weight in Gold"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ^ Getz, Dana (10 August 2016). "Jack Garratt, Gallant cover Janet Jacksons I Get Lonely". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ^ Horn, Rachel (23 May 2017). "Watch John Legend and Gallant Duet on 'Overload'". NPR Music. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ^ Gallant. "In the Room". Gallant. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ^ Monroe, Jazz; Matera, C.G. (2 March 2016). "Gallant Announces Ology LP, Shares "Bourbon"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
- ^ "Ology - Gallant". iTunes. 4 May 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ Moore, Marcus J. (12 April 2016). "Gallant: Ology Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ^ Bakare, Lanre (2016-05-26). "Gallant: Ology review – a vision of the future of R&B". the Guardian. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
- ^ Goodman, Jessica; O'Donnell, Kevin; Greenblatt, Leah; Renner Brown, Eric; Feeney, Nolan; Vain, Madison (26 May 2016). "The 25 best albums of 2016 (so far)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ^ Cox, Jamieson (6 April 2016). "Gallant and dvsn's debut albums are two wildly different takes on alt-R&B". The Verge. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ "Gallant Makes Television Debut to a Standing O on 'Tonight Show'". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
- ^ "Episode 2 - Series 49". Later... with Jools Holland. BBC Two. 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ "Watch Gallant perform 'Weight in Gold' live on TODAY". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
- ^ Herman, Tamar (January 27, 2017). "Tablo & Eric Nam Discuss Gallant Collab "Cave Me In"". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
- ^ Espinoza, Joshua (25 April 2019). "Gallant Shares Sophomore Album 'Sweet Insomnia'". Complex. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ Folk, Antwane (November 17, 2023). "Gallant and Terrace Martin Release New Album 'Sneek'". Rated R&B. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ "Gallant Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Gallant Chart History: Top R&B Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Gallant Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Gallant Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40: 15 April 2016 — 21 April 2016". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ Folk, Antwane (August 23, 2019). "Gallant Announces Sophomore Album 'Sweet Insomnia,' Shares New Song 'Sleep On It'". Rated R&B. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ Gregory, Alley. "Gallant details new album 'Zinc.'". Exclaim. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ "Zebra by Gallant on Apple Music". iTunes. 2 May 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ gallant (March 25, 2021). "my second EP, Neptune is available everywhere now". Twitter. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ Folk, Antwane. "Gallant and Terrace Martin Release New Album 'Sneek"". Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ "Gallant Chart History: Adult R&B Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Gallant Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Please? (Vignette) - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". iTunes. 14 May 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "If It Hurts - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". iTunes. 24 June 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Blue Bucket of Gold (feat. Sufjan Stevens) by Gallant on Apple Music". iTunes. 6 January 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ a b "Skipping Stones (feat. Jhené Aiko) / Boderline - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Talking in Your Sleep - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". iTunes. 25 March 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Weight in Gold (feat. Seal) - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". iTunes. 9 March 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Gallant – Weight in Gold". Music Canada. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ "Talking to Myself (Big Wild Remix) - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". iTunes. 16 December 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Cave Me In - Single by Gallant x Tablo x Eric Nam on Apple Music". iTunes. 27 January 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Bourbon (feat. Saba & Lophiile) - Single on Apple Music". iTunes. 8 June 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "In the Room: Cruisin' - Single by Gallant & Andra Day". iTunes. 27 June 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Gentleman - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". iTunes. 3 April 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Doesn't Matter - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". iTunes. 4 May 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Haha No One Can Hear You! - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". iTunes. 31 August 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- ^ "Mad at You - Single by Noah Cyrus & Gallant on Apple Music". iTunes. 7 September 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
- ^ "TOOGOODTOBETRUE (feat. Sufjan Stevens & Rebecca Sugar) - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". iTunes. 21 September 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
- ^ "Sharpest Edges - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". Apple Music. June 14, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ "Sleep On It - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". Apple Music. August 23, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ "Compromise (feat. Sabrina Claudio) - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". Apple Music. September 6, 2019. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ "311! (feat. Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper & Keyon Harrold) - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". Apple Music. October 13, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ "Coldstar. - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". Apple Music. June 13, 2024. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ "Fly On the Wall. (Osaka Version) - Single by Gallant on Apple Music". Apple Music. July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ "Crimes Of Compassion. - Single by Gallant on Apple Mudic". Apple Music. August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ "Holding Back (feat. Gallant) [Remixes] - Single by SG Lewis on Apple Music". iTunes. 29 July 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Constantly Dissatisfied (feat. Gallant) by Niia on Apple Music". iTunes. 9 April 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Run for Me (feat. Gallant) - Single by SebastiAn on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
- ^ "Runaway Train (feat. Gallant) - Single by Jamie N Commons". iTunes. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ Narozniak, Rachel (September 16, 2019). "The Knocks convene with Gallant for danceable new record, 'Exit Sign'". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on September 18, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
- ^ "Pulling Away (feat. Gallant) - Single by Sinead Harnett on Apple Music". Apple Music. July 19, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ Sweeney, Farrell (November 4, 2020). "Felix Cartal, Sad Money, and Gallant unite for hybrid cut, 'Lose My Love'". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- ^ "Know Me (feat. Gallant) - From BRONSON album by BRONSON". iTunes. Retrieved Dec 2, 2020.
- ^ "Genesis Series - EP by ZHU on Apple Music". iTunes. 6 November 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Live Acoustic - EP by Dua Lipa on Apple Music". iTunes. 8 December 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Fireside - EP by THEY. on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
- ^ "59th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees". The GRAMMYs. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ "Here Are All the Winners From the 2019 MTV VMAs". Billboard. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
External links
[edit]- 1991 births
- 21st-century African-American male singers
- American male singer-songwriters
- American contemporary R&B singers
- Living people
- Atholton High School alumni
- New York University Gallatin School of Individualized Study alumni
- People from Columbia, Maryland
- Singers from Washington, D.C.
- Singer-songwriters from Maryland
- 21st-century American singer-songwriters
- 21st-century American male singers
- African-American songwriters
- 21st-century African-American musicians