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 26)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada[1]
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2014–present
LabelsGolden Child
Associated acts
Websitedanielcaesar.com

Ashton Dumar Norwill Simmonds[1][2] (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 album Freudian in August 2017, which garnered widespread critical acclaim.[3]

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.[4][5] He is of Bajan and Jamaican descent.[6]

Caesar grew up in church, singing before his father's congregation in Oshawa.[7] He was raised listening to soul and gospel delivered though musicality and religion, even though his parents were cautious of temptations that came with music.[7] Caesar longed for the city, which was an hour’s drive from his home.[7] 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 felt no choice but to pursue his calling as a musician.[7] After leaving his home, he began doing gigs. The turning point of Caesar's career came in 2015, with the release of his second EP, Pilgrim's Paradise.[7]

In 2014, Caesar received widespread critical acclaim for his debut EP Praise Break, which was ranked No. 19 on the "20 Best R&B Albums of 2014" by Rolling Stone. His music is influenced by religion, which played a large role in his upbringing, as well as unrequited love.[8]

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.[9] At the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, Caesar received two nominations for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance for "Get You".[10] At the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, Caesar won Best R&B Performance for his single "Best Part".[11]

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 and unrequited love. His singing voice reshapes itself on each track, often veering into a hushed, introspective lilting style.[7] 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."[7] Caesar cites Frank Ocean, Kanye West, Beyoncé, and The Doors frontman Jim Morrison as musical and stylistic inspirations.[7]

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.[12] 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.[13] He later backtracked his comments.[14]

In March 2019, Caesar defended his friend Julieanna Goddard via an Instagram live stream.[15][16] Goddard had been criticized for her insensitive comments on race, particularly those regarding black women.[17][18][19] Caesar came to her defense, asking why some black people were "being so mean," and called call out culture overly sensitive.[20][21][22] His comments were received negatively by some on social media.[23] 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."[24]

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

List of albums, with selected chart positions and sales figures
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
CAN
[25] 		AUS
[26] 		NZ
[27] 		US
[28] 		US R&B/HH
[29] 		US R&B
[29] 		US
Ind.
[30] 		UK
[31] 		UK R&B
[32] 		UK Ind.
[33]
Freudian 16 — 39 25 16 6 7 — 15 40
Case Study 01
  • Released: June 28, 2019[37]
  • Label: Golden Child Recordings
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 6 26 — 17 10 3 21 89 — —
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

Extended plays[]

Title Details
Praise Break
  • Released: September 22, 2014
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Streaming
Pilgrim's Paradise
  • Released: November 12, 2015
  • Label: Golden Child Recordings
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Up Next Session: Daniel Caesar
  • Released: August 16, 2017[38]
  • Label: Golden Child Recordings
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles[]

As lead artist[]

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
CAN
[39] 		NZ
Hot
[40] 		US
[41] 		US
R&B
/HH
[42] 		US
R&B
[43] 		US
R&B/HH
Airplay
[44] 		US
Adult
R&B
[45]
"Violet"[46] 2015 — — — — — — — Praise Break
"Death and Taxes"[47] — — — — — — — Pilgrim's Paradise
"Streetcar"[47] — — — — — — —
"Won't Live Here"[48] 2016 — — — — — — — non-album single
"Japanese Denim"[49] — — — — — — 13
"Get You"
(featuring Kali Uchis) 		— — 93 41 5 7 1 Freudian
"We Find Love" 2017 — — — — — — —
"Blessed" — — — — — — —
"Best Part"
(with H.E.R.) 		— — 75 32 4 11 1
"Who Hurt You?"[52] 2018 86 40 — — — — — non-album single
"Love Again"
(with Brandy)[53] 		2019 95 15 —[A] —[B] 13 21 1 Case Study 01
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

Notes

  1. ^ "Love Again" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number 24 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[54]
  2. ^ "Love Again" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number one on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[55]

As featured artist[]

List of singles as featured artist showing year released and album name
Title Year Certifications Album
"West"[56]
(River Tiber featuring Daniel Caesar) 		2016 Indigo
"Matthew in the Middle"[57]
(Sean Leon featuring Daniel Caesar) 		I Think You've Gone Mad (Or the Sins of the Father)
"Forever Always"[58]
(Peter CottonTale featuring Rex Orange County, Chance the Rapper, Daniel Caesar, Madison Ryann Ward and Yebba) 		2018 non-album single
"Beauty & Essex"[59]
(Free Nationals featuring Daniel Caesar and Unknown Mortal Orchestra) 		Free Nationals
"HER Love"
(Common featuring Daniel Caesar) 		2019 Let Love
"Time Alone With You"
(Jacob Collier featuring Daniel Caesar) 		Djesse Vol. 3
"Peaches"
(Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon) 		2021 Justice

Other charted songs[]

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
NZ
Hot
[40]
"Entropy" 2019 29 Case Study 01
"Cyanide"
(Solo or featuring Koffee) 		25
"Superposition"
(featuring John Mayer) 		22

Guest appearances[]

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Pacific Coast Highway"[61] 2013 Sean Leon Ninelevenne, The Tragedy
"Track Ten"[61]
"F****d Up"[62] 2015 Jiin Cult Hymns
"God"[62]
"Fill the Void"[63] 2016 Stwo D.T.S.N.T.
"Danny's Interlude" 2021 Charlotte Day Wilson Alpha

Songwriting credits[]

List of songs written or co-written for other artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Artist Album
"Telling the Truth"
(featuring Kaytranada) 		2017 Mary J. Blige Strength of a Woman
"Saturn"
(featuring Kwabs) 		2018 Nao Saturn

Awards and nominations[]

BET Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018 Himself Best Male R&B/Pop Artist Nominated
Best New Artist Nominated

Grammy Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018 Freudian Best R&B Album Nominated
"Get You" (with Kali Uchis) Best R&B Performance Nominated
2019 "Best Part" (with H.E.R) Won[64][65]
2020 "Love Again" (with Brandy) Nominated

iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017 Himself Best New Canadian Artist Nominated

iHeartRadio Music Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2019 Himself R&B Artist of the Year Nominated

Juno Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017 Pilgrim's Paradise R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Nominated
2018 Himself Artist of the Year Nominated
Freudian R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Won[66]

Polaris Music Prize[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016 Pilgrim's Paradise Polaris Music Prize Long List
2018 Freudian Polaris Music Prize Short List
2020 Case Study 01 Polaris Music Prize Long List

SOCAN Songwriting Prize[]

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

Soul Train Music Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018 Himself Best New Artist Won[67]
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

Concert tours[]

Headlining

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: 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. ^ Mistry, Anupa. "Stripped-Down Soul Music Sounds Like Home". thefader.com. The Fader, Inc. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  3. ^ "Stream Daniel Caesar's Impressive Debut Album 'Freudian'". Complex. August 26, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  4. ^ "Daniel Caesar's Mother, Hollace Simmonds, On Love (Interview)". January 16, 2018.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "Toronto's Caesar has eye on the throne". May 2, 2016.
  7. ^ Jump up to: 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.
  8. ^ "20 Best R&B Albums of 2014". Rolling Stone Magazine. December 15, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  9. ^ "Polaris Music Prize Reveals 2018 Short List". Exclaim!, July 17, 2018.
  10. ^ "60th GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominees List". The Recording Academy. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  11. ^ "61st Annual Grammy Awards". The Recording Academy. February 11, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Farrell, Paul (March 20, 2019). "Daniel Caesar: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  14. ^ "Daniel Caesar "I'm Sorry I Offended So Many People '". Majic 102.1. April 27, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  15. ^ nointroduction1 (March 19, 2019), Daniel Caesar Defends Culture Vulture YesJulz & Says Black People Need to Stop Being Victims, retrieved April 17, 2019
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "Dear YesJulz: Keep Black Women's Names Out Of Your Mouth". BET.com. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  18. ^ Kwateng-Clark, Danielle; Ibrahim, Shamira (October 22, 2018). "YesJulz, Voluntourism, and the White Savior Complex". Broadly. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  19. ^ "YesJulz Dropped From Two Toronto Events After Controversial Tweet". The FADER. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  20. ^ Stidhum, Tonja Renée. "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.
  21. ^ "Daniel Caesar Defends Yes Julz And Gets Slammed By Twitter". Vibe. March 20, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  22. ^ "Daniel Caesar Calls Black People 'Too Sensitive' In Controversial Rant". iheart.com. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  23. ^ "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.
  24. ^ "Daniel Caesar apologizes for controversial comments about race | Globalnews.ca". globalnews.ca. March 25, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
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  32. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
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  40. ^ Jump up to: a b Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
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  49. ^ "Japanese Denim – Single by Daniel Caesar on Apple Music". iTunes. October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
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  53. ^ "Love Again – Single by Brandy & Daniel Caesar". Apple Music. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
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  55. ^ "Daniel Caesar Chart History: Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  56. ^ "West (feat. Daniel Caesar) – Single by River Tiber on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  57. ^ "Matthew in the Middle (feat. Daniel Caeser) – Single by Sean Leon on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  58. ^ "Forever Always (feat. Rex Orange County, Chance the Rapper, Daniel Caesar, Madison Ryann Ward & YEBBA) – Single by Peter CottonTale on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  59. ^ "Beauty & Essex (feat. Daniel Caesar & Unknown Mortal Orchestra) – Single by Free Nationals on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  60. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  61. ^ Jump up to: a b "Ninelevenne, The Tragedy by Sean Leon on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  62. ^ Jump up to: a b "Cult Hymns by Jiin on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  63. ^ "D.T.S.N.T. by Stwo on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  64. ^ "Toronto's Daniel Caesar Wins 1st Grammy For 'Best Part' With H.E.R." HuffPost. February 10, 2019.
  65. ^ "Toronto-raised R&B singer Daniel Caesar wins first Grammy Award". CTV News Toronto. February 10, 2019.
  66. ^ "Junos 2018: the complete list of winners". CBC News, · March 25, 2018
  67. ^ "Soul Train Awards 2018: Here's the complete winners list". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. November 26, 2018.
  68. ^ Hughes, Josiah (August 25, 2017). "Daniel Caesar Brings 'Freudian' on North American Tour". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  69. ^ 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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