Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor, known professionally as Lorde, is a New Zealand singer-songwriter born on November 7, 1996, in Takapuna, a suburb of Auckland. Raised in Auckland’s North Shore suburbs of Devonport and Bayswater, she emerged as a global music sensation in her teens with a distinctive style that blends introspective lyricism with unconventional pop sounds. Her music, often exploring themes of youth, identity, and societal critique, resonates with a wide audience, earning her critical acclaim and commercial success. Lorde’s artistic journey began early, influenced by her poet mother, Sonja Yelich, who encouraged her to engage with diverse literary genres,…
Author: Kevin Koech
Johnny Orlando, born on January 24, 2003, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, is a multifaceted Canadian singer, songwriter, actor, and YouTube personality. Rising to fame at the tender age of eight, Johnny captivated audiences by posting covers of popular pop songs by artists like Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and Shawn Mendes on his YouTube channel, JohnnyOsings. What began as a modest venture, with videos recorded in his bathroom for its superior acoustics, quickly transformed into a viral sensation, amassing millions of views and subscribers. His early success laid the foundation for a flourishing career in music and entertainment, marked by original…
Anton Zaslavski, known professionally as Zedd, is a Russian-German DJ, record producer, and songwriter born on September 2, 1989, in Saratov, Russia. Raised in Kaiserslautern, Germany, after his family moved there when he was three, Zedd grew up in a musically inclined household. His stage name, Zedd, is derived from the British English pronunciation of the letter “Z,” the first letter of his surname. Zedd’s career spans electro house, progressive house, dubstep, and classical music, earning him global recognition for hits like Clarity and Stay. Siblings Zedd has two siblings, an older brother, Arkadi Zaslavski, and a younger half-brother, Daniel…
Martin Garrix, born Martijn Gerard Garritsen on May 14, 1996, in Amstelveen, Netherlands, is a Dutch DJ, record producer, and musician who has become a global icon in electronic dance music (EDM). Known for his infectious tracks like Animals and Scared to Be Lonely, Garrix rose to fame at a remarkably young age, becoming the youngest artist to top the Beatport charts with his breakout single Animals in 2013. His music, which blends progressive house, electro house, big room, and future bass, has resonated with millions, earning him a massive following and performances at major festivals like Coachella, Tomorrowland, and…
Alessia Caracciolo, known professionally as Alessia Cara, is a Canadian singer-songwriter born on July 11, 1996, in Mississauga, Ontario, and raised in Brampton. Of Italian descent, with her father a first-generation Canadian born to Italian parents and her mother an Italian immigrant from Calabria, Cara grew up in a culturally rich household where she was fluent in Italian. Her passion for music emerged early, sparked by a guitar gifted by her parents at age 10. By 13, she was posting acoustic covers of songs like “Love Yourself” and “Sweater Weather” on YouTube, which caught the attention of EP Entertainment. Known…
Luke McMaster, born on March 22, 1976, in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, is a celebrated Canadian singer, songwriter, producer, and performing artist known for his soulful voice and contributions to the music industry. Raised in a family that valued academic achievement, McMaster initially kept his musical ambitions private, teaching himself guitar and honing his songwriting skills during his teenage years. His passion for music, particularly soul and R&B, led him to pursue a career that has spanned over two decades, marked by chart-topping hits, collaborations with global icons, and a commitment to preserving the legacy of classic soul music. Now based…
Mia Martina, born Martine Johnson on January 14, 1988, in Saint-Ignace, New Brunswick, Canada, is a Canadian singer and songwriter known for her contributions to dance-pop and EDM music. Growing up in a small town, she developed a passion for music influenced by artists like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Selena Gomez. Fluent in both French and English due to her father’s French heritage, Martina’s bilingual background has shaped her versatile artistry. At 18, she moved to Ottawa to attend Carleton University, where a chance internship at CP Music Group sparked her music career. Now based in Toronto, Martina has…
Victoria Duffield, born on January 3, 1995, in Abbotsford, British Columbia, is a former Canadian singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress. She rose to prominence as a finalist on the third season of YTV’s reality competition series The Next Star in 2010, which paved the way for her music career. Known for her vibrant dance-pop and electropop sound, Duffield captivated audiences with her debut single “Shut Up and Dance,” which became a chart-topping hit in Canada. Beyond music, she showcased her versatility through acting roles in television shows like Smallville, Supernatural, and Painkiller Jane. After a successful but challenging career in…
Juaquin James Malphurs, known to the world as Waka Flocka Flame, is an American rapper born on May 31, 1986, in South Jamaica, Queens, New York City. Raised primarily in Riverdale, Georgia, by his mother, Debra Antney—a prominent talent manager and CEO of So Icey/Mizay Entertainment—Waka Flocka grew up surrounded by the music industry. His stage name, coined by his cousin after the Muppets character Fozzie Bear’s catchphrase “Wocka Wocka” and later expanded with “Flocka Flame” by mentor Gucci Mane, reflects his vibrant persona. Initially uninterested in music, Waka Flocka pursued basketball before being drawn into rap through his mother’s…
Shawn Bosco Fernandes, better known by his stage name Shawn Desman, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, dancer, and choreographer born on January 12, 1982, in Toronto, Canada. Of Portuguese and Italian descent, Desman grew up in Toronto’s Little Portugal, where his passion for music was ignited at a young age. His parents, recognizing his talent during school talent shows, encouraged him to pursue a career in music. From ages nine to sixteen, he performed under his legal name, Shawn Fernandes, releasing four Portuguese albums and touring across Canada to build a fanbase within the Portuguese community. Desman’s multifaceted career spans…
Nicole Richie, born Nicole Camille Escovedo on September 21, 1981, in Berkeley, California, is an American media personality, fashion designer, actress, and author. She gained widespread fame in the early 2000s as a co-star alongside Paris Hilton on the reality television series The Simple Life, which showcased their adventures navigating everyday jobs and rural life. Born to musician Peter Michael Escovedo and Karen Moss, Nicole was adopted at age nine by singer Lionel Richie and his then-wife Brenda Harvey-Richie after living with them since she was two due to her biological parents’ financial struggles. Her adoption by the Richies placed…
Alyssa Reid, born on March 15, 1993, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is a singer-songwriter who has carved a unique path in the music industry. Raised in Brampton, Ontario, Reid’s early life was marked by frequent moves across Canada due to her family’s circumstances, which she credits for giving her the resilience and life experience needed to navigate the competitive world of music. Of Irish, Ukrainian, and Greek heritage, Reid showed an early aptitude for music, writing her first song at age seven and starting vocal lessons at nine. Her distinctive vocal style developed through years of dedication, leading to her…
Keinan Abdi Warsame, known by his stage name K’naan, is a Somali-Canadian rapper, singer-songwriter, poet, and filmmaker born on April 16, 1978, in Mogadishu, Somalia. His name, meaning “traveler” in Somali, reflects his life’s journey from a war-torn homeland to international recognition. Raised in an artistic family, with his grandfather a celebrated poet and his aunt Magool a renowned singer, K’naan was immersed in poetry and music from a young age. His early years in Mogadishu were marked by the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991, which profoundly shaped his perspective and artistry. At 13, he fled Somalia…
Michael Wayne Atha, known professionally as Yelawolf, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur born on December 30, 1979, in Gadsden, Alabama. Raised primarily in Antioch, Tennessee, Yelawolf’s early life was marked by frequent moves, leading him to attend 15 different schools by the time he completed high school. His stage name, Yelawolf, draws inspiration from his father’s Cherokee heritage, combining “Yela,” which he claims is a Cherokee word for sun, with “Wolf,” symbolizing his survivalist spirit. Yelawolf’s music blends hip-hop, country, rock, and Southern Gothic influences, creating a distinctive style that reflects his Southern roots and turbulent upbringing.…
Orianthi Penny Panagaris, known as Orianthi, is an Australian guitarist, singer, and songwriter born on January 22, 1985, in Adelaide, South Australia. Of Greek descent, she discovered her passion for music early, starting with piano at age three and transitioning to acoustic guitar at six under her father’s encouragement. By eleven, she embraced the electric guitar, a move that defined her career. Orianthi left school at fifteen to focus on songwriting and performing, a decision that launched her into the global music scene. Her virtuosic guitar skills and versatile style have made her a standout figure, collaborating with icons like…