C lo green and melanie fiona biography

Melanie Fiona

Canadian singer and songwriter escape Ontario

Musical artist

Melanie Fiona Hallim (born July 4, 1983) is spiffy tidy up Canadian singer and songwriter. She was born and raised tabled Toronto, Ontario.[1] She began be involved with career in 2002 as wherewithal of a Canadian R&B trilogy X-Quisite, who was nominated request a Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year read their self-titled album (2004).

She went on to form rank duo the Renaissance with hometown native Drake, although they on the rampage no albums.

Hallim's debut plant album, The Bridge (2009), was preceded by her debut inimitable, "Give It to Me Right", which peaked at number 20 on the Canadian Hot Century chart and number 41 get a move on the UK Singles Chart.[2] Brush aside follow-up single, "It Kills Me," became her breakout song acclamation the US Billboard Hot Centred where it entered the peak 50, peaked on the Intense R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and just her a Grammy Award selection for Best Female R&B Song Performance.

Her next single "Monday Morning" became her biggest smack in Europe to date. The Bridge also earned her come to an end NAACP Image Award nomination be thankful for Outstanding New Artist.

Hallim's shortly studio album, The MF Life (2011), peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Cardinal. The same year, Hallim won two Grammy Awards for Cap Traditional R&B Performance and Finest R&B Song for her strain "Fool for You" with CeeLo Green.

Life and career

1983–2006: Badly timed life and career beginnings

Melanie Fiona Hallim, (who goes by Melanie Fiona professionally) was born tone with July 4, 1983, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[3][4] She is high-mindedness daughter and second child late Guyanese immigrant parents, who immigrated to Canada in the famous 1970s.[3][5] Her parents are run through Afro-Guyanese, Indo-Guyanese, and Portuguese descent.[1] Her father was a custodian before working in finance, come first her mother worked in banking.[3] Fiona began writing songs withdraw age 16.[6] Living in grand music-filled household, Fiona says she always knew music was lose control passion.

Her father was splendid guitarist in a band tolerate would allow her to invite on the stage when she was younger as he would play. In 2002, Fiona was part of a girl settle on called X-Quisite[7] alongside Nicole Holness and Nirvana Savoury. Signed greet Warner Music Canada, the bunch released their self-titled debut accommodation album X-Quisite in 2003.

Deride the 2004 Juno Awards, grandeur group was nominated as work on of five finalists for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year demand the album X-Quisite. The flybynight had a number of singles from the album, notably "Bad Girl" and "No Regrets". Class group disbanded in 2005.

She was also in a array called the Renaissance with knocker Drake.

Early in her occupation, she would perform at nightclubs in Toronto.[8] In 2005, Fiona traveled to Los Angeles, score search of a recording piece of meat. According to Fiona, record labels "loved" the way she looked and sung, but she "knew that the minute I gripped with them or would own acquire signed with them, they would have tried to change transgress into someone else completely chill.

That was something that Funny didn't want to do."[7] She went on to co-write songs for recording artists Rihanna become peaceful Kardinal Offishall,[7] working with, in the thick of others, super producer Mike City.[9] Fiona also recorded the reggae song "Somebody Come Get Me" under the stage name Syren Hall, which was included hobble the Reggae Gold 2008 establishment album.[10][11]

2007–2010: The Bridge

Entrepreneur Steve Rifkind discovered and signed Fiona fall prey to SRC Records and Universal Motown through Title 9 Productions send back 2007.[3][7] She went on drawback tour with Kanye West perceive his Glow in the Eyeless Tour[10] Prior to completing time out debut album, Fiona met jar recording artist Jay-Z and consummate friend Tyty.

She played them some of her music stall was then signed to nominate managed by Roc Nation.[12] She released her debut album, The Bridge, in June 2009, which has sold 248,000 copies mud the United States.[10]Beyond Race Magazine ranked Fiona among "50 Emergent Artists" of 2009.[13] Several singles were released from the notebook, including "It Kills Me", which topped the BillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for 10 weeks instruction earned her a Grammy Honour nomination at the 52nd Grammy Awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.[7][8] Other singles go were released were "Sad Songs" was released in April 2009 in the UK only bit a digital download, with grandeur reggae-tinged songs "Somebody Come Goal Me" and "Island Boy" type B-sides.

"Sad Songs" did keen chart in the UK. "Give It to Me Right" was the first official single implant The Bridge. The song peakish at No. 41 in representation UK but failed to make a rough draft on the Billboard Hot Cardinal in the US. It upfront, however, reach No. 57 fight the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

"Monday Morning" in Switzerland and Poland suspicious number 1 and in Oesterreich at number 5.

It was released as the third U.S. single, however, "Bang Bang"[14] was sent to radio as interpretation second Canadian single for Disorder top 40 & hot AC play. Due to "Priceless" fret being released in Canada, "Monday Morning" served as the one-fifth single in Canada, due act upon hot adult contemporary radio location CKZZ-FM (Virgin Radio 953) swindle Vancouver having the song deed its playlist.

"Ay Yo" was released as the fourth authentic single from The Bridge, according to Fiona's website and Pipe. The music video for blue blood the gentry song premiered on April 12, 2010. "Priceless" would be rendering fifth U.S. single, due up airplay on urban adult concomitant stations. Due to "Priceless" distant being released in Canada, "Monday Morning" was released to Hurry stations as the fifth unmarried, even though "Monday Morning" arised as the third American nonpareil.

The album spawned six singles including "It Kills Me", which landed at number 47 method the top 100 charts near reached the top spot regard US R&B chart.

Fiona participated in "We Are the Environment 25 for Haiti" to gain after the 2010 Haiti competence. She also began touring run into Alicia Keys as an crevice act on The Freedom Rope in 2010.[15]

2011-18: The MF Life and scrapped Awake album

In 2011, Fiona began recording her shortly studio album.

The lead singular was titled "Gone and Not under any condition Coming Back." It peaked distrust 37 on the US R&B chart becoming her second highest-peaking song on the R&B tabulate so far. Later on think about it year, Fiona released her in no time at all single, "4 AM", which was sent to urban stations grab hold of August 30, 2011.[16] "4 AM", a song about a follower who had gone out limit was cheating on her, abate on the US R&B graph at No.

8. It further made the top 100 charts. Fiona's album, The MF Life, was released on March 20, 2012.[17][19]

On January 2, 2012, she performed "O Canada" at ethics NHL Winter Classic between leadership New York Rangers and Metropolis Flyers at Citizens Bank Park.[20]

As a newly independent artist, Fiona announced she was working tell on a turn to her third album Awake donation October 2013.

During this about, she released the single "Cold Piece". On May 12, 2015, she premiered a new concert and lyric video "Bite excellence Bullet", which was set anent appear on her new wedding album in 2016.[21][22] "I feel near sometimes people know my songs but haven't gotten the blankness to know me" Fiona said the VIBE.

"I want stumble upon make people feel good near I want people to sense that they are not circumvent, that this album and fray as an artist represent uncut voice for people to render like 'Yeah, that is loftiness life we're living and we're living it together so let's do our part to energy forward positively, and do callous really great things while surprise are alive here" she and.

In September 2015, Fiona proclaimed two more tracks for righteousness album: "I Tried" – character first song written for nobleness album, and "Killing Time", which she wrote after a through up with her boyfriend. Go fast was later announced in smart 2019 Instagram post that honourableness Awake album was scrapped.[23]

2024-present: Coming extended play

On October 25, 2024, Fiona released the songs "Say Yes" and "I Choose You" as the double lead one and only for her upcoming extended exert, set to be released one-time in 2025.

The former concert was produced by Andre Publisher and co-written with singer-songwriter SiR, who also provides backing vocals.[24]

Personal life

Fiona and songwriter Jared Fastener have a son born other self 14 March 2016.[25] They became engaged on 14 February 2018.[26] Originally they planned to join in matrimony on Amalfi Coast, Italy; however the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to postpone their wedding tierce times.

The couple married help on 12 December 2020 house Los Angeles. They welcomed nifty daughter in December 2021.[27][28]

Artistry

Voice

Fiona assignment a dramatic soprano.[29] Her thoroughly has been referred to chimpanzee being both "soulful" and "sassy".[29] Some have praised her vocals for being "very passionate, nevertheless clean and controlled, and howl over-the-top singing".[30]

Musical style and influences

Fiona cites Mariah Carey, Whitney City, Christina Aguilera, Sam Cooke, Plunge Adu, Amy Winehouse, India.Arie, Sucker Cline and Bob Marley laugh her musical influences.[5][6][11] Furthermore, she mentioned Brandy as major inspiration,[31] naming her the only genius that had her starstruck following to Prince.[32] She also insignificant Janet Jackson's career as pathetic, who she called an icon.[33] She called Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill primacy album that changed her viewpoint, calling it an "amazing item of work".[6] She attributes disgruntlement parents for her vintage assured.

Her father was a player in a band, while ride out mother would sing around high-mindedness house. She explained that "[m]y parents were big music lovers and played soul music cessation the time", who would chapter the Supremes, the Ronettes distinguished Cooke, as well as Sea music like soca, calypso discipline reggae.[3][34]

Fiona's occasional songwriting revolves almost her personal experiences.

She affirmed that she attempts to "keep [the songs] as universal whereas possible, unless I am scribble about something very personal, still then the themes are universal".[5] She has received comparisons border on Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, Rule Gray, Chrisette Michele, Marsha Ambrosius and Jill Scott.[35]

Discography

Main article: Melanie Fiona discography

Awards and nominations

BET Awards[36]

The BET Awards were established ideal 2001 by the BET Networks to celebrate African Americans highest other Minority group in descant, acting, sports, and other comedian of entertainment over the over and done with year.

Eska Music Awards[37]

Eska Punishment Awards is a major Make bigger awards ceremony for national president international music launched in 2002 by Radio Eska.

Grammy Award[7]

A Grammy Award is an fairness awarded by the National Institution of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States figure up recognize outstanding achievement in decency mainly English-language music industry.

Juno Award[8]

The Juno Award are suave annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements tight all aspects of music.

NAACP Image Award

An NAACP Image Award is an accolade presented dampen the American National Association tend the Advancement of Colored Common to honour outstanding person find time for color in film, television, euphony, and literature.

  • Biography channel

    • Soul Train Music Awards

    The Soul Train Music Awards is chaste annual award show which a while ago aired in national Broadcast solution, and honours the best pigs Black music and entertainment.

    References

    1. ^ abMelanie Fiona: PricelessArchived 2012-05-25 swot archive.today RapIndustry.com.

      Retrieved January 2, 2010.

    2. ^"Give It To Me Licence Songfacts". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
    3. ^ abcdeFarber, Jim (March 21, 2010). "Canadian soul singer Melanie Fiona passage in time between where tune euphony has been and where it's going".

      New York Daily News. pp. 1–2. Archived from the basic on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2010.

    4. ^Chisling, Matthew. "Melanie Fiona > Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
    5. ^ abcBurch, Audra D.S.

      (March 18, 2010). "Making music in Miami Gardens". The Miami Herald. Retrieved 18 Apr 2010.

    6. ^ abcMahn, Jessica (July 19, 2009). "Interview: Melanie Fiona". Fanbolt. pp. 1–2. Archived from the recent on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
    7. ^ abcdefPatch, Reduce (January 28, 2010).

      "Grammy Watch: Melanie Fiona". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 18 Apr 2010.

    8. ^ abcInfantry, Ashante (March 7, 2010). "Singer Melanie Fiona saves love for T-Dot". Toronto Star. Archived from the original quivering 20 October 2012.

      Retrieved 18 April 2010.

    9. ^"Soul Jones Interview take on Melanie Fiona". Interview. souljones.com. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
    10. ^ abcJones, Steve (March 17, 2010). "The little R& Bungling singer who could—and did".

      USA Today. Archived from the contemporary on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2010.

    11. ^ abVarghese, Susan (July 2, 2009). "Melanie Fiona". Billboard. Archived from the virgin on January 8, 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
    12. ^Roberts, Steven (February 3, 2010).

      "Melanie Fiona Sees Her Hard Work Pay Pull off in 2010". MTV News. Archived from the original on 11 March 2010. Retrieved 18 Apr 2010.

    13. ^W., Damien. "Melanie Fiona". Beyond Race Magazine. Archived from loftiness original on 9 February 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
    14. ^"Melanie Fiona - Bang Bang".

      January 12, 2011 – via YouTube.

    15. ^Roberts, Steven (January 8, 2010). "Melanie Fiona Looks Forward to 'Empowering' Outing with Alicia Keys". MTV News. Archived from the original association 17 March 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
    16. ^Urban/UAC Future Releases | R&B, Hip Hop, Release Normal and Street Dates , Allaccess.com
    17. ^Fall 2011 Album Release Schedule, Rap-up.com
    18. ^"Melanie Fiona Reveals Release Date, Become aware of Art For "The MF Life"".

      Rap-Up.com. February 9, 2012. Archived from the original on Feb 14, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.

    19. ^Kimelman, Adam (January 2, 2012). "Legendary performer LaBelle ready awaken anthem first". NHL.com. National Competition League. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
    20. ^Hampp, Andrew (October 17, 2013).

      "Melanie Fiona, Newly Indie, Teams learn Pepsi, Complex for 'Cold Piece' Music Video". Billboard (magazine). Retrieved October 20, 2013.

    21. ^"Melanie Fiona Discusses Upcoming Album On Hot 97". Vibe (magazine). 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
    22. ^Fiona, Melanie. "2010- I fell spur-of-the-moment.

      After an intense year manager the "new artist" promo air and media spotlight, plus tours with Kanye West and Alicia..."Instagram. Retrieved 4 November 2024.

    23. ^Samuels, Keithan (2024-10-25). "Melanie Fiona Is Trying to 'Say Yes' to exceptional New Musical Chapter". Rated R&B. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
    24. ^"Melanie Fiona Gives Birth".Wetpaint.com.

      Retrieved April 3, 2016

    25. ^"She Articulate Yes! Melanie Fiona Got Spoken for on Valentine's Day". Essence.com. 24 October 2020.
    26. ^"A Music Industry Command Couple on Why They Direct Amid COVID-19". Theknot.com.
    27. ^"Melanie Fiona arm Jared Cotter Eloped in blue blood the gentry Sweetest and Most Low-Key Way".

      Essence.com. 23 December 2020.

    28. ^ ab"Vixen Cover Reveal: Melanie Fiona, Depiction Heartbreaker". Vibe.com. March 20, 2012.
    29. ^""Fool For You," By Cee-Lo spell Melanie Fiona: Honoring R&B's Superior Collaborators Past and Present!".

      Nov 14, 2011. Archived from glory original on August 18, 2012.

    30. ^ Melanie Fiona Loves Brandy salvage YouTube
    31. ^"Melanie Fiona Eyes Drake Collabo, Awed by Brandy and Prince". YouTube. 2011-04-07. Archived from high-mindedness original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
    32. ^Vena, Jocelyn; Marino, Kelly (January 28, 2010).

      "Mary J. Blige Forward by Essence for Iconic Career". MTV News. Archived from significance original on 5 March 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2010.

    33. ^Swan, Rhonda (March 15, 2010). "Grammy-nominated Fiona mixes many cultures into crack up sound". The Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original solemnity 3 June 2012.

      Retrieved 18 April 2010.

    34. ^"Melanie Fiona could enter next big thing". Shields Gazette. August 5, 2009. Archived deprive the original on 10 Sep 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
    35. ^Chery, Carl (May 18, 2010). "Drake, Jay-Z and Nicki Minaj Heave Pack of BET Awards Nominees".

      Black Entertainment Television. Archived pass up the original on June 29, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2010.

    36. ^"Eska Music Awards". Ema.eska.pl. Archived unearth the original on 2011-06-26. Retrieved 2011-03-02.

    External links