Daniel Caesar
{{short description|Canadian singer and songwriter}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Daniel Caesar
| image = Daniel Caesar - Coachella 2018.jpg
| caption = Caesar performing in 2018
| birth_name = Ashton Simmonds
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|4|5|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| origin = Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
| genre = {{hlist|R&B|neo soul{{cite news | url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/toronto-neo-soul-phenom-daniel-caesar-is-on-the-rise/article36128105/ | title=Toronto neo-soul phenom Daniel Caesar is on the rise | newspaper=The Globe and Mail }}}}
| occupations = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| instruments = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar}}
| years_active = 2014–present
| label = {{hlist|Republic{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/daniel-caesar-signs-republic-records-new-album-1235057647/ | title=Canadian Artist Daniel Caesar Signs Deal with Republic Records, Talks New Album | magazine=Billboard }}|Golden Child}}
| website = {{URL|danielcaesar.com/}}
| module = {{Infobox person|embed=yes
| signature = Daniel Caesar sig.svg
}}
}}
Ashton Simmonds{{cite web|last1=Bin Shikhan|first1=Amani|title=Daniel Caesar's Holy Devotion to Love on 'Freudian'|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/daniel-caesars-holy-devotion-to-love-on-freudian/|website=Noisey |access-date=February 4, 2018|date=August 30, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121181509/https://noisey.vice.com/en_ca/article/7xxq9q/daniel-caesars-holy-devotion-to-love-on-freudian |archive-date=January 21, 2018}}{{cite web|last1=Mistry|first1=Anupa|title=Stripped-Down Soul Music Sounds Like Home|url=http://www.thefader.com/2016/04/05/daniel-caesar-interview|website=thefader.com|publisher=The Fader, Inc.|access-date=February 4, 2018}} (born April 5, 1995),{{cite web |title=Daniel Caesar |url=https://music.apple.com/us/artist/daniel-caesar/1019899019 |website=Apple Music |access-date=April 2, 2025}} known professionally as Daniel Caesar, is a Canadian singer and songwriter. After independently building a following through the release of two EPs, Praise Break (2014) and Pilgrim's Paradise (2015), Caesar released his debut studio album, Freudian, in 2017, which received three Grammy Award nominations. He released his second studio album, Case Study 01, in 2019. Caesar featured alongside Giveon on Justin Bieber's 2021 single "Peaches", his first number-one song on the US Billboard Hot 100. Caesar's third studio album, Never Enough (2023), is his first release under Republic Records.
Early life
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 Burnett-Simmonds 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.{{Cite web|url=https://ilymag.com/2018/01/16/daniel-caesars-mother-hollace-simmonds-on-love-interview/|title=Daniel Caesar's Mother, Hollace Burnett-Simmonds, On Love (Interview)|date=January 16, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://torontolife.com/culture/music/ten-things-need-know-daniel-caesar-toronto-rb-singer-got-shout-barack-obama/|title=Ten things you need to know about Daniel Caesar, the Toronto R&B singer who got a shout-out from Barack Obama|website=Torontolife.com|date=January 4, 2018}} He is of Bajan and Jamaican descent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2016/05/02/torontos-caesar-has-eye-on-the-throne.html|title=Toronto's Caesar has eye on the throne|website=Toronto Star |date=May 2, 2016}} Caesar grew up in church, singing before his father's congregation in Oshawa. He was raised listening to soul and gospel delivered through musicality and religion, even though his parents were cautious of temptations that came with music. Caesar longed for the city, which was an 1-hour drive from his home.
Career
= 2013–2017: Career beginnings and ''Freudian'' =
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 was briefly homeless during this time.{{Cite web |last=Pastuk |first=Slava |date=October 2, 2014 |title=Daniel Caesar's Reign of Freedom |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/daniel-caesar-interview/ |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=Vice.com |language=en}} He felt no choice but to pursue his calling as a musician. After leaving his home, he began doing gigs. He connected with producers and future collaborators Jordan Evans and Matthew Burnett and began writing and recording what would be his debut EP Praise Break in 2014; it was No. 19 on the "20 Best R&B Albums of 2014" by Rolling Stone and the top projects of 2014 by Noisey Canada.{{cite magazine |date=December 15, 2014 |title=20 Best R&B Albums of 2014 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/20-best-r-b-albums-of-2014-20141215/sharon-jones-the-dap-kings-give-the-people-what-they-want-20141211 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=May 21, 2017}}{{Cite web |title=Noisey Canada's Top 10 Projects of 2014 |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/noisey-canadas-top-10-projects-of-2014/ |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=Vice.com |date=December 19, 2014 |language=en}}
Caesar's career gained notability in 2015, with the release of his second EP, Pilgrim's Paradise. The album received positive critical acclaim and, while not immediately a commercial success, tracks like "Streetcar", the cover of Kanye West's 2008 song "Street Lights", have become fan favorites.{{Cite web |title=Daniel Caesar's Stripped-Down Soul Music Sounds Like Home |url=https://www.thefader.com/2016/04/05/daniel-caesar-interview |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=The FADER |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Pastuk |first=Slava |date=November 12, 2015 |title=Daniel Caesar's "Streetcar" is a Polished Take on a Kanye West's "Streetlights" |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/streetcar-daniel-caesar-cover-kanye-wests-streetlights/ |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=Vice.com |language=en}}
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.[https://exclaim.ca/music/article/polaris_music_prize_reveals_2018_short_list "Polaris Music Prize Reveals 2018 Short List"]. Exclaim!, July 17, 2018. At the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, Caesar received two nominations for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance for "Get You".{{Cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/60th-grammy-awards-full-nominees-list |title=60th GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominees List |date=November 28, 2017 |website=The Recording Academy |access-date=November 28, 2017}} At the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, Caesar won Best R&B Performance for his single "Best Part".{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/61st-annual-grammy-awards|title=61st Annual Grammy Awards|date=February 11, 2019|work=The Recording Academy|access-date=February 11, 2019}}
= 2018–present: ''Case Study 01'' and ''Never Enough'' =
File:Daniel Caesar - Wanderland 2025.jpg in Manila in 2025]]
Caesar released his sophomore studio album, Case Study 01 on June 28, 2019. The album featured guest appearances from Brandy, Pharrell Williams, John Mayer, Sean Leon and Jacob Collier.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/daniel-caesar-announces-case-study-01-album-with-pharrell-and-more-news.84249.html|title=Daniel Caesar Announces "CASE STUDY 01" Album With Pharrell & More|work=HotNewHipHop|last=Zidel|first=Alex|date=June 27, 2019|accessdate=December 30, 2024|archive-date=June 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627192728/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/daniel-caesar-announces-case-study-01-album-with-pharrell-and-more-news.84249.html|url-status=live}} The record was supported by the single, "Love Again" with Brandy which received a nomination for Best R&B Performance at the 62nd Grammy Awards.{{cite magazine|first=Trevor|last=Anderson|title=Brandy Earns Career First as Daniel Caesar Duet 'Love Again' Tops Adult R&B Songs|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8544526/brandy-daniel-caesar-love-again-number-1-adult-rb-songs-chart|date=November 22, 2019|accessdate=December 30, 2024}}
On March 19, 2021, Caesar appeared alongside Giveon on Justin Bieber's "Peaches" from Justice. The track marked Caesar's first to top both the Canadian Hot 100 and the Billboard Hot 100.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9547815/justin-bieber-peaches-number-one-debut-hot-100/|title=Justin Bieber Debuts at No. 1 on Hot 100 With 'Peaches,' Becomes 1st Solo Male to Open Atop Hot 100 & Billboard 200 in Same Week|last=Trust|first=Gary|magazine=Billboard|date=March 29, 2021|access-date=December 30, 2024}} It was later certified 6x platinum by Music Canada and 4x platinum by the RIAA. Alongside its commercial success, the track garnered four nominations at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.{{Cite news|last=Cohn|first=Gabe|date=November 23, 2021|title=Grammy Awards 2022: The Full List of Nominees|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/23/arts/music/grammys-nominee-list.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 30, 2024|url-access=registration}}
Caesar released his third studio album, Never Enough, through Republic Records on April 7, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/daniel-caesar-shares-release-date-for-new-album-never-enough|title=Daniel Caesar shares release date for new album Never Enough|website=The Line of Best Fit|last=Kenneally|first=Cerys|date=March 1, 2023|access-date=March 24, 2023}} In October 2024, he appeared on Tyler, the Creator's eighth studio album Chromakopia, providing vocals for five tracks on the album, including opening track "St. Chroma" and "Tomorrow", which Caesar co-wrote and performed bass on.{{cite web |title=Chromakopia by Tyler, the Creator on Tidal |date=October 28, 2024 |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/396116612/credits |publisher=Tidal |access-date=November 4, 2024 |language=en}} The following year, he collaborated with Rex Orange County, creating a two-track release titled “Rearrange My World / There's a Field (That's Only Yours)”.{{Citation |title=Rearrange My World / There’s a Field (That's Only Yours) |date=2025-02-14 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/5ktP3Kld7AkIWr6yXUaTbn |access-date=2025-05-16 |language=en}}
Inspirations and Artistry
Caesar's stage name derives from a combination of the Roman dictator Julius Caesar and the biblical figure Daniel, showing recognition to the topics he explores through his music.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zjslxGhDcQ |title=[한글자막] 다니엘 시저에게 피치스 피처링비를 묻다 |date=2023-09-24 |last=피식대학Psick Univ |access-date=2025-05-16 |via=YouTube}} His music draws from his childhood experiences and integrates them with R&B and electronics, while his lyrics explore subjects of religion, philosophy and unrequited love. In his music, he often references concepts of philosophy. Caesar heavily influenced by soul and gospel, his singing voice reshapes itself on each track, often veering into a hushed, introspective lilting style. 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." Caesar cites Frank Ocean, Kanye West, Beyoncé, and The Doors frontman Jim Morrison as musical and stylistic inspirations.{{cite web|author=Green, Alex|title=Get to know Daniel Caesar, the Artist Baring His Soul on Gospel-tinged R'n'B|url=https://mixmag.net/feature/get-to-know-daniel-caesar-the-toronto-born-artist-baring-his-soul-on-gospel-tinged-rnb|work=Mixmag |date=October 6, 2017}}
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.{{Cite web|last=Ritchie|first=Kevin|date=August 16, 2017|title=Independent soul: Daniel Caesar is staying DIY... with a little help from his friends|url=https://nowtoronto.com/music/features/daniel-caesar-independent-soul|access-date=November 24, 2020|newspaper=Now|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307150242/https://nowtoronto.com/music/features/daniel-caesar-independent-soul/|url-status=dead}} 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.
Personal life
In March 2019, Caesar received backlash for defending his friend Julieanna Goddard via an Instagram live stream.{{Cite web|date=March 20, 2019|title=Daniel Caesar Defends Yes Julz And Gets Slammed By Twitter|url=https://www.vibe.com/2019/03/daniel-caesar-defends-yes-julz|access-date=April 17, 2019|magazine=Vibe|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Daniel Caesar Calls Black People 'Too Sensitive' In Controversial Rant|url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2019-03-21-daniel-caesar-calls-black-people-too-sensitive-in-controversial-rant/|access-date=April 17, 2019|website=iHeartRadio|date=March 20, 2019 }}{{Cite web|date=March 20, 2019|title=Daniel Caesar under fire for 'drunk' video: 'Why are we being so mean to white people?'|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5076828/daniel-caesar-drunk-video/|access-date=April 17, 2019|website=Global News |language=en}} Goddard had been criticized for her racist comments on Black people, particularly those regarding Black women.{{Cite web|title=Dear YesJulz: Keep Black Women's Names Out Of Your Mouth|url=https://www.bet.com/article/vg9bm7/dear-yesjulz-keep-black-women-s-names-out-of-your-mouth|access-date=April 17, 2019|website=BET}}{{Cite web|last1=Kwateng-Clark|first1=Danielle|last2=Ibrahim|first2=Shamira|date=October 22, 2018|title=YesJulz, Voluntourism, and the White Savior Complex|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/yes-julz-kanye-west-uganda-voluntourism/|access-date=April 17, 2019|website=Broadly|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=YesJulz Dropped From Two Toronto Events After Controversial Tweet|url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/05/05/yesjulz-cancelled-toronto-events|access-date=April 17, 2019|website=The Fader|date=May 3, 2017 |language=en}} He later apologized for his comments.{{Cite web|date=February 1, 2019|title=YesJulz Tried To Say Sorry For Her Trash Racist Bars, Twitter Slandered Her All Over Again|url=https://hiphopwired.com/playlist/yesjulz-dragged-after-apologizing/|access-date=April 17, 2019|website=Hip-Hop Wired|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=March 25, 2019|title= Daniel Caesar apologizes for controversial comments about race|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5093869/daniel-caesar-apology/|access-date=April 17, 2019|website=Global News}}
Discography
{{Main|Daniel Caesar discography}}
- Freudian (2017)
- Case Study 01 (2019)
- Never Enough (2023)
Awards and nominations
= Other awards =
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Ceremony !Nominee / work !Award !Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| 2016
|rowspan="4"|Polaris Music Prize | Pilgrim's Paradise | – | {{longlisted}} |
| 2018
| Freudian | – | {{shortlisted}} |
| 2020
| Case Study 01 | – | {{longlisted}} |
| 2023
| | {{shortlisted}} | [https://www.cbc.ca/music/events/polaris/polaris-music-prize-2023-short-list-1.6903778 "Here's the 2023 Polaris Music Prize short list"]. CBC Music, July 13, 2023. |
| 2016
|rowspan="2"|SOCAN Songwriting Prize |"Paradise" (featuring BADBADNOTGOOD) | – |{{nom}} |
| 2017
|"Won't Live Here" | – | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="4" |2021
|rowspan="5" |"Peaches" |rowspan="2"|Global Hit |{{nom}} | |
| MTV Millennial Awards Brazil
|{{nom}} | |
| MTV Video Play Awards
|Winning Videos |{{won}} | |
| NRJ Music Awards
|International Song of the Year |{{nom}} | |
| 2022
|Winning Songwriters & Publishers |{{won}} | |
Concert tours
Headlining
- Freudian, a World Tour (2017–2018){{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/daniel_caesar_brings_freudian_on_north_american_tour|title=Daniel Caesar Brings 'Freudian' on North American Tour|work=Exclaim!|first=Josiah|last=Hughes|date=August 25, 2017|access-date=January 9, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/daniel-caesar-announces-world-tour-dates-in-singapore-and-indonesia-confirmed|title=Daniel Caesar announces world tour — Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines confirmed|work=Bandwagon Asia|first=Louisa|last=Chan|date=January 9, 2018|access-date=January 9, 2018}}
- Case Study 01: Tour (2019)
- Almost Enough: The Intimate Sessions (2023){{Cite web |last=Daly |first=Rhian |date=2023-03-21 |title=Daniel Caesar Announces 'Almost Enough: The Intimate Sessions' 2023 Tour |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/daniel-caesar-almost-enough-the-intimate-sessions-2023-tour/ |access-date=2023-06-25 |website=uDiscover Music |language=en-US}}
- Superpowers World Tour (2023){{Cite web |date=2023-06-12 |title=Grammy Award Winning Artist Daniel Caesar Presents Superpowers World Tour – Leg 2: U.S. & Canada |url=https://www.livenationentertainment.com/2023/06/grammy-award-winning-artist-daniel-caesar-presents-superpowers-world-tour-leg-2-u-s-canada/ |access-date=2023-06-25 |website=Live Nation Entertainment |language=en-US}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{commons category-inline}}
- {{official website|http://www.danielcaesar.com/}}
{{Daniel Caesar}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Caesar, Daniel}}
Category:Canadian people of Barbadian descent
Category:Canadian people of Jamaican descent
Category:Canadian contemporary R&B singers
Category:Canadian male songwriters
Category:MTV Video Music Award winners
Category:Alternative R&B musicians
Category:Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year winners
Category:21st-century Black Canadian male singers
Category:21st-century Canadian male singers