DannyLux
{{Short description|American singer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = DannyLux
| image = DannyLux Performing at Syracuse University.jpg
| alt = DannyLux performing at Syracuse University on October 19th, 2024. He is wearing an army-green shirt, a chain with diamond encrusted castle, blue pants, and diamond earrings
| caption = DannyLux performing at Syracuse University
| birth_name = Daniel Balderrama Espinoza
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2004|3|12}}
| birth_place = Palm Springs, California, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| genre = {{Hlist|Regional Mexican|Latin urbano|urban sad sierreño|
|chicano indie}}
| instrument = {{Hlist|Vocals|guitar}}
| years_active = 2020–present
| label = {{Hlist|VPS|Warner Latina}}
}}
Daniel Balderrama Espinoza (born March 12, 2004){{Cite web|url=https://www.buenamusica.com/danny-lux/biografia|title=Biografía de DannyLux|last=Balderrama|first=Daniel|accessdate=June 30, 2023}} better known by his stage name DannyLux, is an American singer-songwriter. He is well known for his hit song with Eslabón Armado called "Jugaste y Sufrí" which introduced him to the music industry, becoming one of the biggest new names in the regional Mexican genre.
Early life
Balderrama was born in Palm Springs, California. His parents immigrated from Mexicali, Baja California. As the youngest of three brothers, he grew up in an environment influenced by his heritage and musical upbringing. At the age of six, Balderrama's father, employed as a waste collector, stumbled upon a discarded guitar and brought it home.{{Cite web |last=Papa |first=Agushto |title=DANNY LUX- EP.46 |website=YouTube |date=February 28, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xONEf9OZtEU&t=36s |accessdate=September 27, 2023}}{{Cite magazine |last=Lopez |first=Julyssa |date=April 14, 2023 |title=His Father Used to Work Coachella — Now DannyLux Is One of the Festival's Most Anticipated Performers |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/dannylux-coachella-performance-father-1234715310/ |access-date=October 2, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} A year later, Balderrama's mother, a church secretary, urged her son to join the church choir, providing him with a platform to develop his vocal and guitar skills.{{Cite web |last=Balderrama |first=Daniel |title=DannyLux |url=https://thestateroompresents.com/state-room-presents/dannylux |accessdate=June 30, 2023}}
During his studies, he started practicing soccer, where he came up with a nickname for himself, "Danny Luxury." He would later revise this name to "DannyLux," which he would use as his stage name.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xONEf9OZtEU&t=36s|title=DANNY LUX- EP.46|last=Papa|first=Agushto|website=YouTube |date=February 28, 2022 |accessdate=September 27, 2023}} He was very fond of sports, but felt unhappy due to having bad grades at school and was eventually kicked off the soccer team. It was during this time, Danny remembered his guitar and immersed himself into playing.
Career
When he was 16 years old in mid-2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he started posting covers on TikTok which gained millions of views. After making covers of songs for a while, he was inspired to write and share his first original songs. From the songs, he would upload them as videos that would help him gain more views. After covering "Dame Tu Calor" by Eslabón Armado, band leader Pedro Tovar took notice of Danny's abilities. Shortly after, the two started conversing, Tovar asked Danny to collaborate as a lyricist on the album "Corta Venas". Embracing the opportunity, he accepted and soon after went on to record the track "Jugaste y Sufrí" alongside Eslabón Armado. Following the song's release, a music video was made which has over 230 million views as of February 2024. In mid-2020, Balderrama signed a contract with VPS Music. Later in 2022, he would also be signed by Warner Music Latina.{{Cite web |last=Roiz |first=Jessica |date=January 27, 2022 |title=Sierreño Singer-Songwriter DannyLux Signs With Warner Music Latina |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/record-labels/dannylux-warner-music-latina-record-deal-1235023489/ |access-date=October 2, 2023 |website=Billboard Charts}}
On January 15, 2021, he released his first album, Las Dos Caras del Amor. He was accompanied on bass by his cousin Eddy and on guitar by one of his best friends, Victor Ramos.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2023/09/27/1200582814/dannylux-tiny-desk-concert|title=DannyLux: Tiny Desk Concert|last=Fernández|first=Stefanie|website=NPR |accessdate=October 3, 2023}} On April 29, he released the EP Love , featuring popular tracks such as "Mi Otra Mitad" and "Tristeza y Traición." On October 2, 2021, DannyLux hit No. 1 on the Billboard Songwriters & Producers chart, staying there for three consecutive weeks.
On January 28, 2022, he released the EP Perdido en Ti, which ranked first among Apple Music's Latin albums. He competed in the eighth edition of the Latin American Music Awards of 2023 for best collaboration in "Jugaste y Sufrí". In April 2022, DannyLux was the official opening act for Coldplay, opening for eight shows in Mexico.{{Cite news |last=Exposito |first=Suzy |date=August 25, 2023 |title=DannyLux, el romántico for the TikTok generation |url=https://www.latimes.com/delos/story/2023-08-25/dannylux-gen-z-romantic-jugaste-y-sufri |access-date=October 2, 2023 |newspaper=LA Times}} In July, he collaborated with Mexican-American artist Cuco on the song "Decir Adios" from the album Fantasy Gateway.{{Cite web |last=Bloom |first=Madison |date=April 29, 2022|title=Cuco Announces New Album Fantasy Gateway, Shares Video for New Song: Watch |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/cuco-announces-new-album-fantasy-gateway-shares-video-for-new-song-watch/ |access-date=June 30, 2023 |website=Pitchfork}} On September 2, he released another EP, entitled Limerencia, with the most-played track being "Junto a Ti".
In April 2023, DannyLux performed at Coachella 2023.{{Cite web |last=Maldonado |first=Daisy |date=April 21, 2023 |title=DannyLux's Father Used to Work at Coachella. Now the Artist Is Taking the Stage and Bringing Dad as a VIP |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a43670310/dannylux-coachella-2023-interview/ |access-date=October 2, 2023 |website=Cosmopolitan}} On June 20, 2023, DannyLux received the city keys of his hometown.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Eliana |date=June 13, 2023 |title=After playing Coachella, Desert Hot Springs native DannyLux to get key to the city |url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/desert-hot-springs/2023/06/12/dannylux-coachella-desert-hot-springs-key-to-the-city/70315215007/ |access-date=September 30, 2023 |website=The Desert Sun}}{{Cite web |last=Reyes |first=Jesus |date=June 12, 2023 |title=DannyLux to receive key to the city of Desert Hot Springs on June 20 |url=https://kesq.com/news/2023/06/12/dannylux-to-receive-key-to-the-city-of-desert-hot-springs-on-june-20/ |access-date=October 2, 2023 |website=KESQ-TV}} Shortly after, on June 29, he released the single "Zafiro" featuring guitarist Pablo Hurtado, which became the fifth track of his new album. On August 9, Balderrama collaborated with Cuban singer Ovi and Colombian singer Blessd, in the creation of the song "Mientras no Vuelves."
Danny released another album titled DLUX a few days later, consisting of seventeen tracks and featuring various other collaborations. Among these collaborations, track 2, "Dime que hay de hacer," features Mexican singer Gabito Ballesteros, while track 6, "Me cambiaste," features Eslabón Armado. Track 8, "Alguien más," features Argentine singer Yami Safdie, and on track 10, "La lluvia," Balderrama collaborates with American singer Jordyn Shellhart. On track 13, Dominican-American singer Melvin War joins him on "Creo Q Dios." Balderrama reconnects with Cuco for an extended version of their previous collaboration, now titled "Decir Adios Oye Narrador," on a subsequent track. Lastly, he features Venezuelan-born American singer Maye on the track named "Mi Hogar."
On September 5, Danny released "Bórrame", a collaboration with Mexican singer Kurt. Continuing with new releases, on September 21, he released "Sustancias en Mi Corazón" with Chilean singer Strangehuman. On September 28, his collaboration with Becky G was released, on her album Esquinas. On October 10, Danny announced a tour across 11 cities in the East Coast and Midwest of the US, with the name Ambición Tour.{{Cite magazine |last=Mier |first=Tomás |date=October 10, 2023 |title=DannyLux Brings His Sierreños to the East Coast and Midwest With Ambición Tour |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/dannylux-announces-ambicion-tour-dates-2023-1234850795/ |access-date=November 26, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}
On January 12, 2024, Danny released the single "Un Día Entenderás". On March 1, he released the deluxe album EVOLUXION based on his last album DLUX (2023), the album includes new and updated tracks such as "Maldito Alcohol" and "Ciudad del Sol".{{Cite magazine |last=Mier |first=Tomás |date=February 9, 2024 |title=DannyLux Speeds to the 'Ciudad del Sol' on New Corrido-Leaning Single |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/dannylux-ciudad-del-sol-video-1234964852/ |access-date=April 12, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} Calentón Music Festival at Syracuse University on October 19, 2024 was Danny's first performance at the university's annual Hispanic Music Festival—honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month{{cite web |title=DannyLux brings ‘fire’ performance to 2nd Calentón Music Fest |url=https://dailyorange.com/2024/10/dannylux-calenton-music-fest/ |website=The Daily Orange |access-date=30 October 2024 |date=20 October 2024}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
=Reissues=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Details ! scope="col" colspan="3" | Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | US
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | US ! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | US |
|---|
| scope="row" | Evoluxion
|
| — || — || — |
=EPs=
- Love (2021) {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/love-3-ep/1646557709|title=Love
- Lluvia y Sol (En Vivo) (2022) {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/lluvia-y-sol-ep-en-vivo/1608057369|title=Lluvia Y Sol (En Vivo) - EP by Los Aptos, DannyLux & Dariell Cano on Apple Music|date=February 11, 2022|website=Apple Music|accessdate=October 9, 2023}}
Singles
=As lead artist=
=As featured artist=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16.5em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"| Year ! colspan="2"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:13:2em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
| scope="col" style=width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US
! scope="col" style=width:3em;font-size:90%;"| MEX |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Me Voy Contigo"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/me-voy-contigo-feat-dannylux-single/1572798273|title=Me Voy Contigo (feat. DannyLux) - Single by Los Aptos on Apple Music|date=June 25, 2021|website=Apple Music|accessdate=October 9, 2023}} {{small|(Los Aptos featuring DannyLux)}} | 2021 | — || — | | Lluvia Y Sol |
| scope="row"| "Si Supieras"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/si-supieras-feat-dannylux-single/1625132458|title=SI SUPIERAS (feat. DannyLux) - Single by Edwin Santizo on Apple Music|date=May 15, 2022|website=Apple Music|accessdate=October 9, 2023}} {{small|(Edwin Santizo featuring DannyLux)}} | 2022 | — || — | | {{Non-album single}} |
=Guest appearances=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Other artist(s) ! scope="col"| Album |
| scope="row" | "Jugaste y Sufrí
| 2020 | rowspan="2" | Eslabon Armado |
|---|
| scope="row" | "Si Supieras"
| rowspan="2" | 2022 |
| scope="row" | "Decir Adios"
| Cuco | Fantasy Gateway |
| scope="row" | "Me Decepcionaste"
| rowspan="4" | 2023 | Eslabon Armado |
| scope="row" | "Cries in Spanish"
| Becky G | Esquinas |
| scope="row" | "Amigos Para Qué"
| Sur |
| scope="row" | "Triste Navidad"
| — | Navidad Mexa y Bélica |
| scope="row" | "Nostalgia en el Viento"
| rowspan="3" | 2024 | EddyJae | Mixtape 1 - EP |
| scope="row" | "Mi Tormenta" |
| scope="row" | "Chilling"
| Yng Naz | De Moda |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="width: auto;"
|+ List of awards and nominations received by Grupo Frontera ! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |
| scope="row"| Premios Juventud
| 2022 | Himself | The New Generation - Regional Mexican | rowspan="4" {{nom}} |
|---|
| scope="row" | Billboard Latin Music Awards
| 2022 | Jugaste y Sufrí | Regional Mexican Song of the Year |
| scope="row" | Premio Lo Nuestro
| 2023 | Himself | Regional Mexican New Artist of the Year |
| scope="row" | Latin Grammy Awards
| 2024 | Evoluxion |
References
{{Reflist}}