Dev Hynes#Blood Orange

Dev Hynes was born in Ilford, East London, to a Guyanese mother and a Sierra Leone Creole father.{{Cite web|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/blood-orange-freetown-sound-sierra-leonean-influences-new-album/|title=Blood Orange Speaks About the Sierra Leonean Influences on His New Album 'Freetown Sound'|date=2016-06-28|website=OkayAfrica|language=en|access-date=2019-10-08}} He was educated at the Chadwell Heath Foundation School, now known as Chadwell Heath Academy. From their formation in 2004 until their break-up in 2006, Hynes was a member of the dance-punk band Test Icicles, playing guitar, synth, and occasionally performing vocals. They released one full-length album, For Screening Purposes Only, in 2005. Hynes relocated to New York in 2007 where he resides.{{Cite web|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/tag/blood-orange/|title=Blood Orange: What to Know About the Musician Dev Hynes|website=Highsnobiety.com|date=4 June 2020 |access-date=12 October 2021}}

In early 2007, Hynes, under the name Lightspeed Champion, recorded his debut album in Omaha, Nebraska, with Saddle Creek producer Mike Mogis. A number of Omaha-based musicians appeared on the record, including Mogis himself, trumpet player and pianist Nate Walcott, the Faint's drummer Clark Baechle and guest vocalist Emmy the Great, along with moonlighting members of Cursive and Tilly and the Wall.{{cite web |url=http://www.dominorecordco.com/site/index.php?page=artists&artistID=248 |title=Lightspeed Champion – artist page |publisher=Domino Records |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220221043/http://www.dominorecordco.com/site/index.php?page=artists&artistID=248 |archive-date=20 December 2007 |access-date=13 February 2010}} These recording sessions resulted in the single "Galaxy of the Lost", released on 30 July 2007, and the album Falling Off the Lavender Bridge, released on 21 January 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.dominorecordco.com/site/index.php?page=releases&releaseID=709| title=Galaxy of the Lost listing|publisher=Domino Records |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418150703/http://www.dominorecordco.com/site/index.php?page=releases&releaseID=709 |archive-date=18 April 2008 |access-date=13 February 2010}} The name 'Lightspeed Champion' comes from a series of comic strips Hynes drew as a teenager in his school mathematics books.{{cite web |url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/03/15/lightspeed_champion__performs_live_from_sxsw/ |title=Lightspeed Champion performs live from SXSW |publisher=Minnesota Public Radio |access-date=20 February 2009}}

The touring band for the Falling Off the Lavender Bridge album at various points consisted of friends of Hynes' from other bands, including Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine and Emmy the Great. Mike Siddell, formerly of Hope of the States, played violin with the band. Anna Prior, formerly of Leeds bands Dead Disco and the Ivories, played drums for most of the tour. Other guest members to have contributed in live shows include Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys, Faris Badwan of the Horrors, Frederick Blood-Royale of Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man,{{cite web |url=http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/2840721 |title=Watch: Lightspeed Champion, Arctic Monkey, Ipso Facto, 'Fred Les' play one-off covers show |publisher=Drowned in Sound |access-date=22 February 2008 |archive-date=3 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303164920/http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/2840721 |url-status=dead }} Jack Peñate and Eugene McGuinness as well as We Are Scientists' Keith Murray on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on 6 June 2008.

Backed by a full band, Hynes appeared at the NME 2008 Awards, broadcast on Channel 4 on 29 February 2008, dressed as characters from Star Wars, including Princess Leia on the drums. The band's affinity with Star Wars continued when they played the main theme to the trilogy at the Wireless Festival in 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/music/ontv/N/nme-awards-2008.html |title=NME Awards 2008 |publisher =Channel 4 |access-date=2 March 2008}} Hynes and a violinist Mike Siddell began a short US tour in March 2008, ending with an appearance at SXSW in 2008. At SXSW, they befriended the Wombats, who supported them at a Royal Albert Hall concert. Hynes also performed with We Are Scientists at the Glastonbury in 2008 (John Peel Stage){{cite web|url=https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/history/history-2008/|publisher=glastonburyfestivals|title=Glastonbury 27-28-29 June|access-date=3 August 2018}} and appeared at Belgian music festival Pukkelpop in August 2008.{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}}

By the end of what became a two-year touring period, Hynes had suffered severe damage to his throat, and had to undergo extensive surgery.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/lightspeed-champion-3-1291702|work= NME|title=Lightspeed Champion has emergency surgery to beat throat infection|first=Matt|last=Wilkison|date=1 April 2010|access-date=3 August 2018}} He took a two and a half-year hiatus from touring, appearing occasionally to play shows in New York and a top billed slot at the Carling Festival in 2009. In December 2008, Hynes was asked on behalf of the British Film Institute to perform the soundtrack of the cult Hal Ashby film Harold and Maude after a screening of the performance. Hynes had to cancel this due to an operation he had to undergo on his throat. The event was rescheduled for May 2009. In July 2009 Hynes reprised the soundtrack and performed at Latitude Festival. In June 2009, Hynes performed at the Barbican Centre in London in commemoration of the composer Moondog, singing renditions along with London Saxophonic of songs from the Moondog album Sax Pax for a Sax. He also sang "Fujiyama Part 2" backed by the Britten Sinfonia. In April 2010, Hynes returned to the Barbican to perform with the Triffids for a special concert in honour of their singer David McComb along with Warren Ellis, Tindersticks and members of the Brian Jonestown Massacre. He returned for a two-week European tour in June 2010.

Hynes has recorded a number of bootlegs and unofficial releases, made available to the public through his blog and MySpace.{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/artists/lightspeed-champion#biography |title=Lightspeed Champion Biography |work=NME |access-date=20 February 2009}} These include an album written and recorded entirely in a day and an EP consisting of covers of Green Day songs. The second Lightspeed Champion album, Life Is Sweet! Nice to Meet You, was released in 2010. Hynes retired the project to focus fully on his Blood Orange project.

File:Blood Orange Shacklewell Arms 3.jpg

With Lightspeed Champion on effective hiatus, Hynes decided to concentrate on a new musical project more focused on R&B and electronica, called Blood Orange. Various live performances under this alias have taken place in New York and London within November and December 2009, consisting of Hynes, a guitar, and a laptop. On 17 December 2009, Hynes performed a song titled "Forget It" on the final It's On with Alexa Chung show on MTV. He performed to a backing track dressed in a wizard costume.

Hynes' debut single under the moniker Blood Orange, "Dinner", was released in January 2011 on Terrible Records, with an accompanying video directed by Alan Del Rio that debuted on Pitchfork TV. Following this, his full-length record Coastal Grooves was released in August 2011 on Domino Records.{{cite web |url=http://interviewmagazine.com/blogs/music/2010-11-29/dev-hynes-blood-orange/ |title=Sight and Sound: The Divine Dev Hynes |publisher=Interview Magazine |access-date=16 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825120320/http://www.interviewmagazine.com/blogs/music/2010-11-29/dev-hynes-blood-orange/ |archive-date=25 August 2011 |url-status=dead }} The song "Sutphin Boulevard" was featured on the 17 January 2011 premiere episode of the MTV show Skins.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/shows/skins?episodeID=174423 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106185353/http://www.mtv.com/shows/skins?episodeID=174423 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 November 2015 |title=Skins Season 1 Episodes (TV Series) MTV |publisher=mtv.com |access-date=16 December 2015}} On 9 April 2012, Hynes embarked on a tour as Blood Orange opening for Florence and the Machine.

In November 2013, Hynes released the second Blood Orange album, Cupid Deluxe. The album features guest appearances, including performances from David Longstreth (Dirty Projectors), Caroline Polachek (Chairlift), Samantha Urbani (Friends), Clams Casino, Despot, Adam Bainbridge (Kindness), Skepta and more. The album was promoted by three singles: "Chamakay", "You're Not Good Enough" and "Uncle ACE". The album was streamed in full on Hynes' own YouTube channel on 5 November 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u4lwZDUhCI |title=Youtube Cupid Deluxe (Album Stream)|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}} The album also includes a cover of "I Can Only Disappoint U", originally by the British rock group Mansun under the title "Always Let You Down". In November, Blood Orange appeared on the cover of The Fader in its 89th issue.{{cite web | url=http://www.thefader.com/2013/11/19/travis-scott-blood-orange-cover-now-issue-fader-89/ | title=Introducing The FADER's 2013–14 Now Issue: Blood Orange and Travi$ Scott| publisher=The FADER | date=19 November 2013| access-date=4 February 2014}} Hynes scored the 2013 film Palo Alto, directed by Gia Coppola.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/article/palo-alto-director-gia-coppola-on-working-with-young-actors-and-her-familys-legacy |title=The Indiewire Springboard: 'Palo Alto' Director Gia Coppola Lives Up To Her Family's Legacy|Filmmakers,Film Industry, Film Festivals, Awards & Movie Reviews |publisher=Indiewire |date=26 October 2012 |access-date=3 July 2014}}

On 8 January 2014, it was announced that Blood Orange was on the line-up for Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California. In November 2015, Hynes released a collaborative EP with New Zealand psychedelic pop artist Connan Mockasin titled Myths 001: Collaborative Recordings Captured in Marfa, TX 9–16 March 2015.{{cite web | url=http://www.mexicansummer.com/shop/connan-mockasin-dev-hynes-marfa-12/ | title=Connan Mockasin / Devonté Hynes Myths 001: Collaborative Recordings Captured in Marfa, TX March 9-16, 2015 | publisher=Mexican Summer | access-date=4 November 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101152245/http://www.mexicansummer.com/shop/connan-mockasin-dev-hynes-marfa-12/ | archive-date=1 November 2015 | url-status=dead }}

On 18 April 2016, Hynes announced his third record under the Blood Orange moniker would be entitled Freetown Sound.{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BEWg4oQIbLo/ |title=Instagram |access-date=18 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614054914/https://www.instagram.com/p/BEWg4oQIbLo/ |archive-date=14 June 2016 |url-status=dead}} It was released on 28 June 2016, three days ahead of the planned 1 July 2016 release.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/66031-blood-orange-releases-freetown-sound-listen/|title=Devonté Hynes on Pitchfork|website=Pitchfork|date=28 June 2016|access-date=28 June 2016}} His album Freetown Sound was shortlisted by IMPALA (Independent Music Companies Association) for the Album of the Year Award 2016, which rewards on a yearly basis the best album released on an independent European label.{{cite web| url=http://impalamusic.org/content/25-artists-best-independent-album-year-europe/| title=25 artists up for best independent album of the year in Europe| website=Impalamusic.org| access-date=14 March 2017| archive-date=15 March 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315085333/http://impalamusic.org/content/25-artists-best-independent-album-year-europe/| url-status=dead}}

On 19 July 2018, he announced his fourth studio album under the Blood Orange moniker, Negro Swan, and released in the following week its first two singles: "Charcoal Baby" and "Jewelry".{{cite web |last=Tully Claymore |first=Gabriela |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2006445/blood-orange-new-album-teaser/video |title=Blood Orange Announces New Album Negro Swan |work=Stereogum |date=19 July 2018 |access-date=20 July 2018}}{{cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/blood-orange-unveils-daring-videos-for-new-songs-charcoal-baby-jewelry-703981 |title=Blood Orange Unveils Daring Videos for New Songs 'Charcoal Baby,' 'Jewelry' |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=26 July 2018 |access-date=27 July 2018}} The album was released on 24 August 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/07/19/blood-orange-negro-swan-tour|title=Blood Orange announces new album Negro Swan|work=The Fader|first=David|last=Renshaw|date=19 July 2018|access-date=23 July 2019}}

On 25 June 2019, Hynes announced his fifth release under the Blood Orange moniker in an interview with Cultured Magazine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.culturedmag.com/dev-hynes-blood-orange/|title=Musician Dev Hynes Looks Forward to His Next Release|date=2019-06-25|website=Cultured Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-28|archive-date=27 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627165938/https://www.culturedmag.com/dev-hynes-blood-orange/|url-status=dead}} The mixtape, titled Angel's Pulse, was released on 12 July 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2050803/blood-orange-angels-pulse-mixtape/music/album-stream/|title=Stream Blood Orange's 'Angel's Pulse' Mixtape|last=DeVille|first=Chris|date=12 July 2019|website=Stereogum}}

In 2022, Hynes performed alongside Liam Benzvi on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Benzvi, Tariq Al-Sabir, Eva Tolkin, and Ian Isiah at Madison Square Garden as part of Harry Styles's Love On Tour.{{Cite web |title=Watch Blood Orange perform "Wish" on The Tonight Show |url=https://www.thefader.com/2022/09/23/blood-orange-wish-tonight-show |access-date=2022-10-29 |website=The FADER |language=en}}

In September 2022, it was announced Hynes signed to RCA Records.{{cite web |last1=Renshaw |first1=David |title=Blood Orange returns with "Jesus Freak Lighter" |url=https://www.thefader.com/2022/09/08/blood-orange-jesus-freak-lighter-four-songs |website=thefader.com |publisher=The Fader, Inc. |access-date=2023-01-23}}

{{see also|Dev Hynes discography#Production, features, and writing discography}}

Hynes has written and contributed songs to a number of other acts. His arrangements and vocals have appeared on songs by the Chemical Brothers ("All Rights Reversed", from 2007's Grammy Award winning album We Are the Night), and Basement Jaxx, on their album Scars.

Hynes has co-written and produced songs for Diana Vickers on Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree, another No. 1 debutante on the UK Albums Chart. He has also produced and written songs for Theophilus London, including his second album, Vibes, released in 2014, and the 2011 EP, Lovers Holiday, which he also featured on.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

Hynes contributed music to the 2010 film MacGruber, including the duet "Rock My Body" with Saturday Night Live cast member Kristen Wiig. In late 2011, he produced Australian noise pop duo Bleeding Knees Club's debut album Nothing to Do, which was released on 2 March 2012. He co-wrote and co-produced Solange Knowles' 2012 EP True.

Hynes has co-written the song "Everything Is Embarrassing" for Sky Ferreira. He worked with Britney Spears on her eighth album, Britney Jean; however, none of his songs made the final cut.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a598337/britney-spears-demo-recorded-by-dev-hynes-leaks-online/ |title=Britney Spears demo recorded by Dev Hynes leaks online |date=22 September 2014 |publisher=Digital Spy |access-date=16 December 2015}}

He co-wrote and co-produced Kylie Minogue's song "Crystallize", a charity single for One Note Against Cancer.{{cn|date=January 2023}}

Hynes co-wrote and produced "All That" with Carly Rae Jepsen for her album Emotion, and also co-wrote "Body Language" for her EP Emotion: Side B.

He co-wrote two songs on Spector's second album, Moth Boys, "Cocktail Party / Heads Interlude" and "Decade of Decay". Hynes also co-wrote "Difficult Phone Call", a track on the extended version of the album. Hynes was also one of the producers on the album.

Hynes produced and was featured on "Hun43rd" by ASAP Rocky, from Rocky's third studio album, Testing.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/05/24/asap-rocky-testing-tracklist-producers-|title=Here's the tracklist and producer credits for A$AP Rocky's TESTING|website=Thefaer.com|date=24 May 2018 |access-date=7 December 2018}}

He was also featured on Self Care by Mac Miller, off of Mac's album Swimming.

Hynes and collaborator Ian Isiah co-created and performed an adaptation of "Grateful" by gospel singer Hezekiah Walker for a fashion show by New York-based designer Telfar Clemens.{{Cite web|last=Dazed|date=2018-02-10|title=Kelela, Dev Hynes & Kelsey Lu put on a gig at fashion week|url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/38970/1/kelela-dev-hynes-put-on-a-gig-at-the-telfar-aw18-show-new-york-nyfw|access-date=2020-11-12|website=Dazed|language=en}}

Hynes co-wrote Blondie's single "Long Time" with Deborah Harry, which was included on the band's eleventh album Pollinator. It was released as its second single and reached the #5 on the Billboard's Hot Dance Chart and #19 on the Adult Alternative Songs.

In 2021, he was also featured on "Alien Love Call", a single by Turnstile.

{{Citation|title=TURNSTILE - ALIEN LOVE CALL (FT. BLOOD ORANGE) [OFFICIAL VIDEO]| date=14 July 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EXzz9QyWd0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/9EXzz9QyWd0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-07-14}}{{cbignore}}

In 2024, Orange collaborated with Nathy Peluso on the single "El Día Que Me Perdí Mi Juventud" from Peluso's album Grasa.{{Cite web |last=Villa |first=Lucas |date=24 May 2024 |title=How Nathy Peluso Reclaimed Her Rebellion on New Album 'Grasa' With Help From Fito Páez, Blood Orange's Dev Hynes and More |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/nathy-peluso-grasa-fito-paez-blood-orange-1236012460/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524173221/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/nathy-peluso-grasa-fito-paez-blood-orange-1236012460/ |archive-date=24 May 2024 |access-date=1 June 2024 |website=Variety}}

In 2024, Hynes composed music for the Broadway production of Job.{{cite web|url= https://www.broadwaynews.com/devonte-hynes-will-compose-original-music-for-job-on-broadway/|title= Devonté Hynes will compose original music for 'Job' on Broadway|website= Broadway News|date= 27 June 2024|accessdate= July 8, 2024}}

Hynes has collaborated several times with composer Philip Glass, performing his piano Etudes for radio, at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.{{cite web |last1=Sodomsky |first1=Sam |title=Blood Orange's Dev Hynes to Perform With Philip Glass |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/blood-oranges-dev-hynes-to-perform-with-philip-glass/ |website=Pitchfork |date=6 November 2017 |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Huizenga |first1=Tom |title='When You Gonna Get A Real Job?': Philip Glass And Devonté Hynes Compare Notes |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/09/21/552097375/when-you-gonna-get-a-real-job-philip-glass-and-devont-hynes-compare-notes |website=NPR.org |date=21 September 2017 |language=en}}

Hynes has written scores for art pieces and film in collaboration with Alex Da Corte, Josh Kline & the Palo Alto score for the movie of the same name by Gia Coppola.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19473-devonte-hynes-palo-alto-score/|title=Devonté Hynes: Palo Alto: Original Motion Picture Score / Palo Alto: Music from the Motion Picture|website=Pitchfork|language=en|access-date=2019-03-12}}

A special performance of Eastern Sports was performed at ICA Philadelphia in 2015{{cite web |title=Video: Dev Hynes performing *Easternsports* score live at ICA - ICA Philadelphia |url=https://icaphila.org/posts/video-dev-hynes-performing-easternsports-score-live-at-ica/ |website=Institute of Contemporary Art - Philadelphia, PA |date=9 March 2015}} and at the Whitney Museum of Art in 2017.{{cite web |title=Devonté Hynes Performance: Easternsports |url=https://whitney.org/Events/DevonteHynesPerformance |website=whitney.org |language=en}}

Two performances of the Palo Alto score took place in 2016.{{cite web |title=Music and Film: Devonte Hynes PALO ALTO |url=https://www.bricartsmedia.org/events-performances/music-and-film-devonte-hynes-palo-alto |website=BRIC |language=en |date=5 August 2014}}

In 2019, Hynes composed the score for the film Queen & Slim.

In 2022, he composed a symphonic piece for Naked Blue, a 17-minute film directed by Mati Diop and Manon Lutanie.{{cite web |title=CSO Proof: SUN DOGS |url=https://www.cincinnatisymphony.org/tickets-and-events/buy-tickets/cso/cso-proof/2223/cso-proof-sun-dogs/ |website=cincinnatisymphony.org |language=en}}

{{main|Dev Hynes discography}}

;Studio albums

• Coastal Grooves (2011)
• Cupid Deluxe (2013)
• Freetown Sound (2016)
• Negro Swan (2018)

;Mixtapes & EP's

• Angel's Pulse (2019)
• Four Songs (2022)

• Falling Off the Lavender Bridge (2008)
• Life Is Sweet! Nice to Meet You (2010)

;Mixtapes & EPs

• Myths 001 (2015){{cite web |last1=Rytlewski|first1=Evan|title=Myths 001: Collaborative Recordings |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21267-myths-001-collaborative-recordings/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=13 July 2023 |date= 2015}} (with Connan Mockasin)

;Soundtracks

• Palo Alto (2013)
• Fields (2019){{cite web |last1=Strauss |first1=Matthew |title=Blood Orange Announces New Classical Music Album Fields |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/blood-orange-announces-new-classical-music-album-fields/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=21 August 2019 |date=20 August 2019}} (with Third Coast Percussion)
• Queen & Slim (2019)
• We Are Who We Are (2020)
• Mainstream (2020)
• Passing (2021)
• Master Gardener (2022)

{{Reflist}}

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Category:1985 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century Black British male singers

Category:21st-century British male singers

Category:English expatriate musicians in the United States

Category:English folk musicians

Category:English people of Guyanese descent

Category:Progressive soul musicians

Category:Sierra Leone Creole people

Category:English people of Sierra Leonean descent

Category:English record producers

Category:Domino Recording Company artists

Category:Test Icicles members

Category:People from Ilford

Category:Musicians from the London Borough of Redbridge

Category:Singers from the London Borough of Redbridge

Category:Black British rock musicians