Fefe Dobson
{{short description|Canadian singer (born 1985)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
|name = Fefe Dobson
|image = Fefe Dobson.jpg
|caption = Dobson in 2011
|birth_name = Felicia Lily Dobson
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1985|2|28}}
|birth_place = Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
|origin =
|genre = {{flatlist|
}}
|occupation = {{flatlist|
- Singer
- songwriter
}}
|years_active = 2000–present
|label = {{flatlist|
- Island
- 21
}}
| current_member_of = Artists Against Bullying
{{Infobox person
| child = yes
| spouse = {{marriage|Yelawolf|2019}}
| website = {{URL|fefemusic.com}}
}}
}}
Felicia Lily Dobson (born February 28, 1985) is a Canadian singer. Born in Toronto, Ontario, she began performing as a teenager, during which time she received and refused an offer from Jive Records for a recording contract. Dobson signed with Island/Def Jam soon after and released her self-titled debut album (2003), which saw the success of the singles "Bye Bye Boyfriend" and "Don't Go (Girls and Boys)" on the Canadian Hot 100 chart and for which she received two Juno Award nominations.
Dobson's second studio album Sunday Love was originally scheduled for release in 2005, but after complications during production, its mainstream release was cancelled and she left her record label due to creative differences (later made available digitally in 2012). She was re-signed to Island Records during production of her third studio album Joy (2010), whose singles "Ghost" and "Stuttering" saw continued success in Canada.{{cite web|url=http://www.bestfan.com/profile.php?ida=4 |title=BestFan Fefe Dobson |publisher=BestFan Inc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014125656/http://bestfan.com/profile.php?ida=4 |archive-date=October 14, 2010 }}{{cite web|title=Chris Smith Management Inc Newsletter |author=Chris Smith Management Inc |url=http://chrissmithmanagement.cmail3.com/T/ViewEmail/y/09010FD9592B1215/E01B62FDBF29E45344D0DD5392A9C75A |date=September 2, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708165820/http://chrissmithmanagement.cmail3.com/T/ViewEmail/y/09010FD9592B1215/E01B62FDBF29E45344D0DD5392A9C75A |archive-date=July 8, 2011 }}
Early life
Dobson was born on February 28, 1985, in Scarborough, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto.{{cite web|last=Loftus|first=Johnny|title=Fefe Dobson Biography|publisher=AllMusic|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p576248|pure_url=yes}}|access-date=November 5, 2008}} Dobson's mother is of English, Dutch, First Nations, and Irish ancestry and her father is of Jamaican heritage.{{cite web|title=What's the 411: Fefe Dobson|work=The 411 Initiative For Change|url=http://www.whatsthe411.ca/?pageID=136|access-date=July 17, 2009}} She went to high school at Wexford Collegiate Institute. During her childhood, she took singing lessons at the New Conservatory of Music in Agincourt, Scarborough to improve her singing. Fefe Dobson graduated from Heritage Park Public School.
Dobson began sending demo tapes – recorded on a home karaoke machine – to many recording companies in North America when she was 11 years old.{{Cite news|last=Carpenter|first=Susan|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jan-08-wk-pop8-story.html|title=There's bitter with her sweet|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=January 8, 2004}} Then at the age of 13, she started playing the piano.{{cite web|title=Fefe Dobson, latest Canadian to hit the charts|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1069887261155_65296461/?hub=Entertainment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050421020030/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1069887261155_65296461?hub=Entertainment|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 21, 2005|date=November 26, 2003|publisher=CTV.ca|access-date=September 6, 2009}}
Before Dobson was signed, she said that she had been stereotyped as a contemporary R&B or popular music singer instead of a rock musician due to her race, often being compared to Brandy Norwood and Britney Spears.{{cite web|title=Flash-forward: FeFe Dobson|work=The Observer-The Observer Music Monthly|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,,1150751,00.html|date=February 22, 2004|access-date=July 17, 2009}}
Dobson started writing music at the age of 13 years, and the company Jive Records attempted to develop her as a popular musician, which she eventually refused.{{cite web|last=Plummer|first=Sean|title=FEFE DOBSON, CANADA'S LATEST TEEN MUSICAL IT GIRL, TAKES ON THE WORLD|issue=FEBRUARY – MARCH 2004|work=accessmag.com|url=http://www.accessmag.com/Archives/68-Fefe.html|access-date=July 17, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117015640/http://www.accessmag.com/Archives/68-Fefe.html|archive-date=January 17, 2009}} After that experience, Dobson met Jay Levine and contracted with Nelly Furtado's manager Chris Smith. Smith arranged showcases with several recording companies. Universal Music Canada president Randy Lennox showed interest in her, and persuaded Island Def Jam CEO Lyor Cohen and his manager of A&R, Jeff Fenster, to fly to Toronto for another showcase. Dobson played a showcase for Island/Def Jam; about 30 seconds into the first song – a punk thrash track about longing, titled "Stupid Little Love Song" – the executives contracted her.
Music career
=2003–2008: ''Fefe Dobson'' and ''Sunday Love''=
Dobson's self-titled debut album was released December 9, 2003, by Island Records, and sold 307,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.{{cite magazine|title=Dobson Celebrates 'Sunday' On Sophomore CD|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/dobson-celebrates-sunday-on-sophomore-cd-58927/|format=review|access-date=March 14, 2022}} The album debuted at number one on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart.[http://www.billboard.com/charts/2003-12-27/heatseekers-albums Fefe Dobson (Billboard Heatseekers Albums)], Billboard, December 27, 2003. Four singles were released from the album: "Bye Bye Boyfriend", "Take Me Away", "Everything", and "Don't Go (Girls and Boys)". Two of the album's tracks, "Everything" and "Unforgiven", were used in the film The Perfect Score.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314498/soundtrack Soundtracks for The Perfect Score (2004)],IMDb. During much of 2004, Dobson promoted her debut album, performing live on the program Total Request Live and appearing in numerous magazines. She was also the opening act of Justin Timberlake's European tour.{{cite web|last=Stevenson|first=Jane|title=The Fabulous Fefe Dobson: Music biz buzzin' about young Scarborough rocker.|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/D/Dobson_Fefe/2004/01/29/744629.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712061126/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/D/Dobson_Fefe/2004/01/29/744629.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 12, 2012|work=JAM! Canoe|date=January 29, 2004|access-date=September 4, 2009}} That July, she released the single, "Don't Go (Girls and Boys)", which was featured in a Tommy Hilfiger commercial featuring the singer.{{cite press release|title=Music's newest stars featured in new fall 2004 Tommy Jeans ad campaign|publisher=Top40 Charts/Tommy Hilfiger|url= http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=8003&string=Fefe|date=July 13, 2004}} The album was later reissued with the single added. Dobson also had a new song, "If You Walk Away", on the soundtrack of Raising Helen.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0350028/soundtrack Soundtracks for Raising Helen (2004)],IMDb. Dobson was an endorser for the Got Milk? organization.{{cite web|title=Fefe Dobson Biography|work=Chris Smith Management Inc|url=http://www.chrissmith-management.com/website/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=27|access-date=August 1, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303220403/http://www.chrissmith-management.com/website/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=27|archive-date=March 3, 2012}}{{cite web|author=fefe.dobson No real name given + Add Contact |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/fefedobson/2732372039/ |title=fefe.dobson's photostream Flickr PRESS photo |publisher=Flickr.com |date=February 7, 2009 |access-date=March 2, 2011}}
In April 2005, Dobson was nominated for two Juno Awards, Pop Album of the Year and New Artist of the Year.{{cite web|title=Juno Nominations Announced: Lavigne Leads The Pack|work=Chart Attack|url=http://www.chartattack.com/news/37969/juno-nominations-announced-lavigne-leads-the-pack|date=February 7, 2005|access-date=February 7, 2005|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109190251/http://www.chartattack.com/news/37969/juno-nominations-announced-lavigne-leads-the-pack|archive-date=January 9, 2009}} During the summer of 2005, Dobson was in a public service ad: "Make Poverty History", which brings awareness to child poverty worldwide.{{cite press release|title=Recording Industry, Music Artists and Make Poverty History Unveil All-Canadian 'Click' Ads|date=September 9, 2005|publisher=makepovertyhistory.ca|url=http://archive.makepovertyhistory.ca/e/media/canadian-click-ad.html|access-date=December 13, 2009}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
In 2005, Dobson released the single "Don't Let It Go to Your Head" followed by "This Is My Life" the following year.{{cite web |title=Don't Let It Go to Your Head Fefe Dobson |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1475202|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=July 18, 2009 |publisher=AllMusic}}{{cite web |title=This Is My Life (E-Single) Fefe Dobson |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=17:4835202 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907161742/http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg |archive-date=September 7, 2009 |access-date=August 30, 2009 |publisher=AllMusic}} When both singles failed to chart, Island Records dropped her from the label and canceled the major label release of Dobson's second studio album, Sunday Love.{{Cite web |title=Exclusive: Fefe Dobson revisits the raw heartbreak of her 'Sunday Love' cancellation, 15 years later |url=https://ew.com/music/fefe-dobson-sunday-love-interview-new-album/ |date=June 9, 2021|access-date=2024-06-20 |website=EW.com |language=en}} "My real good fans, my hardcore fans, have it, so that's most important," Dobson said, referring to the album leaking on the internet. "But instead of sitting there and being depressed and begging people for the record, I went back to the studio, got people that I knew, friends that I knew, and I started again."{{cite web |last=Finkelman |first=Josh |date=April 19, 2007 |title=Fefe Dobson Donates Her Talents To Two Benefit Shows |url=http://www.chartattack.com/news/43428/fefe-dobson-donates-her-talents-to-two-benefit-shows |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607184821/http://www.chartattack.com/news/43428/fefe-dobson-donates-her-talents-to-two-benefit-shows |archive-date=June 7, 2011 |work=Chart Attack}} Sunday Love eventually received a wide digital release on December 18, 2012.{{cite web |date=June 20, 2006 |title=iTunes Music – Sunday Love (Full Length) by Fefe Dobson |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/sunday-love-full-length/1443873127 |access-date=December 18, 2012 |publisher=iTunes Store}}
One song from the album, "Be Strong", featured on the soundtrack for the film It's a Boy Girl Thing.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0482527/soundtrack Soundtracks for It's a Boy Girl Thing (2006)],IMDb.
"Start All Over", a song co-written by Dobson{{cite web|title=Start All Over Composed By|publisher=AllMusic|url= {{AllMusic|class=song|id=t10637886|pure_url=yes}}|access-date=September 2, 2009}} and featured her background vocals,{{cite web|title=Start All Over Miley Cyrus|publisher=AllMusic|url= {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1417907|pure_url=yes}}|access-date=September 2, 2009}} was recorded by Miley Cyrus for her album Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus (2007){{cite web|title=Hannah Montana 2/Meet Miley Cyrus (20 Tracks) Hannah Montana|publisher=AllMusic|url= {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1642870|pure_url=yes}}|access-date=September 2, 2009}} and was released as a single, reaching number 57 on the Billboard Pop 100.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=miley cyrus|chart=all}}|title=Start All Over|access-date=September 13, 2009|magazine=Billboard}} "Don't Let It Go to Your Head" was covered by Rockett Queen on their album Kiss and Tell (2008){{cite web|title=Don't Let It Go to Your Head Rockett Queen|website= Amazon|url= https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001KQG9VC|access-date=October 8, 2009}}{{cite web|title=Don't Let It Go to Your Head Rockett Queen|publisher=AllMusic|url= {{AllMusic|class=song|id=t15095023|pure_url=yes}}|access-date=October 9, 2009}} and Jordin Sparks on her second album Battlefield (2009).{{cite web|url=http://www.bestfan.com/viewnews.php?id=42|title=Joy (Coming September 2009)|publisher=BestFan NewNews – FefeDobson|access-date=August 6, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715231543/http://www.bestfan.com/viewnews.php?id=42|archive-date=July 15, 2009}}{{cite magazine|last=Graff|first=Gary|title=Jordin Sparks at Peace With 'Battlefield'|magazine=Billboard|url= https://www.billboard.com/photos/jordin-sparks-at-peace-with-battlefield/|access-date=March 14, 2022}}{{cite web|title=Don't Let It Go to Your Head Jordin Sparks|publisher=AllMusic|url= {{AllMusic|class=song|id=t17277102|pure_url=yes}}|access-date=July 18, 2009}} Shortly after Sparks' album was released Dobson said, "She did kind of, like, a more R&B version of it, which I think is really nice, actually."{{cite web |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=August 14, 2009 |title=Fefe Dobson 'Impressed' With Miley Cyrus' Take On Her Song. She also liked Jordin Sparks' 'more R&B version' of one of her tracks.. |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1618780/20090814/dobson_fefe.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816191635/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1618780/20090814/dobson_fefe.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 16, 2009 |access-date=August 14, 2009 |publisher=MTV}} Sparks' version was released as a single in the UK on January 4, 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0031QJH5O |title=Don't Let It Go To Your Head (Main Version): Jordin Sparks |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=January 8, 2011}}
The track "As a Blonde"{{cite web|title=As A Blonde|work=ASCAP|url=http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=311904491&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=20&start=1|access-date=September 15, 2009|archive-date=September 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917185236/http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300|url-status=dead}} was covered on the Selena Gomez & the Scene album Kiss & Tell (2009).{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QXE0OC|title=Kiss and Tell: Selena Gomez and the Scene (sic) (See Samples>Song Title>"As A Blonde")|website=Amazon |access-date=September 20, 2009}}{{cite web|title=Disney star Selena Gomez pays respect to Canadian teen-pop forebears |agency=The Canadian Press |url=http://news.ca.msn.com/entertainment/article.aspx?cp-documentid=22037631 |date=October 2, 2009 |last=Patch |first=Nick |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714123628/http://news.ca.msn.com/entertainment/article.aspx?cp-documentid=22037631 |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }}
=2009–2012: ''Joy''=
On August 11, 2009, Dobson presented a showcase performance at the Mercury Lounge in New York City.{{cite web|title=Fefe Wows Audience with New Music at NYC Show |publisher=BestFan NewNews – FefeDobson |url=http://www.bestfan.com/viewnews.php?id=82 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921192653/http://bestfan.com/viewnews.php?id=82 |archive-date=September 21, 2010 }}{{Cite web|url=http://fashionista101.com/home/2009/08/12/fefe-dobson-performs-at-the-mercury-lounge/|title=Fashionista101 » Fefe Dobson Performs At The Mercury Lounge|date=February 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225114121/http://fashionista101.com/home/2009/08/12/fefe-dobson-performs-at-the-mercury-lounge/|access-date=September 17, 2020|archive-date=February 25, 2010}}{{Cite web|url=http://fashionista101.com/home/2009/08/12/fefe-dobson-performs-at-the-mercury-lounge/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225114121/http://fashionista101.com/home/2009/08/12/fefe-dobson-performs-at-the-mercury-lounge/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-02-25|title=Fefe Dobson Performs At The Mercury Lounge|website=Fashionista101}} Dobson performed during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards weekend at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza on Friday night, September 11,{{cite web|title=Cobra Starship, 3OH!3, Kid Cudi Celebrate VMA Weekend in New Yor |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/37kgaq/cobra-starship-3oh3-kid-cudi-celebrate-vma-weekend-in-new-york |publisher=MTV |date=September 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908161721/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1620770/20090903/cobra_starship.jhtml |archive-date=September 8, 2009|access-date=December 12, 2022 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS245955+03-Sep-2009+PRN20090903|title=MTV Brings the Music to the Masses for VMA Weekend 2009|website=Reuters |date=September 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910082512/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS245955+03-Sep-2009+PRN20090903|access-date=September 17, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2009}} at "A Concert with Fefe Dobson and Cobra Starship." She was also one of the judges for a competition for MTV's "VMA Best Breakout New York City Artist Award" that occurred at the same event.{{Cite web|url=http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/412693|title=Cobra Starship Tickets - The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza in New York, NY Concert|date=September 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906163555/http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/412693|access-date=September 17, 2020|archive-date=September 6, 2009}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/412693|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906163555/http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/412693|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-09-06|title=The Battle for the Best Breakout NYC Artist presented by Time Warner and Road Runner The 2009 Video Music Awards and Taco Bell Present: A Concert with Fefe Dobson and Cobra Starship Tickets|website=LiveNation}} Dobson attended the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards held on September 13 in New York City at Radio City Music Hall.{{cite web|url=http://www.herald-dispatch.com/entertainment/x1011686731/Gallery-MTV-VIdeo-Music-Award-arrivals |title="Gallery: MTV VIdeo Music Award arrivals", Herald-Dispatch, 2009-09-14, accessdate 17 September 2009 |publisher=Herald-dispatch.com |date=September 14, 2009 |access-date=March 2, 2011}}
On Sunday, September 27, 2009, she performed the promotional single "I Want You" at the finale of the second season of the Canadian Cable TV show The Next Star.{{cite web|title=The Next Star: The Finale!|publisher=YTV|url=http://nextstar.ytv.com/finale.aspx|access-date=September 15, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127072214/http://nextstar.ytv.com/finale.aspx|archive-date=November 27, 2012}}
The song was used in promotion for the movie Whip It.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShCu7q8YO2Y|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523171217/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShCu7q8YO2Y|url-status=dead|title=YouTube|archive-date=May 23, 2014|via=YouTube}} She performed in Perth, Australia, at the One Movement Showcase Music Festival on October 17, 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.onemovementmusic.com.au/showcasefestival/Lineup|title=One Movement Showcase Music Festival {{LINEUP > Saturday > Fefe Dobson thumbnail}}|publisher=Onemovementmusic.com|access-date=September 15, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001063241/http://www.onemovementmusic.com.au/showcasefestival/Lineup|archive-date=October 1, 2009}}
Dobson was the headline performer for one of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month events,{{cite web|title=Hard Rock Cafe: PINKtober 2009 10th anniversary |publisher=Hard Rock Café |url=http://hardrock.com/promo/pinktober09/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926053737/http://www.hardrock.com/promo/pinktober09/ |archive-date=September 26, 2009 }} a benefit concert held at the Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood, CA on October 22, 2009.{{cite web|title=Fefe dobson: pinktober |publisher=Hard Rock Café |url=http://www.hardrock.com/Locations/Cafes3/events.aspx?LocationID=63&MIBenumID=3&EventID=38491 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928223627/http://www.hardrock.com/Locations/Cafes3/events.aspx?LocationID=63&MIBenumID=3&EventID=38491 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 }}{{cite web|title=Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood PINKTOBER: FEFE DOBSON |publisher=TicketWeb.com |url=http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=2877004&REFERRAL_ID=tmfeedbuyatlarubin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724150917/http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=2877004&REFERRAL_ID=tmfeedbuyatlarubin |archive-date=July 24, 2011 }}
She performed at a 100 Day Countdown event to the 2010 Winter Olympics at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., USA on November 4, 2009.{{cite news|title=Winter Olympics 2010: Let the Countdown Start! |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/winter-olympics-2010-let-the-countdown-start/1860286/ |website=NBC4 Washington |access-date=April 15, 2023 |date=November 4, 2009}}
Dobson performed on February 20, 2010, at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, Ontario, as part of CTV's national celebration of the 2010 Winter Olympics.{{cite web |title=CTV Olympic Celebration: Toronto |url=http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=24616.html |date=January 4, 2010 |last=Reid |first=Matthew |publisher=CTVOlympics.ca }} She was one of the opening acts for The Barenaked Ladies in the all Canadian show.
She participated in the Canadian all-star benefit song cover of K'naan's single "Wavin' Flag" for Haiti released under the collaboration name of Young Artists for Haiti; it was released on March 12, 2010.{{cite web |title=Young Artists For Haiti Perform 'Wavin' Flag' By K'naan |url=http://rapdirt.com/young-artists-for-haiti-perform-wavin-flag-by-knaan/19562/ |website=Rap Dirt |access-date=April 15, 2023 |date=March 14, 2010}}
Dobson's involvement with the Olympics continued on March 12, 2010, as she performed "I Want You" and "Watch Me Move" at the Opening Ceremonies for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.{{cite web |title=One Inspires Many: a celebration of ability, courage and the human spirit at Opening Ceremony for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games |publisher=Vancouver 2010.com |date=March 12, 2010 |url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/paralympic-games/news/one-inspires-many_311034sQ.htm |access-date=March 13, 2010 |archive-date=April 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409125333/http://www.vancouver2010.com/paralympic-games/news/one-inspires-many_311034sQ.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwUlP9lP-Xk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/fwUlP9lP-Xk |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Fefe Dobson at Paralympics Vancouver March 2010 |via=YouTube |date=September 24, 2010 |access-date=March 2, 2011}}{{cbignore}}
She covered "River Deep – Mountain High" for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 25th annual induction ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City on March 15, 2010.{{cite web|last=Soeder |first=John |title=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame books Faith Hill, Chris Isaak, Train's Pat Monahan and other performers for induction ceremony |work=The Plain Dealer |url=http://www.cleveland.com/popmusic/index.ssf/2010/03/rock_and_roll_hall_of_fame_boo.html |date=March 4, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307133709/http://www.cleveland.com/popmusic/index.ssf/2010/03/rock_and_roll_hall_of_fame_boo.html |archive-date=March 7, 2010 }}{{cite web|title=Fefe Dobson – River Deep Mountain High |work=Fefe Dobson, 2010 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdLJo7zf19Q|format=YouTube|access-date=March 22, 2010}} Dobson performed on a twenty city tour across Canada in March and April 2010 on Hedley's The Show Must Go...On The Road Tour.{{cite web|title=Hedley Announce Canadian Tour |last=Harper |first=Kate |work=Chart Attack |url=http://www.chartattack.com/news/76770/hedley-announce-canadian-tour |date=November 16, 2009 |access-date=November 17, 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091120123641/http://www.chartattack.com/news/76770/hedley-announce-canadian-tour |archive-date=November 20, 2009 }}
Joy, Dobson's third studio album, was released on November 22, 2010, after taking almost four years to complete. The album was preceded by the release of the two buzz singles "Watch Me Move" and "I Want You", which were then followed-up by the three top 20 singles "Ghost", "Stuttering" and "Can't Breathe". The singer performed her single "Stuttering" on the November 10, 2010, broadcast of The CW Television Network series, Hellcats.{{cite web|url=http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tv/hellcats-finish-what-we-started/EP012805820009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102154812/http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tv/hellcats-finish-what-we-started/EP012805820009|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 2, 2010|title='Hellcats' : Finish What We Started|work=Zap2it|access-date=October 22, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cwtv.com/shows/hellcats/photos/005988301a1|title="Finish What We Started" – Fefe Dobson as herself in HELLCATS on The CW|publisher=The CW Television Network|first=Sergei|last=1 Bachlakov|access-date=October 24, 2010}} She released the album's third single, "Can't Breathe" in March 2011. It peaked at number 19 on the Canadian Hot 100.
She performed at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival in September 2010.{{cite web |url=http://tiff.net/press/pressreleases/2010/knaan-added-to-tiff-bell-lightbox-block-party-line-up |title=2010 Press Releases – K'naan Added To TIFF Bell Lightbox Block Party Line-Up |publisher=Tiff.net |date=September 12, 2010 |access-date=March 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226152850/http://tiff.net/press/pressreleases/2010/knaan-added-to-tiff-bell-lightbox-block-party-line-up |archive-date=December 26, 2010 }}
That year, Dobson co-wrote Selena Gomez & The Scene's single "Round & Round", from their second studio album, A Year Without Rain.
= 2013–present: Single releases and ''Emotion Sickness'' =
On January 22, 2013, Dobson announced that recording had begun for her fourth studio album, later revealed to be titled Firebird. The album's intended lead single "Legacy" was released on August 6, 2013,{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/legacy-single/1445292084|title=Legacy – Single by Fefe Dobson|via=music.apple.com}}{{cite tweet|user=iamfefemusic|author=FEFE|number=363394081902571522|date=August 2, 2013|title=My new single #Legacy is available on @iTunes Tuesday, August 6th}} while the song "Celebrate" was released February 11, 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/celebrate-single/1445306377|title=Celebrate – Single by Fefe Dobson|via=music.apple.com}} Firebird did not see a release and the project was canceled.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-20 |title=Fefe Dobson Has Been Here All Along |url=https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/what-happened-to-fefe-dobson |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=Nylon |language=en}}
In early July 2013, Dobson got engaged to American rapper Yelawolf; the pair were married on September 27, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee. On April 29, 2014, Dobson performed live during the Count Me In conference global broadcast, filmed at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.{{Cite web |url=http://cmimovement.com/Count_Me_In/Count_Me_In_-_The_Largest_Youth_Led_Movement_Promoting_Volunteerism_files/%E2%80%9CCOUNT%20ME%20IN%20TORONTO%E2%80%9D%20BECOMES%20WORLD%E2%80%99S%20LARGEST%20YOUTH-RUN%20EVENT-%20INSPIRES%20YOUTH%20ACROSS%20THE%20GLOBE%20WITH%20VIEWERS%20IN%2069%20COUNTRIES-2.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=September 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126035243/http://cmimovement.com/Count_Me_In/Count_Me_In_-_The_Largest_Youth_Led_Movement_Promoting_Volunteerism_files/%E2%80%9CCOUNT%20ME%20IN%20TORONTO%E2%80%9D%20BECOMES%20WORLD%E2%80%99S%20LARGEST%20YOUTH-RUN%20EVENT-%20INSPIRES%20YOUTH%20ACROSS%20THE%20GLOBE%20WITH%20VIEWERS%20IN%2069%20COUNTRIES-2.pdf |archive-date=November 26, 2015 |url-status=dead }}
In early 2022, Dobson confirmed her return to music with the single "FCKN IN LOVE",{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2022/02/fefe-dobson-interview-new-song-fckn-in-love.html|title=Fefe Dobson on New Song "FCKIN IN LOVE" and Return to Music|website=Vulture|date=25 February 2022|access-date=2 March 2022}} which was released on 25 February 2022.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/fckn-in-love-single/1610160188|title=FCKIN IN LOVE by Fefe Dobson|website=Apple Music|access-date=2 March 2022|archive-date=March 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302233954/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/fckn-in-love-single/1610160188|url-status=dead}} In 2023, she participated in an all-star recording of Serena Ryder's single "What I Wouldn't Do", which was released as a charity single to benefit Kids Help Phone's Feel Out Loud campaign for youth mental health.Brent Furdyk, [https://etcanada.com/news/972900/feel-out-loud-alessia-cara-serena-ryder-more-canadian-artists-collaborate-on-new-single-promoting-youth-mental-health-initiative/ "Feel Out Loud: Alessia Cara, Serena Ryder & More Canadian Artists Collaborate On New Single Promoting Youth Mental Health Initiative"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311042919/https://etcanada.com/news/972900/feel-out-loud-alessia-cara-serena-ryder-more-canadian-artists-collaborate-on-new-single-promoting-youth-mental-health-initiative/ |date=March 11, 2023 }}. Entertainment Tonight Canada, March 2, 2023. Dobson released her fourth studio album, Emotion Sickness, on September 29, 2023. It was preceded by the single "I Can't Love Him (And Love You Too)".{{Cite tweet |number=1694923618432459131 |user=iamfefemusic |title='I Can't Love Him (And Love You Too)' out now!! 🖤 So excited to share that my new album EMOTION SICKNESS drops September 29th !! |date=2023-08-25 |first=Fefe |last=Dobson}}{{Cite tweet |number=1694912526171955362 |user=iamfefemusic |title=New single 'I Can't Love Him (And Love You Too)' out tonight at midnight! |date=2023-08-24 |first=Fefe |last=Dobson}}
Artistry
=Musical style=
Fefe Dobson's self-titled debut album is generally pop-rock, as well as some traces of punk music. Several songs on the album are also in an acoustic format, stripped down to just Dobson and the guitar. The music was different from most music put out at the time, such as recent releases by Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. In fact, Dobson originally signed with Jive Records, who intended to make her the next big pop star. However, Dobson didn't want to be a pop-star and wanted to make her own type of music, and quickly left the label. On Dobson's second album Joy, she worked with producers David Lichens, Jon Levine, Howard Benson and Bob Ezrin - living up to the portraits of her heroes she first hung during the recording of her first album: Kurt Cobain, Judy Garland, Coldplay, The Vines and Jeff Buckley. Dobson co-wrote most of the songs on the album - usually composing on guitar, her instrument of choice. "I play the few chords that I know," she says. "I try to write melodies off the same chords. Joy is written with about three chords, and an extra one in the bridge." Sonically the album was rooted alternative rock.
=Influences=
Dobson has said that John Lennon and Judy Garland are her primary musical influences, and that her biggest musical inspiration growing up was Michael Jackson: "I swore I was Michael [Jackson]. Then I found out I wasn't Michael [Jackson] and it broke my heart."{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Fefe Dobson's Jacko, Mermaid Dreams Didn't Work Out, But Justin Comes Through|publisher=MTV|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1484252/20040109/dobson_fefe.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040111031249/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1484252/20040109/dobson_fefe.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2004|date=January 9, 2004}}{{cite news|last= Peden|first=Lauren David|title=A NIGHT OUT WITH – Fefe Dobson; Popping Out of the North |work=The New York Times|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/30/style/a-night-out-with-fefe-dobson-popping-out-of-the-north.html|date=November 30, 2003|access-date=September 6, 2009}} She also mentions Janet Jackson as a primary influence.{{cite web |url=http://www.islanddefjam.com/artist/bio.aspx?artistID=7403|title=Bio – Fefe Dobson – Artists|work=Island Def Jam|year=2010|access-date=July 2, 2014}} At the same time, she went to "every 'N Sync concert there was."{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Karen|title=Fefe Dobson is reaching for her goals, stylishly|work=USA Today|url= https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2004-01-29-fefe_x.htm|date=January 30, 2004|access-date=September 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103061614/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2004-01-29-fefe_x.htm|archive-date=November 3, 2012}}
Dobson indicated that she would like to work with Jack White, the White Stripes/Raconteurs frontman, because she admires him for his ability to make his ragged rock music become radio-style.{{cite web |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=August 12, 2009 |title=Fefe Dobson Will Fight Taylor Swift To Collaborate With Jack White: White Stripes/ Raconteurs frontman seems to top a lot of pop princesses' wish lists. |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1618602/20090812/dobson_fefe.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125174437/http://www.mtv.com/news/1618602/fefe-dobson-will-fight-taylor-swift-to-collaborate-with-jack-white/ |archive-date=November 25, 2017 |access-date=March 19, 2023 |publisher=MTV}}
Filmography
Discography
{{Main|Fefe Dobson discography}}
- Fefe Dobson (2003)
- Joy (2010)
- Sunday Love (2012)
- Emotion Sickness (2023)
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website|1=https://fefemusic.com/}}
- {{IMDb name|1582158}}
{{Fefe Dobson}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dobson, Fefe}}
Category:21st-century Canadian actresses
Category:21st-century Black Canadian women singers
Category:21st-century Canadian women singers
Category:Actresses from Toronto
Category:Black Canadian actresses
Category:Canadian film actresses
Category:Canadian people of Jamaican descent
Category:Canadian television actresses
Category:Canadian women pop singers
Category:Canadian women rock singers
Category:Canadian women singer-songwriters
Category:Def Jam Recordings artists
Category:Island Records artists
Category:Mercury Records artists
Category:Musicians from Scarborough, Ontario