Masked Wolf
{{Short description|Australian rapper}}
{{Redirect|Harry Michael|the American army lieutenant|Harry J. Michael}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Masked Wolf
| image = 2022 Rock im Park - Masked Wolf - by 2eight - 9SC5331.jpg
| alt = A full-bodied man with dark stubble and armhair in all-black casual garb (including baseball cap) holds a mic up high and smiles slightly while he performs.
| caption = Masked Wolf at Rock im Park in 2022
| birth_name = Harry Michael
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|2|12|df=y}}
| birth_place = Sydney, Australia
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter}}
| years_active = 2018-Present
| spouse = {{marriage|Charlie Sky|August 22, 2024}}
| children = 1
| website = https://maskedwolf.com/
}}
Harry Michael (born 12 February 1991), known professionally as Masked Wolf, is an Australian rapper from Sydney, New South Wales.{{cite web |url=https://greekherald.com.au/culture/meet-the-greek-australian-rapper-masked-wolf-topping-international-charts/ |title=Meet the Australian rapper "Masked Wolf", topping international charts |work=The Greek Herald |date=30 April 2021 |access-date=29 May 2021 |author=Oglos, Peter }} He is best known for his song "Astronaut in the Ocean", which became a sleeper hit in 2021, peaking at number 4 on the Australian ARIA Charts and number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100, having been initially released in June 2019.
Early life
Michael was raised by his grandparents who were Greek immigrants to Australia.{{Cite magazine |last=Havens |first=Lyndsey |date=2021-04-06 |title=Chartbreaker: How Masked Wolf's 'Astronaut In the Ocean' Blasted Off Around the Globe |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/chartbreaker-masked-wolf-astronaut-in-the-ocean-april-2021-9550804/ |access-date=2023-06-09 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}
In an interview in 2019, Michael said, "I've always been interested in music and as a young kid, my musical outlet was actually playing instruments like the piano, keyboard, guitar and drums." He is a "huge fan" of American hip hop.{{cite web |url=http://pilerats.com/music/rap/introducing-masked-wolf-vibin/ |title=Meet Masked Wolf and his high-energy new single, Vibin |work=Pilerats |date=2019 |access-date=29 May 2021 |author=Davies, Hayden}} He began writing at the age of 13.{{cite web |url=https://scenestr.com.au/music/premiere-stream-masked-wolf-iiiconic-s-new-single-evil-on-the-inside-20191025/ |title=Premiere: Stream Masked Wolf & iiiConic's new single "Evil on the Inside" |work=Scenestr |date=25 October 2019 |access-date=14 February 2021}}
Career
Michael signed to Teamwrk Records and released his debut single "Speed Racer" in December 2018.{{cite web |url=https://goodintent.com.au/blog/2019/2/18/sydneys-masked-wolf-stands-out-from-the-hip-hop-pack-on-new-single-vibin/ |title=Sydney's Masked Wolf stands out from the hip hop pack on new single "Vibin'" |work=Good Intent |date=13 March 2019 |access-date=29 May 2021 |author=Dally-Watkins, Charlie
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190313114541/https://goodintent.com.au/blog/2019/2/18/sydneys-masked-wolf-stands-out-from-the-hip-hop-pack-on-new-single-vibin/ |archive-date=13 March 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://otchiphop.com/2018/12/19/premiere-speed-racer/ |title=Video Premiere: Masked Wolf – Speed Racer |work=Off the Clef |date=19 December 2018 |access-date=29 May 2021 |author=van der Staay, Jarrod
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920194624/https://otchiphop.com/2018/12/19/premiere-speed-racer/ |archive-date=20 September 2020 |url-status=live}} All of his subsequent releases were on the label, up until 2021, when "Astronaut in the Ocean" was re-released.
On 28 January 2021, Michael signed to US-based label Elektra Records, owned by Warner Music Group, in a multi-album deal. Elektra represents Michael's music in all regions except Australia and New Zealand, where he continues to be represented by Teamwrk Records. In a statement, Michael said: "I'm so happy to be a part of the Elektra family, I am really excited to be able to have the opportunity for the world to now hear my music... not only do they develop artists, but they care about each song and that's why I wanted to join them."{{cite web |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/masked-wolf-elektra-signing/ |title=Masked Wolf inks multi-album deal with US label Elektra Records |work=The Music Network |date=28 January 2021 |access-date=29 May 2021 |author=Triscari, Caleb
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128011402/https://themusicnetwork.com/masked-wolf-elektra-signing/ |archive-date=28 January 2021 |url-status=live}} On 4 June, Michael released the single "Gravity Glidin".{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/check-out-masked-wolfs-punchy-new-single-gravity-glidin-2956035/ |title=Check out Masked Wolf's punchy new single 'Gravity Glidin' |work=NME Australia |date=4 June 2021 |access-date=15 June 2021 |author=Brereton, Greta |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603231617/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/check-out-masked-wolfs-punchy-new-single-gravity-glidin-2956035/ |archive-date=3 June 2021 |url-status=live}} The following week, "Gravity Glidin" debuted and peaked at number 40 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart for the chart dated 13 June. On 8 July, Michael released the single "Say So".{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/listen-to-masked-wolfs-upbeat-but-serious-new-single-say-so-2989082/ |title=Listen to Masked Wolf's upbeat but serious new single 'Say So' |work=NME Australia |date=8 July 2021 |access-date=22 July 2021 |author=Brereton, Greta |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709031617/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/listen-to-masked-wolfs-upbeat-but-serious-new-single-say-so-2989082/ |archive-date=9 July 2021 |url-status=live}} The following week, "Say So" debuted and peaked at number twenty on the NZ Hot Singles Chart for the chart dated 18 July. On 21 July, Michael was announced as having the highest listener growth on Spotify in the first half of the year, which saw more than 27 million new listeners.{{cite web |author1=Will Brewster |title=Masked Wolf ranked #1 for Spotify monthly listener growth in first half of 2021 |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/masked-wolf-chartmetric-breakthrough/ |website=The Music Network |access-date=23 July 2021 |date=21 July 2021}} On 24 July, Michael performed at the Splendour in the Grass virtual festival Splendour XR.{{cite web |author1=Will Brewster |title=Splendour In The Grass announces virtual festival as uncertainty continues about event's November return |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/splendour-xr-virtual-festival-2021/ |website=The Music Network |access-date=27 July 2021 |date=2 June 2021}} On 4 September, Michael announced his debut mixtape, Astronomical, and released the single "Razor's Edge", which features X Ambassadors. Astronomical was released on 10 September.{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/masked-wolf-links-up-with-x-ambassadors-sam-harris-for-new-single-razors-edge-3036359/ |title=Masked Wolf links up with X Ambassadors' Sam Harris for new single 'Razor's Edge' |work=NME Australia |date=3 September 2021 |access-date=4 September 2021 |author=Doria, Matt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903051744/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/masked-wolf-links-up-with-x-ambassadors-sam-harris-for-new-single-razors-edge-3036359/ |archive-date=3 September 2021 |url-status=live}}
On 19 November 2021, Masked Wolf released "It's You, Not Me (Sabotage)" with Bebe Rexha; a reimagined version of Rexha's own "Sabotage".{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Masked-Wolf-Bebe-Rexha-Release-Its-You-Not-Me-Sabotage-20211119|title=Masked Wolf & Bebe Rexha Release "It's You, Not Me (Sabotage)"|website=www.broadwayworld.com|date=19 November 2021|access-date=20 November 2021}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of studio albums, with release date and label shown ! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Album details |
| scope="row"| The Devil Wears Prada But God Wears Gucci |
|
|---|
=Mixtapes=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of mixtapes, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Mixtape details ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| CAN {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-albums/2021-09-25|title=Billboard Canadian Hot 100 Chart: September 25, 2021|magazine=Billboard|access-date=21 September 2021}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US |
|---|
| scope="row"| Astronomical
| | 75 || 2 |
=Charted singles=
==As lead artist==
==As featured artist==
Stone Cold Killer (With Ryan Oakes)
==Notes==
{{Notelist-ua}}
Awards and nominations
=APRA Awards=
The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2022
| Tyon Hapy & Harry Michael (Masked Wolf)
| Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
| {{nom}}
| {{cite web|url=https://theindustryobserver.thebrag.com/nominees-revealed-for-2022-apra-music-awards/|title=Nominees Revealed for 2022 APRA Music Awards|website=The Industry Observer|date=7 April 2022|access-date=9 April 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about-us/news-and-events/40th-apra-music-awards-celebrates-songwriting-superstars | title=40th APRA Music Awards celebrates songwriting superstars | publisher=APRA AMCOS | date= 3 May 2022 | access-date=11 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504004312/https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about-us/news-and-events/40th-apra-music-awards-celebrates-songwriting-superstars | archive-date=4 May 2022 | url-status=live }}
{{Cite web|url=https://360loaded.com/|title=American Music.|date=August 14, 2024|website=360loaded}}
|-
{{end}}
=ARIA Music Awards=
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual ceremony presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.
{{Awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| rowspan="5"| 2021||rowspan="4"| "Astronaut in the Ocean" || Best Artist || {{nom}}
| rowspan="5"| {{cite web |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ |title=ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge |work=The Music Network |date=20 October 2021 |access-date=24 October 2021 |author=Kelly, Vivienne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020000045/https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ |archive-date=20 October 2021 |url-status=live}}
|-
| Breakthrough Artist || {{nom}}
|-
| Best Hip Hop Release || {{nom}}
|-
| Song of the Year || {{nom}}
|-
| Daniele Cernera for "Astronaut in the Ocean" || Best Video || {{nom}}
|-
{{end}}
=Rolling Stone Australia Awards=
The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.{{cite web |url=http://www.theaureview.com/news/rolling-stone-magazine-australia-announces-3rd-annual-awards-event |title=Rolling Stone Magazine Australia announces 3rd annual awards event |work=The AU Review |date=5 December 2011 |access-date=5 March 2021 |author=Barnes, Amelia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808174029/http://www.theaureview.com/news/rolling-stone-magazine-australia-announces-3rd-annual-awards-event |archive-date=8 August 2016 |url-status=dead}}
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2022
| Masked Wolf
| Best New Artist
| {{nom}}
|-
| Masked Wolf
| Rolling Stone Global Award
| {{nom}}
{{end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commonscat}}
- {{Official website}}
- {{Discogs artist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Masked Wolf}}
Category:Australian male rappers
Category:Australian people of Greek descent