Royal & the Serpent

{{short description|American singer-songwriter}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Royal & the Serpent

| image = Royal & The Serpent @ The Fonda 9 09 2021 (51784088224).jpg

| caption = Royal & the Serpent performing in 2021

| background = solo_singer

| birth_name = Ryan Jillian Santiago{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/920608854 |title=ASTROTURF |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=November 10, 2023}}

| alias =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|05|25}}

| birth_place =

| origin = New Jersey, U.S.

| genre = {{hlist|Indie pop{{cite web|url=https://www.radio.com/music/alternative/royal-and-the-serpent-on-the-feelings-behind-overwhelmed|title=Royal & the Serpent on the feelings and intentions behind 'Overwhelmed'|publisher=Radio.com|date=October 24, 2020|access-date=February 12, 2021|last=Zipper|first=Marni}}|electropop}} pop-punk{{cite web | url=https://www.monstercat.com/artist/royal-the-serpent | title=Royal & the Serpent - Monstercat }}

| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}

| years_active = 2017–present

| label = Atlantic

| associated_acts =

| website = {{URL|royalandtheserpent.com/}}

}}

Ryan Jillian Santiago (born May 25, 1994), known professionally as Royal & the Serpent, is an American singer and songwriter.

Early life

A New Jersey native, Ryan Santiago was born on May 25, 1994.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/royal-the-serpent-mn0003829264/biography|title=Royal & the Serpent|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=February 12, 2021|last=Donelson|first=Marcy}} She was raised both Catholic and Jewish.{{cite web |last1=Major |first1=Nick |title=Royal & the Serpent interview: Butt tattoos, baby food and upcoming Fall Out Boy tour! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBDct7sMpd0&t=17m43s |website=YouTube |date=May 8, 2023 |publisher=idobi Radio |access-date=22 June 2023 |language=en}} Santiago took up competitive dance as a child, until she "shattered both [her] heel plates" after jumping off a stage while performing when she was 14 years old.{{cite web|url=https://www.radio.com/alt923/blogs/joe-cingrana/alt-923-pick-of-the-week-royal-the-serpent-overwhelmed|title=Ctrl+ALT+Del 'Pick of the Week': Royal & the Serpent – 'Overwhelmed'|publisher=WNYL|date=August 25, 2020|access-date=February 12, 2021|last=Cingrana|first=Joe}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ladygunn.com/music/interviews-music/royal-the-serpent-new-release-get-a-grip-virtual-tour/|title=Royal & The Serpent Wants You To 'Get A Grip'|website=Ladygunn|date=October 28, 2020|access-date=February 12, 2021|last=Jackson|first=Jada}} She subsequently delved into musical theater. In her teenage years, Santiago learned how to play the guitar and began writing songs. She attended her first concert on Britney Spears' Oops!... I Did It Again Tour at the age of six.{{cite web |last1=Major |first1=Nick |title=Royal & the Serpent interview: Butt tattoos, baby food and upcoming Fall Out Boy tour! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBDct7sMpd0&t=14m |website=YouTube |date=May 8, 2023 |publisher=idobi Radio |access-date=22 June 2023 |language=en}}

Career

At the age of 18, Santiago moved to Los Angeles, where she attended art school and worked as a bartender in a restaurant.{{cite web|url=https://www.hertzmagazine.com/interviews/interview-with-royal-and-the-serpent|title=Interview With Royal & The Serpent|website=Hertz Magazine|date=November 4, 2020|access-date=February 12, 2021|last=Limon|first=Maria|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805144056/https://www.hertzmagazine.com/interviews/interview-with-royal-and-the-serpent|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityteen.com/royal-the-serpent-the-lonely-avocado-x-vteen/|title=Royal & The Serpent – The Lonely Avocado x VTEEN|website=Vanity Teen|date=January 2, 2021|access-date=February 12, 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Major |first1=Nick |title=Royal & the Serpent interview: Butt tattoos, baby food and upcoming Fall Out Boy tour! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBDct7sMpd0&t=424s |website=YouTube |date=May 8, 2023 |publisher=idobi Radio |access-date=22 June 2023 |language=en}} She has credited encouragement from a co-worker, who later became her first manager, for motivating her to pursue a professional career as a musician.

In 2017, Santiago independently released "Temperance", her debut single under the stage name Royal & the Serpent. On her moniker, she has explained that "'Royal & the Serpent' translates to 'Me + My Ego'".{{cite web|url=https://preludepress.com/interviews/2020/08/11/royal-and-the-serpent-interview/|title=Royal & The Serpent Discusses 'Overwhelmed' and Upcoming EPs: 'Duality Is the Essence of Our Human Experience'|website=Prelude Press|date=August 11, 2020|access-date=February 12, 2021|last=Vigil|first=Dom}} In 2018, she released her second single, "Together", and was featured on the song "Wicked" by music producer Tommee Profitt. By the end of 2019, she had signed with Atlantic Records.

"Overwhelmed", Royal & the Serpent's first single on Atlantic, was released in June 2020,{{cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/7912047/royal-the-serpent-makes-major-label-debut-with-overwhelmed|title=Royal & The Serpent Makes Major Label Debut With 'Overwhelmed'|website=Idolator|date=June 27, 2020|access-date=February 12, 2021|last=Wass|first=Mike}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Overwhelmed-Royal-Serpent/dp/B088D15MPD|title=Overwhelmed by Royal & the Serpent|publisher=Amazon|location=United States|access-date=February 12, 2021}} and her debut EP get a grip was released in October.{{cite web |title=get a grip – EP by Royal & the Serpent |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-a-grip-ep/1534934563 |access-date=February 12, 2021 |publisher=Apple Music |location=United States}} That year, she joined English singer Yungblud's Weird Time of Life virtual tour as a supporting act.{{cite news|url=https://www.theaquarian.com/2020/11/25/royal-the-serpent-talks-silver-linings-and-stability-feature-watch-listen/|title=Royal & The Serpent Talks Silver Linings and Stability [Feature + Watch & Listen]|newspaper=The Aquarian Weekly|date=November 25, 2020|access-date=February 12, 2021|last=Schafer|first=Debra Kate}} Royal & the Serpent's second EP Searching for Nirvana was released in June 2021.{{cite web |title=searching for nirvana by Royal & the Serpent |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/searching-for-nirvana/1579056847 |access-date=August 31, 2021 |publisher=Apple Music |location=United States}}

In January 2022, Santiago was featured as a guest vocalist on "Pity Party" by Stand Atlantic. Her third EP, If I Died Would Anyone Care, was released on January 28, 2022.{{Citation|title=IF I DIED WOULD ANYONE CARE - EP by Royal & the Serpent|date=2022-01-28|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/if-i-died-would-anyone-care-ep/1600732528|language=en-US|access-date=2022-02-24}} Later that year she performed as a supporting act for Demi Lovato on her Holy Fvck Tour as well as grandson on his Death of a Tour tour.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/demi-lovato-announces-2022-tour/|title=Demi Lovato Announces 2022 Tour|work=Pitchfork|date=June 22, 2023|accessdate=June 8, 2022|first=Allison|last=Hussey}}{{cite web |title=grandson Announces 2022 "Death Of A Tour" Headlining North American Tour |url=https://shorefire.com/releases/entry/grandson-announces-2022-death-of-a-tour-headlining-north-american-tour |website=Shore Fire Media |access-date=22 June 2023 |language=en}}

In 2023, Santiago performed as a supporting act for Fall Out Boy on their So Much (for) Stardust tour.{{cite magazine |last1=Paul |first1=Larisha |title=Fall Out Boy Share Full 'So Much for (Tour) Dust' Tour Dates After Cryptic Venue Teasing |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/fall-out-boy-so-much-for-tour-dust-tour-dates-1234671499/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=22 June 2023 |date=31 January 2023}} Instead of releasing a full album, she plans to release a dual-single every month from May 2023 through the end of the year.{{cite web |title=Royal & the Serpent 🧀 on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/royalandtheserp/status/1667253756164190208 |website=Twitter |access-date=22 June 2023 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Royal and The Serpent {{!}} Adjacent 2023| date=June 9, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9XEzvd7g2Q&t=54s|publisher=DC101|access-date=22 June 2023 |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Major |first1=Nick |title=Royal & the Serpent interview: Butt tattoos, baby food and upcoming Fall Out Boy tour! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBDct7sMpd0&t=10m51s|website=YouTube |date=May 8, 2023 |publisher=idobi Radio |access-date=22 June 2023 |language=en}} While on tour, she released a limited-edition compilation album featuring songs from her previous EPs If I Died Would Anyone Care and Happiness Is an Inside Job.{{cite web |title=Royal & The Serpent - How To Grow A Rat [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition LP] {{!}} Gallery of Sound - Independent Record Store PA |url=https://galleryofsound.com/UPC/075678622083 |website=Gallery of Sound |access-date=30 June 2023 |language=en}}

In 2024, Santiago contributed to the soundtrack of Arcane{{'}}s second season with the track "Wasteland", which was uploaded to YouTube under the Riot Games Music channel on the debut of the third and final act of the show.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlJWzAOprrI |title=Royal & the Serpent - "Wasteland" (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Visualizer] |date=2024-11-23 |last=Riot Games Music |access-date=2024-11-23 |via=YouTube}}

Discography

=Albums=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+Compilation albums

!scope="col"|Title

!scope="col"|Details

scope="row"|How to Grow a Rat{{cite web |title=How To Grow A Rat (LP) |url=https://www.amoeba.com/how-to-grow-a-rat-lp-royal-the-serpent/albums/4325272/ |website=Amoeba Music |access-date=30 June 2023 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Royal & the Serpent 🧀 on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/royalandtheserp/status/1664069359374053377 |website=Twitter |access-date=30 June 2023 |language=en}}

|

  • Released: June 23, 2023
  • Label: Atlantic
  • Formats: LP

=Extended plays=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+List of extended plays

!scope="col"|Title

!scope="col"|Details

scope="row"|Get a Grip{{cite web |title=get a grip - EP by Royal & the Serpent |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-a-grip-ep/1534934563 |publisher=Apple Music |access-date=30 June 2023 |date=16 October 2020}}

|

  • Released: October 16, 2020
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: DL
scope="row"|Searching for Nirvana{{cite web |title=searching for nirvana |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1M1PKj1f22TovEZmC6yKel |publisher=Spotify |access-date=30 June 2023 |language=en |date=4 June 2021}}

|

  • Released: June 4, 2021
  • Label: Atlantic
  • Formats: DL
scope="row"|If I Died Would Anyone Care{{cite web |title=IF I DIED WOULD ANYONE CARE - EP by Royal & the Serpent |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/if-i-died-would-anyone-care-ep/1600732528 |publisher=Apple Music |access-date=30 June 2023 |date=28 January 2022}}

|

  • Released: January 28, 2022
  • Label: Atlantic
  • Formats: DL
scope="row"| Happiness Is an Inside Job{{cite web |title=Happiness is an Inside Job - EP by Royal & the Serpent |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/happiness-is-an-inside-job-ep/1649521106 |publisher=Apple Music |access-date=30 June 2023 |date=28 October 2022}}

|

  • Released: October 28, 2022
  • Label: Atlantic
  • Formats: DL

=Singles=

==As lead artist==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:17em;" | Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year

! scope="col" colspan="2" | Peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Certifications

! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album

scope="col" style="width:2.8em;font-size:90%;" | US
Alt.

{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/alternative-airplay/2021-01-23|title=Alternative Airplay|magazine=Billboard|date=January 23, 2021|access-date=February 12, 2021}}

! scope="col" style="width:2.8em;font-size:90%;" | US
Rock

{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-songs/2020-12-19|title=Hot Rock & Alternative Songs|magazine=Billboard|date=December 19, 2020|access-date=February 12, 2021}}

scope="row" | "Temperance"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/temperance-single/1275753025|title=Temperance – Single by Royal & the Serpent|publisher=Apple Music|location=United States|access-date=February 12, 2021}}

| 2017

| — || —

|

| rowspan="7" {{Non-album singles}}

scope="row" | "Together"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/together-single/1443683415|title=Together – Single by Royal & the Serpent|publisher=Apple Music|location=United States|access-date=February 12, 2021|date=December 7, 2018}}

| 2018

| — || —

|

scope="row" | "Weddings & Funerals"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/weddings-funerals-single/1458061196|title=Weddings & Funerals – Single by Royal & the Serpent|publisher=Apple Music|location=United States|access-date=February 12, 2021}}

| rowspan="4" | 2019

| — || —

|

scope="row" | "Salvador Dali"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/salvador-dali-single/1462824119|title=Salvador Dali – Single by Royal & the Serpent & Marky Style|publisher=Apple Music|location=United States|access-date=February 12, 2021|date=May 23, 2019}}
{{small|(with Marky Style)}}

| — || —

|

scope="row" | "IDK"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/idk-single/1473888979|title=Idk – Single by Royal & the Serpent & Marky Style|publisher=Apple Music|location=United States|access-date=February 12, 2021|date=August 1, 2019}}
{{small|(with Marky Style)}}

| — || —

|

scope="row" | "Underneath the Mask"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/underneath-the-mask-single/1480459494|title=Underneath the Mask – Single by Royal & the Serpent|publisher=Apple Music|location=United States|access-date=February 12, 2021}}

| — || —

|

scope="row" | "MMXX"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/mmxx-single/1492171910|title=MMXX – Single by Royal & the Serpent|publisher=Apple Music|location=United States|access-date=February 12, 2021}}

| rowspan="3" | 2020

| — || —

|

scope="row" | "Overwhelmed"{{cite web |title=Overwhelmed |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/7E7HRywUyuqW5qH793yPbP |publisher=Spotify |access-date=30 June 2023 |language=en |date=26 June 2020}}

| 6 || 20

|

  • RIAA: Gold{{cite certification|region=United States|artist=Royal & the Serpent|access-date=November 25, 2022}}
  • MC: Gold{{cite certification|region=Canada|artist=Royal & the Serpent|access-date=November 25, 2022}}

| Get a Grip & Searching for Nirvana

scope="row" | "Bad Kids"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/bad-kids-feat-yoshi-flower-single/1542693554|title=bad kids (feat. Yoshi Flower) – Single by Royal & the Serpent|publisher=Apple Music|location=United States|access-date=February 12, 2021}}
{{small|(featuring Yoshi Flower)}}

| — || —

|

| {{Non-album single}}

scope="row" | "I Can't Get High"{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/i-cant-get-high-Explicit/dp/B08MXDM8SC|title=i can't get high [Explicit] by Royal & the Serpent|publisher=Amazon|location=United States|access-date=August 31, 2021}}

| rowspan="6" | 2021

| — || —

|

| rowspan="2" | Searching for Nirvana

scope="row" | "Fuck U"{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/phuck-u-Explicit-Royal-Serpent/dp/B093P5G2BQ|title=phuck u [Explicit] by Royal & the Serpent|publisher=Amazon|location=United States|access-date=August 31, 2021}}

| — || —

|

scope="row" | "Go F*ck Urself"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/go-phuck-urself-single/1579056959|title=GO PHUCK URSELF – Single by Royal & the Serpent|publisher=Apple Music|location=United States|access-date=August 31, 2021}}

| — || —

|

| rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}}

scope="row" | "Chips"{{Cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B09GHH3Z9Z |title=Chips (feat. American Teeth) |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=www.amazon.com}}
{{small|(featuring American Teeth)}}

| — || —

|

scope="row" | "I'm Not Sorry"{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/i-cant-get-high-Explicit/dp/B08MXDM8SC|title=i'm not sorry by Royal & the Serpent|publisher=Amazon|location=United States|access-date=August 31, 2021}}

| — || —

|

| If I Died Would Anyone Care

scope="row" | "Lucid Dreams"{{Cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B09MJPN8H7 |title=Lucid Dreams |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=www.amazon.com}}
{{small|(with Beauty School Dropout)}}

| — || —

|

| {{Non-album single}}

scope="row" | "Fuckboi Rejects"{{Citation |title=F*CKBOI REJECTS |date=2022-01-07 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/6Q9dzZJNVPb194wy59f0DG |language=en |access-date=2022-12-25}}

| rowspan="6" |2022

| — || —

|

| If I Died Would Anyone Care

scope="row" | "Happier in Hell"{{Citation |title=Happier in Hell |date=2022-04-08 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4eVkcMh1PhQIbLYrkjoBvn |language=en |access-date=2022-12-25}}

| — || —

|

| {{Non-album single}}

scope="row" | "Im Fine"{{Citation |title=IM FINE |date=2022-09-23 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4JlIkjXKZBS80VAhVygA4r |language=en |access-date=2022-12-25}}

| — || —

|

| rowspan="4" |Happiness Is an Inside Job

scope="row" | "Death of Me"{{Citation |title=Death of Me |date=2022-09-30 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/0WWf5T9BGaeNOAnZWTdm74 |language=en |access-date=2022-12-25}}

| — || —

|

scope="row" | "Love Abuser (Save Me)"{{Citation |title=Love Abuser (Save Me) |date=2022-10-07 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1IRo3trf091j4jolkiRD5J |language=en |access-date=2022-12-25}}

| — || —

|

scope="row" | "Happiness 4 Dummies"{{Citation |title=Happiness 4 Dummies |date=2022-10-21 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/7mSqGeFRzvBcjywz52XY6N |language=en |access-date=2022-12-25}}

| — || —

|

scope="row" | "Astroturf"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/rat-trap-i-the-blueprint-single/1687531607|title=RAT TRAP I : the blueprint - Single by Royal & the Serpent|publisher=Apple Music|location=United States|access-date=26 May 2023}}

| rowspan="9" | 2023

| — || —

|

| rowspan="2" |Rat Trap I: The Blueprint

scope="row" | "One Nation Underdogs"

| — || —

|

scope="row" | "Junkie"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/rat-trap-2-the-burn-single/1691724941|title=RAT TRAP 2 : the burn - Single by Royal & the Serpent|publisher=Apple Music|location=United States|access-date=30 June 2023}}

| — || —

|

| rowspan="2" | Rat Trap 2: The Burn

scope="row" | "Slug"

| — || —

|

scope="row" | "Utopia"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/rat-trap-3-the-band-aid-single/1697421627|title=RAT TRAP 3 : the band-aid- Single by Royal & the Serpent|publisher=Apple Music|location=United States|access-date=4 August 2023}}

| — || —

|

| rowspan="2" | Rat Trap 3: The Band-Aid

scope="row" | "Sweet Tooth"

| — || —

|

scope="row" | "U Ruined Frank Ocean 4 Me"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/rat-trap-4-the-burden-single/1702779785|title=RAT TRAP 4 : the burden - Single by Royal & the Serpent|publisher=Apple Music|location=United States|access-date=2 October 2023}}

| — || —

|

| rowspan="3" | Rat Trap 4: The Burden

scope="row" | "Separation Anxiety"

| — || —

|

scope="row" | "Oops"

| — || —

|

scope="row" |"American Spirit"{{Citation |title=RAT TRAP 5: the beginning - Single by Royal & the Serpent on Apple Music |date=2024-06-07 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/rat-trap-5-the-beginning-single/1748009589 |access-date=2024-07-26 |language=en-US}}

| rowspan="2" |2024

| — || —

|

| rowspan="2" |Rat Trap 5: The Beginning

scope="row" |"Dog"

| — || —

|

colspan="6" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

=Other charted songs=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year

! scope="col"| Peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album

scope="col" style="width:2.8em;font-size:90%;"| NZ
Hot

{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2024-11-29|title=Hot 40 Singles|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=November 29, 2024|access-date=November 29, 2024}}
scope="row"| "Wasteland"

| 2024

| 16

| Arcane League of Legends: Season 2

References

{{reflist}}