Snoh Aalegra
{{Short description|Swedish singer (born 1987)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Snoh Aalegra
| image = Snoh Aalegra April 2016 (cropped portrait).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Snoh Aalegra in 2016
| birth_name = Shahrzad Fooladi
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|09|13|df=y}}
| birth_place = Uppsala, Sweden
| origin = Stockholm, Sweden
| genre = {{hlist|R&B|soul|hip hop}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| years_active = {{flatlist|
- 2001
- 2009–present}}
| label = {{hlist|ARTium|Roc Nation (current)|Sony Music Sweden|Mamia|Universal Music|Epic (former)}}
| website = {{URL|https://snohaalegra.com}}
}}
Snoh Sheri Nowrozi{{cite web |title=Nowrozi Snoh Sheri {{!}} ACE Repertory |url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/writer/292660057/NOWROZI%20SNOH%20SHERI |website=ASCAP |access-date=9 March 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Joshi |first1=Tara |title=One to watch: Snoh Aalegra |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/aug/17/snoh-aalegra-swedish-iranian-r-and-b-prince-drake-common-rza-ugh-those-feels-again |work=The Guardian |date=17 August 2019}} (born Shahrzad Fooladi, 13 September 1987), better known by her stage name Snoh Aalegra ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|n|oʊ|ˈ|æ|l|i|ɡ|r|ɑː}}), is a Swedish singer-songwriter. Her debut album, Feels, was released in 2017, followed by Ugh, Those Feels Again in 2019.
Early life
Aalegra was born on 13 September 1987 in Uppsala, Sweden, to Persian parents from the south of Iran.{{cite web |last1=Kwateng-Clar |first1=Danielle |title=Snoh Aalegra and Michael B. Jordan's Steamy "Whoa" Video Sparks Dating Rumors |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/snoh-aalegra-whoa-video |website=Teen Vogue |access-date=15 December 2019 |language=en |date=14 December 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Ijaduola |first1=Deborah |title=Snoh Aalegra: on connecting the dots of her Swedish-Persian heritage |url=http://gal-dem.com/snoh-aalegra-swedish-persian-heritage |website=gal-dem |access-date=17 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208011736/http://gal-dem.com/snoh-aalegra-swedish-persian-heritage |archive-date=8 December 2019 |date=17 November 2017}} Her birth name is the Persian form of the character Scheherazade.{{Citation |title=شهرزاد |date=2024-11-20 |work=Wiktionary, the free dictionary |url=https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF#Persian |access-date=2024-11-28 |language=en}} She grew up in Enköping, Sweden,{{cite web |last1=Erwik |first1=Alexander |title=Sheri – nästa års stora svenska stjärna – Finest.se |url=http://www.finest.se/articles/article.php?aid=2306/ |website=Finest.se |access-date=11 October 2018 |date=10 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228222346/http://www.finest.se/articles/article.php?aid=2306/ |archive-date=28 February 2012 |language=sv}} moving there with her mother following her parents' divorce.{{cite web |title=First Look Friday: Snoh Aalegra's Fresh Take On R&B |url=http://www.okayplayer.com/news/new-artist-snoh-aalegra-photos-interview.html |website=Okayplayer |access-date=15 October 2018 |date=16 January 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Domanick |first1=Andrea |date=24 September 2019 |title=Snoh Aalegra and the Beauty of Otherness |url=https://www.playboy.com/read/get-lost-in-snoh-aalegra |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927025937/https://www.playboy.com/read/get-lost-in-snoh-aalegra |archive-date=2019-09-27 |work=Playboy}} They later relocated to Stockholm.{{cite news |last1=Wally |first1=Maxine |title=Snoh Aalegra Finds Home on Her New Album, 'Ugh, Those Feels Again' |url=https://wwd.com/eye/people/snoh-aalegra-finds-home-on-her-new-album-ugh-those-feels-again-1203239656/ |work=WWD |date=16 August 2019}} Aalegra began writing music at the age of 9.{{cite news |last1=Ju |first1=Shirley |title=Snoh Aalegra on Prince's Lessons – And Her New Album |url=http://read.tidal.com/article/snoh-aalegra-ugh-feels |work=Tidal |date=16 August 2019}}
Career
= 2001–2012: Career beginnings, Sheri, ''First Sign'' =
In 2001, at the age of 13, Aalegra signed an artist development deal with Sony Music Sweden. However, she eventually parted ways with the label with no music being released.{{cite web |last1=Gore |first1=Sydney |title=Snoh Aalegra on Writing Heavy Songs That Resist The Mainstream |url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/snoh-aalegra-interview-2 |website=Highsnobiety |access-date=1 August 2019 |date=21 November 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Brara |first1=Noor |title=Discovery: Snoh Aalegra – Interview Magazine |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/discover-snoh-aalegra |website=Interview Magazine |access-date=12 October 2018 |date=24 November 2014}}{{cite magazine |last1=Shouneyia |first1=Alexa |title=Snoh Aalegra Talks New Album 'Feels,' Working With No I.D. & the Best Advice She Received From Prince |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8014782/snoh-aalegra-interview-new-album-feels-prince-no-id |magazine=Billboard |access-date=7 October 2018 |date=26 October 2017}}
File:Sheri 2009.jpg in 2009]]
In 2009, Aalegra began her musical career using the mononym Sheri. She released her debut single "Hit and Run" on 16 February 2009, with production by Andreas Carlsson. The single peaked at number 12 on the Swedish Single Charts.{{cite web |last1=Hung |first1=Steffen |title=swedishcharts.com – Sheri – Hit And Run |url=https://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Sheri&titel=Hit+And+Run&cat=s |website=swedishcharts.com |access-date=11 October 2018}} She released her second single "U Got Me Good" on 4 December 2009, reaching number 2 on the Swedish Single Charts.{{cite web |last1=Hung |first1=Steffen |title=swedishcharts.com – Sheri – U Got Me Good |url=https://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Sheri&titel=U+Got+Me+Good&cat=s |website=swedishcharts.com |access-date=11 October 2018}}
On 6 April 2010, under the name Sheri, she released her debut studio album First Sign, through Universal Music Sweden. The album features a cover of the 1984 song "Smooth Operator" by Sade,as well as the singles "Hit And Run" and "U Got Me Good".{{cite web |title=First Sign av Sheri |website=iTunes |url=https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/first-sign/350338868 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015192310/https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/first-sign/350338868 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 October 2018 |access-date=15 October 2018 |language=sv-SE |date=1 January 2010}}
= 2013–2018: Debut as Snoh Aalegra, ''Feels'' =
In 2013, Aalegra signed to No I.D.'s ARTium Recordings. In July 2014, she debuted her new stage name, Snoh Aalegra, and appeared on Common's tenth studio album, Nobody's Smiling, featuring on the song "Hustle Harder".{{cite web |title=Nobody's Smiling by Common |website=iTunes |date=22 July 2014 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/nobodys-smiling/1443120601 |access-date=1 January 2019 |language=en-us}}{{cite news |last1=Aswad |first1=Jem |title=Album Review: Snoh Aalegra's 'Ugh, Those Feels Again' |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/album-review-snoh-aalegras-ugh-those-feels-again-1203304738/ |work=Variety |date=16 August 2019}} Later that year, in October 2014, She released her debut single, "Bad Things" featuring Common. She followed with the release of her debut EP, There Will Be Sunshine, on 17 November 2014, through ARTium/Epic. The EP includes the track "Stockholm, Pt. II (Outro)," featuring Cocaine 80s.{{cite web |title=There Will Be Sunshine – EP by Snoh Aalegra |website=iTunes |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/there-will-be-sunshine-ep/938986790 |access-date=7 October 2018 |date=17 November 2014}}
In 2014, she became a protégé of Prince after he discovered her music and reached out to her.{{Cite web|url=https://eventseeker.com/artist/55036-snoh-aalegra|title=Snoh Aalegra – Artist Profile|website=eventseeker.com|language=en|access-date=24 March 2020}} He mentored her until his death in 2016.{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Erica |title=Snoh Aalegra Talks Getting Donuts with Prince and a Possible Frank Ocean Collaboration |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a29134062/snoh-aalegra-interview/ |work=Harpers Bazaar |date=20 September 2019}}
In February 2015, Aalegra said she had changed her legal name to Snoh Nowrozi.{{cite web |last1=Weston |first1=Liana |title=Sound Scout: Meet Snoh Aalegra, the Enchanting Soulstress With a Hypnotic Voice |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/snoh-aalegra-interview |website=Teen Vogue |access-date=7 October 2018 |date=7 February 2015 |language=en}} She added "Aalegra" to her stage name because it means "joyful" in Italian (altering the spelling of "allegra" to make it her own), and because there was already an artist named Snoh.{{cite news |last1=Haque |first1=Eshika |title=Interview: Snoh Aalegra |url=https://schonmagazine.com/SnohAalegra/ |work=Schon |date=13 February 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Abraham |first1=Tameka |title=Snoh Aalegra |url=https://www.goat.com/greatest/snoh-aalegra |access-date=3 January 2020 |work=GOAT}} On 11 February 2015, Aalegra released her first single under the name Snoh Aalegra, titled "Emotional", produced by RZA. That same year, she also featured on Vince Staples' debut album, Summertime '06 in June, providing vocals for the songs "Jump Off the Roof" and "Señorita".{{cite news |last1=Kivel |first1=Adam |title=Vince Staples – Summertime '06 |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2015/07/album-review-vince-staples-summertime-06/ |work=Consequence of Sound |date=30 June 2015}}
On 8 April 2016, Aalegra released the EP Don't Explain through ARTium Recordings. The EP featured production from James Fauntleroy, No I.D., Boi-1da, Christian Rich and DJ Dahi. The EP features a cover of the 1944 song, "Don't Explain" by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr.{{cite news |last1=Adewunmi |first1=Bim |title=Why I love... Snoh Aalegra |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/aug/13/why-i-love-snoh-aalegra-band-bim-adewunmi |work=The Guardian |date=13 August 2016}} John Mayer plays guitar on "Under the Influence", and the final track, "Chaos", was written by Sia. In 2017, she went on her first North American tour, in support of Daniel Caesar.
On 20 October 2017, Aalegra released her debut album, Feels, which featured collaborations from Vince Staples, Vic Mensa, Logic, and Timbuktu. The album was described as a "nostalgic blend of soul and R&B" with Aalegra referring to her style as "cinematic soul". Her single "Time" was sampled by Drake on the closing track "Do Not Disturb", from his 2017 mixtape More Life. On 12 September 2018, her single "Nothing Burns Like the Cold" produced by Christian Rich and featuring Vince Staples, was featured in Apple's promotional video and commercials for their iPhone XS.{{cite web |title=iPhone XS — Illusion — Apple |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l96MQKwwHOE |website=YouTube |access-date=7 October 2018 |date=15 September 2018}}{{cite web |title=Apple iPhone XS TV Commercial, 'Illusion' Song by Snoh Aalegra, Vince Staples |url=https://www.ispot.tv/ad/djH1/apple-iphone-xs-illusion-song-by-snoh-aalegra |website=iSpot.tv |access-date=7 October 2018 |language=en}} In the fall of 2018, Aalegra headlined her first North American tour, with support from Mereba and Leven Kali.{{cite magazine |last1=Lukarcanin |first1=Emina |title=Leven Kali Releases Euphoric Two-Song Project 'NunWrong With a Lil Good Lovin': Listen |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8478514/leven-kali-nunwrong-with-a-lil-good-lovin |magazine=Billboard |date=5 October 2018}}
= 2019–present: ''Ugh, Those Feels Again'' and ''Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies'' =
In August 2019, Aalegra released her second album, Ugh, Those Feels Again, on ARTium Recordings.{{cite news|last1=Joshi|first1=Tara|title=One to watch: Snoh Aalegra|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/aug/17/snoh-aalegra-swedish-iranian-r-and-b-prince-drake-common-rza-ugh-those-feels-again|work=The Guardian|date=17 August 2019}} The album is considered to be a sequel to Feels, similar in mood and thematically.{{cite news |last1=Kearse |first1=Stephen |title=Ugh, those feels again |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/snoh-aalegra-ugh-those-feels-again/ |work=Pitchfork |date=6 September 2019}} The album peaked at number 3 on the Billboard R&B Album Sales chart, number 6 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart,{{cite magazine |title=Snoh Aalegra Chart History: Top R&B Albums |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/snoh-aalegra/chart-history/rbl/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=28 August 2019}} and number 73 on the Billboard 200 chart.{{cite magazine |title=Snoh Aalegra Chart History: Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/snoh-aalegra/chart-history/tlp/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=20 July 2021}} The single "I Want You Around" reached number 1 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/snoh-aalegra/chart-history/rba/|title=Snoh Aalegra Chart History: Adult R&B Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=28 August 2019}} Additionally, she recorded the song "Wolves Are Out Tonight", produced by Swizz Beatz, for the soundtrack to the 2019 EPIX television series Godfather of Harlem.{{cite news |title=Snoh Aalegra Graces New "Godfather Of Harlem" Track "Wolves Are Out Tonight" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/snoh-aalegra-graces-new-godfather-of-harlem-track-wolves-are-out-tonight-new-song.1985149.html |work=Hot New Hip Hop |date=9 November 2019}} On 13 December 2019, she released the video to her single "Whoa", starring herself and actor Michael B. Jordan. In the fall of 2019, she headlined a European and North American tour, with support from Baby Rose and Giveon.{{cite news |last1=Inman |first1=DeMicia |title=Snoh Aalegra Announces North American Tour With Baby Rose |url=https://defpen.com/snoh-aalegra-north-american-tour/ |work=Def Pen |date=24 September 2019}} She also reached number 1 on the Bandsintown + Billboard Global Rising Artists Index.{{cite magazine |title=Snoh Aalegra: Bandsintown |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/snoh-aalegra/chart-history/brg/ |access-date=3 January 2020 |magazine=Billboard}}
In February 2020, NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts released Aalegra's performance where she performed a selection of songs including "Love Like That", "I Want You Around", "Whoa", "Fool For You", and "Find Someone Like You".{{Cite web|title=Snoh Aalegra: Tiny Desk Concert|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/02/18/805478361/snoh-aalegra-tiny-desk-concert|access-date=19 November 2020|website=NPR.org| date=18 February 2020 |language=en| last1=Madden | first1=Sidney }}
On 9 March 2020, it was announced that Aalegra had signed a recording contract with Roc Nation/Universal Music Group in partnership with her current label ARTium Records, and released "Dying 4 Your Love", her first single, through both labels on 10 July. During an interview, she revealed that she was already working on her next album.{{cite web |last1=Moorwood |first1=Victoria |title=Snoh Aalegra signs with JAY-Z's Roc Nation |url=https://www.revolt.tv/news/2020/3/10/21173073/snoh-aalegra-signs-roc-nation-tour |website=Revolt |access-date=15 January 2021 |language=en |date=10 March 2020}}
Aalegra was featured on "Last Time", on Giveon's second EP, When It's All Said and Done.
On 9 July 2021, Aalegra released her third album, Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies, under ARTium Records and Roc Nation. The album was preceded by the singles "Dying 4 Your Love", released on 10 June 2020, and "Lost You", released on 21 June 2021, which was produced by Maneesh and No I.D.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} Aalegra began her Ugh, These Temporary Highs Tour in Manchester on 13 February 2022.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} Aalegra received nominations at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album for Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies and Best R&B Performance for "Lost You".{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/04/03/1090342877/2022-grammys-full-list-winners-nominees|title=2022 Grammy Awards: The full list of nominees and winners|website=npr.org| date=3 April 2022 |access-date=8 January 2024}}
In 2023, she was nominated at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in the category Best Traditional R&B Performance for her cover of Do 4 Love.{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/Snoh-Aalegra/37867|title=Snoh Aalegra Grammy nominees|website=grammy.com |access-date=8 January 2024}} On July 21, 2023, She released the single Be My Summer,{{cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/snoh-aalegra-returns-with-majestic-single-be-my-summer/|title=Snoh Aalegra Returns With Majestic Single 'Be My Summer|website=clashmusic.com|date=27 July 2023 |access-date=8 January 2024}} followed by the single Sweet Tea on August 2, 2023{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/snoh-aalegra-sweet-tea-is-spiritual-1234777698/|title=Snoh Aalegra Says New "Sweet Tea" Single Is "Spiritual"|website=vibe.com|date=3 August 2023 |access-date=8 January 2024}} and Wait a Little Longer on August 18, 2023.
Artistry
Aalegra cites Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston, James Brown, Brandy, Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, Robyn, and Mariah Carey as musical influences.{{Cite magazine |last=Droppo |first=Dana |date=2020-11-23 |title=Snoh Aalegra is Traveling a Path That's All Her Own |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/snoh-aalegra-is-traveling-a-path-thats-all-her-own-9487303/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Lily |title=New Noise: Snoh {{!}} Wonderland Magazine |url=https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2014/12/09/new-noise-snoh-2/ |website=Wonderland |access-date=7 October 2018 |date=9 December 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Penrose |first1=Nerisha |title=Snoh Aalegra Is The Soundtrack Of Sad Girl Fall |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a29107966/snoh-aalegra-ugh-those-feels-again-album-interview/ |work=Elle |date=24 September 2019}}{{cite news |title=Snoh Aalegra Is Right at Home |url=https://www.papermag.com/snoh-aalegra-2640037511.html |work=Paper |date=26 August 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Marine |first1=Brooke |title=New Faces: Snoh Aalegra Delves Deep with her Sophomore Album, -Ugh, those feels again |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/snoh-aalegra-ugh-those-feels-again |work=W Magazine |date=13 September 2019}} She also credits film score orchestras and arrangements as significant influences on her sound. She has said she first fell in love with music at the age of seven, when she heard Houston's The Bodyguard soundtrack.
Personal life
Discography
{{Main|Snoh Aalegra discography}}
Studio albums
- First Sign (2010, as Sheri)
- Feels (2017)
- Ugh, Those Feels Again (2019)
- Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies (2021)
Tours
Headlining
- Feels Tour (2018){{cite magazine |last1=Saponara |first1=Michael |title=Snoh Aalegra Powers Through Technical Difficulties for Soulful NYC Performance |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8476068/snoh-aalegra-feels-tour-nyc-recap |magazine=Billboard |date=20 September 2018 |access-date=23 December 2018}}
- Ugh, A Mini Tour Again (2019){{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Dominiq |title=Snoh Aalegra announces 2020 Ugh, A Tour Again with QUIN |url=https://www.axs.com/snoh-aalegra-announces-2020-ugh-a-tour-again-with-quin-138676 |website=AXS |access-date=15 December 2019 |date=3 December 2019}}
- Ugh, These Temporary Highs Tour (2022)
Supporting
- Daniel Caesar – Freudian, a World Tour (2017){{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8047015/daniel-caesar-concert-proposals-hbo-insecure-issa-rae |title=Fans Take a Page From HBO's 'Insecure' With Daniel Caesar Concert Proposals |last1=Saponara |first1=Michael |date=27 November 2017 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Eldridge Industries |access-date=12 May 2018}}
- TIDAL X Brooklyn (2018){{cite magazine |last1=Saponara |first1=Michael |title=6 Highlights from Brooklyn's TIDAL X Benefit Concert Featuring Meek Mill, Lil Wayne, Normani & More |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8481472/2018-tidal-x-concert-recap |magazine=Billboard |date=24 October 2018 |access-date=23 December 2018}}
- The Weeknd – After Hours til Dawn Tour (2022)
Awards
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website|snohaalegra.com}}
- {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0003282100}}
- {{Discogs artist|Snoh Aalegra}}
- {{IMDb name|9522735|Snoh Aalegra}}
{{Snoh Aalegra}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aalegra, Snoh}}
Category:21st-century Swedish singers
Category:21st-century Swedish women singers
Category:Contemporary R&B singers
Category:Women hip-hop musicians
Category:Women hip-hop singers
Category:Singers of Iranian descent
Category:Singers from Stockholm
Category:Swedish people of Iranian descent