Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey
Raph_PH · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Lana Del Rey
Caption	Del Rey performing in 2019
Birth name	Elizabeth Woolridge Grant
Birth date	21 June 1985
Birth place	New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Singer, songwriter
Years active	2005–present
Label	Interscope, Polydor, 5 Points
Website	lanadelrey.com

Lana Del Rey is an American singer and songwriter renowned for her cinematic musical style and exploration of tragic romance, glamour, and melancholic Americana. Her signature sound, often described as "Hollywood sadcore," blends elements of pop music, trip hop, and indie rock, distinguished by its cinematic quality and melancholic themes. Since her major-label debut, she has become a critically acclaimed and influential figure in contemporary popular music, known for her distinctive visual aesthetic and lyrical preoccupations.

Early life and education

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant was born in the Manhattan borough of New York City and raised primarily in Lake Placid, New York. She attended a Catholic school before enrolling at Kent School, a boarding school in Connecticut. During her youth, she was influenced by various musical genres, citing artists like Elvis Presley, Billie Holiday, and Britney Spears as early inspirations. She began singing in her church choir and later learned to play the guitar from her uncle. After high school, she studied metaphysics at Fordham University in The Bronx while living with relatives in New Jersey.

Musical career

Her career began under her birth name with an unreleased album and performances in New York City clubs. After signing with 5 Points Records, she adopted the stage name Lana Del Rey and released the EP Kill Kill and the internet viral hit "Video Games" in 2011. This led to a contract with Interscope Records and Polydor Records. Her major-label debut studio album, Born to Die, was released in 2012 to commercial success and mixed critical reception, spawning hits like "Summertime Sadness." Subsequent albums, including Ultraviolence produced by Dan Auerbach, Honeymoon, and the critically lauded Norman Fucking Rockwell!, which earned a Grammy Award for Album of the Year nomination, solidified her artistic reputation. Later works like Chemtrails over the Country Club and Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd continued her exploration of American mythologies and personal narrative.

Artistry and public image

Her artistry is defined by a meticulously crafted aesthetic that references 1950s and 1960s Americana, film noir, and tragic romance. Lyrical themes often revolve around doomed love, melancholic nostalgia, and critiques of the American Dream, drawing comparisons to poets like Sylvia Plath and musicians like Leonard Cohen. Her visual style, evident in music videos and album artwork, frequently incorporates motifs from vintage Hollywood, road trip culture, and pop art. While her initial rise was fueled by viral internet success, her public image has been subject to media scrutiny regarding authenticity, which she has addressed through her music and interviews. She is recognized as a formative influence on a wave of alternative pop artists and has been praised by institutions like the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Discography

* Born to Die (2012) * Ultraviolence (2014) * Honeymoon (2015) * Lust for Life (2017) * Norman Fucking Rockwell! (2019) * Chemtrails over the Country Club (2021) * Blue Banisters (2021) * Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd (2023)

Awards and nominations

Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades, including several Brit Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, and a Satellite Award. Her album Norman Fucking Rockwell! was nominated for Album of the Year and won Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. She has also been honored with the Visionary Award at the Billboard Women in Music event and received recognition from the Hollywood Music in Media Awards.

Personal life

She maintains residences in Los Angeles and has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting organizations like Save the Children and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She has spoken openly about her past struggles and her journey toward sobriety. Her personal life, including her relationships and spiritual beliefs, often subtly informs the narrative landscape of her songwriting, though she generally keeps her private life out of the public spotlight.

Category:American pop singers Category:American songwriters Category:1985 births Category:Living people