DaniLeigh
DaniLeigh | |
---|---|
![]() DaniLeigh in 2018 | |
Born | Danielle Leigh Curiel December 20, 1994 |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2013–present |
Children | 1 |
Musical career | |
Genres | R&B |
Instrument | Vocals |
Labels | Def Jam (former) |
Website | iamdanileigh |
Danielle Leigh Curiel (born December 20, 1994), known professionally as DaniLeigh, is an American singer and songwriter. Initially appearing as a backup dancer, Curiel began her career by posting covers of popular songs on YouTube before moving to Los Angeles, California, where she began choreographing for other artists and dancing. She made a career breakthrough after working with Prince on the music video for his single "Breakfast Can Wait". DaniLeigh was signed to Def Jam Recordings in 2017, releasing mixtapes and singles starting that year.[1]
Early life
[edit]Danielle Leigh Curiel was born on December 20, 1994, in Miami, Florida.[2] Her mother, Vicky Curiel, and her father, Vladimir Curiel, are from the Dominican Republic.[3] She was deeply interested in music during her youth, and cites Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Drake, and Rihanna as influences. She started dancing at the age of 12 and singing at the age of 14, though she was initially too shy to sing in front of others until she received positive feedback.[4] Though she started posting vocal covers of songs such as Musiq Soulchild's "SoBeautiful" on YouTube, her career did not officially start until she moved to Los Angeles, California, where she made connections and started off as a backup dancer to artists such as Pharrell Williams and Nelly Furtado. She also was part of the pop duo Curly Fryz, which she formed with her sister.
Career
[edit]Curiel was asked by Prince to direct the video for his single "Breakfast Can Wait" when she was 18 years old.[5][6] Following the video's success, Prince continued mentoring DaniLeigh until his death in 2016. She released her first single "D.O.S.E" in 2015, but her first successful single was "Play", released in 2017. The single is an empowerment song for women and Latinos, and features Mexican-American rapper Kap G.[1]
After signing with Def Jam Recordings, she released her first EP, Summer with Friends, in 2017, followed up by The Plan in 2018. The latter features appearances by rappers YG, Lil Yachty, Lil Baby, and YBN Nahmir. She later released a few more singles such as "Lil Bebe", which was remixed featuring vocals from Lil Baby, and "Easy", which was remixed featuring vocals from singer Chris Brown.[7] She has also made a cameo appearance in the music video for Megan Thee Stallion's "Hot Girl Summer". In late 2019, she choreographed for DaBaby's music video "BOP on Broadway".
In January 2021, the singer issued an apology after posting part of a song called "Yellow Bone" on social media, which was criticized for promoting colorism.[8]
Musical style
[edit]DaniLeigh incorporates elements of hip hop and Latin music into her primarily R&B-style music.[1][9]
Personal life
[edit]Curiel's older brother is a rapper who goes by Brandon Bills.[10]
Curiel was in a previous relationship with rapper DaBaby that ended in November of 2021. That year on July 17, she announced her pregnancy with their child in an Instagram post.[11] Curiel gave birth to a girl, Velour, on August 11, 2021.[12]
Legal issues
[edit]On November 15, 2021, Curiel was charged with two counts of assault by then-boyfriend DaBaby.[13] The latter then posted a statement on Instagram moments following the incident, confirming that he just wanted Curiel to be "peacefully removed" from his home. Shortly after, Curiel posted a story on Instagram in response, claiming that she refused to leave because she and her child were staying in Charlotte, North Carolina and had no friends or family living nearby who could support her. Curiel stated: "[I’ll] learn and [I’ll] grow…And I’m sorry to my baby that her father is kicking her out her home at 3 months."[14][15]
On May 30, 2023, Curiel was arrested in Miami Beach on a felony hit-and-run charge after she allegedly hit a moped rider with her car while driving drunk.[16]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]- Summer with Friends (2017)
- The Plan (2018)
- My Present (2019)
- Movie (2020)
- In My Feelings (2020)
Extended plays
[edit]- Summer with Friends (2017)
- My Present (2019)
- My Side (2022)
Singles
[edit]Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [17] |
US R&B/HH [18] |
AUS [19] | ||||
"D.O.S.E" | 2015 | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
"In My Feelings" (featuring Kap G) |
2017 | — | — | — | Summer with Friends | |
"Lil Bebe" (featuring Lil Baby) |
2018 | — | — | — | The Plan | |
"Blue Chips" | — | — | — | |||
"Life" | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
"Easy"[21] (Solo or featuring Chris Brown)[22] |
79 | 34 | 84 | |||
"No Limits" | 2019 | — | — | — | ||
"Cravin" (featuring G-Eazy) |
— | — | — | |||
"Levi High" (featuring DaBaby)[25] |
2020 | — | — | — | Movie | |
"Dominican Mami" (featuring Fivio Foreign) |
— | — | — |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Award | Year | Nominee | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BET Awards | 2020 | Herself | Best New Artist | Nominated | [26] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "DaniLeigh in". Def Jam. January 3, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
- ^ "DaniLeigh bio, age, parents, husband, children, net worth". atinkanews. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
- ^ "Who Are DaBaby's Ex-DaniLeigh's Parents?". Sohh. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
- ^ "5 things you didn't know about DaniLeigh". AXS. May 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ Ferreiro, Laura (25 October 2013). "Prince Enlists Unknown Teenager to Direct "Breakfast Can Wait" Video". Yahoo Music. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ Lewis, Randy (October 11, 2013). "Watch Prince's new video 'Breakfast Can Wait'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ "DaniLeigh featuring Chris Brown – "Easy" (Remix)". BET.com. Retrieved July 1, 2019.[dead link]
- ^ Gray, Arielle (January 26, 2021). "DaniLeigh's Apology for the 'Yellow Bone' Controversy Only Makes It Worse". Glamour.
- ^ "Meet DaniLeigh, the Dominican Rapper & Singer With a Co-Sign From Prince". Remezcla. August 8, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
- ^ "DaBaby: DaniLeigh's brother sues rapper for 'permanent injuries' caused by bowling alley brawl". yahoo!news. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
- ^ "iamdanileigh Instagram post". Instagram. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ "DaniLeigh, DaBaby Come Together To Celebrate Daughter's 2nd Birthday". 15 August 2023. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ "DaBaby Calls Cops on Baby's Mother, Who Was Charged With Simple Assault". RollingStone. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ "DaniLeigh and Family Speak Out After Instagram Live Incident With DaBaby". Complex. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ "DaniLeigh Talks 'Toxic' Relationship With DaBaby in New Interview". RollingStone. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ Gothner, Chris (May 30, 2023). "Singer DaniLeigh accused of DUI hit-and-run in Miami Beach, fracturing victim's spine". Local10.com. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ "DaniLeigh Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ "DaniLeigh Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #523". auspop. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ a b "American certifications – Dani Leigh". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- ^ "Top 40/R Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
- ^ "British certifications – DaniLeigh". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 27, 2022. Type DaniLeigh in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – DaniLeigh – Easy". Music Canada. 26 January 1994. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ Powell, Jon (March 13, 2020). "DaniLeigh connects with DaBaby for 'Levi High'". Revolt. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Here Are All the Winners From the 2020 BET Awards". Billboard. June 28, 2020.
External links
[edit]- 1994 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American women singers
- 21st-century American singer-songwriters
- American contemporary R&B singers
- American rappers of Dominican Republic descent
- American singers of Dominican Republic descent
- American women choreographers
- American choreographers
- Urbano musicians
- American performers of Latin music
- Dancers from Florida
- Def Jam Recordings artists
- Hispanic and Latino American women singers
- Rappers from Florida
- Singer-songwriters from Florida