Ava Max

Amanda Ava Koci (born Amanda Koci; February 16, 1994), known professionally as Ava Max, is an American singer-songwriter. After moving across several states to pursue a music career in her childhood, Max signed with Atlantic Records in 2016, where she released the song "Sweet but Psycho" on August 17, 2018. It became her breakthrough single after peaking at number one in 22 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, and New Zealand. The song also peaked at number two in Australia, and number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Ava Max
Max meeting fans in Australia after her appearance on Sunrise in April 2019
Born
Amanda Koci

(1994-02-16) February 16, 1994
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Other names
  • Ava
  • Ava Koci
Occupation
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2013–present
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentsVocals
LabelsAtlantic
Associated actsCirkut
Websiteavamax.com

Early life

Amanda Ava Koci was born Amanda Koci, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on February 16, 1994.[1][2] She was born to Albanian parents from Tirana and Sarandë,[3] and has an older brother.[4] Three years before Max was born, her parents left Albania and lived in a church in Paris for a year until they received passports from a local woman, where they immigrated to the United States and lived in Wisconsin. During her childhood, Max often saw her parents struggle to earn an income, as they each worked three jobs without speaking English.[5] Her mother was a trained opera singer who belted arias in the house,[6] while her father played the piano.[7]

She moved with her family to Virginia when she was 8 years old,[4] where she competed in numerous Radio Disney singing competitions in malls before she entered high school.[8][9] At the age of 13, she came up with the middle name Ava, which she adopted as her first name, claiming that "I never felt like an Amanda".[10] When she was 14 years old, she moved with her mother to Los Angeles in pursuit of a music career, finding the city to be overwhelming. She went to South Carolina a year later, where she began writing songs about relationships she had observed, including those of her brother.[9] Max stated that she was grateful because it allowed for a normal childhood.[4] She eventually returned to Los Angeles when she was 17 years old.[11]

Career

2013–2017: Career beginnings
Max's logo, which displays the 'Max Cut'.

Under the stage name Ava, her debut song "Take Away the Pain" was published in May 2013,[12][13] which was remixed by Canadian DJ and producer duo Project 46 in July 2015.[14] After years of having demos rejected and not returned by record producers and songwriters,[8] she met Canadian record producer Cirkut at a dinner party in 2014,[15] who was also a friend of her brother.[4] Max sang "Happy Birthday" to him,[6][9][16] which led to the two working together, writing hundreds of songs and releasing "Anyone but You" on SoundCloud in July 2016.[15] The song gained traction and attracted the attention of various record labels that contacted her through email, ultimately leading her to sign a record deal with Atlantic Records.[8][9][11] Max acknowledged that working with him changed her life, as she considered leaving the music industry after being creatively stifled.[17]

After signing the deal, she began searching for a last name to use as her stage name, eventually deciding on Max. She chose the name, as it combined elements of being both masculine and feminine. Around 2016–2017, Max adopted her signature hairstyle titled the 'Max Cut', which can be seen in her logo as a substitute for the "A" in Max.[4] On August 4, 2017, Max was featured on the Le Youth song "Clap Your Hands", where she sang two different melodies.[18]

2018–present: Breakthrough and Heaven & Hell
Max performing at the Gothenburg Rix FM Festival in August 2019.

On April 20, 2018, "My Way" was released,[2] which peaked at number 38 on the Romanian Airplay 100 chart.[19] On May 11, 2018, "Slippin", a collaboration with Gashi, was released.[20][21][22] On June 8, 2018, she was featured on the song "Into Your Arms" by American rapper Witt Lowry.[23] A month later, "Salt" was sent to SoundCloud.[24] On August 13, 2018, she released "Not Your Barbie Girl" as a promotional single.[25] "Sweet but Psycho" was released on August 17, 2018. The song became Max's commercial breakthrough, reaching number one in more than 22 countries including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, where it stayed at number one for four consecutive weeks.[26][27] In January 2019, the song reached the top of the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, and later reached top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.[28] Max was also featured on the Vice and Jason Derulo song "Make Up" on October 23, 2018,[29] and made an appearance on David Guetta's 2018 album 7 on the track "Let It Be Me".[30]

On March 7, 2019, she released the follow-up single "So Am I", which reached the top 10 in Poland, Norway, Scotland, and Sweden. A remix of the song was released on July 3, 2019, which featured South Korean boy band NCT 127.[31] The songs "Blood, Sweat & Tears" and "Freaking Me Out" were simultaneously released in July 2019 as promotional singles.[32] On August 7, 2019, Max was featured on the song "Slow Dance" by American singer-songwriter AJ Mitchell,[33] and released "Torn" as a single on August 19, 2019.[34] On September 4, 2019, she entered a joint co-publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Artist Publishing Group.[35] On October 31, 2019, she released a music video for "Freaking Me Out" as a Halloween special.[36][37] Max won best Best Push Act at the 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards.[38] On November 6, 2019, a duet called "Tabú" between Max and Pablo Alborán was released.[39] The previously released song "Salt" was sent to digital streaming platforms on December 12, 2019.[40] She collaborated with British-Norwegian DJ and record producer Alan Walker on the song "Alone, Pt. II", which was released on December 27, 2019.[41] "On Somebody" was released as a promotional single on December 30, 2019.[42]

On March 12, 2020, Max released "Kings & Queens" as the fifth single from her upcoming debut studio album Heaven & Hell (2020).[43] She also appeared as a featured artist on the country song "On Me" along with Thomas Rhett and Kane Brown. It was included on the Scoob! soundtrack on May 15, 2020, accompanied with a music video.[44][45] Max released "Who's Laughing Now" as the sixth single from her album on July 30, 2020.[46]

Musical style and influences

Max has been labeled as a pop[5][6] and dance-pop[9][47] singer. She grew up listening to artists such as Alicia Keys, Norah Jones,[9] Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Fugees,[48] Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston.[49] She has also cited Beyoncé,[48] Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Fergie, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Lady Gaga as some of her influences.[49] She stated that Carey is her biggest influence, recalling how she grew up listening to her music on loop,[50] such as "Vision of Love" (1990).[6]

Public image and personal life
It was funny, 'cause I was actually experimenting with different haircuts and colors, pink hair, blue hair, all that kind of stuff. Nothing felt like me. One day I cut my hair, my actual hair, cut it on the right side, and I remember I had something in the oven; I think they were chocolate-chip cookies. And I run downstairs without cutting the other side. I run downstairs, and then I'm like, 'Oh my God, [the cookies] almost burnt.' As I'm going [back] upstairs, I see in the mirror my reflection and the haircut, and...I literally tilted my head, like, why does this feel like me? It felt like me, like I had found myself.

— Ava Max on the formation of the "Max Cut"[4]

Max has often been compared to Lady Gaga for her music and "ostentatious presentation", which includes her platinum blonde hair, persona, and stage name.[4][51][52] Chris DeVille of Stereogum criticized Max's production for being too similar to Gaga, stating that it "falls short in terms of lyrics, production, melody, dynamics, personality, and every other conceivable metric", despite recognizing that the latter was also highly compared to Madonna.[26] Max acknowledged that she often goes against the grain while making public appearances, often seeking designers who are overlooked, and wearing outlandish outfits, as she wants "to give people an experience".[4] However, she preferred making music in the studio than appearing in public, stating that she did not like the attention of the fashion and cameras on the red carpet.[5]

Her self-cut "Max Cut" hairstyle consists of her asymmetric peroxide blonde hair parted down the center, with the right side containing a chin-length bob cut, while the left side was longer and wavy.[8] She explained that she did not feel authentic with her normal haircut,[10] and that it was about embracing herself and being unique.[7][9]

Max has described herself as "100% Albanian" and stated that she wants to give back to the community.[5] She is able to speak the language, but cannot read it.[9] She is also outspoken about female empowerment, which is featured in her music.[48] In a 2019 interview with Attitude, Max revealed that she had been attracted to women in the past, but has chosen not to label her sexuality, stating "Personally, I like it when it's about who you are as a person. I don't like people putting me, or anyone else I know in a box".[53]

Discography
Main article: Ava Max discography

Awards and nominations
Year Award Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Category Result Ref.
2019 Bravo Otto Herself Newcomer Won [54]
2019 BreakTudo Awards Herself International New Artist Nominated [55]
2019 Global Awards Herself Rising Star Nominated [56]
2019 GAFFA Awards (Sweden) Herself Best Foreign New Act Nominated [57]
2019 GAFFA Awards (Sweden) "Sweet but Psycho" Best Foreign Song Won
2019 LOS40 Music Awards "Sweet but Psycho" Best International Song Won [58]
2019 LOS40 Music Awards Herself Best International New Artist Nominated
2019 MTV Europe Music Awards Herself Best New Act Nominated [59]
2019 MTV Europe Music Awards Herself Best Push Act Won
2019 MTV Video Music Awards Herself Best New Artist Nominated [60]
2019 NRJ Music Awards Herself International Breakthrough of the Year Nominated [61]
2019 Teen Choice Awards Herself Choice Summer Female Artist Nominated [62]
2019 Teen Choice Awards "Sweet but Psycho" Choice Song: Pop Nominated
2020 Spotify Awards Herself Most-Streamed EDM Female Artist Nominated [63]
gollark: Testbot4, take <@716293342740348948>'s token.
gollark: Testbot1, servers.
gollark: Testbot1, help us.
gollark: æ ææ æ
gollark: Testbot, help.

References
  1. Frometa, RJ (August 17, 2018). "Ava Max Returns with New Single 'Sweet but Psycho'". Vents Magazine. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  2. BWW News Desk. "Ava Max Takes Control With New Single 'My Way'". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  3. @AvaMax (November 10, 2018). "Tirana and Sarande" (Tweet). Retrieved April 20, 2020 – via Twitter.
  4. Duboff, Josh (February 13, 2019). ""Sweet but Psycho" Singer Ava Max Is Trying to "Bring Pop Back"". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  5. "Ava Max: My parents left Albania in 1990 and lived in a church in Paris for a whole year". Belfast Telegraph. January 11, 2019. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  6. Cirisano, Tatiana (January 30, 2019). "Chartbreaker: Ava Max On Breakout Hit 'Sweet But Psycho' and How She'll Follow It Up". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  7. Thaitrakulpanich, Asaree (April 29, 2019). "'Positive Pop' Singer Ava Max On Her Albanian Heritage And Being Bullied". Khaosod. Archived from the original on June 14, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  8. Rowlands, Geoffrey (December 24, 2018). "Sweet But Psycho makes Ava a star". Gulf Times. Archived from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  9. Spanos, Brittany (May 16, 2019). "Ava Max Wants to Bring Dance-Pop Back". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 19, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  10. Nunn, Jerry (March 27, 2019). "Ava Max Sings Into a Sweet Life". Windy City Times. Archived from the original on April 9, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  11. Wass, Mike (October 31, 2018). "Ava Max On "Sweet But Psycho" & Making Pop Fun Again: Interview". Idolator. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  12. "Take Away the Pain". Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019 – via Napster.
  13. "AVA - Take Away the Pain (Official Music Video)". June 10, 2013. Archived from the original on June 10, 2013 – via YouTube.
  14. Ultra Music (July 16, 2015). "Project 46 - Take Away The Pain (feat. Ava Koci) [Cover Art]". Archived from the original on August 28, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2019 – via YouTube.
  15. Spruch, Kirsten (November 26, 2019). "From Rebecca Black to Lil Nas X: A Timeline Of Artists Going Viral in the 2010s". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  16. Tanzer, Myles. "After Working With Dr. Luke, Cirkut Breaks Out on His Own". Vulture. Archived from the original on February 24, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  17. Corner, Lewis (October 24, 2018). "Say hello to Ava Max: Our favourite new pop obsession". Gay Times. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  18. "Le Youth's 'Clap Your Hands' Is Infectious Funk: Exclusive". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  19. Arvunescu, Victor (June 18, 2018). "Top Airplay 100 – Matthew Koma rămâne regele clasamentului" [Top Airplay 100 – Matthew Koma remains the king of the chart] (in Romanian). Un site de muzică. Archived from the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  20. "Ava Max Releases 'Slippin' Featuring GASHI". 360 Magazine. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  21. "New Ava Max Track 'Slippin' Featuring Gashi". New Music Weekly. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  22. "Ava Max lo hace a su manera". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  23. "Into Your Arms (feat. Ava Max) – Single by Witt Lowry". Archived from the original on December 29, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018 – via iTunes Store.
  24. Nied, Mike (December 12, 2019). "Ava Max Is All Cried Out & Feeling Fabulous On Fierce New Single Salt". Idolator. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  25. "Not Your Barbie Girl – Single by Ava Max". Archived from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2019 – via iTunes Store.
  26. DeVille, Chris (January 24, 2019). "Can Ava Max's Global Hit 'Sweet But Psycho' Take Over America Too?". Stereogum. Archived from the original on January 25, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  27. "Who is Ava Max? The Sweet But Psycho star soaring up the charts". Official Charts Company. November 21, 2018. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  28. Trust, Gary (May 28, 2019). "Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Rules Billboard Hot 100 for Eighth Week, Ava Max's 'Sweet but Psycho' Hits Top 10". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 28, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  29. Wass, Mike (October 23, 2018). "Jason Derulo & Ava Max Join Forces On Vice's "Make Up"". Idolator. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  30. "Pandora Predictions to Know: Flora Cash, Social House, Ava Max & Summer Walker". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  31. Nied, Mike (July 2, 2019). "Ava Max Teams Up With NCT 127 On 'So Am I' Remix". Idolator. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  32. Spanos, Brittany (July 31, 2019). "Hear Ava Max's Two New Songs 'Freaking Me Out' and 'Blood, Sweat and Tears'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  33. "Slow Dance ft. @avamax". August 7, 2019. Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2019 – via Instagram.
  34. "Ava Max Unleashes New Disco-Tinged Single 'Torn'". BroadwayWorld. August 19, 2019. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  35. Atkinson, Katie (September 4, 2019). "Ava Max Signs Joint Co-Publishing Agreement With Warner Chappell and APG". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 9, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  36. TV News Desk (October 31, 2019). "Ava Max Release 'Freaking Me Out' Music Video". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  37. "Ava Max - Freaking Me Out [Official Music Video]". October 31, 2019. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019 – via YouTube.
  38. Billboard Staff (November 4, 2019). "Here Are All the Winners From the 2019 MTV EMAs". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 4, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  39. Fernandez, Suzette (October 29, 2019). "This Week in Latin Notas: Pablo Alborán Announces a Collaboration With Ava Max & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 6, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  40. Aniftos, Rania (December 12, 2019). "Ava Max Finally Drops Fan Favorite Song 'Salt'". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  41. Tryon, Oliver (December 24, 2019). "Alan Walker To Release 'Alone, Pt. II' With Ava Max On 27th". Cultr. Archived from the original on December 26, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  42. "Ava Max Releases 'On Somebody'". BroadwayWorld. December 30, 2019. Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  43. Rothman, Madeline (March 12, 2020). "Ava Max Breaks Down 'Kings & Queens,' Her Empowering Call To Arms". MTV News. Archived from the original on March 24, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  44. Aniftos, Rania (May 15, 2020). "No Mystery Here: The 'Scoob!' Movie Album With Charlie Puth & More Has Arrived". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 21, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  45. Aderoju, Darlene (May 15, 2020). "Thomas Rhett and Kane Brown Release New Country Collab with Ava Max for Upcoming Scooby-Doo Film". People. Archived from the original on May 21, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  46. Mamo, Heran (July 30, 2020). "Ava Max Seeks Sweet But Psychotic Revenge in 'Who's Laughing Now' Music Video". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  47. Yeung, Neil Z. "Ava Max Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 28, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  48. Atkinson, Katie; Caulfield, Keith (April 2, 2019). "Ava Max Talks 'Mind-Blowing' Rise of 'Sweet but Psycho,' Debut Album Plans & Why 'No One's Better' Than Beyonce". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  49. "Ava Max Explains the Meaning Behind her Hit 'Sweet but Psycho'". Warner Music New Zealand. Archived from the original on December 20, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  50. Goldfine, Jael (March 27, 2020). "Ava Max Talks Quarantine and How Khaleesi Inspired Her New Single". Paper. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  51. Wass, Mike (March 13, 2019). "Ava Max Addresses Lady Gaga Comparisons: "It's A Huge Compliment"". Idolator. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  52. Weinberg, Lindsay (June 3, 2019). "The 5 Most Memorable Looks at Wango Tango 2019". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  53. "Ava Max won't 'label' her sexuality". Attitude. October 11, 2019. Archived from the original on October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  54. "BRAVO-Otto-Wahl 2019: Vote für deinen Star!". Bravo Germany. October 23, 2019. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  55. Redação (August 22, 2019). "BreakTudo Awards 2019: Veja a lista completa de indicados". BreakTudo (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on August 27, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  56. "Global Radio Awards 2019". Global Awards. December 7, 2018. Archived from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  57. "Sweden GAFFA Awards". Gaffa. December 7, 2018. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  58. "JONAS BROTHERS, ROSALÍA, AITANA, LEIVA Y MANUEL CARRASCO, MÁXIMOS NOMINADOS DE LOS40 MUSIC AWARDS 2019". Los40. Archived from the original on September 21, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  59. "Ariana Grande Leads 2019 MTV EMA Nominations". Variety. October 1, 2019. Archived from the original on October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  60. "Ariana Grande & Taylor Swift Lead 2019 MTV VMA Nominations: See Full List". Billboard. July 23, 2019. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  61. "NRJ Music Awards 2019 : Angèle, Roméo Elvis et Lil Nas X dominent la liste des nommés" (in French). Ozap. Archived from the original on September 30, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  62. Kaufman, Gil (June 16, 2019). "Lil Nas X & Post Malone Lead 2019 Teen Choice Awards Nominations: See the List". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  63. Reyes, Van (February 19, 2020). "Conoce a todos los nominados a los Spotify Awards 2020". nacionrex.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.