Daniel Caesar

Ashton D. Simmonds[2][3] (born April 5, 1995),[4] known professionally as Daniel Caesar, is a Canadian singer and songwriter. After independently building a following through the release of two critically acclaimed EPs Praise Break (2014) and Pilgrim's Paradise (2015), Caesar released his debut album Freudian in August 2017, which also garnered widespread critical acclaim.[5]

Daniel Caesar
Caesar performing in August 2017
Background information
Birth nameAshton D. Simmonds[1]
Born (1995-04-05) April 5, 1995
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
LabelsGolden Child
Associated acts
Websitewww.danielcaesar.com

Early life

Ashton Simmonds was born on April 5, 1995 in Oshawa, Ontario, the second eldest of four children to parents Hollace and Norwill Simmonds, a gospel singer who released his first album as a high schooler in Jamaica. Simmonds attended a Seventh-day Adventist church and private school in Oshawa.[6][7] He is of Bajan and Jamaican descent.[8]

Having been born in the Toronto suburb of Oshawa to a father who was a pastor, Caesar grew up in church singing before the congregation.[9] He was raised on a diet of soul and gospel delivered though musicality and religion, even though his parents were cautious of temptations that came with music.[9] Caesar longed for the city, which was just an hour’s drive from his home.[9] At the age of 17, Caesar was kicked out after a fight with his father on the weekend of his high school graduation. He felt no choice but to pursue his calling as a musician.[9] After leaving home, he began going on gigs. In 2015, the turning point of Caesar's career came with the release of his second EP, Pilgrim's Paradise.[9]

Career

Caesar received widespread critical acclaim for his debut 2014's EP Praise Break, which was ranked number 19 on the "20 Best R&B Albums of 2014" by Rolling Stone. His body of work is influenced by religion, which played a large role in his upbringing, as well as unrequited love.[10]

On August 25, 2017, Caesar released his debut album Freudian, which included singles "Get You", "We Find Love", and "Blessed". The album was a shortlisted finalist for the 2018 Polaris Music Prize.[11] At the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, Caesar was nominated for two awards for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance for his single "Get You".[12] At the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, Caesar won the Grammy for Best R&B Performance for his single "Best Part".[13]

Artistry

Caesar is a singer-songwriter raised on the sounds of soul and gospel. His music draws from the experiences of his childhood and supplements them with a modern interpretation of R&B and electronics while lyrics explore subjects of religion and unrequited love. His singing voice reshapes itself on each track, often veering into a hushed, introspective lilting style.[9] According to Caesar, "In my religious surroundings growing up, the point is to be still, to direct as little attention to yourself as possible and instead, direct all attention to what you’re saying. Now, it’s kind of the opposite."[9] Caesar cites Frank Ocean, Kanye West and Beyoncé and The Doors frontman Jim Morrison as sources of musical and aesthetic inspiration.[9]

Controversy

On March 19, 2019, Caesar posted a video, in which he repeatedly confesses to be drunk, to defend his friend, Julieanna YesJulz Goddard via an Instagram live stream.[14][15] Goddard has been called a 'culture vulture' and some have taken issue with her applications of Black culture. Moreover, she has been accused of having little to no regard for African Americans, particularly black women.[16][17][18][19] Goddard was specifically called out for a freestyle that, according to her critics, implied black people take and do not give back and murder other black people. Caesar came to her defense asking why some black people were "being so mean" specifically to Goddard, saying it was not "a quality."[20][21] His comments were received negatively by some on social media, while Goddard claimed the lyrics were about corporations.[22] His video stemmed from an interaction with Dave Chappelle on John Mayer's Instagram Live stream where Caesar thought he was being too sensitive when Chappelle called his singing 'very gay'.[23] He then extrapolated that black people en masse, and specifically call out culture, were overly sensitive.[24] Caesar would apologize for the way in which he gave his opinions, "I was talking down to you guys. I apologize for how I expressed my idea, [t]here was no one there to challenge my ideas. That’s also dangerous. That’s why it’s tyrannical... that is where I went wrong. I believe in what I said. A real man can admit when he’s wrong. I can admit when I’m wrong.”[25]

In April 2018, Caesar retweeted and deleted tweets from conservative Candace Owens. He noted that he did not want to 'martyr' for the tweets and that people should hear opposing arguments.[23] He would later backtrack his comments.[26]

Discography

Studio albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions and sales figures
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
CAN
[27]		 AUS
[28]		 NZ
[29]		 US
[30]		 US R&B/HH
[31]		 US R&B
[31]		 US
Ind
[32]		 UK
[33]		 UK R&B
[34]		 UK Ind
[35]
Freudian 16—39251667—1540
Case Study 01
  • Released: June 28, 2019[39]
  • Label: Golden Child Recordings
  • Formats: CD, LP, Digital download, streaming
 626—171032189——
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

Extended plays
Title Details
Praise Break
  • Released: September 22, 2014
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Streaming
Pilgrim's Paradise
  • Released: November 12, 2015
  • Label: Golden Child Recordings
  • Formats: Digital download, Streaming
Up Next Session: Daniel Caesar
  • Released: August 16, 2017[40]
  • Label: Golden Child Recordings
  • Formats: Digital download, Streaming

Singles

As lead artist
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
CAN
[41]		 NZ
Hot
[42]		 US
[43]		 US
R&B
/HH
[44]		 US
R&B
[45]		 US
R&B/HH
Airplay
[46]		 US
Adult
R&B
[47]
"Violet"[48] 2015 ——————— Praise Break
"Death and Taxes"[49] ——————— Pilgrim's Paradise
"Streetcar"[49] ———————
"Won't Live Here"[50] 2016 ——————— Non-album single
"Japanese Denim"[51] ———————
"Get You"
(featuring Kali Uchis)		 ——9341571 Freudian
"We Find Love" 2017 ———————
"Blessed" ———————
"Best Part"
(with H.E.R.)		 ——75324111
"Who Hurt You?"[54] 2018 8640————— Non-album single
"Love Again"
(with Brandy)[55]		 2019 9515—[upper-alpha 1]—[upper-alpha 2]13211 Case Study 01
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.
Notes
  1. "Love Again" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number 24 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[56]
  2. "Love Again" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number one on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[57]
List of singles as featured artist showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"West"[58]
(River Tiber featuring Daniel Caesar)		 2016 Indigo
"Matthew in the Middle"[59]
(Sean Leon featuring Daniel Caesar)		 I Think You've Gone Mad (Or The Sins Of The Father)
"Forever Always"[60]
(Peter CottonTale featuring Rex Orange County, Chance the Rapper, Daniel Caesar, Madison Ryann Ward and YEBBA)		 2018 Non-album single
"Beauty & Essex"[61]
(The Free Nationals featuring Daniel Caesar and Unknown Mortal Orchestra)		 Free Nationals
"HER Love"
(Common featuring Daniel Caesar)		 2019 Let Love
"Time Alone With You"
(Jacob Collier featuring Daniel Caesar)		 2019 Djesse Vol. 3

Other charted songs
List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
Hot
[42]
"Entropy" 2019 29 Case Study 01
"Cyanide" 25
"Superposition"
(featuring John Mayer)		 22

Guest appearances
List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Pacific Coast Highway"[62] 2013 Sean Leon Ninelevenne, The Tragedy
"Track Ten"[62]
"F****d Up"[63] 2015 Jiin Cult Hymns
"God"[63]
"Fill the Void"[64] 2016 Stwo D.T.S.N.T.

Songwriting credits
List of songs written or co-written for other artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Artist Album
"Telling the Truth"
(featuring Kaytranada)		 2017 Mary J. Blige Strength of a Woman
"Saturn"
(featuring Kwabs)		 2018 Nao Saturn

Awards and nominations

BET Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018 Himself Best Male R&B/Pop Artist Nominated
Best New Artist Nominated

Grammy Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018 Freudian Best R&B Album Nominated
"Get You" (with Kali Uchis) Best R&B Performance Nominated
2019 "Best Part" (with H.E.R) Won[65][66]
2020 "Love Again" (with Brandy) Nominated

iHeartRadio Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2019 Himself R&B Artist of the Year Nominated

Juno Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017 Pilgrim's Paradise R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Nominated
2018 Himself Artist of the Year Nominated
Freudian R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Won[67]

iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017 Himself Best New Canadian Artist Nominated

Soul Train Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018 Himself Best New Artist Won[68]
Best R&B/Soul Male Artist Nominated
"Broken Clocks"(as songwriter) The Ashford And Simpson Songwriter's Award Nominated
"Best Part"(featuring H.E.R.) Nominated
Best Collaboration Performance Won

Concert tours

Headlining

References
  1. https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/search/workID/895854101
  2. Bin Shikhan, Amani (August 30, 2017). "Daniel Caesar's Holy Devotion to Love on 'Freudian'". noisey.vice.com. Vice Media. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  3. Mistry, Anupa. "Stripped-Down Soul Music Sounds Like Home". thefader.com. The Fader, Inc. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  4. "Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  5. "Stream Daniel Caesar's Impressive Debut Album 'Freudian'". Complex. August 26, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  6. "Daniel Caesar's Mother, Hollace Simmonds, On Love (Interview)". January 16, 2018.
  7. "Ten things you need to know about Daniel Caesar, the Toronto R&B singer who got a shout-out from Barack Obama". January 4, 2018.
  8. "Toronto's Caesar has eye on the throne".
  9. Green, Alex (October 6, 2017). "Get to know Daniel Caesar, the Artist Baring His Soul on Gospel-tinged R'n'B". Mixmag.
  10. "20 Best R&B Albums of 2014". Rolling Stone Magazine. December 15, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  11. "Polaris Music Prize Reveals 2018 Short List". Exclaim!, July 17, 2018.
  12. "60th GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominees List". The Recording Academy. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  13. "61st Annual Grammy Awards". The Recording Academy. February 11, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  14. nointroduction1 (March 19, 2019), Daniel Caesar Defends Culture Vulture YesJulz & Says Black People Need to Stop Being Victims, retrieved April 17, 2019
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  16. "Dear YesJulz: Keep Black Women's Names Out Of Your Mouth". BET.com. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  17. xojai (May 8, 2017). "#NoJulz & The Mass Silencing of Black Women in America". Medium. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
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  22. "YesJulz Tried To Say Sorry For Her Trash Racist Bars, Twitter Slandered Her All Over Again". The Latest Hip-Hop News, Music and Media | Hip-Hop Wired. February 1, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
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