4
Early life and career beginnings
Elizabeth Grant (born June 21, 1986), better known by her stage name Lana Del Rey, is an American singer-songwriter. She has been described as a "self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra" and cites Britney Spears, Elvis Presley and Antony and the Johnsons as her musical influences.
Grant was born in New York City and grew up in Lake Placid, New York. When she was 15, she left Lake Placid to go to boarding school in Connecticut. She is the daughter of domain investor and millionaire Rob Grant. Grant's management chose her stage name, "I wanted to be in a band but the label I was with and the team I had around me absolutely wanted me to be a solo artist. Lana Del Rey came from a series of managers and lawyers over the last 5 years who wanted a name that they thought better fit the sound of the music."
Del Rey first released a three-track EP titled Kill Kill in October 2008 under the name Lizzy Grant featuring the tracks Kill Kill, Yayo and Gramma (Blue Ribbon Sparkler Trailer Heaven).
Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant
Del Rey later released her first full-length studio album titled Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant in January 2010. It was the singer's first professionally produced album, released under Lizzy Grant on an independent label with producer David Kahne. Del Rey stated that "David asked to work with me only a day after he got my demo. He is known as a producer with a lot of integrity and who had an interest in making music that wasn't just pop." Her father, Robert Grant, helped with the marketing of the album, which was available for purchase on iTunes for a brief period before being withdrawn for unknown reasons.
2011–present: Born To Die
Later in June 2011, Del Rey was signed with Stranger Records, to release her debut single "Video Games"; in October 2011, she was signed with Interscope Records. While being interviewed by Rosie Swash of The Observer, Del Rey revealed, "I just put that song online a few months ago because it was my favourite. To be honest, it wasn't going to be the single but people have really responded to it. I get very sad when I play that song. I still cry sometimes when I sing it." On October 24th 2011, it was announced that Del Rey had won the Q award for "Next Big Thing". Del Rey's song "Video Games" was featured for the first time on prime spot on The CW's TV-Series Ringer on September 27, 2011 during a pivotal scene, propelling Lana Del Rey into mainstream. Del Rey also promoted the album with performances in a number of live appearances, including for MTV Push, and at the Bowery Ballroom, where, according to Eliot Glazer of New York, "the polarizing indie hipstress brought her 'gangsta Nancy Sinatra' swag." Matthew Perpetua of Rolling Stone commented that, despite Del Rey being nervous and anxious while performing her songs live, she "sang with considerable confidence", although he noted that "her transitions from husky, come-hither sexuality to bratty, girlish petulance could be rather jarring." Del Rey also performed "Video Games" on Dutch television program De Wereld Draait Door, on British music television show Later... with Jools Holland, and on an intimate show at Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, California. Del Rey also gave several interviews for newspapers and online magazines such as The Quietus, The Observer, and Pitchfork Media, while creating her own music videos for several tracks such as "Blue Jeans" and Diet mountain dew.
It was later reported that the singer would release her debut album under the labels in January 2012. During an interview with French TV show Taratata, Del Rey revealed that the album would be named Born to Die. Born to Die is set to be released on January 27, 2012 in Ireland, January 30, 2012, in the UK, and on January 31, 2012 worldwide. The second single and title track "Born to Die" is set for release on January 22, 2012. The music video for it leaked on December 14, 2011, and was based on a concept created by the singer, while being directed by Yoann Lemoine. The music video received generally favorable reviews from contemporary critics.
Links
Official Site
Fan Site
