Janelle James – Biography Early Life and Background Janelle James was born on September 11, 1982, in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. She spent her early years in the Caribbean before eventually moving to the United States, where she would later build her comedy and
Doechii – Biography Early Life and Background Doechii, whose real name is Jaylah Hickmon, was born on August 14, 1998, in Tampa, Florida. Growing up in a creative environment, she found comfort in music, poetry, and dance from a young age. Inspired by artists like
Lil Nas X – Biography Early Life and Background Lil Nas X, born Montero Lamar Hill on April 9, 1999, grew up in Lithia Springs, Georgia, just outside Atlanta. After his parents divorced when he was young, he split time between his mother’s home in
Vince Staples – Biography Early Life and Background Vince Staples was born on July 2, 1993, in Compton, California, but he grew up in North Long Beach. Raised in a tough neighborhood known for gang violence and economic hardship, Vince’s early life was filled with
Tyler, The Creator – Biography Early Life and Background Tyler, The Creator was born Tyler Gregory Okonma on March 6, 1991, in Ladera Heights, California. Raised by his mother, he never met his father, a topic that would frequently emerge in his music. As a
Ice Cube – Biography Early Life and Background Ice Cube, born O’Shea Jackson Sr. on June 15, 1969, in Los Angeles, California, grew up in the South Central neighborhood. Raised in a working-class family, his mother was a hospital clerk and his father worked as
Steve Lacy – Biography Early Life and Background Steve Lacy was born Steve Thomas Lacy-Moya on May 23, 1998, in Compton, California. Raised in a multicultural household by his African-American mother and Filipino father, Lacy experienced the loss of his father at the age of
Tems – Biography Early Life and Background Tems, born Temilade Openiyi on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria, grew up in a culturally rich environment that shaped her artistic identity. Her mother is Nigerian, while her father is British-Nigerian, and she was raised primarily by
Burna Boy – Biography Early Life and Background Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, was born on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He grew up in a family that appreciated music and culture. His mother, Bose Ogulu, was a language
Rosalía – Biography Early Life and Background Rosalía Vila Tobella was born on September 25, 1992, in Sant Cugat del Vallès, a town near Barcelona, Spain. She grew up in a culturally rich environment that nurtured her early interest in music. From a young age,
Arlo Parks – Biography Early Life and Background Arlo Parks was born Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho on August 9, 2000, in Hammersmith, West London. She is of Nigerian, Chadian, and French descent, and was raised in a culturally rich and diverse household. Growing up in
Jorja Smith – Biography Early Life and Background Jorja Smith was born on June 11, 1997, in Walsall, West Midlands, England. Raised in a musical family, her father was a neo-soul singer and her mother a jewelry designer. Encouraged by her parents, she began taking
Rina Sawayama – Biography Early Life and Background Rina Sawayama was born on August 16, 1990, in Niigata, Japan. She moved to London at the age of five and was raised in the UK, where she developed a strong cultural blend of Japanese heritage and
Jessie Buckley – Biography Early Life and Background Jessie Buckley was born on December 28, 1989, in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. She was raised in a musical family, with her mother, Marina Cassidy, being a vocal coach and performer. Buckley showed a passion for music
Florence Welch – Biography Early Life and Family Background Florence Welch was born on August 28, 1986, in Camberwell, London, England. She grew up in a highly creative and intellectual family; her mother, Evelyn Welch, is an academic specializing in Renaissance studies, while her father,
Maya Jama – Biography Early Life and Background Maya Jama was born on August 14, 1994, in Bristol, England. Of Somali and Swedish descent, she grew up in a multicultural household that influenced her vibrant personality and strong work ethic. Maya attended Fairfield Secondary School
Jack Quaid – Biography Early Life and Background Jack Quaid was born on April 24, 1992, in Los Angeles, California. He is the son of well-known actors Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan, which gave him early exposure to the entertainment industry. Growing up in a
Zazie Beetz – Biography Early Life and Background Zazie Beetz was born on June 1, 1991, in Berlin, Germany, to a German father and an African-American mother. Her father worked as a cabinetmaker, while her mother was a social worker. Raised in a bilingual household,
Rebecca Hall – Biography Early Life and Education Rebecca Hall was born on May 3, 1982, in London, England. She is the daughter of British stage director and founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Sir Peter Hall, and American opera singer Maria Ewing. Growing up
Paul Dano – Biography Early Life and Education Paul Dano was born on June 19, 1984, in New York City and raised in Wilton, Connecticut. From a young age, he showed an aptitude for performing arts and was encouraged by his parents to pursue his