Alessia Cara

Biography

Alessia Caracciolo, known professionally as Alessia Cara, is a Canadian singer and songwriter born on July 11, 1996, in Mississauga, Ontario. Raised in Brampton, she is of Italian descent and grew up in a family that spoke Italian at home. Her passion for music began at age 10 when she started playing the guitar. By 13, she launched a YouTube channel, posting acoustic covers of various songs.

Career Beginnings

Cara's YouTube presence caught the attention of EP Entertainment, leading to a record deal with Def Jam Recordings in 2014. In 2015, she released her debut single, "Here," an anti-party anthem inspired by her own experiences. The song became a sleeper hit, climbing to number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was named one of the best songs of 2015 by Rolling Stone. This success was followed by her debut television appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Rise to Fame and "Know-It-All"

Her debut album, "Know-It-All," was released in November 2015 and reached number 9 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured the hit single "Scars to Your Beautiful," which peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became an anthem for self-acceptance. In 2016, she won the Juno Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year. Cara also embarked on her first headlining tour, the "Know-It-All Tour."

Major Collaborations and Grammy Win

In 2017, Cara collaborated with producer Zedd on the hit single "Stay" and was featured on Logic's suicide prevention anthem "1-800-273-8255" alongside Khalid. Both songs were commercially successful and received numerous accolades. In 2018, Alessia Cara won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, becoming the first Canadian artist to receive the honor.

Subsequent Albums and Songwriting Acclaim

Cara released her second studio album, "The Pains of Growing," in 2018. The album earned her Juno Awards for Album of the Year and Pop Album of the Year in 2020, where she also won Songwriter of the Year. Her third album, "In the Meantime," was released in 2021 to positive reviews. A fourth album, "Love & Hyperbole," was announced with a release in 2025.

Artistry and Impact

Alessia Cara is known for her introspective and relatable lyrics that often touch on themes of youth, self-esteem, and social commentary. Her musical style blends pop and R&B. She has cited artists like Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, and Pink as major influences on her music. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her authentic voice and ability to connect with a global audience.