Charles Otto Puth Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who was born on December 2, 1991, in Rumson, New Jersey. His mother, a music teacher, introduced him to classical music and taught him piano at age four. He began studying jazz at age 10 and later attended the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College as a jazz piano major and classical studies minor. In 2013, Puth graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in music production and engineering.
Career Beginnings and Rise to Fame
Puth's initial exposure came from the viral success of his song covers on his YouTube channel, which he started in 2009. In 2011, he won an online video competition sponsored by Perez Hilton for his cover of Adele's "Someone like You" with Emily Luther. This led to an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," after which he was signed to her label, eleveneleven. However, he later signed with Atlantic Records to launch his solo career.
Breakthrough with "See You Again"
In 2015, Puth co-wrote, co-produced, and performed on Wiz Khalifa's "See You Again," a tribute to actor Paul Walker for the "Furious 7" soundtrack. The song became a massive global hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 non-consecutive weeks and earning him three Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year. This single catapulted him to international fame.
Studio Albums
Nine Track Mind (2016)
Puth's debut studio album, "Nine Track Mind," was released in January 2016. It featured the hit singles "Marvin Gaye," with Meghan Trainor, and "We Don't Talk Anymore," featuring Selena Gomez. The album also included the multi-platinum hit "One Call Away." Despite mixed critical reviews, the album was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Voicenotes (2018)
His second album, "Voicenotes," released in 2018, received more positive reviews from critics. Puth wrote and produced the album himself, showcasing a funk and R&B-influenced sound. The album included the hit singles "Attention," which peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, and "How Long." The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.
Charlie (2022)
Puth's third studio album, titled "Charlie," was released in 2022. The album was preceded by the singles "Light Switch" and "Left and Right" featuring Jung Kook of BTS. He heavily documented the creative process for this album on TikTok, sharing his journey with his fans.
Musical Style and Songwriting
Puth is known for his pop and R&B style, often incorporating elements of soul and funk into his music. He possesses perfect pitch, which influences his meticulous approach to production and songwriting. He has also written and produced for a wide range of other artists, including Jason Derulo, Trey Songz, and The Kid Laroi. His collaboration with The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber on the song "Stay" became a major international hit.