Daniel Caesar

Ashton Dumar Norwill Simmonds, known professionally as Daniel Caesar, was born on April 5, 1995, in a suburb of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Jamaican and Bajan parents. Raised in Oshawa, his upbringing was deeply influenced by his father, a pastor and gospel singer, which involved him in church and gospel music from a young age. At 17, after a disagreement with his father, he left home to pursue a music career in Toronto.

Career Beginnings

Caesar independently built a following by releasing two EPs: Praise Break in 2014 and Pilgrim's Paradise in 2015. Praise Break was critically acclaimed, earning a spot on Rolling Stone's "20 Best R&B Albums of 2014". His breakthrough came with the single "Get You" featuring Kali Uchis, which gained massive online traction. This success led to his debut studio album, Freudian, released in 2017. The album was a finalist for the 2018 Polaris Music Prize and received two Grammy nominations.

Musical Style and Influences

Daniel Caesar's music is a blend of R&B, soul, and gospel, with electronic elements. His lyrics often explore themes of love, religion, and philosophy, drawing from his personal experiences. He has cited artists like Frank Ocean, Kanye West, Beyoncé, and Jim Morrison as musical inspirations. He frequently collaborates with producers Matthew Burnett and Jordan Evans, with whom he co-founded the independent label Golden Child Recordings.

Major Success and Later Work

In 2019, Caesar won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance for his duet with H.E.R., "Best Part". He released his second album, Case Study 01, in June 2019, which featured collaborations with artists like Brandy, Pharrell Williams, and John Mayer. A major milestone in his career was his feature on Justin Bieber's 2021 single "Peaches," alongside Giveon, which became his first number-one song on the US Billboard Hot 100. His third studio album, Never Enough, was released in 2023 under Republic Records. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with a variety of artists, including BadBadNotGood, Charlotte Day Wilson, and Tyler, the Creator.

Discography

Studio Albums:

• Freudian (2017)
• Case Study 01 (2019)
• Never Enough (2023)

Extended Plays:

• Praise Break (2014)
• Pilgrim's Paradise (2015)