DaniLeigh
Danielle Leigh Curiel (born December 20, 1994), known professionally as DaniLeigh, is an American singer, dancer, and choreographer. Initially appearing as a backup dancer, Curiel began her career by posting covers of popular songs on YouTube before moving to Los Angeles, where she began choreographing for other artists and dancing. She made a career breakthrough after working with Prince on the music video for his single "Breakfast Can Wait". DaniLeigh was signed to Def Jam Records in 2017, releasing mixtapes and singles starting that year.[1]
DaniLeigh | |
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![]() DaniLeigh in 2018 | |
Born | Danielle Leigh Curiel December 20, 1994 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
Occupations |
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Years active | 2013–present |
Children | 1 |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Labels | |
Website | iamdanileigh |
Early life
Curiel was born on December 20, 1994, in Miami, Florida.[2] Her mother, Vicky Curiel, and her father, Vladimir Curiel, are from the Dominican Republic.[3] She was deeply interested in music during her youth, and cites Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Drake, and Rihanna as influences. She started dancing at the age of 12 and singing at the age of 14, though she was initially too shy to sing in front of others until she received positive feedback.[4] Though she started posting vocal covers of songs such as Musiq Soulchild's "So Beautiful" on YouTube, her career did not officially start until she moved to Los Angeles, where she made connections and started off as a backup dancer to artists such as Pharrell Williams and Nelly Furtado. She also was part of the pop duo Curly Fryz, which she formed with her sister.
Personal life
Curiel's older brother is a rapper who goes by Brandon Bills.[5]
Legal issues
On May 30, 2023, Curiel was arrested in Miami Beach on a felony hit-and-run charge after she allegedly hit a moped rider with her car while driving drunk.[7]
Career
Curiel was asked by Prince to direct the video for his single "Breakfast Can Wait" when she was 18 years old.[8][9] Following the video's success, Prince continued mentoring DaniLeigh until his death in 2016. She released her first single "D.O.S.E" in 2015, but her first successful single was "Play", released in 2017. The single is an empowerment song for women and Latinos, and features Mexican-American rapper Kap G.[1]
After signing with Def Jam Records, she released her first EP, Summer with Friends, in 2017, followed up by The Plan in 2018. The latter features appearances by rappers YG, Lil Yachty, Lil Baby, and YBN Nahmir. She later released a few more singles such as "Lil Bebe", which was remixed featuring vocals from Lil Baby, and "Easy", which was remixed featuring vocals from singer Chris Brown.[10] She has also made a cameo appearance in Megan Thee Stallion's "Hot Girl Summer" music video. In late 2019, she choreographed for DaBaby’s music video “BOP on Broadway”.
In January 2021, the singer issued an apology after posting part of a song called "Yellow Bone" on social media, which was criticized for promoting colorism.[11]
Musical style
DaniLeigh incorporates elements of hip hop and Latin music into her primarily R&B-style music.[1][12]
Discography
Albums
- Summer with Friends (2017)
- The Plan (2018)
- My Present (2019)
- Movie (2020)
- In My Feelings (2020)
EPs
- Summer with Friends (2017)
- My Side (2022)
- "My present" (2019)
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [13] |
US R&B/HH [14] |
AUS [15] | ||||
"D.O.S.E" | 2015 | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
"In My Feelings" (featuring Kap G) |
2017 | — | — | — | Summer with Friends | |
"Lil Bebe" (featuring Lil Baby) |
2018 | — | — | — | The Plan | |
"Blue Chips" | — | — | — | |||
"Life" | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
"Easy"[17] (Solo or featuring Chris Brown)[18] |
79 | 34 | 84 | |||
"No Limits" | 2019 | — | — | — | ||
"Cravin" (featuring G-Eazy) |
— | — | — | |||
"Levi High" (featuring DaBaby)[21] |
2020 | — | — | — | Movie | |
"Dominican Mami" (featuring Fivio Foreign) |
— | — | — |
Awards and nominations
Award | Year | Nominee | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BET Awards | 2020 | Herself | Best New Artist | Nominated | [22] |
References
- "DaniLeigh". Def Jam. January 3, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
- "DaniLeigh bio, age, parents, husband, children, net worth". atinkanews. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
- "Who Are DaBaby's Ex-DaniLeigh's Parents?". Sohh. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
- "5 things you didn't know about DaniLeigh". AXS. May 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- "DaBaby: DaniLeigh's brother sues rapper for 'permanent injuries' caused by bowling alley brawl". yahoo!news. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
- "DaniLeigh – Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- Gothner, Chris (May 30, 2023). "Singer DaniLeigh accused of DUI hit-and-run in Miami Beach, fracturing victim's spine". Local10.com. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- Ferreiro, Laura (25 October 2013). "Prince Enlists Unknown Teenager to Direct "Breakfast Can Wait" Video". Yahoo Music. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- Lewis, Randy (October 11, 2013). "Watch Prince's new video 'Breakfast Can Wait'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- "DaniLeigh featuring Chris Brown – "Easy" (Remix)". BET.com. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- Gray, Arielle (January 26, 2021). "DaniLeigh's Apology for the 'Yellow Bone' Controversy Only Makes It Worse". Glamour.
- "Meet DaniLeigh, the Dominican Rapper & Singer With a Co-Sign From Prince". Remezcla. August 8, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
- "DaniLeigh Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- "DaniLeigh Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- "ARIA Chart Watch #523". auspop. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- "American certifications – Dani Leigh". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- "Top 40/R Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
- "Chris Brown Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
- "British certifications – DaniLeigh". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 27, 2022. Type DaniLeigh in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- "Canadian single certifications – DaniLeigh – Easy". Music Canada. 26 January 1994. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- Powell, Jon (March 13, 2020). "DaniLeigh connects with DaBaby for 'Levi High'". Revolt. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- "Here Are All the Winners From the 2020 BET Awards". Billboard. June 28, 2020.