Ant Clemons

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Better Days (Ant Clemons and Justin Timberlake song)
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Ant Clemons
Birth nameAnthony Clemons Jr.
Born (1991-09-26) September 26, 1991 (age 32)
Willingboro, New Jersey, U.S.[1]
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2016–present
Labels
  • Legion
  • Human Re Sources
Member of
Websiteantclemons.com

Anthony Clemons Jr. (born September 26, 1991) is an American singer, rapper and songwriter from Willingboro Township, New Jersey. He rose to prominence as a guest performer on Kanye West's 2018 single "All Mine", while extensively contributing to West's Wyoming Sessions and subsequent album, Jesus Is King (2019). Clemons' debut studio album, Happy 2 Be Here (2020) was nominated for Best R&B Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards; with a total of four, his three other nominations yielded from his songwriting work on albums for Mary J. Blige and H.E.R.[2][3] Clemons is also known for his contributions to the original version of West's 2021 single, "Hurricane", and other songs intended for his tenth album Donda (2021), most of which were ultimately unused.

Early life

Clemons was born and raised in Willingboro, New Jersey.[1] His musical taste was shaped by his parents playing Michael Jackson, The Notorious B.I.G. and Stevie Wonder.[1] At age four, Clemons began performing at birthday parties as a Jackson impersonator.[1] While studying at Burlington County Institute of Technology, Clemons was part of the youth choir at the Sharon Baptist Church and joined The Heritage Players and Showstoppers at Willingboro High School.[1] At family events, Clemons would sing with his sisters Ashley and Amber as the "Clemons Trio".[1] In 2009, during his parents' divorce, Clemons began his interest in songwriting.[1] Clemons began recording himself and producing music with Pro Tools and Logic.[1] Clemons attended a semester at Burlington County College before dropping out.[1]

Career

Clemons began his songwriting career in 2016.[4] While working at Red Lobster in Cherry Hill, Clemons flew to Los Angeles bi-weekly in an attempt to meet songwriters and producers.[4] He would return to Philadelphia every time he ran out of money.[4] He studied songwriting at White Hall Arts Academy with Tanisha Hall.[5] Clemons' mother ultimately supported him in permanently moving to Los Angeles, where Clemons slept on two friends' floors.[4] Clemons wrote a song a day in exchange for rent.[4] In Los Angeles, Clemons met Ryan Toby, who gave him the opportunity to work on Luke James' single "Drip".[4]

In January 2018, Clemons met American producer

Bongo ByTheWay, and upon doing so, they recorded eleven collaborative tracks in one day.[1] After the two quickly became acquainted, Bongo ByTheWay introduced Clemons to Chicago singer Jeremih;[4] Clemons recorded the hook for a Jeremih demo titled "All Mine".[6] After Jeremih's invitation to Kanye West's Wyoming ranch, the demo was played and reworked into the version heard on his eighth studio album Ye,[6] which utilized Clemons' demo.[6]

West then invited Clemons himself to the ranch to write and record demos for

Selah", "Everything We Need", and "Water".[4]

Clemons saw an increase in fame after rapper Kanye West (pictured) included him on his 2018 album Ye.

Formed in January 2019, Clemons and

Mood 4 Eva" for the soundtrack album The Lion King: The Gift.[11] Clemons was invited to the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards for his work with Beyoncé, Cordae, Chance the Rapper, Skrillex, Boys Noize, and Ty Dolla Sign.[1] Clemons co-wrote Camila Cabello's 2020 single "My Oh My" featuring DaBaby;[1] the song peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.[12] In March 2020, Clemons released his debut album Happy 2 Be Here, which featured guest performances by Ty Dolla Sign, Timbaland, and Pharrell Williams.[11] In December 2020, it was nominated at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album.[13]

In December 2020, Clemons released his collaboration with Justin Timberlake, "Better Days". The duo debuted the song at a virtual concert fundraiser organized by Democratic politician Stacey Abrams, with proceeds going towards the Senate runoff election in Georgia.[13] Clemons, along with Timberlake, Bruce Springsteen, Demi Lovato, and Bon Jovi, performed at the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20, 2021.[14]

On February 26, 2021, Clemons released a reissue of his debut album, Happy 2 Be Here as HAPPY 2 BE HERE (Anniversary Edition), with the additional song: "June 1st", commemorating the release of his 2018 breakthrough hit "All Mine" with Kanye West.

In 2024, Clemons co-wrote the songs "Paid", "Talking / Once Again", "Paperwork" and "Problematic" from West and Ty Dolla Sign's (¥$)'s collaborative album Vultures 1. Each of which moderately entered the Billboard Hot 100, while the album debuted atop the Billboard 200.

Discography

Albums

  • Happy 2 Be Here (2020)[15]

EPs

  • 4Play (2022)

Collaborative albums

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[16] 		NZ
Hot
[17]
"4 Letter Word"[18]
(featuring Timbaland) 		2019 — — Happy 2 Be Here
"Excited"[19]
(with Ty Dolla Sign) 		— —
"Beep"[20] 2020 — —
"Freak"[21] — — TBA
"Better Days"[22]
(with Justin Timberlake) 		94 34

Promotional singles

Title Year Album
"Mama I Made It"[23] 2019 Happy 2 Be Here

Guest appearances

Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"All Mine"[24] 2018 Kanye West, Ty Dolla Sign Ye
"13th Amendment"[25] Kash Doll 27: The Most Perfect Album
"Bad Idea"[26][a] 2019 Cordae, Chance the Rapper, SiR The Lost Boy
"Good Enough"[27] Jim-E Stack Ephemera
"Full Time Cappers"[28] G-Eazy, French Montana, Moneybagg Yo Scary Nights
"
Selah"[4][a]
 Kanye West, Bongo ByTheWay, Sunday Service Choir Jesus Is King
"Everything We Need"[4] Kanye West, Ty Dolla Sign, Sunday Service Choir
"Water"[4] Kanye West, Sunday Service Choir
"Thanks Ye"[29] 2020 Consequence, Bongo ByTheWay, Kaycyy Pluto No Cap Pack
"Wonder Years"[30] Noah Cyrus The End of Everything
"Gifted"[b] Cordae, Roddy Ricch TBA
"Baptize"[31] Spillage Village, JID, EarthGang Spilligion
"Extra Special" 2021 Wale Folarin 2
"Wait for Me" 2022 Takis, Goody Grace Welcome Home

Awards and nominations

Year Awards Nominated work Category Result
2021 63rd Annual Grammy Awards Happy 2 Be Here Best R&B Album Nominated

Notes

  1. ^ a b Additional vocals
  2. ^ Uncredited vocals

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Amy Kuperinsky (December 2, 2019). "N.J.'s Ant Clemons went from waiting tables to working with Kanye West. Next up: The Grammys". NJ.com. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  2. ^ "Kanye West "Hurricane" Goes Platinum".
  3. ^ https://www.grammy.com/artists/ant-clemons/287181
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Elias Leight (October 29, 2019). "Ant Clemons Went From Sleeping on Floors to Singing With Kanye West". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  5. ^ "LA Music School Helps Underserved Students Reach Big Stages Including 'The Voice' & GRAMMYs". NBC Kelly Clarkson Show. February 8, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Leight, Elia (October 29, 2019). "Ant Clemons Went From Sleeping on Floors to Singing With Kanye West". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  7. ^ Billboard Staff (September 27, 2018). "Drake, Kanye & More Among Billboard's 2018 R&B/Hip-Hop 100 Power Players [List]". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  8. Complex. Archived
    from the original on October 22, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  9. ^ Navjosh (February 28, 2020). "Ant Clemons Releases Debut Album 'Happy 2 Be Here' Ft. Timbaland, Pharrell, Ty Dolla Sign". Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  10. ^ TeamKanyeDaily (May 8, 2019). "TeamKanyeDaily on Twitter: "GQ ITALIA – SUNDAY SERVICE"". Twitter. Archived from the original on December 25, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  11. ^ a b Sophie Caraan (March 2, 2020). "Ant Clemons Enlists Timbaland, Ty Dolla $ign & Pharrell For New EP 'HAPPY 2 BE HERE'". Hypebeast. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  12. ^ "Camila Cabello Chart History (Hot 100)". Archived from the original on March 13, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Claire Shaffer (December 4, 2020). "Ant Clemons, Justin Timberlake Sing 'Better Days' for Rock the Runoff". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  14. ^ Jordan Moreau (January 13, 2021). "Tom Hanks to Host Inauguration TV Special With Performances by Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake and More". Variety. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  15. ^ Milca P. (March 1, 2020). "Ant Clemons Arrives With Debut "HAPPY 2 BE HERE" Project". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  16. ^ "Ant Clemons Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  17. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 14, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  18. ^ NavJosh (October 2, 2019). "Kanye Collaborator Ant Clemons Shares New Song '4 Letter Word' With Timbaland". HipHop-N-More. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  19. ^ NavJosh (December 4, 2019). "Ant Clemons Shares New Song & Video 'Excited' Ft. Ty Dolla Sign: Watch". HipHop-N-More. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  20. ^ Alex Zidel (January 15, 2020). "Ant Clemons Prepares His 2020 Takeover With "Beep"". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  21. ^ "Freak – Single by Ant Clemons". Apple Music. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  22. ^ "Better Days – Single by Ant Clemons & Justin Timberlake". Apple Music. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  23. ^ Ant Clemons (May 12, 2019). "Ant Clemons – Mama I Made It (Official Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on April 19, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  24. Genius. Archived
    from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  25. ^ "27: The Most Perfect Album / Various Artists – TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  26. ^ Michael Saponara (June 17, 2019). "YBN Cordae Teams Up With Chance The Rapper For 'Bad Idea': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 27, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  27. ^ Chris DeVille (October 16, 2019). "Jim-E Stack & Ant Clemons Share "Good Enough": Listen". Stereogum. Archived from the original on May 7, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  28. ^ "Scary Nights / G-Eazy – TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  29. ^ "Thanks Ye / Consequence – TIDAL". Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  30. ^ Althea Legaspi (May 15, 2020). "Noah Cyrus Details 'The End of Everything' EP Track by Track, Unveils 'Young & Sad' Visualizer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  31. ^ Erika Marie (September 10, 2020). "Spillage Village Goes To Church On "Baptize" Ft. Ant Clemons, Luke James, & Gallant". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
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