Melanie Fiona
Melanie Fiona | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Melanie Fiona Hallim |
Also known as | Syren Hall |
Born | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | July 4, 1983
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
|
Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Years active | 2002–present |
Labels |
|
Formerly of | |
Website | www |
Melanie Fiona Hallim (born July 4, 1983) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She was born and raised in
Hallim's debut studio album,
Hallie’s second studio album, The MF Life (2011), peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard 200. The same year, Hallim won two Grammy Awards for Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for her song "Fool for You" with CeeLo Green.
Life and career
1983–2006: Early life and career beginnings
Melanie Fiona Hallim, (who goes by Melanie Fiona professionally) was born on July 4, 1983, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[3][4] She is the daughter and second child of Guyanese immigrant parents, who immigrated to Canada in the late 1970s.[3][5] Her parents are of Afro-Guyanese, Indo-Guyanese, and Portuguese descent.[1]
Her father was a janitor before working in finance, and her mother worked in banking.
She was also in a group called The Renaissance with rapper
2007–2010: The Bridge
Entrepreneur
Other singles that were released were "Sad Songs" was released in April 2009 in the UK only as a digital download, with the reggae-tinged songs "Somebody Come Get Me" and "Island Boy" as B-sides. "Sad Songs" did not chart in the UK. "Give It to Me Right" was the first official single from The Bridge. The song peaked at #41 in the UK but failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. It did, however, reach #57 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart."Monday Morning" charted in Switzerland and Poland at number 1 and in Austria at number 5. It was released as the third U.S. single, however, "Bang Bang"[14] was sent to radio as the second Canadian single for Canadian top 40 & hot AC play. Due to "Priceless" not being released in Canada, "Monday Morning" served as the fifth single in Canada, due to hot adult contemporary radio station CKZZ-FM (Virgin Radio 953) in Vancouver having the song on its playlist. "Ay Yo" was released as the fourth official single from The Bridge, according to Fiona's website and Twitter. The music video for the song premiered on April 12, 2010. "Priceless" would be the fifth U.S. single, due to airplay on urban adult contemporary stations. Due to "Priceless" not being released in Canada, "Monday Morning" was released to Canadian stations as the fifth single, even though "Monday Morning" appeared as the third American single. The album spawned six singles including "It Kills Me", which landed at number 47 on the top 100 charts and reached the top spot on US R&B chart.
Fiona participated in "
2011–present: The MF Life and Awake
In 2011, Fiona began recording her second studio album. The lead single was titled "Gone and Never Coming Back." It peaked at 37 on the US R&B chart becoming her second highest peaking song on the R&B chart so far. Later on that year, Fiona released her second single, "4 AM", which was sent to urban stations on August 30, 2011.[16] "4 AM", a song about a lover who had gone out and was cheating on her, peaked on the US R&B chart at #8. It also made the top 100 charts. Fiona's album, The MF Life, was released on March 20, 2012.[17][18][19]
On January 2, 2012, she performed "O Canada" at the NHL Winter Classic between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers at Citizens Bank Park.[20]
As a newly independent artist, Fiona announced she was working on her third album Awake in October 2013. During this time, she released the single "Cold Piece". On May 12, 2015, she premiered a new song and lyric video "Bite the Bullet", which was set to appear on her new album in 2016.[21][22] "I feel like sometimes people know my songs but haven’t gotten the opportunity to know me" Fiona told the VIBE. "I want to make people feel good and I want people to feel that they are not alone, that this album and me as an artist represent a voice for people to feel like 'Yeah, that is the life we’re living and we’re living it together so let’s do our part to move forward positively, and do some really great things while we are alive here" she added. In September 2015, Fiona announced two more tracks for the album: "I Tried" – the first song written for the album, and "Killing Time", which she wrote after a break up with her boyfriend. As of 2024, Awake has yet to be released.
Personal life
Fiona and songwriter Jared Cotter have a son born on 14 March 2016.[23] They became engaged on 14 February 2018.[24] Originally they planned to marry on Amalfi Coast, Italy; but the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to postpone their wedding three times. The couple married privately on 12 December 2020 in Los Angeles. They welcomed a daughter in December 2021.[25][26]
Artistry
Voice
Fiona is a dramatic soprano.[27] Her voice has been referred to as being both "soulful" and "sassy."[27] Some have praised her vocals for being "very passionate, but clean and controlled, and not over-the-top singing."[28]
Musical style and influences
Fiona cites
Fiona's occasional songwriting revolves around her personal experiences. She stated that she attempts to "keep [the songs] as universal as possible, unless I am writing about something very personal, even then the themes are universal".[5] She has received comparisons to Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, Macy Gray, Chrisette Michele, Marsha Ambrosius and Jill Scott.[33]
Discography
- The Bridge (2009)
- The MF Life (2012)
Awards and nominations
- BET Awards[34]
The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the BET Networks to celebrate African Americans and other Minority group in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | Melanie Fiona | Best Female R&B Artist
|
Nominated |
Best New Artist | Nominated | ||
BET Centric Award
|
Nominated | ||
"It Kills Me" | Video of the Year | Nominated | |
2012 | Melanie Fiona | Best Female R&B Artist | Nominated |
- Eska Music Awards[35]
Eska Music Awards is a major Polish awards ceremony for national and international music launched in 2002 by Radio Eska.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | The Bridge | Best International Album | Won |
- Grammy Award[7]
A
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | "It Kills Me" | Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated |
2011 | "Wake Up Everybody" (with Common, John Legend & The Roots) | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
|
Nominated |
2012 | "Fool for You" (with CeeLo Green) | Best Traditional R&B Performance | Won |
Best R&B Song | Won | ||
2013 | "Wrong Side of a Love Song" | Best Traditional R&B Performance | Nominated |
- Juno Award[8]
The
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | The Bridge | R&B/Soul Recording of the Year | Nominated |
2012 | Gone and Never Coming Back | R&B/Soul Recording of the Year | Won |
- NAACP Image Award
An
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | Melanie Fiona | Outstanding New Artist | Nominated |
2012 | Ceelo Green & Melanie Fiona | Outstanding Duo or Group | Nominated |
"Fool For You" (with CeeLo Green) | Outstanding Song | Nominated |
- Soul Train Music Awards
The
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | Melanie Fiona | Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist
|
Won |
References
- ^ a b Melanie Fiona: Priceless Archived 2012-05-25 at archive.today RapIndustry.com. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
- ^ "Give It To Me Right Songfacts". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
- ^ New York Daily News. pp. 1–2. Archivedfrom the original on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- Allmusic. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- ^ The Miami Herald. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- ^ a b c Mahn, Jessica (July 19, 2009). "Interview: Melanie Fiona". Fanbolt. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f Patch, Nick (January 28, 2010). "Grammy Watch: Melanie Fiona". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- ^ a b c Infantry, Ashante (March 7, 2010). "Singer Melanie Fiona saves love for T-Dot". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- ^ "Soul Jones Interview with Melanie Fiona". Interview. souljones.com. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
- ^ a b c Jones, Steve (March 17, 2010). "The little R& B singer who could—and did". USA Today. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- ^ a b Varghese, Susan (July 2, 2009). "Melanie Fiona". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- ^ Roberts, Steven (February 3, 2010). "Melanie Fiona Sees Her Hard Work Pay Off in 2010". MTV News. Archived from the original on 11 March 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- ^ W., Damien. "Melanie Fiona". Beyond Race Magazine. Archived from the original on 9 February 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- ^ Melanie Fiona - Bang Bang - YouTube
- ^ Roberts, Steven (January 8, 2010). "Melanie Fiona Looks Forward to 'Empowering' Tour with Alicia Keys". MTV News. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- ^ Urban/UAC Future Releases | R&B, Hip Hop, Release Schedule and Street Dates |, Allaccess.com
- ^ Rap-Up.com || Fall 2011 Album Release Schedule, Rap-up.com
- ^ "New Music: Melanie Fiona 'Wrong Side of a Love Song'". Rap-Up.com. Rap-Up. January 13, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
- ^ "Melanie Fiona Reveals Release Date, Cover Art For "The MF Life"". Rap-Up.com. Rap-Up. February 9, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ Kimelman, Adam (January 2, 2012). "Legendary performer LaBelle ready for anthem first". NHL.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
- ^ "Melanie Fiona, Newly Indie, Teams with Pepsi, Complex for 'Cold Piece' Music Video". Andrew Hampp. October 17, 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ "Melanie Fiona Discusses Upcoming Album On Hot 97". Vibe.com. 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
- ^ "Melanie Fiona Gives Birth".Wetpaint.com. Retrieved April 3, 2016
- ^ "She Said Yes! Melanie Fiona Got Engaged on Valentine's Day". 24 October 2020.
- ^ "A Music Industry Power Couple on Why They Eloped Amid COVID-19".
- ^ "Melanie Fiona and Jared Cotter Eloped in the Sweetest and Most Low-Key Way". 23 December 2020.
- ^ a b VIBE Vixen Cover Reveal: Melanie Fiona, The Heartbreaker | Vibe
- ^ “Fool For You,” By Cee-Lo and Melanie Fiona: Honoring R&B’s Greatest Collaborators Past and Present! | Ari Speaks
- YouTube
- ^ "Melanie Fiona Eyes Drake Collabo, Awed by Brandy and Prince". YouTube. 2011-04-07. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
- ^ Vena, Jocelyn; Marino, Kelly (January 28, 2010). "Mary J. Blige Honored by Essence for Iconic Career". MTV News. Archived from the original on 5 March 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- ^ Swan, Rhonda (March 15, 2010). "Grammy-nominated Fiona mixes many cultures into her sound". The Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on 3 June 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- ^ "Melanie Fiona could be next big thing". Shields Gazette. August 5, 2009. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- Black Entertainment Television. Archived from the originalon June 29, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ "Eska Music Awards". Ema.eska.pl. Archived from the original on 2011-06-26. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
External links
- Official website
- Melanie Fiona at IMDb