Francis Leblanc,[1] known professionally as Fridayy, is a Haitian-American singer, songwriter, and record producer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 2022, he signed with Def Jam Recordings and guest performed on the hit songs "Forever" by Lil Baby and the title track of DJ Khaled's album God Did (2022). Both songs peaked within the top 20 of the US Billboard Hot 100,[2][6] while the latter earned him three Grammy Award nominations. His 2023 single, "When It Comes to You", marked his first entry on the chart as a lead artist.[7]
Fridayy | |
|---|---|
 Fridayy in 2023 | |
| Born | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2014–present[3] |
| Works | |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano, guitar, bass, drums[5] |
| Labels | Def Jam[3] |
Early life
editGrowing up with his parents Leblanc started playing instruments including piano, bass, and guitar at the age of 6. His father is a pastor and he credits his passion for music to his days in the church sanctuary. Leblanc is of Haitian descent.[3]
Career
editLeblanc recognized his vocal abilities at a very young age: "I used to sing in church — probably at like, 9 or 10. I used to play instruments too, so everybody knew early on I was talented. But I started taking music seriously when I was 14, when my cousin Marco introduced me to producing. He gave me my first laptop so being the [type of] musician I was in church, it was very easy for me to produce and record myself."[8] Leblanc chose "Fridayy" as his stage name being inspired by the stage names of singers The Weeknd and PartyNextDoor.[8] Fridayy mentioned Boyz II Men, Drake and Kanye West as his early influences.[9]
In June 2022, he was credited on Chris Brown's album, Breezy, as a songwriter and producer on the record's opening track "Till the Wheels Fall Off". In October 2022, Fridayy released his debut single, "Don't Give Up On Me", anticipating his first official EP titled "Lost in Melody".[10] That same month, he guest appeared on Lil Baby's album It's Only Me on the track "Forever", which peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.[6] Also that same month, he released his debut extended play, Lost in Melody, which contained a guest appearance from frequent collaborator, American singer Vory.[11] In November 2022, Fridayy received three Grammy Award nominations as a featured artist alongside Jay-Z, John Legend, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne on DJ Khaled's song "God Did" at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.[12] By the end of that year, he signed with Def Jam Recordings.[13]
In June 2023, his song "Don't Give It Away", featuring Chris Brown, was released as the lead single from Fridayy's self-titled debut studio album. Fridayy was released on August 25, 2023.[14] The album spawned the single "When It Comes to You", that marked the singer's first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 as a lead artist.[7]
In 2024, he began touring as the opening act for dancehall artist Buju Banton's "The Overcomer Tour".
Artistry
editFridayy sings in a baritone voice, mostly performing over self-produced instrumentals, as well as mixing R&B with hip hop, gospel, and Afrobeats.[15] According to American Songwriter, "Fridayy brought a more R&B, gospel-inspired sound to a crop of acts mostly involved with rap".[16]
Discography
edit- Fridayy (2023)
Tours
editSupporting
- The Overcomer Tour (for Buju Banton) (2024)[17]
Awards and nominations
edit| Award | Year | Nominee | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soul Train Music Awards | 2023 | Himself | Best New Artist | Nominated | [18] |
| "Came Too Far" | Best Gospel/Inspirational Song | Nominated | [18] | ||
| BET Hip Hop Awards | 2023 | "God Did" (featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend and Fridayy) | Song of the Year | Nominated | [19] |
| Impact Track | Nominated | [19] | |||
| Best Collaboration | Nominated | [19] | |||
| Grammy Awards | 2023 | Song of the Year | Nominated | [12] | |
| Best Rap Song | Nominated | [12] | |||
| Best Rap Performance | Nominated | [12] | |||
| BET Awards | 2024 | Himself | Best New Artist | Nominated | [20] |
| Best Male R&B/Pop Artist | Nominated | [20] | |||
| iHeartRadio Music Awards | 2024 | Best New R&B Artist | Nominated | [21] |
References
edit- ^ a b "Information on Fridayy's songs in ASCAP ACE database". ASCAP. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- ^ a b "Hot 100 First-Timers: Fridayy Scores First Chart Hit With DJ Khaled Collab 'God Did'". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "The Break Presents: Fridayy". XXL. November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- ^ https://www.billboard.com/business/management/fridayy-manager-edgar-cutino-management-company-1235524293/amp/ [bare URL]
- ^ https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/fridayy-singer-september-rookie-of-the-month-1235410303/
- ^ a b "Billboard 100 Week of October 29, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- ^ a b "Billboard Hot 100: Week of February 3, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ a b Lee, Cydney (September 21, 2023). "Why Baritone R&B Singer Fridayy Is One Of a Kind". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ^ High, Kemet (June 20, 2023). "Fridayy Feels Like a Young Legend, But He's Got More to Prove". XXL Mag. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ^ "Fridayy Releases Debut Single "Don't Give Up On Me"". HotNewHipHop. October 8, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- ^ "Fridayy Delivers Debut EP "Lost In Melody" Ft. Vory". HotNewHipHop. October 21, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Grammy Nominations 2023: The Full List". Billboard. November 15, 2022.
- ^ "Fridayy Talks New Album & Signing To Def Jam Records". Wonderland. December 8, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ^ "Don't Give It Away - Apple Music". Apple Music.
- ^ "Fridayy Unveils Captivating Music Video to "When It Comes to You"". stylemagazine.com. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ^ Galindo, Thomas (July 21, 2023). "Fridayy Releases New Single "When It Comes To You," Speaks on Upcoming Album". American Songwriter. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ^ "Buju Banton Announces The Overcomer Tour 2024". www.reggaeville.com. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ^ a b Tinoco, Armando (November 27, 2023). "Soul Train Awards 2023 Complete Winners List: SZA Leads Night With Usher & Victoria Monét Also Taking Trophies". Deadline. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c Grein, Paul (September 7, 2023). "Cardi B & 21 Savage Lead Nominations for 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ^ a b "BET Hip Hop Awards: Kendrick Lamar dominates with eight prizes". www.bbc.com. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ^ Grein, Paul (January 18, 2024). "Taylor Swift Leads 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards Nods, With Jelly Roll, 21 Savage & SZA Close Behind: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
