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Snoh Aalegra

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Snoh Aalegra
Snoh Aalegra in 2016
Snoh Aalegra in 2016
Background information
Birth nameShahrzad Fooladi[1]
Born (1987-09-13) 13 September 1987 (age 37)
Uppsala, Sweden
OriginStockholm, Sweden
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2001–present
Labels
Websitesnohaalegra.com

Snoh Sheri Nowrozi[2][3] (born Shahrzad Fooladi,[1] 13 September 1987), better known by her stage name Snoh Aalegra (/ˈsnoʊˈæliɡrɑː/), is a Swedish singer-songwriter. Her debut album, Feels, was released in 2017, followed by Ugh, Those Feels Again in 2019.

Early life

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Aalegra was born on 13 September 1987 in Uppsala, Sweden, to Persian parents from the south of Iran.[1][4] She grew up in Enköping, Sweden,[5] moving there with her mother following her parents' divorce.[6][7] They later relocated to Stockholm.[8] Aalegra began writing music at the age of 9.[9]

Career

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2001–2012: Career beginnings, Sheri, First Sign

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In 2001, at the age of 13, Aalegra signed an artist development deal with Sony Music Sweden.[7] However, she eventually parted ways with the label with no music being released.[10][11][12]

Aalegra at Stockholm Pride in 2009

In 2009, Aalegra began her musical career using the mononym Sheri.[5] She released her debut single "Hit and Run" on 16 February 2009, with production by Andreas Carlsson. The single peaked at number 12 on the Swedish Single Charts.[13] She released her second single "U Got Me Good" on 4 December 2009, reaching number 2 on the Swedish Single Charts.[14]

On 6 April 2010, under the name Sheri, she released her debut studio album First Sign, through Universal Music Sweden. The album features a cover of the 1984 song "Smooth Operator" by Sade,as well as the singles "Hit And Run" and "U Got Me Good".[15]

2013–2018: Debut as Snoh Aalegra, Feels

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In 2013, Aalegra signed to No I.D.'s ARTium Recordings.[11] In July 2014, she debuted her new stage name, Snoh Aalegra, and appeared on Common's tenth studio album, Nobody's Smiling, featuring on the song "Hustle Harder".[16][17] Later that year, in October 2014, She released her debut single, "Bad Things" featuring Common. She followed with the release of her debut EP, There Will Be Sunshine, on 17 November 2014, through ARTium/Epic.[11] The EP includes the track "Stockholm, Pt. II (Outro)," featuring Cocaine 80s.[18]

In 2014, she became a protégé of Prince after he discovered her music and reached out to her.[19] He mentored her until his death in 2016.[7][20]

In February 2015, Aalegra said she had changed her legal name to Snoh Nowrozi.[21] She added "Aalegra" to her stage name because it means "joyful" in Italian (altering the spelling of "allegra" to make it her own), and because there was already an artist named Snoh.[22][23] On 11 February 2015, Aalegra released her first single under the name Snoh Aalegra, titled "Emotional", produced by RZA.[22] That same year, she also featured on Vince Staples' debut album, Summertime '06 in June, providing vocals for the song, "Jump Off the Roof".[24]

On 8 April 2016, Aalegra released the EP Don't Explain through ARTium Recordings. The EP featured production from James Fauntleroy, No I.D., Boi-1da, Christian Rich and DJ Dahi.[8][9] The EP features a cover of the 1944 song, "Don't Explain" by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr.[25] John Mayer plays guitar on "Under the Influence",[10] and the final track, "Chaos", was written by Sia.[21] In 2017, she went on her first North American tour, in support of Daniel Caesar.[12]

On 20 October 2017, Aalegra released her debut album, Feels, which featured collaborations from Vince Staples, Vic Mensa, Logic, and Timbuktu.[12] The album was described as a "nostalgic blend of soul and R&B" with Aalegra referring to her style as "cinematic soul". Her single "Time" was sampled by Drake on the closing track "Do Not Disturb", from his 2017 mixtape More Life.[12][20] On 12 September 2018, her single "Nothing Burns Like the Cold" produced by Christian Rich and featuring Vince Staples, was featured in Apple's promotional video and commercials for their iPhone XS.[26][27] In the fall of 2018, Aalegra headlined her first North American tour, with support from Mereba and Leven Kali.[28]

2019–present: Ugh, Those Feels Again and Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies

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In August 2019, Aalegra released her second album, Ugh, Those Feels Again, on ARTium Recordings.[29] The album is considered to be a sequel to Feels, similar in mood and thematically.[17][30] The album peaked at number 3 on the Billboard R&B Album Sales chart, number 6 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart,[31] and number 73 on the Billboard 200 chart.[32] The single "I Want You Around" reached number 1 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.[33] Additionally, she recorded the song "Wolves Are Out Tonight", produced by Swizz Beatz, for the soundtrack to the 2019 EPIX television series Godfather of Harlem.[34] On 13 December 2019, she released the video to her single "Whoa", starring herself and actor Michael B. Jordan.[1] In the fall of 2019, she headlined a European and North American tour, with support from Baby Rose and Giveon.[35] She also reached number 1 on the Bandsintown + Billboard Global Rising Artists Index.[36]

In February 2020, NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts released Aalegra's performance where she performed a selection of songs including "Love Like That", "I Want You Around", "Whoa", "Fool For You", and "Find Someone Like You".[37]

On 9 March 2020, it was announced that Aalegra had signed a recording contract with Roc Nation/Universal Music Group in partnership with her current label ARTium Records, and released "Dying 4 Your Love", her first single, through both labels on 10 July. During an interview, she revealed that she was already working on her next album.[38]

Aalegra was featured on "Last Time", on Giveon's second EP, When It's All Said and Done.

On 9 July 2021, Aalegra released her third album, Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies, under ARTium Records and Roc Nation. The album was preceded by the singles "Dying 4 Your Love", released on 10 June 2020, and "Lost You", released on 21 June 2021, which was produced by Maneesh and No I.D.[citation needed] Aalegra began her Ugh, These Temporary Highs Tour in Manchester on 13 February 2022.[citation needed] Aalegra received nominations at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album for Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies and Best R&B Performance for "Lost You".[39]

In 2023, she was nominated at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in the category Best Traditional R&B Performance for her cover of Do 4 Love.[40] On July 21, 2023, She released the single Be My Summer,[41] followed by the single Sweet Tea on August 2, 2023[42] and Wait a Little Longer on August 18, 2023.

Artistry

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Aalegra cites Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston, James Brown, Brandy, Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, Robyn, and Mariah Carey as musical influences.[43][44][21][29][45][46][47] She also credits film score orchestras and arrangements as significant influences on her sound.[47] She has said she first fell in love with music at the age of seven, when she heard Houston's The Bodyguard soundtrack.[7][46]

Personal life

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After briefly living in London, Aalegra has lived in Los Angeles since 2012.[21] She speaks Persian, Swedish, English, and a little Spanish.[4]

Discography

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Main article: Snoh Aalegra discography

Studio albums

Tours

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Headlining

  • Feels Tour (2018)[48]
  • Ugh, A Mini Tour Again (2019)[49]
  • Ugh, These Temporary Highs Tour (2022)

Supporting

Awards

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2015 Scandinavian Soul Music Awards Best Soul/Pop Artist Herself Nominated [21]
2019 Musikexportpriset n/a Nominated [52]
Skap Soul Won [53]
2020 Grammis Album of the Year Ugh, Those Feels Again Nominated [54]
Artist of the Year Herself Nominated [55]
P3 Guld Hip Hop/R&B of the Year Nominated [56]
Soul Train Music Awards Best New Artist Won [57]
2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards R&B Artist of the Year Nominated [58]
Best New R&B Artist Won [58]
2022 Denniz Pop Awards Grand Prize Won [59]
Grammy Award Best R&B Performance "Lost You" Nominated [60]
Best R&B Album Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies Nominated [60]
Grammis Soul/R&B of the Year Won [61]
Songwriter of the Year Nominated [62]
Album of the Year Nominated [62]
Artist of the Year Herself Nominated [62]
P3 Guld Nominated [63]
Hiphop/R&B of the Year Nominated [63]
2023 Grammy Awards Best Traditional R&B Performance "Do 4 Love" Nominated [64]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Kwateng-Clar, Danielle (14 December 2019). "Snoh Aalegra and Michael B. Jordan's Steamy "Whoa" Video Sparks Dating Rumors". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Nowrozi Snoh Sheri | ACE Repertory". ASCAP. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  3. ^ Joshi, Tara (17 August 2019). "One to watch: Snoh Aalegra". The Guardian.
  4. ^ a b Ijaduola, Deborah (17 November 2017). "Snoh Aalegra: on connecting the dots of her Swedish-Persian heritage". gal-dem. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  5. ^ a b Erwik, Alexander (10 December 2008). "Sheri – nästa års stora svenska stjärna – Finest.se". Finest.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 28 February 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  6. ^ "First Look Friday: Snoh Aalegra's Fresh Take On R&B". Okayplayer. 16 January 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d Domanick, Andrea (24 September 2019). "Snoh Aalegra and the Beauty of Otherness". Playboy. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019.
  8. ^ a b Wally, Maxine (16 August 2019). "Snoh Aalegra Finds Home on Her New Album, 'Ugh, Those Feels Again'". WWD.
  9. ^ a b Ju, Shirley (16 August 2019). "Snoh Aalegra on Prince's Lessons – And Her New Album". Tidal.
  10. ^ a b Gore, Sydney (21 November 2018). "Snoh Aalegra on Writing Heavy Songs That Resist The Mainstream". Highsnobiety. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  11. ^ a b c Brara, Noor (24 November 2014). "Discovery: Snoh Aalegra – Interview Magazine". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  12. ^ a b c d Shouneyia, Alexa (26 October 2017). "Snoh Aalegra Talks New Album 'Feels,' Working With No I.D. & the Best Advice She Received From Prince". Billboard. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  13. ^ Hung, Steffen. "swedishcharts.com – Sheri – Hit And Run". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  14. ^ Hung, Steffen. "swedishcharts.com – Sheri – U Got Me Good". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  15. ^ "First Sign av Sheri". iTunes (in Swedish). 1 January 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  16. ^ "Nobody's Smiling by Common". iTunes. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  17. ^ a b Aswad, Jem (16 August 2019). "Album Review: Snoh Aalegra's 'Ugh, Those Feels Again'". Variety.
  18. ^ "There Will Be Sunshine – EP by Snoh Aalegra". iTunes. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  19. ^ "Snoh Aalegra – Artist Profile". eventseeker.com. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  20. ^ a b Gonzalez, Erica (20 September 2019). "Snoh Aalegra Talks Getting Donuts with Prince and a Possible Frank Ocean Collaboration". Harpers Bazaar.
  21. ^ a b c d e Weston, Liana (7 February 2015). "Sound Scout: Meet Snoh Aalegra, the Enchanting Soulstress With a Hypnotic Voice". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  22. ^ a b Haque, Eshika (13 February 2015). "Interview: Snoh Aalegra". Schon.
  23. ^ Abraham, Tameka. "Snoh Aalegra". GOAT. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  24. ^ Kivel, Adam (30 June 2015). "Vince Staples – Summertime '06". Consequence of Sound.
  25. ^ Adewunmi, Bim (13 August 2016). "Why I love... Snoh Aalegra". The Guardian.
  26. ^ "iPhone XS — Illusion — Apple". YouTube. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  27. ^ "Apple iPhone XS TV Commercial, 'Illusion' Song by Snoh Aalegra, Vince Staples". iSpot.tv. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  28. ^ Lukarcanin, Emina (5 October 2018). "Leven Kali Releases Euphoric Two-Song Project 'NunWrong With a Lil Good Lovin': Listen". Billboard.
  29. ^ a b Joshi, Tara (17 August 2019). "One to watch: Snoh Aalegra". The Guardian.
  30. ^ Kearse, Stephen (6 September 2019). "Ugh, those feels again". Pitchfork.
  31. ^ "Snoh Aalegra Chart History: Top R&B Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  32. ^ "Snoh Aalegra Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  33. ^ "Snoh Aalegra Chart History: Adult R&B Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  34. ^ "Snoh Aalegra Graces New "Godfather Of Harlem" Track "Wolves Are Out Tonight"". Hot New Hip Hop. 9 November 2019.
  35. ^ Inman, DeMicia (24 September 2019). "Snoh Aalegra Announces North American Tour With Baby Rose". Def Pen.
  36. ^ "Snoh Aalegra: Bandsintown". Billboard. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  37. ^ Madden, Sidney (18 February 2020). "Snoh Aalegra: Tiny Desk Concert". NPR.org. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  38. ^ Moorwood, Victoria (10 March 2020). "Snoh Aalegra signs with JAY-Z's Roc Nation". Revolt. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  39. ^ "2022 Grammy Awards: The full list of nominees and winners". npr.org. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  40. ^ "Snoh Aalegra Grammy nominees". grammy.com. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  41. ^ "Snoh Aalegra Returns With Majestic Single 'Be My Summer". clashmusic.com. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  42. ^ "Snoh Aalegra Says New "Sweet Tea" Single Is "Spiritual"". vibe.com. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  43. ^ Droppo, Dana (23 November 2020). "Snoh Aalegra is Traveling a Path That's All Her Own". Billboard. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  44. ^ Walker, Lily (9 December 2014). "New Noise: Snoh | Wonderland Magazine". Wonderland. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  45. ^ Penrose, Nerisha (24 September 2019). "Snoh Aalegra Is The Soundtrack Of Sad Girl Fall". Elle.
  46. ^ a b "Snoh Aalegra Is Right at Home". Paper. 26 August 2019.
  47. ^ a b Marine, Brooke (13 September 2019). "New Faces: Snoh Aalegra Delves Deep with her Sophomore Album, -Ugh, those feels again". W Magazine.
  48. ^ Saponara, Michael (20 September 2018). "Snoh Aalegra Powers Through Technical Difficulties for Soulful NYC Performance". Billboard. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  49. ^ Robinson, Dominiq (3 December 2019). "Snoh Aalegra announces 2020 Ugh, A Tour Again with QUIN". AXS. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  50. ^ Saponara, Michael (27 November 2017). "Fans Take a Page From HBO's 'Insecure' With Daniel Caesar Concert Proposals". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  51. ^ Saponara, Michael (24 October 2018). "6 Highlights from Brooklyn's TIDAL X Benefit Concert Featuring Meek Mill, Lil Wayne, Normani & More". Billboard. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  52. ^ "Nomineringar till regeringens musikexportpris 2019". Government of Sweden (in Swedish). 13 March 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  53. ^ "De tilldelas Skaps priser 2019 – Skap". Sveriges kompositörer och textförfattare (in Swedish). 23 October 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  54. ^ "Swedish Grammy Awards nominees". U Music Pub. 13 December 2019.
  55. ^ Jackson, Vaness (13 December 2019). "Michael B. Jordan Seemingly Confirms Snoh Aalegra Romance With Steamy "Whoa" Music Video". E! Online.
  56. ^ "Snoh Aalegra uppträder på P3 Guld". Kingsizemag.se (in Swedish). 25 November 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  57. ^ Grein, Paul (29 November 2020). "Chris Brown Is Top Winner at 2020 Soul Train Awards: Complete List of Winners". Billboard. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  58. ^ a b Fields, Taylor (28 May 2021). "2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards: See The Full List Of Winners". iHeartMedia. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  59. ^ Valsinger, Christel (12 September 2022). "Här Är Årets Vinnare På Denniz Pop Awards". Musikindustrin.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  60. ^ a b "2022 GRAMMYs Awards: Complete Nominations List". Grammy. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  61. ^ "2022 Archives - Grammisgalan". Grammis (in Swedish). 19 May 2022. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  62. ^ a b c "2022 Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Grammisgalan". Grammis (in Swedish). 19 May 2022. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  63. ^ a b "Alla nominerade artister till P3 Guld 2022". Sveriges Radio (in Swedish). 6 April 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  64. ^ "2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List". GRAMMYs. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
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