Lana Del Rey
| Lana Del Rey | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | June 21, 1985
Manhattan, New York City, United States |
| Birth name | Elizabeth Woolridge Grant |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Genres | Alternative pop, dream pop, indie pop |
| Labels | Interscope, Polydor |
| Known for | Born to Die, Ultraviolence, Norman Fucking Rockwell!, Video Games |
Elizabeth Woolridge Grant (born June 21, 1985), known professionally as Lana Del Rey, is an American singer-songwriter. Her music is known for its melancholic tone and cinematic style, often exploring themes of glamor, romance, and nostalgia.
She gained global recognition in 2011 with her breakthrough single Video Games. Her second album Born to Die (2012) became a major commercial success and is one of the longest-charting albums by a female artist on the Billboard 200. She later released successful albums including Ultraviolence (2014), Lust for Life (2017), and Norman Fucking Rockwell! (2019), which received critical acclaim and Grammy nominations.[1]
Del Rey has received multiple awards, including MTV Video Music Awards, Brit Awards, and Billboard Women in Music honors. She has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
Early life
Lana Del Rey was born on June 21, 1985, in Manhattan, New York City. She grew up in Lake Placid, New York, after her family moved there when she was a child.
Her father worked in advertising and later became a business entrepreneur, while her mother worked as a schoolteacher. She has one younger brother and one younger sister.
She developed an interest in music at an early age and sang in her church choir. During her teenage years, she struggled with alcohol addiction and was sent to a boarding school to recover. She later became sober and has remained so since her late teens.
Del Rey attended Fordham University, where she studied philosophy with a focus on metaphysics.[2]
Career
2005–2010: Early work
Del Rey began writing songs and performing in clubs in New York City. She recorded early projects under different stage names such as Lizzy Grant and May Jailer.
In 2010, she released her debut album Lana Del Ray, which was later withdrawn from circulation.[3]
2011–2013: Breakthrough with Born to Die
In 2011, Del Rey released the song Video Games, which went viral online and led to a major record deal.
Her album Born to Die (2012) was a global success. It included popular songs like Summertime Sadness and Blue Jeans. The album helped define a new pop sound with slower, mood-based production.
She also released the EP Paradise (2012), which included the single Ride.
2014–2016: Ultraviolence and Honeymoon
Del Rey released Ultraviolence in 2014, which debuted at number one in multiple countries. The album featured a darker, guitar-based sound.
Her next album, Honeymoon (2015), received positive reviews and continued her cinematic musical style.
During this period, she also contributed songs to films, including Young and Beautiful for The Great Gatsby and Once Upon a Dream for Maleficent.[4]
2017–2019: Lust for Life and Norman Fucking Rockwell!
Her album Lust for Life (2017) included collaborations with several artists and debuted at number one in the United States.
In 2019, she released Norman Fucking Rockwell!, which received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards.
2020–present
In 2020, Del Rey published a poetry book titled Violet Bent Backwards over the Grass.
She released Chemtrails over the Country Club (2021) and Blue Banisters (2021), both of which explored more personal themes.
Her ninth album Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd was released in 2023 and received strong critical praise.
In 2026, she released music for a James Bond video game soundtrack.
Artistry
Del Rey’s music combines elements of pop, rock, and indie styles. Her sound is often described as cinematic and nostalgic, with influences from mid-20th century American culture.
Her lyrics focus on themes such as love, fame, sadness, and identity. She is known for her distinctive voice and emotional delivery.
Personal life
Del Rey has spoken openly about her early struggles with addiction and her journey to sobriety.
She prefers to keep her personal life private but has been linked to several relationships in the past.
Discography
2010 – Lana Del Ray 2012 – Born to Die 2014 – Ultraviolence 2015 – Honeymoon 2017 – Lust for Life 2019 – Norman Fucking Rockwell! 2021 – Chemtrails over the Country Club 2021 – Blue Banisters 2023 – Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd
Awards and nominations
- MTV Video Music Awards – Winner - Brit Awards – Winner - Billboard Women in Music Awards – Winner - Grammy Awards – Multiple nominations - Golden Globe Awards – Nomination
References
- ↑ https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-most-perfect-classic-rock-frontman-according-to-lana-del-rey/
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/18/arts/music/lana-del-rey-anitta-new-songs.html
- ↑ https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-lana-del-reys-theme-for-the-new-james-bond-video-game/
- ↑ https://harvardindependent.com/where-nothing-quite-resolves/