Who Is Lucky Daye? From “American Idol” To Grammy Awards

If you’re not aware of the singer Lucky Daye, you’re missing out! Starting out as a contestant on season 4 of American Idol, the singer has worked with big names in the music game. His songwriting credits include songs from stars including Beyoncé, Keith Sweat, Trey Songz, and Ariana Grande. However, his career as a lead artist has garnered a lot of love and critical praise during award season. Following his sophomore album, Candydrip, he cemented his place as one of the hottest R&B stars on the rise. Here’s everything you need to know about the singer taking the R&B world by storm, Lucky Daye

Lucky Daye’s Childhood

Lucky Daye performs
(Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit)

Born David Debrandon Brown, Lucky Daye was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. During his childhood, his family was part of a now-defunct Christian church that forbade secular music, considering it a sin. This forced the artist solely sing and consume music during church. In fact, his musical knowledge was admittedly limited to church hymns. According to an interview with Vice, Daye says the church’s punishments against the children were harsh. Being accused of “back-talking” or not finishing all of their food would lead to corporal punishment.  

“I don’t know exactly what they had going on,” said Lucky Daye. “I just know there was a room that I hated that they put us in. If we talked, we would get beat. If we didn’t eat certain food or complained—it was always some petty stuff, like if you didn’t eat all of your food, you would get beat.” 

His parents eventually left the church and Daye’s love for R&B flourished. He fell in love with legends like Prince, Rick James, and Stevie Wonder who would shape his artistry. After the damages of Hurricane Katrina, the singer relocated to Tyler, Texas. He would later end up moving, once again, to Atlanta, Georgia. 

Songwriting & RCA Deal

Lucky Daye at AMAs
(Photo by Sarah Morris/FilmMagic)

The singer was able to establish himself as a songwriter and background vocalist during his time in Atlanta, where he began working with Keith Sweat and Ne-Yo. In the years that followed, he racked up even more credits on songs with Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, and Keke Palmer, among others. However, things took a turn for the better when he landed a deal with RCA Records and Keep Cool in 2018 before releasing his hit record, “Roll Some Mo.”

Grammy-Award Winner

Lucky Daye at the Grammys
(Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

During the 2020 Grammy Awards, Lucky Daye was nominated for “Best R&B Performance” and “Best R&B Song” for his hit, “Roll Some Mo.” The same year, the artist’s second album, Painted was nominated for “Best R&B Album” as well. The artist took home his first Grammy Award in 2022 at the 64th Grammy Awards. He ended up taking home the “Best Progressive R&B Album” for his EP Table for Two. In 2023, his second album Candydrip was nominated for “Best R&B Album.” His work on Mary J. Blige’s Good Morning Gorgeous and Beyonce’s Rennaissance also landed him nominations for “Album of the Year” and “Best R&B Song.”

What’s Next For Singer Lucky Daye?

Lucky Daye on red carpet
(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/FilmMagic,)

With a career getting the chance to work with some of the biggest names, Lucky Daye’s resume keeps growing. His solo career is full of hits as well, validated by the Grammy recognition making him a part of a select group of artists. Now getting the recognition he deserves from fans, and a string of successful releases, people are waiting to see more from the singer. With the past three years of his career being huge, we can’t wait to see what Lucky Daye does next! 

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Katy Perry Cries During School Shooting Victim’s “American Idol” Audition: Watch

Last week commenced the 21st season of American Idol, and Sunday (February 26th) harbored an emotional start to the series. While going through auditions in New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Nashville, the show’s judges found themselves with an especially heartbreaking performance. Trey Louis, a mattress salesman from Santa Fe, Texas, created a heavy interpretation of Whiskey Myer’s “Stone,” and opened his heart further to share a traumatic experience with the judging panel.

In 2018, the 21-year-old was a victim of the shooting at Sante Fe High School and barely had escaped the massacre. As a result of this tragic event, eight students and two teachers lost their lives, including those who were close to Louis. “A gunman walked into my school,” he revealed to the judges. “I was in art room one, and he shot up art room two before he made his way to art room one. Lost a lot of friends.”

Katy Perry Weeps That America Has Failed Citizens

Louis’s soulful and rugged cover of “Stone” earned him a standing ovation from Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. But the applause quickly turned to tears after hearing about his experience in the shooting. When Louis revealed how his hometown has been looked down upon since the incident, Perry couldn’t hold in her emotions. “Our country has (expletive) failed us,” Perry reacted. “This is not OK! You should be singing here because you love music! Not because you had to go through that (expletive). You didn’t have to lose… friends. I hope that you remind people that we have to change, because, you know what? I’m scared too.” 

The “Swish Swish” singer’s outburst even brought tears to Richie’s eyes. He added, “we have tolerated this for so long, too long. It’s become a norm.” The three judges unanimously voted for Louis to go through to Hollywood. But before the decision was revealed, Perry had one final comment for the survivor. “We’ve got to change,” she told him, calling for Louis to “lead.” “For myself, for my school, and for you, you got it,” he responded. For the latest news on hip-hop, pop culture, and entertainment, be sure to check out HNHH.

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American Idol Contestant CJ Harris Dead At 31

CJ Harris, a former American Idol semifinalist, was pronounced dead this weekend at 31 after he was rushed to the hospital.

According to TMZ, CJ Harris reportedly suffered a heart attack at his Jasper, Alabama home on Sunday night. An ambulance rushed him to the hospital immediately after but unfortunately, he passed away.

HOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 2: Contestant CJ Harris performs onstage at FOX's "American Idol XIII" Top 8 Live Performance Show on April 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 2: Contestant C.J. Harris performs onstage at FOX’s “American Idol XIII” Top 8 Live Performance Show on April 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)

Harris earned grand praise during his time on American Idol. The singer left the judges in awe during his 2014 audition in Salt Lake City where he performed the Allman Brothers Band’s “Sunshine.” At the time, Keith Urban served as a judge and praised Harris’ vocal abilities.

“You sing ’cause you have to sing, not ’cause you want to sing,” Urban told Harris. “And, I mean that in the deepest way. And, that’s why it’s so believable and real.”

The impression he left on judges and America, at large, helped him gain a wild card vote which secured his place in the semi-final. Prior to that, he didn’t receive enough votes to land in the finals. He made the top 6 of the finals before he was eliminated from the competition.

LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 14: Contestants Jessica Meuse (L) and C.J. Harris perform at American Idol Live! at The Greek Theatre on August 14, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/WireImage)

One of his competitors in season 13, Jessica Meuse, penned a heartfelt tribute on Instagram following a rep for the Walker County Coroner’s confirmation of Harris’ death.

“Your talent and smile will be missed, and the world is definitely a darker and eerily quieter place without you in it,” she wrote. “I’ll miss your random phone calls asking for life advice and talking about the music world… There are a lot of things I realize I will never understand — you leaving us so soon is one of those things.”

Harris is, unfortunately, not the only American Idol contestant to pass away in recent times. In September, season 19 runner-up Willie Spence succumbed to injuries sustained from a car accident.

We’ll keep you posted on any further updates surrounding Harris’ passing.

RIP.

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Aretha Franklin’s Granddaughter Auditioned For ‘American Idol’ But Got Rejected

Plenty of people making their way through the music industry have some family members who have already fared well in it. Among those is 15-year-old Grace Franklin, whose grandmother is the iconic Aretha Franklin. She auditioned for the current season of American Idol, but, despite her lineage, she did not make it past the audition stage.

In a pre-taped segment, Franklin said, “I feel like people expect me to sing exactly like her, but I am my own artist and I have my own voice.” She then got to showing off that voice with a rendition of Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly” (inspired by the Lauryn Hill cover). While Lionel Richie was happily reminiscing about Aretha before Franklin sang, he commented on her perceived nervousness after the song. Meanwhile, Luke Bryan thought the performance was “sleepy and subdued” and Katy Perry called it “soft.”

Perry encouraged Franklin to take another crack at it, so she tried again with her grandmother’s “Ain’t No Way,” which she sang with more force than she used for “Killing Me Softly.” Perry was more receptive of that performance and so was Bryan, although he wasn’t completely swayed. Both Richie and Bryan encouraged Franklin to develop her voice more.

When it came time for the vote, Perry gave Franklin the go-ahead, while Richie and Bryan both passed, even after Perry’s fervent campaigning and playfully storming off set in disagreement.

Check out the audition above.