Jump to content

Sean Leon: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Cringe AG (talk | contribs)
35 edits
mNo edit summary
 
(48 intermediate revisions by 30 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Sean Leon
| name = Sean Leon
| image = Sean Leon.jpg
| image = Sean Leon 2023.jpg
| image_size =
| image_size =
| caption = Leon in 2015
| caption = Leon in 2023
| birth_name = Matthew Sean Leon
| birth_name = Matthew Sean Leon
| alias = Maui Slim<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noisey.vice.com/en_ca/blog/sean-leon-toronto-rapper-interview|title=Sean Leon Is A Self-Professed 'Black Punk Rap Rock Motherfucker'|publisher=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|date=March 13, 2014|access-date=November 22, 2017}}</ref>
| alias = Maui Slim<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noisey.vice.com/en_ca/blog/sean-leon-toronto-rapper-interview|title=Sean Leon Is A Self-Professed 'Black Punk Rap Rock Motherfucker'|publisher=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|date=March 13, 2014|access-date=November 22, 2017}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|01|30}}<!-- SOURCE NEEDED -->
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|01|30}}<!-- SOURCE NEEDED -->
| birth_place = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| birth_place = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]], [[punk rock]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noisey.vice.com/en_ca/blog/premiere-sean-leon-black-punk-motherfxcker-music-video|title=Watch Sean Leon Wild Out as a "Black Punk Motherfxcker"|publisher=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|date=April 1, 2014 |access-date=August 24, 2017|first=Breagh|last=Brown}}</ref>
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]|[[punk rock]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noisey.vice.com/en_ca/blog/premiere-sean-leon-black-punk-motherfxcker-music-video|title=Watch Sean Leon Wild Out as a "Black Punk Motherfxcker"|publisher=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|date=April 1, 2014 |access-date=August 24, 2017|first=Breagh|last=Brown}}</ref>}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter|record producer}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter|record producer}}
| years_active = 2013–present
| years_active = 2013–present
| label = IXXI Initiative
| label = IXXI Initiative
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
*[[Eestbound]]
*[[Jordan Evans (producer)|Jordan Evans]]
*[[Jordan Evans (producer)|Jordan Evans]]
*[[Daniel Caesar]]
*[[Daniel Caesar]]
*[[River Tiber]]
*[[River Tiber]]
*[[WondaGurl]]}}
*[[WondaGurl]]
| website = {{URL|seanleon.co}}
*[[Kanye West|Ye]]}}
| website = {{URL|seanleon.co}}
}}
}}


'''Matthew Sean Leon''' (born January 30, 1991) is a Canadian rapper, singer, and record producer from [[Toronto, Ontario|Toronto]], [[Ontario]]. He is the founder of the IXXI Initiative, formed in 2012 in [[Toronto]]. The collective helped foster the career of [[Daniel Caesar]] in tandem with producer's [[Jordan Evans (Producer)|Jordan Evans]] & [[Matthew Burnett]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/11/29/sean-leon-ixxi-ccwmtt-toronto-interview|title=Sean Leon is the shapeshifting Toronto artist you need to watch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/rm8y86/daniel-caesar-interview|title = Daniel Caesar's Reign of Freedom}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/from-sleeping-in-trinity-bellwoods-to-the-grammys-the-rise-of-r-b-artist-daniel-caesar-1.3723948|title=From sleeping in Trinity Bellwoods to the Grammys, the rise of R&B artist Daniel Caesar|date=December 15, 2017}}</ref>
'''Matthew Sean Leon''' (born January 30, 1991) is a Canadian rapper, singer, and record producer from [[Toronto, Ontario|Toronto]], [[Ontario]]. He is the founder of the IXXI Initiative, formed in 2012 in [[Toronto]]. The collective helped foster the career of [[Daniel Caesar]] in tandem with producers [[Jordan Evans (Producer)|Jordan Evans]] & [[Matthew Burnett]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/11/29/sean-leon-ixxi-ccwmtt-toronto-interview|title=Sean Leon is the shapeshifting Toronto artist you need to watch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/rm8y86/daniel-caesar-interview|title = Daniel Caesar's Reign of Freedom| date=October 2, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/from-sleeping-in-trinity-bellwoods-to-the-grammys-the-rise-of-r-b-artist-daniel-caesar-1.3723948|title=From sleeping in Trinity Bellwoods to the Grammys, the rise of R&B artist Daniel Caesar|date=December 15, 2017}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
In July 2013, Leon released his debut mixtape ''Ninelevenne, the Tragedy'' followed by his second project ''Narcissus, the Drowning of Ego'' on January 22, 2014.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Check Out Sean Leon's Trippy New Mixtape "Narcissus, The Drowning of Ego"|journal=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|publisher=Complex Media|location=New York|date=February 6, 2014|first=Justin|last=Davies}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopcanada.com/2013/07/sean-leon-ninelevenne-the-tragedy-mixtape/|title=Sean Leon – Ninelevenne, The Tragedy [Mixtape]|date=July 26, 2013|access-date=August 24, 2017|first=Natasha|last=Paolini}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2013/11/30/sean-leon-tanias-song-jordan-evans-jvell-boyce/e|title=Sean Leon – Tania's Song (prod. Jordan Evans & J'vell Boyce)|website=2dopeboyz.com|publisher=Illy|date=November 30, 2013|access-date=April 25, 2014}}</ref> Both projects featured production by Jordan Evans.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://thesource.com/2014/01/26/torontos-sean-leon-debuts-narcissus-the-drowning-of-ego/|title=Toronto's Sean Leon Debuts "Narcissus, The Drowning of Ego"|journal=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]|publisher=The Source|date=January 26, 2014|first=Haleema|last=Khan}}</ref> Shortly after the release of ''Narcissus'', Leon began the year-long roll out of the compilation ''King Of The Wild Things''. followed with ''I Think You've Gone Mad (Or the Sins of the Father)'' in 2017. On November 29, 2017, Leon released an audio-film titled "C.C.W.M.T.T". 2018 had the release of the album ''Sean Leon (The Death Of)''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ceres |first1=Celeste Daniella |title=Sean Leon pensively reflects on successes, failures and vices on 'Sean Leon (The Death Of)' |url=https://earmilk.com/2018/09/14/sean-leon-pensively-reflects-on-successes-failures-and-vices-on-sean-leon-the-death-of/ |website=Earmilk |access-date=16 December 2021 |date=September 14, 2018}}</ref> and in 2021 ''God's Algorithm'' which had a non-traditional album release, with no streaming service involved, and only available for purchase on a beta landing page where users interacted through visuals, audio files, [[Non-fungible token|NFTs]], and apparel.<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine |last1=Rouhani |first1=Neena |title=Shape-Shifting Rapper Sean Leon Talks Indie Success Beyond Play Counts: 'I'd Love to Take Those Numbers Away' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/sean-leon-interview-streaming-gods-algorithm-9578651/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=16 December 2021 |date=May 27, 2021}}</ref>
In July 2013, Leon released his debut mixtape ''Ninelevenne, the Tragedy'' followed by his second project ''Narcissus, the Drowning of Ego'' on January 22, 2014.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Check Out Sean Leon's Trippy New Mixtape "Narcissus, The Drowning of Ego"|journal=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|publisher=Complex Media|location=New York|date=February 6, 2014|first=Justin|last=Davies}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopcanada.com/2013/07/sean-leon-ninelevenne-the-tragedy-mixtape/|title=Sean Leon – Ninelevenne, The Tragedy [Mixtape]|date=July 26, 2013|access-date=August 24, 2017|first=Natasha|last=Paolini}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2013/11/30/sean-leon-tanias-song-jordan-evans-jvell-boyce/e|title=Sean Leon – Tania's Song (prod. Jordan Evans & J'vell Boyce)|website=2dopeboyz.com|publisher=Illy|date=November 30, 2013|access-date=April 25, 2014}}</ref> Both projects featured production by [[Jordan Evans (record producer)|Jordan Evans]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://thesource.com/2014/01/26/torontos-sean-leon-debuts-narcissus-the-drowning-of-ego/|title=Toronto's Sean Leon Debuts "Narcissus, The Drowning of Ego"|journal=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]|publisher=The Source|date=January 26, 2014|first=Haleema|last=Khan}}</ref> Shortly after the release of ''Narcissus'', Leon began the year-long roll out of the compilation ''King Of The Wild Things''.


In February 2017, Leon released his first studio album ''[[I Think You've Gone Mad (Or the Sins of the Father)]]''. On November 29, 2017, Leon released an audio-film titled "[[C.C.W.M.T.T.|C.C.W.M.T.T]]". This was followed with ''Sean Leon (The Death Of)'' in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ceres |first1=Celeste Daniella |title=Sean Leon pensively reflects on successes, failures and vices on 'Sean Leon (The Death Of)' |url=https://earmilk.com/2018/09/14/sean-leon-pensively-reflects-on-successes-failures-and-vices-on-sean-leon-the-death-of/ |website=Earmilk |access-date=16 December 2021 |date=September 14, 2018}}</ref>
Following his appearance on [[Daniel Caesar]]'s ''Pilgrim's Paradise'' EP, in April 2016, Leon released the self-produced "Matthew in the Middle" featuring Caesar with production from Jovi, [[Jordan Evans (producer)|Jordan Evans]] and Jack Rochon, it was featured on the soundtrack for HBO's [[Insecure (TV series)|Insecure]]. Leon & Caesar's collaborations continued on the GRAMMY-nominated album [[Freudian (album)|Freudian]] & the following release [[Case Study 01]]. Leon also has released several [[WondaGurl]]-produced songs as well as working with fellow Toronto artists like [[River Tiber (musician)|River Tiber]] and [[Jazz Cartier]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noisey.vice.com/blog/sean-leon-wondagurl-river-tiber-this-aint-2012|title=Sean Leon Recruits Wondagurl and River Tiber for "This Ain't 2012" {{!}} NOISEY|website=NOISEY|access-date=August 24, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://uproxx.com/smokingsection/sean-leon-jazz-cartier-above-the-rim-new-song/ |title= Sean Leon And Jazz Cartier Go Dumb On The WondaGurl-Produced 'Above The Rim' |website= [[Uproxx]] |language=en-GB |date= February 15, 2016 |access-date= August 24, 2017}}</ref>


In 2021, ''God's Algorithm'' had a non-traditional album release, with no streaming service involved, and only available for purchase on a beta landing page where users interacted through visuals, audio files, [[Non-fungible token|NFTs]], and apparel.<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine |last1=Rouhani |first1=Neena |title=Shape-Shifting Rapper Sean Leon Talks Indie Success Beyond Play Counts: 'I'd Love to Take Those Numbers Away' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/sean-leon-interview-streaming-gods-algorithm-9578651/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=16 December 2021 |date=May 27, 2021}}</ref> In 2023, he released the soundtrack album ''[[In Loving Memory (Sean Leon album)|In Loving Memory]]''<ref name="hotnewhiphop">{{cite magazine |last1=Horvath |first1=Zachary |title= Sean Leon Releases An Emotional But Beautiful Tribute Album To His Late Brother With ''In Loving Memory'' |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/740484-sean-leon-in-loving-memory-album |magazine=HotNewHipHop |access-date=1 December 2023 |date=December 1, 2023}}</ref> prior to the film's debut.{{cn|reason=which film?|date=September 2024}}
In 2019, Leon had a demo titled "The Glade" under his own artist project. While working on Daniel Caesar's Case Study 01 in Los Angeles, fellow collaborator River Tiber recommended sharing the demo with [[Kanye West]] at one of West's Sunday Service performances. This led to Leon writing parts of "Selah", "Jesus Is Lord", the chorus on "Use This Gospel" and contributing to the track sequencing for West's 9th studio album ''[[Jesus Is King]]''. The Glade became "[[Up from the Ashes (song)|Up from the Ashes]]" and was released on the deluxe edition release of West's album ''[[Donda]]'', garnering him a co-writing and production credit on the track. He also was credited on Justin Bieber's song "[[Peaches (Justin Bieber song)|Peaches]]". Leon has also been a guest writer for the TV series [[Utopia Falls]].<ref name="billboard" />

Following his appearance on [[Daniel Caesar]]'s ''Pilgrim's Paradise'' EP in April 2016, Leon released the self-produced "Matthew in the Middle" featuring Caesar with production from Jovi, [[Jordan Evans (producer)|Jordan Evans]] and Jack Rochon, it was featured on the soundtrack for HBO's ''[[Insecure (TV series)|Insecure]]''. Leon and Caesar's collaborations continued on Caesar's 2017 album ''[[Freudian (album)|Freudian]]'' and the following release ''[[Case Study 01]]'' in 2019. Leon also has released several [[WondaGurl]]-produced songs as well as working with fellow Toronto artists like [[River Tiber (musician)|River Tiber]] and [[Jazz Cartier]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noisey.vice.com/blog/sean-leon-wondagurl-river-tiber-this-aint-2012|title=Sean Leon Recruits Wondagurl and River Tiber for "This Ain't 2012" {{!}} NOISEY|website=NOISEY|date=May 25, 2015 |access-date=August 24, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://uproxx.com/smokingsection/sean-leon-jazz-cartier-above-the-rim-new-song/ |title= Sean Leon And Jazz Cartier Go Dumb On The WondaGurl-Produced 'Above The Rim' |website= [[Uproxx]] |language=en-GB |date= February 15, 2016 |access-date= August 24, 2017}}</ref>

In 2019, Leon had a demo titled "The Glade" under his own artist project. While working on [[Daniel Caesar]]'s ''Case Study 01'' in Los Angeles, fellow collaborator [[River Tiber (musician)|River Tiber]] recommended sharing the demo with [[Kanye West|Ye]] at one of West's [[Sunday Service Choir|Sunday Service]] performances. This led to Leon writing parts of "[[Selah (song)|Selah]]", "[[Jesus Is Lord]]", the chorus on "[[Use This Gospel]]" and contributing to the track sequencing for West's 9th studio album ''[[Jesus Is King]]''. "The Glade" became "[[Up from the Ashes (song)|Up from the Ashes]]" and was released on the deluxe edition release of West's album ''[[Donda]]'', garnering him a co-writing and production credit on the track. He also was credited on [[Justin Bieber]]'s song "[[Peaches (Justin Bieber song)|Peaches]]". Leon has also been a guest writer for the TV series ''[[Utopia Falls]]''.<ref name="billboard" />

He co-wrote the opening track "Stars" from the [[¥$]] (Ye and [[Ty Dolla Sign]]) album ''[[Vultures 1]]'', released on February 10, 2024.

''In Loving Memory'' was a longlisted nominee for the [[2024 Polaris Music Prize]].<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/music/polaris-music-prize-2024-long-list-the-beaches-charlotte-cardin-allison-russell-1.7230166 "2024 Polaris Music Prize long list: the Beaches, Tobi, Elisapie, Beverly Glenn-Copeland and more"]. [[CBC Music]], June 11, 2024.</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==

===Albums and mixtapes===
{{col-begin}}
* ''Ninelevenne, the Tragedy'' (2013)
{{col-2}}
* ''Narcissus, The Drowning of Ego'' (2014)

* ''King of the Wild Things'' (2014)
'''Studio albums'''
* ''[[I Think You've Gone Mad (Or the Sins of the Father)]]'' (2017)
* ''[[I Think You've Gone Mad (Or the Sins of the Father)]]'' (2017)
* ''[[C.C.W.M.T.T.]]'' (2017)
* ''[[C.C.W.M.T.T.]]'' (2017)
* ''Sean Leon (The Death Of)'' (2018)
* ''Sean Leon (The Death Of)'' (2018)
* ''In Loving Memory'' (2023)

'''Compilation albums'''
* ''King of the Wild Things'' (2014)

{{col-2}}

'''Mixtapes'''
* ''Ninelevenne, the Tragedy'' (2013)
* ''Narcissus, The Drowning of Ego'' (2014)
* ''God's Algorithm'' (2021)
* ''God's Algorithm'' (2021)
* ''HERD IMMUNITY'' (2022)


===Singles===
* "This Ain't 2012" (2015) <small>(produced by [[WondaGurl]])</small>
* "81" (2015) <small>(produced by Eestbound)</small>
* "Europe Freestyle / I Made It / Debt & Vendettas" (feat. Savannah Ré) (2016) <small>(produced by Sean Leon and Yogidaproducer (YOJO))</small>
* "Deep End" (2016) <small>(produced by WondaGurl)</small>
* "Matthew in the Middle" (feat. [[Daniel Caesar]]) (2016) <small>(produced by Sean Leon, Jovi, [[Jordan Evans (producer)|Jordan Evans]] and Jack Rochon)</small>
* "Killin' Mind" (2016) <small>(produced by Sean Leon, WondaGurl, MADEAT2AM and Jack Rochon)</small>
* "Guard/God Up" (2016) <small>(produced by WondaGurl)</small>
* "Maui Slim II" (2016) <small>(produced by Jordan Evans, Mike DZL, Jovi and Jack Rochon. Background vocals from Rachel Piscione and violin from Aaron Cheung)</small>
* "Game 7 Flow / Court Tomorrow" (2016) <small>(produced by DPAT)</small>
* "Xxxcited (feat. Milly Manson)" (2016) <small>(produced by Eestbound)</small>
* "Fav Rapper / Hundred Million Religion" (2016) <small>(produced by Bijan Amir)</small>
* "Above the Rim" (2016) <small>(featuring Jazz Cartier, produced by Wondagurl)</small>
* "Charge It To The Wav" (2017) <small>(produced by Eestbound)</small>
* "Steve Harvey / Family Feud" (2017) <small>(produced by [[WondaGurl]] and 2AM)</small>
* "Tony Flamingo" (2017) <small>(produced by Jandre Amos)</small>
* "Sidelines" (2017) <small>(produced by Eestbound and EDEEZ)</small>
* "Gold" (2017) <small>(produced by [[WondaGurl]])</small>
* "By Myself" (2017) <small>(produced by Jandre Amos and Martin Sole)</small>
* "Hollywood Tarantino Flow" (2017) <small>(produced Jandre Amos, Taiyim and Sean Leon)</small>
* "Loose" (feat. Jordan Fall) (2017) <small>(produced by Jandre Amos)</small>
* "Vintage" (2017) <small>(produced by Eestbound and Bijan Amir)</small>
* "Money Machine" (2018) <small>(produced by Bluxz)</small>
* "90 BPM" (2018) <small>(produced by Harrison)</small>
* "Breathe.Peace Sign" (2018) <small>(produced by Eestbound)</small>
* "DVP" (2018) <small>(produced by Jack Rochon)</small>
* "1:19" (2019) <small>(produced by Eestbound)</small>
* "Somewhere in Paris" (2019) <small>(produced by Some-1ne & Eestbound)</small>
* "Hi Life" (2019) <small>(produced by SLWJMZ & Eestbound)</small>
* "Gold Mouth" (2019) <small>(produced by Eestbound)</small>
* "Winner" (2019) <small>(produced by Ikaz Boi & WondaGurl)</small>
* "Waiting on Your Love" (2019) <small>(produced by Eestbound)</small>
* "Possessed" (2019) <small>(produced by Eestbound)</small>
* "Kesley Grammer" (2019) <small>(produced by Eestbound)</small>
* "SORRY!" (2019) <small>(produced by Eestbound)</small>
* "Guillotine" (2020) <small>(produced by Jack Rochon)</small>
* "Splash" (2020) (feat. Adrian Dey, Teddy Fantum, Ty Senoj, G Milla, Devontée Woe) <small>[produced by Bijan Amir]</small>


'''Extended plays'''
===Features===
* ''大切の想いで'' (2023)
* Daniel Caesar's "Paradise" (2015)
* ''KING & SUFFERIN'' (2023)
* Ty Senoj's "Wheels" (2015)

* Daniel Caesar's "Freudian" (2017)
{{col-end}}
* Daniel Caesar's "Restore the Feeling" with Jacob Collier (2019)
*
* Junia T's "Tommy's Intro" with River Tiber & "Know Better" with Miloh Smith & Julian Thomas (2020)
* Kanye West's "Sci-Fi" from Donda 2


===Songwriting===
===Songwriting===
'''2019'''
* Daniel Caesar's "Entropy" and "Frontal Lobe Muzik" (2019) <small>contains additional vocals by Sean Leon</small>
* "Entropy" ([[Daniel Caesar]])
* Kanye West's "Selah", "Jesus Is Lord", and "Use This Gospel" (2019)
* "Frontal Lobe Muzik" ([[Daniel Caesar]]) <small>contains additional vocals by Sean Leon</small>
*Kanye West's "Up From the Ashes" (2021)
* "[[Selah (song)|Selah]]" ([[Kanye West|Ye]])
* Justin Bieber's "Peaches" (2021)
* "[[Use This Gospel]]" ([[Kanye West|Ye]])
* "[[Jesus Is Lord]]" ([[Kanye West|Ye]])

'''2021'''
* "[[Up from the Ashes (song)|Up From The Ashes]]" ([[Kanye West|Ye]])
* "[[Peaches (Justin Bieber song)|Peaches]]" ([[Justin Bieber]])
'''2024'''

* "[[Stars (¥$ song)|Stars]]" [[¥$|(¥$]])

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Work
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Grammy Awards]]
|rowspan="2" | [[64th Annual Grammy Awards|2022]]
| "[[Peaches (Justin Bieber song)|Peaches]]"
| [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]]
| {{nominated}}
|rowspan="2" |<ref>{{cite web |title=Matthew Sean Leon {{!}} Artist {{!}} GRAMMY.com |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/Matthew-Sean-Leon/38240 |website=grammy.com |access-date=1 September 2024}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Justice (Justin Bieber album)|Justice]]'' (Triple Chucks Deluxe)
| [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]
| {{nominated}}
|-
| [[Polaris Music Prize]]
| [[2024 Polaris Music Prize|2024]]
| ''In Loving Memory''
| —
| {{longlisted}}
| <ref>{{cite web |title=In Loving Memory |url=https://polarismusicprize.ca/album/in-loving-memory/ |website=Polaris Music Prize |access-date=1 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
|}


==References==
==References==
Line 104: Line 126:
[[Category:Canadian male rappers]]
[[Category:Canadian male rappers]]
[[Category:Canadian record producers]]
[[Category:Canadian record producers]]
[[Category:Musicians from Toronto]]
[[Category:Rappers from Toronto]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian rappers]]

Latest revision as of 14:57, 4 October 2024

Sean Leon
Leon in 2023
Leon in 2023
Background information
Birth nameMatthew Sean Leon
Also known asMaui Slim[1]
Born (1991-01-30) January 30, 1991 (age 33)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2013–present
LabelsIXXI Initiative
Websiteseanleon.co

Matthew Sean Leon (born January 30, 1991) is a Canadian rapper, singer, and record producer from Toronto, Ontario. He is the founder of the IXXI Initiative, formed in 2012 in Toronto. The collective helped foster the career of Daniel Caesar in tandem with producers Jordan Evans & Matthew Burnett.[3][4][5]

Career

[edit]

In July 2013, Leon released his debut mixtape Ninelevenne, the Tragedy followed by his second project Narcissus, the Drowning of Ego on January 22, 2014.[6][7][8] Both projects featured production by Jordan Evans.[9] Shortly after the release of Narcissus, Leon began the year-long roll out of the compilation King Of The Wild Things.

In February 2017, Leon released his first studio album I Think You've Gone Mad (Or the Sins of the Father). On November 29, 2017, Leon released an audio-film titled "C.C.W.M.T.T". This was followed with Sean Leon (The Death Of) in 2018.[10]

In 2021, God's Algorithm had a non-traditional album release, with no streaming service involved, and only available for purchase on a beta landing page where users interacted through visuals, audio files, NFTs, and apparel.[11] In 2023, he released the soundtrack album In Loving Memory[12] prior to the film's debut.[citation needed]

Following his appearance on Daniel Caesar's Pilgrim's Paradise EP in April 2016, Leon released the self-produced "Matthew in the Middle" featuring Caesar with production from Jovi, Jordan Evans and Jack Rochon, it was featured on the soundtrack for HBO's Insecure. Leon and Caesar's collaborations continued on Caesar's 2017 album Freudian and the following release Case Study 01 in 2019. Leon also has released several WondaGurl-produced songs as well as working with fellow Toronto artists like River Tiber and Jazz Cartier.[13][14]

In 2019, Leon had a demo titled "The Glade" under his own artist project. While working on Daniel Caesar's Case Study 01 in Los Angeles, fellow collaborator River Tiber recommended sharing the demo with Ye at one of West's Sunday Service performances. This led to Leon writing parts of "Selah", "Jesus Is Lord", the chorus on "Use This Gospel" and contributing to the track sequencing for West's 9th studio album Jesus Is King. "The Glade" became "Up from the Ashes" and was released on the deluxe edition release of West's album Donda, garnering him a co-writing and production credit on the track. He also was credited on Justin Bieber's song "Peaches". Leon has also been a guest writer for the TV series Utopia Falls.[11]

He co-wrote the opening track "Stars" from the ¥$ (Ye and Ty Dolla Sign) album Vultures 1, released on February 10, 2024.

In Loving Memory was a longlisted nominee for the 2024 Polaris Music Prize.[15]

Discography

[edit]

Songwriting

[edit]

2019

2021

2024

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Award Year Work Category Result Ref.
Grammy Awards 2022 "Peaches" Song of the Year Nominated [16]
Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe) Album of the Year Nominated
Polaris Music Prize 2024 In Loving Memory — Longlisted [17]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Sean Leon Is A Self-Professed 'Black Punk Rap Rock Motherfucker'". Vice. March 13, 2014. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  2. ^ Brown, Breagh (April 1, 2014). "Watch Sean Leon Wild Out as a "Black Punk Motherfxcker"". Vice. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  3. ^ "Sean Leon is the shapeshifting Toronto artist you need to watch".
  4. ^ "Daniel Caesar's Reign of Freedom". October 2, 2014.
  5. ^ "From sleeping in Trinity Bellwoods to the Grammys, the rise of R&B artist Daniel Caesar". December 15, 2017.
  6. ^ Davies, Justin (February 6, 2014). "Check Out Sean Leon's Trippy New Mixtape "Narcissus, The Drowning of Ego"". Complex. New York: Complex Media.
  7. ^ Paolini, Natasha (July 26, 2013). "Sean Leon – Ninelevenne, The Tragedy [Mixtape]". Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  8. ^ "Sean Leon – Tania's Song (prod. Jordan Evans & J'vell Boyce)". 2dopeboyz.com. Illy. November 30, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  9. ^ Khan, Haleema (January 26, 2014). "Toronto's Sean Leon Debuts "Narcissus, The Drowning of Ego"". The Source. The Source.
  10. ^ Ceres, Celeste Daniella (September 14, 2018). "Sean Leon pensively reflects on successes, failures and vices on 'Sean Leon (The Death Of)'". Earmilk. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Rouhani, Neena (May 27, 2021). "Shape-Shifting Rapper Sean Leon Talks Indie Success Beyond Play Counts: 'I'd Love to Take Those Numbers Away'". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  12. ^ Horvath, Zachary (December 1, 2023). "Sean Leon Releases An Emotional But Beautiful Tribute Album To His Late Brother With In Loving Memory". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  13. ^ "Sean Leon Recruits Wondagurl and River Tiber for "This Ain't 2012" | NOISEY". NOISEY. May 25, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  14. ^ "Sean Leon And Jazz Cartier Go Dumb On The WondaGurl-Produced 'Above The Rim'". Uproxx. February 15, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  15. ^ "2024 Polaris Music Prize long list: the Beaches, Tobi, Elisapie, Beverly Glenn-Copeland and more". CBC Music, June 11, 2024.
  16. ^ "Matthew Sean Leon | Artist | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  17. ^ "In Loving Memory". Polaris Music Prize. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
[edit]
  • Media related to Sean Leon at Wikimedia Commons
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Sean_Leon&oldid=1249364734"