Jump to content

Ava Max

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Mustardman48 (talk | contribs) at 02:39, 4 February 2020 (→2018–present: Breakthrough). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Ava Max
Max meeting fans in Australia after her appearance on Sunrise in April 2019
Max meeting fans in Australia after her appearance on Sunrise in April 2019
Background information
Birth nameAmanda Koci[1]
Also known asAva
Born (1994-02-16) February 16, 1994 (age 30)[2]
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.[3]
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
Years active2013–present
LabelsAtlantic[4]
Websiteavamax.com

Amanda Ava Koci (born Amanda Koci; February 16, 1994),[1] known professionally as Ava Max, is an American singer and songwriter of Albanian origin. The single "Sweet but Psycho" became her breakthrough song when it topped the charts in 26 countries including the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, and New Zealand, while also reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and in Australia.[5][6] The follow-up singles "So Am I", "Torn" and "Salt" were released in 2019. Ava Max is known for her signature hair style, dubbed the "Max Cut".[1]

Early life

Amanda Ava Koci was born Amanda Koci on February 16, 1994, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Albanian parents from Tirana and Sarandë.[1][7][8] She has described herself as "100% Albanian" and stated that she "definitely wants to give back to the Albanian community when [she] can."[9] At age 8, she moved with her family to Virginia.[1] She competed in numerous singing competitions before she entered high school.[10] When she was 13, she came up with the middle name "Ava", which she adopted as her first name, claiming that “I never felt like an Amanda.”[1] At age 14, she moved with her mother to Los Angeles, in pursuit of a career in music. She found the city to be "overwhelming". A year later, she returned to Virginia. She stated that she was grateful for the return because it allowed for “a normal childhood”.[1] At age 17, she moved back to Los Angeles.[11]

Career

2013–2017: Career beginnings

It was funny, ’cause I was actually experimenting with different haircuts and colors, pink hair, blue hair, all that kind of stuff. Nothing felt like me. One day I cut my hair, my actual hair, cut it on the right side, and I remember I had something in the oven; I think they were chocolate-chip cookies. And I run downstairs without cutting the other side. I run downstairs, and then I’m like, ‘Oh my God, [the cookies] almost burnt.’ As I’m going [back] upstairs, I see in the mirror my reflection and the haircut, and...I literally tilted my head, like, why does this feel like me? It felt like me, like I had found myself.

— Ava Max on her signature "Max Cut"[1]

Under the stage name Ava, her debut song "Take Away the Pain" was published in May 2013,[12][13] and in July 2015, the Canadian DJ and producer duo Project 46 released a remixed version of the song.[14] After years of having demos rejected from record producers and songwriters, she met record producer Cirkut at a dinner party in 2014 in LA where she sang "Happy Birthday" to him.[11][15] According to Max, they "opened up a lot of doors" together,[11] and in July 2016, she released the song "Anyone but You", one of many songs she worked on with Cirkut, on SoundCloud.[16] The song gained traction and attracted the attention of various record labels that contacted her through email, ultimately leading her to sign a record deal with Atlantic Records.[1][11]

After signing the deal, she began searching for a last name to use as her stage name. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Max described how she formulated her stage name:[1]

Max came about because it felt very masculine, and I feel a little masculine sometimes, like 50/50, like my hair. I wanted something with the feminine that Ava has, and Max has masculinity, so I added those two together.

During 2017, Max adopted her signature hair style, dubbed the "Max Cut", which can be seen in her logo.[1] It consists of the right side of her hair chopped as a bob cut, with the left side long and loose.[1]

2018–present: Breakthrough

Ava Max performing at the Gothenburg Rix FM Festival in 2019

In April 2018, "My Way" was released,[17] which reached a peak of 38 on the Romanian Airplay 100 chart.[18] In May 2018, "Slippin", a collaboration with Gashi, was released as a single.[19][20][21] In June 2018, she featured on "Into Your Arms" by American rapper Witt Lowry. A month later, "Salt" appeared on SoundCloud. In August 2018, she released "Not Your Barbie Girl" as a promotional single.

Max's third single "Sweet but Psycho" was released on August 17, 2018. The song, produced by Cirkut, became Max's commercial breakthrough, reaching number one in more than 26 countries including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, where it stayed at number one for four consecutive weeks.[22][23] In January 2019, the song reached the top of the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and later reached top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.[6] Max was also featured on David Guetta's album 7, on the track "Let It Be Me".[24] In March 2019, she released the follow-up single "So Am I", which reached the top 10 and 20 in several countries. The songs "Blood, Sweat & Tears" and "Freaking Me Out" were simultaneously released in July 2019 as promotional singles.[25][26]

In August 2019, Max was featured on the song "Slow Dance" by American singer-songwriter AJ Mitchell,[27] and released "Torn" as a single later that month. On September 4, 2019, she entered a joint co-publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Artist Publishing Group, stating "I’m someone who speaks my mind, so it was important to me that my publisher value originality and creative expression."[28] On October 31, 2019, she released a music video for the promotional single "Freaking Me Out" as a Halloween special.[29][30] Max won best Best Push Act at the 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards.[31] On November 6, 2019, a duet called "Tabú" between Max and Pablo Alborán was released.[32] The previously released song "Salt" was sent to digital streaming platforms on December 12, 2019.[33] Max collaborated with British-Norwegian DJ and record producer Alan Walker on the song "Alone, Pt. II", which was released on December 27, 2019.[34] "On Somebody" was released as a promotional single on December 30, 2019.[35]

Musical style and influences

Max has been labeled as a pop[36] and dance-pop[2] singer. She grew up listening to artists such as Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Fugees,[37] Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston.[38] She has also cited Beyoncé,[37] Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Fergie, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Lady Gaga as some of her influences.[39] Max has been compared to Gaga for her music and "ostentatious presentation".[40][41]

Personal life

According to a 2019 interview with Attitude, Max revealed that she had been attracted to women in the past, but has chosen not to label her sexuality, stating "Personally, I like it when it's about who you are as a person. I don't like people putting me, or anyone else I know in a box."[42]

Discography

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[6] 		AUS
[43] 		DEN
[44] 		FIN
[45] 		GER
[46] 		NOR
[47] 		NZ
[48] 		SWE
[49] 		SWI
[50] 		UK
[51]
"My Way" 2018 — — — — — — — — — — Non-album singles
"Slippin"
(featuring Gashi) 		— — — — — — — — — —
"Sweet but Psycho" 10 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 TBA
"So Am I" 2019 — 14 16 8 21 2 23 16 18 13
"Torn" — —[A] — — 59 — —[B] — 28 87
"Tabú"
(with Pablo Alborán)[32] 		— — — — — — — — — —
"Salt" — — 16 10 — 7
[64]		 — 38
[65]		 69 —
"Alone, Pt. II"
(with Alan Walker) 		— — — 18 79 4 —[C] 25 55 — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Pop
[67]
"Take Away the Pain"
(Project 46 featuring AVA) 		2015 — Non-album singles
"Clap Your Hands"[68]
(Le Youth featuring Ava Max) 		2017 —
"Into Your Arms"[69]
(Witt Lowry featuring Ava Max) 		2018 —
"Make Up"[70]
(Vice and Jason Derulo featuring Ava Max) 		—
"Slow Dance"[27]
(AJ Mitchell featuring Ava Max) 		2019 28 Slow Dance
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Promotional singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
Hot
[71]
"Jet Set"
(as AVA) 		2016 — Non-album promotional singles
"Anyone but You"
(as AVA)[72] 		—
"Not Your Barbie Girl"[73] 2018 — TBA
"Blood, Sweat & Tears"[25] 2019 —
"Freaking Me Out"[26] 29
"On Somebody"[74] 35
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Let It Be Me" 2018 David Guetta 7

Music videos

List of music videos, showing year released and directors
Title Year Other artist(s) Director(s) Ref.
As lead artist
"My Way" 2018 None Jake Wilson
"Sweet but Psycho" Shomi Patwary [75]
"So Am I" 2019 Isaac Rentz [76]
"Torn" Joseph Kahn [77]
"Freaking Me Out" Edgar Daniel [78]
"Tabú" Pablo Alborán Santiago Salviche [79]
"Alone, Pt. II" Alan Walker Kristian Berg [80]
As featured artist
"Into Your Arms" 2018 Witt Lowry Un­known
"Make Up" Vice and Jason Derulo
"Slow Dance" 2019 AJ Mitchell

Awards and nominations

Award Year[D] Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Category Result Ref.
Bravo Otto 2019 Herself Newcomer Won [81]
BreakTudo Awards International New Artist Nominated [82]
Global Awards Rising Star Nominated [83]
GAFFA Awards (Sweden) Best Foreign New Act Nominated [84]
"Sweet but Psycho" Best Foreign Song Won
LOS40 Music Awards Best International Song Won [85]
Herself Best International New Artist Nominated
MTV Europe Music Awards Best New Act Nominated [86]
Best Push Act Won
MTV Video Music Awards Best New Artist Nominated [87]
NRJ Music Awards International Breakthrough of the Year Nominated [88]
Teen Choice Awards Choice Summer Female Artist Nominated [89]
"Sweet but Psycho" Choice Song: Pop Nominated

Notes

  1. ^ "Torn" did not enter the ARIA Singles Chart, but peaked at number 34 on the ARIA Digital Track Chart.[62]
  2. ^ "Torn" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 27 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[63]
  3. ^ "Alone, Pt. II" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 26 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[66]
  4. ^ Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Duboff, Josh (February 13, 2019). ""Sweet but Psycho" Singer Ava Max Is Trying to "Bring Pop Back"". Vanity Fair. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Yeung, Neil Z. "Ava Max Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  3. ^ Frometa, RJ (August 17, 2018). "Ava Max Returns with New Single 'Sweet but Psycho'". Vents. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  4. ^ "Atlantic Records Ava Max". Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  5. ^ DeVille, Chris (January 24, 2019). "Can Ava Max's Global Hit 'Sweet But Psycho' Take Over America Too?". Stereogum. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Trust, Gary (May 28, 2019). "Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Rules Billboard Hot 100 for Eighth Week, Ava Max's 'Sweet but Psycho' Hits Top 10". Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  7. ^ MAX  🔮, AVA (November 9, 2018). "Tirana and Sarande". {{cite web}}: no-break space character in |last= at position 5 (help)
  8. ^ Desk, BWW News. "Ava Max Takes Control With New Single 'My Way'". Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2018. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  9. ^ "Ava Max: My parents left Albania in 1990 and lived in a church in Paris for a whole year". Belfast Telegraph. January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  10. ^ Rowlands, Geoffrey. "Sweet But Psycho makes Ava a star". Gulf Times. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  11. ^ a b c d Wass, Mike. "Ava Max On "Sweet But Psycho" & Making Pop Fun Again: Interview". Idolator. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  12. ^ "Take Away the Pain" – via de.napster.com.
  13. ^ "AVA - Take Away the Pain (Official Music Video) - YouTube". 10 June 2013. Archived from the original on 10 June 2013.
  14. ^ Ultra Music (16 July 2015). "Project 46 - Take Away The Pain (feat. Ava Koci) [Cover Art]" – via YouTube.
  15. ^ Tanzer, Myles. "After Working With Dr. Luke, Cirkut Breaks Out on His Own". New York. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  16. ^ "Anyone But You" – via soundcloud.com.
  17. ^ "Ava Max Takes Control With New Single 'My Way'". Broadway World. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  18. ^ Peaks in Romania:
  19. ^ "Ava Max Releases 'Slippin' Featuring GASHI". 360. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  20. ^ "New Ava Max Track 'Slippin Featuring Gashi". New Music Weekly. Archived from the original on 2018-11-27. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  21. ^ "Ava Max lo hace a su manera". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  22. ^ "Who is Ava Max? The Sweet But Psycho star soaring up the charts". Official Charts Company. November 21, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  23. ^ "Watch Ava Max's Video for 'Sweet but Psycho'". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  24. ^ "Pandora Predictions to Know: Flora Cash, Social House, Ava Max & Summer Walker". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  25. ^ a b "avamax on Instagram: 'Two songs in two days. You ready? 🌌 #BST'". July 29, 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2019 – via Instagram.
  26. ^ a b "avamax on Instagram: 'Freaking Me Out. July 31st 🔮 #FMO'". July 29, 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2019 – via Instagram.
  27. ^ a b "Slow Dance ft. @avamax". August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019 – via Instagram.
  28. ^ Atkinson, Katie (September 4, 2019). "Ava Max Signs Joint Co-Publishing Agreement With Warner Chappell and APG". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  29. ^ TV News Desk (October 31, 2019). "Ava Max Release 'Freaking Me Out' Music Video". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  30. ^ "Ava Max - Freaking Me Out [Official Music Video]". October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ Billboard Staff (November 4, 2019). "Here Are All the Winners From the 2019 MTV EMAs". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  32. ^ a b "#TABÚ 6 • NOV • 19". Retrieved 31 October 2019 – via Instagram.
  33. ^ Aniftos, Rania (December 12, 2019). "Ava Max Finally Drops Fan Favorite Song 'Salt'". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  34. ^ Tryon, Oliver (24 December 2019). "Alan Walker To Release 'Alone, Pt. II' With Ava Max On 27th". Cultr. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  35. ^ "Ava Max Releases 'On Somebody'". BroadwayWorld. December 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (December 29, 2018). "Pop Singer Ava Max Scores Her First U.K. No. 1 Single With 'Sweet But Psycho'". Forbes. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  37. ^ a b Atkinson, Katie; Caulfield, Keith (April 2, 2019). "Ava Max Talks 'Mind-Blowing' Rise of 'Sweet but Psycho,' Debut Album Plans & Why 'No One's Better' Than Beyonce". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  38. ^ "Watch Ava Max perform 'Sweet but Psycho' on TODAY". Today. January 26, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  39. ^ "Ava Max Explains the Meaning Behind her Hit 'Sweet but Psycho'". Warner Music New Zealand. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  40. ^ Wass, Mike (March 13, 2019). "Ava Max Addresses Lady Gaga Comparisons: "It's A Huge Compliment"". Idolator. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  41. ^ DeVille, Chris (January 24, 2019). "Can Ava Max's Global Hit "Sweet But Psycho" Take Over America Too?". Stereogum. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  42. ^ "Ava Max won't 'label' her sexuality". Attitude.co.uk. 2019-10-11. Retrieved 2019-10-14.
  43. ^ "Discography Ava Max". australian-charts.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  44. ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 46, 2018". Hitlisten. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  45. ^ "Suomen virallinen lista – Artistit – Ava Max". ifpi.fi. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  46. ^ "Discographie Ava Max". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  47. ^ "Discography Ava Max". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  48. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  49. ^ "Discography Ava Max". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  50. ^ http://swisscharts.com/showperson.asp?name=Amanda+Ava+Koci
  51. ^ "Ava Max | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  52. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  53. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #536". auspOp. August 3, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  54. ^ a b "British certifications – Ava Max". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 1, 2019. Type Ava Max in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  55. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank". Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  56. ^ "Certificeringer | IFPI". IFPI Denmark. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  57. ^ http://www.swisscharts.com/search_certifications.asp?search=Ava+Max+Sweet+But+Psycho
  58. ^ "Gull, Platina". IFPI Norway. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  59. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Ava Max – Sweet but Psycho". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved January 18, 2019.[dead link‍]
  60. ^ "Ava Max "So Am I" | IFPI". ifpi.dk. Retrieved 2019-09-22.
  61. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. August 31, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  62. ^ "ARIA Australian Top 40 Digital Tracks" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. September 2, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  63. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 2, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  64. ^ "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single uke 5, 2020". VG-lista. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  65. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 5". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  66. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 6, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  67. ^ "Pop Songs: October 12, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  68. ^ "Le Youth's 'Clap Your Hands' Is Infectious Funk: Exclusive". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  69. ^ "Into Your Arms (feat. Ava Max) – Single by Witt Lowry". iTunes Store (GB). Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  70. ^ "Make Up (feat. Ava Max) – Single by Vice & Jason Derulo on iTunes". iTunes Store (DE). Archived from the original on October 26, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  71. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 12, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  72. ^ Anyone But You, retrieved 2020-01-14
  73. ^ "Not Your Barbie Girl – Single by Ava Max". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  74. ^ "On Somebody by Ava Max on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  75. ^ "VIDEO: Watch Ava Max's Video for 'Sweet but Psycho'". BroadwayWorld. August 27, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  76. ^ Silver, Michael (March 7, 2019). "Watch Ava Max's Video for Uplifting Anthem 'So Am I'". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  77. ^ Wass, Mike (August 27, 2019). "Pow! Ava Max Rolls Out Superhero-Themed "Torn" Video". Idolator. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  78. ^ Pace, Lilly (October 31, 2019). "Ava Max Explores a Haunted House in 'Freaking Me Out' Video". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  79. ^ Sotorrío, Regina (November 6, 2019). "Pablo Alborán presenta su nuevo tema, 'Tabú', en Madrid". Diario Sur (in Spanish). Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  80. ^ "Thưởng thức MV Alone Pt.II quay tại Sơn Đoòng của Alan Walker và Ava Max". Tuổi Trẻ (in Vietnamese). December 27, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  81. ^ "BRAVO-Otto-Wahl 2019: Vote für deinen Star!". Bravo Germany. October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  82. ^ Redação (August 22, 2019). "BreakTudo Awards 2019: Veja a lista completa de indicados". BreakTudo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  83. ^ "Global Radio Awards 2019". Global Awards. December 7, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  84. ^ "Sweden GAFFA Awards". Gaffa. December 7, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  85. ^ "JONAS BROTHERS, ROSALÍA, AITANA, LEIVA Y MANUEL CARRASCO, MÁXIMOS NOMINADOS DE LOS40 MUSIC AWARDS 2019". Los40. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  86. ^ "Ariana Grande Leads 2019 MTV EMA Nominations". Variety. October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  87. ^ "Ariana Grande & Taylor Swift Lead 2019 MTV VMA Nominations: See Full List". Billboard. July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  88. ^ "NRJ Music Awards 2019 : Angèle, Roméo Elvis et Lil Nas X dominent la liste des nommés" (in French). Ozap. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  89. ^ Kaufman, Gil (June 16, 2019). "Lil Nas X & Post Malone Lead 2019 Teen Choice Awards Nominations: See the List". Billboard.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Ava_Max&oldid=939058571"