Ashton Dumar Norwill Simmonds[1][5] (born April 5, 1995), known professionally as Daniel Caesar, is a Canadian singer and songwriter. After independently building a following through the release of two EPs, Praise Break (2014) and Pilgrim's Paradise (2015), Caesar released his debut studio album, Freudian, in 2017, which received three Grammy Award nominations. He released his second studio album, Case Study 01, in 2019. Caesar featured alongside Giveon on Justin Bieber's 2021 single "Peaches", his first number-one song on the US Billboard Hot 100. Caesar's third studio album, Never Enough (2023), is his first release under Republic Records.
Life and career
Ashton Dumar Norwill Simmonds was born on April 5, 1995, in the Scarborough district of Toronto, Ontario, and raised in Oshawa. He is the second eldest of four children to his mother Hollace Burnett-Simmonds and father Norwill Simmonds, a pastor and gospel singer who released his first album as a high school student in Jamaica. Caesar attended the Seventh-day Adventist Church and private school in Oshawa.[6][7] He is of Bajan and Jamaican descent.[8]
Caesar grew up in church, singing before his father's congregation in Oshawa.[9] He was raised listening to soul and gospel delivered through musicality and religion, even though his parents were cautious of temptations that came with music.[9] Caesar longed for the city, which was an hour’s drive from his home.[9]
At the age of 17, Caesar was kicked out of the house after a fight with his father on the weekend of his high school graduation; he was briefly homeless during this time.[10] He felt no choice but to pursue his calling as a musician.[9] After leaving his home, he began doing gigs. He connected with producers and future collaborators Jordan Evans and Matthew Burnett and began writing and recording what would be his debut EPPraise Break in 2014;[10] it was No. 19 on the "20 Best R&B Albums of 2014" by Rolling Stone and the top projects of 2014 by Noisey Canada.[11][12]
Caesar's career gained notability in 2015, with the release of his second EP, Pilgrim's Paradise.[9] The album received positive critical acclaim and, while not immediately a commercial success, tracks like "Streetcar", the cover of Kanye West's 2008 song "Street Lights", have become fan favorites.[13][14]
Caesar released his third studio album, Never Enough, through Republic Records on April 7, 2023.[18] The following year, he appeared on Tyler, the Creator's eighth studio album Chromakopia, providing vocals for five tracks on the album, including opening track "St. Chroma" and "Tomorrow", which Caesar co-wrote and performed bass on.[19]
Artistry
Caesar's music is influenced by soul and gospel. His music draws from his childhood experiences and integrates them with R&B and electronics, while his lyrics explore subjects of religion, philosophy and unrequited love. In his music, he often references concepts of philosophy. His singing voice reshapes itself on each track, often veering into a hushed, introspective lilting style.[9] According to Caesar, "In my religious surroundings growing up, the point is to be still, to direct as little attention to yourself as possible and instead, direct all attention to what you’re saying. Now, it’s kind of the opposite."[9] Caesar cites Frank Ocean, Kanye West, Beyoncé, and The Doors frontman Jim Morrison as musical and stylistic inspirations.[9]
Caesar works in close collaboration with producers Matthew Burnett and Jordan Evans, with whom he co-founded his independent label, Golden Child Recordings, and has co-produced almost all of his music with since 2015.[20] Caesar is also part of an informal collaborative of Toronto-based musicians and songwriters that includes River Tiber, BadBadNotGood, and Charlotte Day Wilson, among others.
Personal life
In March 2019, Caesar received backlash for defending his friend Julieanna Goddard via an Instagramlive stream.[21][22][23] Goddard had been criticized for her racist comments on Black people, particularly those regarding Black women.[24][25][26] He later apologized for his comments.[27][28]
