He was born 7 December 1973 and raised in Celbridge, County KildareIreland. Before he started his own solo-career, he was a member of the rock band Jupiter which later became Bell X1. In this band, he released 2 singles and 1 album. However, Rice became disenchanted with the label and left the band to pursue a solo career. When he start his own career, he form a band with new members. For example, Lisa Hannigan is famous for featuring Damien Rice's songs like Cold water, 9 crimes and so on.
So far, he has released two studio albums: O in 2002, and 9 in 2006. And he also has released EPs B side in 2004. In 2002, his album was a strong commercial success and won the Shortlist Music Prize. After that, his second studio album 9 released not only in Ireland but also Europe and North America.
Rice is also known for his charity work. He helped the Burma Campaign to free Burmese democracy movement leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Rice and Hannigan recorded a charity song, campaigning for her release, called Unplayed Piano, which they performed at the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo. In 2008 he participated in a music album called Songs for Tibet which is an initiative to support Tibet and to underline the human rights situation in Tibet.