Kai (Canadian singer)

Kai

Kai
Background information
Birth name Alessia De Gasperis-Brigante
Also known as Kai
Born (1990-03-17) 17 March 1990
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres Pop
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • keyboards
  • guitar
Years active 2008–present
Labels Warner Canada
Associated acts
Website listentokai.com

Alessia De Gasperis-Brigante (born 17 March 1990), known professionally as Kai, is a Canadian singer and songwriter from Toronto, Ontario.[1] Kai is notable for collaborating with various prominent figures in the music industry, and appears on the hit "Never Be like You".

Background and education

Kai went to Bishop Strachan School, notable for its various alumni, including actress Laurie Holden. She is the granddaughter of deceased Italian-Canadian billionaire Alfredo De Gasperis.[2]

Kai derives her name from the Japanese word 'kai', which means 'change'. She claims to be something new in music and she only wants "to relate [and] share her stories with her fans and anyone who will lend their ear".[3]

Career

Early career

In 2011, Kai released her debut extended play 11:11, which included her debut single "I Choose Me", which is frequently used in campaigns for First Choice Haircutters. The EP received minimal promotion and did not impact any charts.[4][3]

In 2012, Kai teamed up with Montreal dubstep group Adventure Club on the track "Need Your Heart",[5] which features Kai's vocals and writing. The song has been remixed by several artists, including Minnesota,[6] Crywolf, and Candyland. The track peaked at number 2 on the iTunes Electronic music chart.[7]

Breakthrough

Kai collaborated with Diplo on his EP Revolution, co-writing and appearing on the title track "Revolution". She lent her vocals to the track "Crawl" by Childish Gambino for his second studio album Because the Internet.

In 2014, Kai wrote "Sweet Talker", which was produced by Diplo, the title track from Jessie J's third studio album of the same name which was released in October 2014. She claims to have written the song with Rihanna in mind.[8] In 2015, she was featured on Skrillex and Diplo's collaborative project Jack Ü's debut album on a track entitled "Mind", which she wrote.

In 2016, Kai wrote and was featured on the track "Never Be Like You" by Australian electronic musician Flume. It reached number one in Australia[9] and the top 20 in the United States,[10] as well as becoming an international hit and her first song to top the iTunes Electronic music chart.[7]

Discography

Albums

Extended plays

Title Details
11:11

Singles

Featured singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
CAN
[11]		 AUS
[12]		 AUS
Indie
[13] 		BEL
(FL)
[14]		 FRA
[15]		 NZ
[16]		 US
[10]
"Never Be Like You"
(Flume featuring Kai)		 2016 21 1 1 10 27 2 20 Skin
Other featured in

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Category Nominated work Result
2011 Independent Music Awards Best Folk Singer/Songwriter Song "I Choose Me" Nominated[20]
2012 Toronto Independent Music Awards HNSS – Best Acoustic Performance[21] N/A Won

References

  1. ↑ "Artist: Kai on CBC music". CBC. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  2. ↑ Kelly, TIm (2 April 2013). "Fred De Gasperis honoured for vision, philanthropy". yorkregion.com. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "11:11". CDBaby. 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  4. ↑ Feng, Tiana (6 May 2011). "[LISTEN] KAI- 11:11". Ride the Tempo. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  5. ↑ "Adventure Club - Need Your Heart ft. Kai". thissongissick. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  6. ↑ "Minnesota Remixes "Need Your Heart"". earmilk.com.
  7. 1 2 "iTunes Electronic Charts". iTunes. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  8. ↑ "Interview: Kai talks debut album, Jack U collab, and Fashion". Aesthetic Magazine. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  9. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (February 13, 2016). "ARIA Singles: Flume 'Never Be Like You' Is No 1". Noise11. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  10. 1 2 "Flume - Chart History - Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  11. ↑ "Flume - Chart History - Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  12. ↑ Australian-charts.com Kai page
  13. ↑ "SINGLES CHART". Australia Independent Records (AIR). 25 January 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  14. ↑ ""Never Be Like You"". Ultratop 50. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  15. ↑ "Discographie Kai [CA]" (in French). SNEP. Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  16. ↑ "charts.org.nz - Discography Kai [CA]". Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  17. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (26 March 2016). "ARIA Singles: Lukas Graham No 1 for 6th Week". Noise11. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  18. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  19. ↑ Cantor, Brian (17 August 2016). "FLUME'S "NEVER BE LIKE YOU" REACHES PLATINUM IN THE UNITED STATES". Headline Planet. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  20. ↑ "10TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED!". Independent Music Awards. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  21. ↑ "TIMA winners". torontoima.com. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
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