Born on April 28, 1995, Melanie Martinez is an American songwriter and singer. Over the years, she has also added several other feathers to her cap. Martinez has done it all, be it acting or photography, direction or screenwriting. She is also a visual artist.
Melanie was born in Astoria, Queens, to Puerto Rican and Dominican parents. The family moved to Baldwin, New York when she was four.
Martinez aspired to be a singer from a very tender age. She was a big fan and would constantly listen to Shakira, Britney Spears, the Beatles, and Christina Aguilera. She also began writing poetry while still in kindergarten.
When asked about how she learned singing, Melanie has always credited her Plaza Elementary School teacher, Mr. Nadien, for his singing lessons.
She also learned to play the guitar online by simply studying the chord diagrams of her favorite songs.
Martinez became famous when she appeared on the American version of ‘The Voice.’ She also released her debut single and debut EP titled ‘Dollhouse.’
Her debut album, ‘Cry Baby,’ came out in 2015. It went on to be certified double-platinum by the RIAA. Her songs, namely Sippy Cup, Mrs. Potato Head, Mad Hatter, Cry Baby, Pacify Her, and Soap, was certified gold in the United States. Two other songs, ‘Dollhouse’ and ‘Pity Party,’ received platinum certification.
When quizzed about the title of her debut album, Martinez recalls being called a ‘cry baby’ growing up. This moniker was due to her being overtly emotional and crying when overwhelmed while growing up. She also recalls practicing painting and photography over making friends.
Melanie Martinez’s music style identifies as pop, including other pop formats such as alternative pop, electropop, emo pop, art pop, and dark pop. Her studio albums are known to have a hip hop and R&B undertones.
Her songwriting relies on her personal experiences. In her own words, Martinez has described her music to be ‘very dark and honest.’ In her words, it has ‘hip hop/trap-inspired beats with creepy nostalgic childlike sounds such as music boxes, baby pianos, and toys.’
Melanie released her second studio album titled ‘K-12’ in 2019. This album follows up her debut album in terms of storyline. An EP titled ‘After School’ was released in 2020.
Martinez herself states to be inspired by the works of the Beatles, Feist, Neutral Milk Hotel, Zooey Deschanel, Kimbra, CocoRosie, and Regina Spektor. Also, specific albums such as Ariana Grande’s ‘Yours Truly,’ and ‘My Everything,’ and ‘The Idle Wheel’ by Fiona Apple have inspired her music.
For the heavy hip-hop influence on her music, she credits her father, who played hip-hop music in their house during her childhood days.
All of 26, Melanie Martinez is one of the shining stars on the horizon of American music. Her first two albums have shown immense promise from the songstress to make a successful and impressionable mark in American music history.
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