| Dru | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Andrew Grange |
| Also known as | Dru |
| Origin | Canada |
| Genres | R&B, hip hop, pop |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, record producer |
| Years active | 2000-present |
| Labels | Effortless Entertainment/MMG/JVC Records |
| Associated acts | In Essence, Doman & Gooding, Lincoln |
| Website | http://www.druofficial.com |
Singer, songwriter and dancer, Dru (Andrew Grange) is a Canadian solo artist who grew up in Toronto and has passionately pursued his music career since 1993. The R&B/Soul Juno Award[1] and MuchMusic Video Award (MMVA)winner’s[2] major influences include Marvin Gaye, Donnie Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, D’Angelo and Jay-Z.
Dru released his solo, debut album The One in 2008, and the album was rated 3.5 out of 4 stars by the The Toronto Star.[3] He was also named Emerging Artist of the Month" by Canada's #1 CHR/Top 40 station, CHUM FM. Dru's first three singles "The One", "Stay with Me (Always)" and "Seasons" received strong rotation nationally, with videos for all three songs appearing on all major media outlets.
In 2009, Dru topped the radio and video charts in both Canada & the UK as the featured artist on the hit single “Runnin” by renowned DJs Doman & Gooding. The single earned Dru yet another Juno Award nomination in 2010 for “Dance Recording of The Year.”[4] Dru has been identified by Billboard Magazine as "One of the most important emerging Canadian artists"[5] and his success to date reinforces why he deserves such high praise.
Before becoming a solo artist, Dru was the front man for the R&B group In Essence. The group released the critically acclaimed album The Master Plan with hit songs such as "You'll Never Find," which was also featured on Funkmaster Flex's gold release 60 Minutes of Funk Vol. 4, and quickly became a club anthem in New York, Atlanta and Toronto.
Dru has gained international recognition as a force in the industry both as a performer and songwriter. He has written such hits for other foreign recording artists as multiplatinum Korean boy band “Tohoshinki” who covered his song “Stay With Me (Always).” Dru's 2010 single "Flash," performed by Japanese superstar Crystal Kay, was featured in a Japanese TV commercial for Canon’s latest camera. Maintaining his drive and humility, Dru is poised to introduce a new brand and style to the R&B world.
Dru's latest single "Gettin It In,"[6] from his forthcoming album On The Brink, went to radio in August 2011 and is available on iTunes worldwide. The video for "Gettin It In" will be serviced to all major TV and online outlets in mid-August.