| Robin Thicke | |
|---|---|
Robin Thicke at the 2008 Democratic National Convention on August 29, 2008. |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robin C. Thicke |
| Also known as | Thicke |
| Born | March 10, 1977 Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | R&B, soul, hip hop |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, record producer, actor, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano, guitar |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels | Nu America, Star Trak, Interscope |
| Associated acts | Pharrell Williams, Lil Wayne |
| Website | www.robinthicke.com |
Robin Charles Thicke ( /ˈθɪk/; born March 10, 1977) is an Award-winning American-Canadian R&B singer-songwriter, musician, composer, and actor. Thicke's albums, which he previously released under the moniker Thicke, are noted for their feature of a predominantly R&B sound.[1][2] Robin Thicke has penned hits for popular artists such as Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Mary J. Blige and others. Thicke was also acknowledged for his work in popular albums such as Confessions and Tha Carter III.
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His mother is Days of Our Lives actress and singer Gloria Loring and his father is Canadian actor Alan Thicke. They divorced when he was seven. Throughout his childhood, he would be exposed to music by Bruce Springsteen courtesy of his father, as well as Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston courtesy of his mother.[3]
Before his days as a singer-songwriter, Thicke had written "Love Is On My Side" on Brandy's self-titled album and a number of songs for 3T's "Sexual Attention" and collaborated with Jordan Knight, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on several songs in Knight's 1999 album Jordan Knight. He also co-wrote the songs "When You Put Your Hands On Me" for Christina Aguilera's debut album and "No Tears on My Pillow" for Mýa's sophomore release, Fear of Flying. As an artist, he recorded and performed solely under his surname, Thicke. He would continue to do so until 2005.
In 2000, Thicke, who simply went by his last name, went to work on material for his debut album, initially entitled Cherry Blue Skies. The album focused more on soul, than his pop-offerings for other artists.
In 2002, Thicke released his debut single "When I Get You Alone". The track samples Walter Murphy's "A Fifth of Beethoven", which itself is a disco rendition of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. The music video for the song features an unshaven Thicke with long, wild hair as a courier racing through the streets of Manhattan on a bicycle. It received some rotation on MTV2 and BET's Rated Next and was spun moderately on pop and urban radio, peaking at #49 on Radio & Records Pop chart. Globally, however, "When I Get You Alone" became a chart success when it peaked within the top 20 in Australia, Belgium, and Italy, and reached the top ten of the singles charts in New Zealand and the top three in the Netherlands. The tune was featured for the soundtrack of Agent Cody Banks.
The moderate success was enough to signal the release of the album, with its name changed to A Beautiful World. Despite the release of a second single, "Brand New Jones", the album received very little promotion, and debuted at a low number 152 on the US Billboard 200, eventually selling 63,000 copies.[4]
Runner-up Blake Lewis performed "When I Get You Alone" during the 2007 season of American Idol when the top 3 chose a song to sing. Lewis has often put Robin Thicke in his list of musical influences in interviews and on the American Idol website. The song was also performed by Blaine Anderson (played by Darren Criss) on Glee during the season 2 episode "Silly Love Songs".
In 2005, Thicke performed as a guest on the remix of Will Smith's song, "Switch". After being signed to The Neptunes label, Star Trak, he began working on his second album entitled The Evolution of Robin Thicke. The first single, "Wanna Love U Girl", featured producer Pharrell and experienced chart success on urban radio in the United Kingdom. For the video, Thicke changed his appearance, cutting off his trademark long hair. In 2006, a remix version of the song was filmed with rapper Busta Rhymes. Nearly a year after the single was released, the album was released on October 3, 2006. The Evolution of Robin Thicke includes songs with Lil' Wayne and Faith Evans (on "Got 2 Be Down"), as well as Pharrell. To promote the album Thicke toured with India.Arie, and then opened for John Legend in late 2006.
His second single, the ballad "Lost Without U", began getting a lot of radio airplay in Urban & Rhythmic stations towards the end of 2006 and early 2007. With the assistance of radio airplay the song became his breakout hit, reaching as high as number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100, and number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, the first Caucasian male artist to top that chart since George Michael.[5] With album sales over 1.5 million copies sold domestically after the re-release as a Deluxe Edition (with three new bonus tracks) on February 13, 2007, The Evolution of Robin Thicke became a commercial success in the United States.
The album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart,[4] garnering Thicke his first R&B number one album of his career. From February 24, 2007 to March 3, 2007 the single "Lost Without U" and album The Evolution of Robin Thicke simultaneously spent two consecutive weeks at number one on the R&B singles and albums charts respectively. On the March 3, 2007 issue of Billboard magazine, Thicke simultaneously topped four Billboard charts; Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, and Hot Adult R&B Airplay. In March 2007, The Evolution of Robin Thicke was certified Platinum by the RIAA. Thicke and his record label Interscope soon considered potential tracks to be released as the album's next and third single. Thicke's preference was the track "Can U Believe", which peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and at number ninety-nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[6][5] On October 2, 2007 the track "Got 2 Be Down" was released as the album's fourth official single. The single peaked at number sixty on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.[5]
Later in 2007, Thicke finished promotion for the album as the featured opening act for the North American leg of Beyoncé's US tour, The Beyoncé Experience.[7] Thicke also performed a one off UK concert in London's Koko Arena on September 24, 2007. As of February 10, 2009, the album was certified Double-Platinum by the RIAA.
| There's so many meanings behind that title. Number one, it reflects what we're going through as a nation here in America. I just felt, with Barack Obama and the new energy he's bringing, that it is time for some fresh hope and new attitudes. Then, in terms of me as an artist, because I'd been singing all these songs about self-reflection - like '2 The Sky' and 'Angels' - I just thought it was time for me to start singing about something ELSE! Also, I felt that - with my music being a little different from everything else you can get out there - the music IN ITSELF is also something different and something else!" | ||
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—Robin Thicke interview by Pete Lewis, Blues & Soul, November 2008.[8]
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Thicke released his third solo album, entitled Something Else, on September 30, 2008. It debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 charts and sold nearly 140,000 records the first week. The first single from the album was "Magic" a further expansion of the R&B sound that powered his 2006 breakthrough, The Evolution of Robin Thicke. "Magic" went on to peak at number two on the Urban AC charts. "Magic" was also used in the evening gown competition of Miss Universe 2008 in Viet Nam. He followed this success with the second single, "The Sweetest Love", which also peaked at number two on the Urban AC charts and remained in the top five for twelve consecutive weeks.
During an interview to promote his third album, Thicke explained:
| “ | I think this album was so different than my last album. The last album I did, I spoke about my personal life and the things that I was going through at that time. However, since I've been on the road, you just see how many people are either in poverty, or are not able to live the life they want to live, have just given up on their dreams, or have had it taken away from them. What I thought were problems are not problems at all, and I think when I made this record a little perspective kicked in.[9] | ” |
Thicke appeared on an episode of ABC's The Bachelor to perform “Magic” and “The Sweetest Love” for the remaining female contestants. Thicke wrote and produced a track for the movie Precious, a film based on a novel by Sapphire, in which his wife Paula Patton also stars.[10][11] He is currently co-headlining a U.S. tour with Jennifer Hudson, which began March 31, 2009 in Albany, New York, and wraps up 25 shows later in Biloxi, Mississippi.[12] At the start of the tour, Thicke released "You're My Baby" as the official third single from Something Else, despite filming and releasing a music video for the track "Dreamworld".[12] As of April 2009, Something Else has shifted over 435,000 units in the U.S.
Seven months after the release of Something Else, Billboard.com announced that Thicke would release his fourth studio album in the fall of 2009, which would not be self-produced.[12] The album, titled Sex Therapy, had its release date postponed to winter, being released on December 15, 2009. Jay-Z is featured on the track "Meiple (Me I Play)". The first single from the album was the self-titled track, produced by Polow Da Don and released in October 2009. In November 2009, Thicke premiered the second single to radio, "Shakin' It for Daddy", featuring rapper Nicki Minaj. It was also produced by Polow Da Don.
Speaking of the musical background to Sex Therapy, in March 2010 Thicke told Pete Lewis - Deputy Editor of Blues & Soul - "I'm always gonna have the influence of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Al Green in my music. But with this album I also wanted to show my HIP HOP side. I grew up listening to Run DMC and NWA and Biggie and Pac and Jay-Z... So I really wanted to make a record that represented how much that music has influenced me."[13] Earlier in 2009, on October 14, Leighton Meester's debut single "Somebody to Love", featuring Thicke, was released. Thicke told MTV he was glad to have Lil Wayne on the album. He also pointed out that he was featured on Lil Wayne's last two albums, and Lil Wayne was on his last two albums. "We're kind of good luck charms for each other", he said.
Thicke appeared on ABC's New Year's Rockin' Eve on January 1, 2010 and performed three songs in Las Vegas, in a pre-recorded segment. Also in 2010, it was confirmed that he, along with Melanie Fiona, would feature on The Freedom Tour with Alicia Keys. As of October 2011, the album has sold 269,000 copies in the United States.[14]
During 2011, Thicke was confirmed to go on tour with Jennifer Hudson, with whom he toured in 2009.[15] Later that year, Robin Thicke released his fifth studio album, Love After War, on December 6, 2011.[16] The album has produced two singles. There is the title track and lead single, "Love After War". The second single is "Pretty Lil' Heart", which features Lil Wayne.
Robin Thicke appeared on ABC's New Year's Rockin' Eve on January 1, 2012. Thicke was one of the artists who performed via a remote feed from Los Angeles, California.[17]
Thicke began his songwriting career by penning hits for popular artists. The Thicke original "When I Get You Alone" was performed by Guy Sebastian, the winner of the first Australian Idol 2003, during the competition and at the Idol Grand Final. "When I Get You Alone" was a popular song choice for Sebastian; he put the live idol performance on his four-times platinum debut single "Angels Brought Me Here"; it was the fastest selling single in Australia debuting at #1 and immediately breaking an Aria record.[18] In 2004, Thicke co-wrote with Guy Sebastian, the #1 Hit "Out With My Baby" from Sebastian's second album, Beautiful Life. Thicke also produced this single for Sebastian.[19] Thicke was involved in three tracks on Beautiful Life. Other songs Thicke contributed to on the album include "Fiend for You", co-written with Sebastian, and "How", a Robin Thicke original included on the track listing. During this same year, he wrote a song with the singer and actress Raven-Symoné for the album This Is My Time, with the song "Set Me Free".
In April 2007, Thicke co-wrote a song with singer/songwriter Angela Via called "Wrong for You", a single from Via's forthcoming album. In 2008, Thicke was enlisted by producer Polow da Don to play piano on the Usher track, "Love in This Club".[20] At the 2009 Grammy Awards, Thicke was most recently recognized for his work on Lil Wayne’s sixth studio album Tha Carter III, as well as Jennifer Hudson’s self titled debut album. Thicke wrote and produced the song "Tie My Hands" on Tha Carter III, which went on to win Best Rap Album. Thicke wrote and produced the song "Giving Myself" for the album Jennifer Hudson, which went on to win Best R&B Album.
In 2007, Thicke appeared on 50 Cent's album Curtis, which was released on September 11, 2007, on a song called "Follow My Lead". The following year, he worked with Ashanti on her fourth studio album, The Declaration, which was released on June 3, 2008.[6][7] Also that year, Thicke reunited with Lil Wayne and was featured on his album Tha Carter III on a track entitled "Tie My Hands", which Thicke also produced.
According to the Robin Thicke website, Robin Thicke has signed on with Fox for a film that is to be out in 2011.
| “ | Thicke’s wife, Paula Patton, is a staple of the movies, of course, and seen most recently in Precious, which many are calling a front-runner for a best picture nomination. Now, after years of begging off acting offers, because he didn’t feel he could handle two careers at once, Thicke has just signed on with Fox for a feature film that is due out in 2011.[21] | ” |
Thicke began dating actress Paula Patton at the age of 16.[22] They were married in 2005 and had a son, Julian Fuego Thicke, on April 6, 2010.[23]
Thicke has said he does not like it when his music is called "blue-eyed soul", calling the label "small-minded and stereotypical."[24]
In the fall of 2010, Robin Thicke spent several weeks in New York City recording and living in a rented SoHo apartment which he had converted into a makeshift professional studio.[25]
| Year | Category | Recording | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BET Awards | ||||
| 2007 | Best Male R&B Artist | N/A | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Viewers' Choice Award | "Lost Without U" | Nominated | |
| Soul Train Awards | ||||
| 2009 | Best R&B/Soul Male | N/A | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Best R&B/Soul Album, Male | The Evolution of Robin Thicke | Won | |
| MTV Video Music Awards | ||||
| 2007 | Male Artist of the Year | "Can U Believe", "Lost Without U", "Wanna Love U Girl" | Nominated | |
| MOBO Awards | ||||
| 2007 | Best Song | "Lost Without U" | Nominated | |
| American Music Awards | ||||
| 2007 | Favorite Breakthrough Artist | N/A | Nominated | |
| VH1 Soul/VIBE Awards | ||||
| 2007 | Breakthrough Artist of the Year | N/A | Won | |
| Year | Category | Recording | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grammy Awards | ||||
| 2004 | Best Contemporary R&B album | Confessions; songwriter, producer | Participant | |
| 2009 | Best Rap album | Tha Carter III; songwriter, producer | Participant | |
| Best R&B album | Jennifer Hudson; songwriter, producer | Participant | ||
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