Brooke Candy

Brooke Candy
Birth name Brooke Dyan Candy
Born (1989-07-20) July 20, 1989
Oxnard, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
Labels
Website brookecandyofficial.com

Brooke Candy (born July 20, 1989) is an American rapper and singer. She is best known for co-starring in the music video for Grimes' single "Genesis".[4][5] She independently released videos for her songs "Das Me", "Everybody Does" and "I Wanna Fuck Right Now" before collaborating with photographer Steven Klein and stylist Nicola Formichetti on her eighth video, "Opulence". Candy signed with RCA in February 2014.[6] Later she joined Columbia's UK roster.[7]

Candy's father is the CFO of Hustler magazine and CEO of Hustler Casino, and Candy herself has been employed by Hustler as a mannequin stylist. Her industry ties helped her snag an internship with reality star and stylist Rachel Zoe. Before becoming a pop singer, Candy worked in a strip club called Seventh Veil for eight months. Best known for sporting metallic bikinis and pink cornrows, Candy has been compared to Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga, and Nicki Minaj. Candy cites transhumanism and superhero-culture as the inspiration for her metallic costumes.

Early life

Childhood

Brooke Candy was born in Oxnard, California, grew up in the Los Angeles suburb of Agoura Hills[8] and is of Italian and Jewish descent.[9][10][11] Her parents divorced when she was eight. Her mother was a pediatric nurse while her father was CFO of Hustler magazine.[12] Candy has talked about the stark difference between her two parents’ lives: "[The Hustler offices were] so gaudy and amazing. I'd eat ice cream and watch TV and just go from that to being with my mom, who had nothing. It was strange... It's this whole idea of duality that I'm just obsessed with.”[12] She also lived out of her car for a period, working as a stripper at the Seventh Veil adult club in Hollywood.[8]

Career

2012–14: Beginnings and Opulence

While working as an intern for Rachel Zoe, Candy contacted Larry Flynt, seeking work as a photographer for Hustler.[8] Flynt eventually employed her as a mannequin stylist for Hustler store fronts. Candy described the job as "dress[ing] the mannequins slutty."[8] During 2012 and 2013, Candy independently released her first three videos for her songs; "Das Me", "Everybody Does", and "I Wanna **** Right Now" on YouTube.[8] The videos had more than a million views by early 2013.[8] In August 2012, she co-starred in the music video for Grimes' single "Genesis".[8] Candy's first major label recording took place when she appeared on the track "Cloud Aura" on Charli XCX's debut album True Romance.[13] Candy was introduced to Charli by Azealia Banks when Candy hosted Banks' Mermaid Ball in Los Angeles.[14]

She eventually signed with RCA Records in February, 2014.[6] "Opulence", co-written with Sia and produced by Diplo, was her first single for the label.[15] For the song's video, she collaborated with stylist Nicola Formichetti and Steven Klein.[15] The video explores the theme of "freaks," a concept that was conceived by Candy and Formichetti at a drag bar in Tokyo.[15] It features transgender women, drag queens, and gay men who are friends with Candy.[15] “We’re all freaks and outcasts, and this was meant to empower them,” Candy said.[15] Formichetti, Candy and Klein worked on a V Magazine shoot that led to Steven Klein directing "Opulence".[16]

"Opulence" was also the title track of her first EP, which was released in May 2014.[17]

2015–present: The Daddy Issues

On May 16, 2015, Brooke Candy uploaded on Vevo a video called "A Study In Duality", where she "explores the various archetypes of today’s culture". It also features the instrumental from her song "Happy Days", produced by More Mega. The video itself was directed by Candy and Lil Internet, under Formichetti’s fashion direction and Hayley Pisaturo’s styling.[18]

Candy's debut album, called Daddy Issues, is currently being produced by label-mate Sia amongst others. Sia, who is an executive producer and a songwriter on the album, discovered Candy on Instagram and reached out to her, believing “that I was the only person who could really support [Candy] in becoming who [she is] on a grander stage or platform.”.[12] So far, Sia has written at least one song for Candy's upcoming album, titled "Living out Loud".[12] Other collaborators include Greg Kurstin and Jack Antonoff.[19]

In August 2015, Brooke Candy has partnershiped with MAC Cosmetics on a line of makeup products.[20] A song called "Rubber Band Stacks" was released as a single. The music video, directed by Cody Critcheloe[21] and styled by Formichetti was premiered on August 17,[22][23] but it won't make the final cut to the album. It was released on August 13, 2015 followed by its music video on August 18. The song is featured on the Madden NFL 16 video game.[24]

On January 29, 2016, Brooke Candy released a new single anticipating her upcoming album, titled "Happy Days".[25] On February 4, 2016, its video also styled by Formichetti and directed by Renata Raksha was premiered on Nylon,[26] and later was uploaded on YouTube. On May 13 she released a song titled "Changes" to promote her second makeup line with MAC.[27] On June 2 a new single called "Nasty" along its music video, directed by Rankin and co-styled by Candy herself was premiered via Hunger TV.[28] On July 7, another single called "Paper or Plastic" was released[3] - the music video for the song (directed by Darren Craig) premiered a week later.[29][30][31]

Artistry

Candy is known for her extreme fashion style, most notably her long cornrows and metallic bikini costumes.[8] Sia described Candy as a “feminista glam alien.” [32] Vogue profiled Candy in July, 2014, saying "For all her shape-shifting, perhaps it’s helpful to think of Brooke Candy as a tabula rasa whose videos, concerts, and everyday appearances each necessitate a different character. Together, they make her a fashion plate palimpsest." [33]

Candy's fashion has been described as a distinctive stripper-meets-Tumblr aesthetic.[34] She often collaborates with fashion designer Seth Pratt.[35] Following trends in stan culture, Candy has nicknamed her fanbase #FagMob.[36]

Vice blogger Ali Carman asked Candy, in an interview, if she was offended that her internet persona was considered fake. Candy replied: "My persona is a reality to me, you know. Like I would never rap and act hood if it wasn't actually my mentality and I wouldn't perform in a super-sexual way if being a stripper wasn't the way I made money."[37] MTV called Candy's look "super hardcore", a "breath of fresh, fearless air", and a prayer answered by the pop goddesses.[38] Calling her the "Freaky Princess", The Guardian journalist Michael Cragg agreed with the stripper-turned-rapper's alias, comparing her to Xena, the Warrior Princess.[39] Musically, Candy's work has been recognized for its twerk-able nature, springy beats, and cyberpunk.[14]

Candy also hosts a blog dedicated to photography.[37]

Personal life

Candy is openly pansexual,[40] and revealed Lil' Kim as an inspiration for her rapping technique and irreverent image.[37] She also expresses strong feminist ideals.[37] Candy has several tattoos, including the name "Gotti" tattooed on the inside of her forearm in honor of John Gotti, after whom she has also named her puppy.[38] She is an adamant and vocal proponent of the legalization of sex work and legality of recreational use of marijuana.[8]

Candy's image is highly sexualized, "They told me not to make something so sexual" she told New York writer Christopher Glazek, recalling a conversation she had with her record executives about the music video for her song "I Wanna Fuck Right Now",[8] whose refrain is: "I wanna fuck right now / I wanna fuck right now now".[8]

Discography

Albums

Title Details
The Daddy Issues

Extended plays

Title Details
Opulence

Singles

Title Year Album
"Opulence"[41] 2014 Opulence
"Rubber Band Stacks"[42] 2015 N/A
"Happy Days"[43][44] 2016 The Daddy Issues
"Nasty"[45]
"Paper or Plastic"[3]

Promotional singles

Title Year Album
"Changes"[27] 2016 The Daddy Issues

Guest appearances

Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Cloud Aura"[13] 2012 Charli XCX True Romance
"Take Me Away"[46] 2015 Bleachers, Rachel Antonoff Terrible Thrills, Vol. 2
"16 Dollars" [47] 2016 Kaya Stewart Kaya Stewart

Music videos

List of music videos, showing year released and directors
Title Year Director(s) Ref.
"Genesis" 2012 Claire Boucher [48]
"Das Me" Brooke Candy & Matthew Boman [49]
"Theme Music" N/A [50]
"Everybody Does" 2013 Renata Raksha [51]
"I Wanna Fuck Right Now" Spaghetto [36]
"Pussy Make the Rules" Filmmaker & Meredith Danluck [52]
"Dumb" Chris Murdoch [53]
"Opulence" 2014 Steven Klein [41]
"A Study in Duality" 2015 Brooke Candy & Lil Internet [18]
"Rubber Band Stacks" Ssion [22]
"Happy Days" 2016 Renata Raksha [26]
"Nasty" Rankin [45]
"Paper or Plastic" Darren Craig [3]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Ref.
1998 Dennis the Menace Strikes Again! Girl at diving board [54]
2011 Bloodrape Baby K [55]

References

  1. Amy Sciarretto (April 11, 2016). "What's In Brooke Candy's MAC Collection? It's Really Punk Rock". Bustle.
  2. "Talking Happiness And Change With Brooke Candy". Idol. 3 March 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Brooke Candy's New Track "Paper or Plastic" Is a Pure Shot of Sparkling Pop". Noisey.
  4. "Director's Cut: Grimes "Genesis"". Pitchfork Media. 2012-08-27. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
  5. "Grimes - Genesis". YouTube.com. 2012-08-22. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
  6. 1 2 "Dynamic Rapper / Singer Brooke Candy Signs with RCA Records". RCA Records. 18 February 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  7. "Brooke Candy drops this fire Cory Enemy remix of "Opulence" [Premiere] - EARMILK". 11 July 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Glazek, Christopher (17 March 2013). "The Rise of the Rapping, Stripping, Snake-Charming Brooke Candy". Vulture. New York Media, LLC. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  9. "BLOODY GUTS: is candy your real last name? what is your...". tumblr.com.
  10. Sophie Hoyle. "No Homo: Brooke Candy and the New Wave of Queer Hip-Hop". academia.edu.
  11. "Brooke Candy: I Dont Do Well With Barriers - DIY". DIY.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "The Chosen Ones". PaperMag. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  13. 1 2 Eanett, Lindsey (28 November 2012). "Charli XCX, Brooke Candy and... Honey Boo-Boo?". BlackBook. VIBE. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  14. 1 2 Myers, Owen (October 2012). "Video Premiere: Brooke Candy "Das Me"". Dazed & Confused. Waddell Limited. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Zarella, Katherine K. (28 April 2014). "Backed by Nicola Formichetti's Diesel Power, Brooke Candy Shoots for Stardom". Style.com. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  16. "Candy Land".
  17. 1 2 "Brooke Candy To Release Opulence EP On May 6th". RCA Records. 2014-04-28. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  18. 1 2 "video premiere: brooke candy's 'a study in duality'". Nylon.
  19. "brooke candy's back! - read - i-D". Vice.
  20. "13 Times Brooke Candy Gave Us Major Makeup Goals". Huffington Post. 21 July 2016.
  21. "Brooke Candy: Rubber Band Stacks (Video 2015)". IMDb.
  22. 1 2 "New Brooke Candy Music Video: Rubber Band Stacks". W. 17 August 2015.
  23. "Brooke Candy: Rubber Band Stacks". Hunger TV.
  24. "Listen to the Madden NFL 16 Soundtrack". EA Sports.
  25. "Brooke Candy Swaps Hip-Hop For Gloomy Electro-Pop On "Happy Days" - Idolator". Idolator. 5 February 2016.
  26. 1 2 "Brooke Candy Seeks "Happy Days" In New Video". Nylon.
  27. 1 2 "Watch: Brooke Candy - "Changes"". Wonderland.
  28. "Premiere: Brooke Candy N-A-S-T-Y". Hunger TV.
  29. "Brooke Candy + Her Sister Wives Take Control Over Their Lives In Her New Music Video". Nylon.
  30. "Brooke Candy Seeks Retribution In "Paper Or Plastic" Video: Watch - Idolator". Idolator. 15 July 2016.
  31. "Watch Brooke Candy take revenge on her patriarchal oppressor". Dazed. 14 July 2016.
  32. "Sia Furler, the Socially Phobic Pop Star". The New York Times. 20 April 2014.
  33. |title=Why Brooke Candy Is Poised to Become Fashion’s Latest Pop Muse |url=http://www.vogue.com/946467/brooke-candy-fashion-pop-music-muse/
  34. "Exclusive Gallery: L.A. Rapper Brooke Candy Unwrapped". Bullett Media. 2012-07-26. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
  35. "BROOKE CANDY". Alispelleschi.com.
  36. 1 2 Cantor, Paul. "Brooke Candy 'I Wanna F*ck Right Now' Video". The Boom Box. AOL. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  37. 1 2 3 4 Carman, Ali. "Stalking Heads: Brooke Candy". Vice. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  38. 1 2 Catarinella, Alex (19 February 2013). "Brooke Candy: These Are A Few Of Her Favorite Things". MTV: It Girls. Viacom. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  39. Cragg, Michael (11 February 2013). "New music: Brooke Candy - I Wanna Fuck Right Now". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  40. Pursley, Angelica. "The Interview: Brooke Candy". HungerTV. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  41. 1 2 "How Brooke Candy's Artful 'Opulence' Video Primes Her for Pop Stardom". Radio.
  42. "Brooke Candy Is Butt Naked On The Cover Of New Single "Rubber Band Stacks"". Idolator. 28 July 2015.
  43. "Brooke Candy Announces New Single "Happy Days"". Idolator. 26 January 2016.
  44. "New Music: Brooke Candy - "Happy Days" [Full Audio + Review]". Direct Lyrics.
  45. 1 2 "Brooke Candy Turns The Tables On Catchy New Single "Nasty"". Idolator. June 2, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  46. "Charlo XCX, Sia and MØ contribute to Bleachers' "Strange Desire" covers album". DIY.
  47. http://www.deezer.com/album/13777260. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  48. "Watch The New Video for 'Genesis' by Grimes". 4AD. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  49. "Video Premiere: Brooke Candy "Das Me"". Dazed. 16 October 2012.
  50. Haithcoat, Rebecca (28 August 2012). "Meet Brooke Candy: Rapper, Stripper, Warrior". LA Weekly.
  51. "Brooke Candy - Everybody Does". Dazed.
  52. "Brooke Candy: "Pussy Make The Rules" (Feat Lakewet)". Noisey.
  53. "Watch New Music Video 'Dumb' by Brooke Candy". Red Bull.
  54. "Brooke Candy - IMDb". IMDB. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  55. "Bloodrape (2011)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 10 August 2013.

External links

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