Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, born on September 29, 1994, known by her professional name Halsey, is a prominent American singer and songwriter hailing from New Jersey. Her journey to recognition commenced with self-released music showcased on social media platforms.
In 2014, she caught the attention of Astralwerks, leading to the signing of her first major deal, and the subsequent release of her debut EP, “Room 93,” in the same year.
The breakthrough arrived in 2015 with the unveiling of her inaugural studio album, titled “Badlands.” This release garnered significant acclaim and was subsequently awarded Double Platinum status by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Notable tracks such as “Colors” and “Gasoline” also secured the Double Platinum recognition.
The year 2016 witnessed Halsey’s collaboration with The Chainsmokers on the chart-topping single “Closer,” a global sensation that achieved 14× Platinum certification by the RIAA. Building upon her success, her second studio album, “Hopeless Fountain Kingdom,” arrived in 2017. This album introduced a more radio-friendly sound compared to her earlier works.
Hits like “Now or Never” and “Bad at Love” achieved top 20 placements on the Billboard Hot 100, with the latter even reaching the top five. The year 2018 saw her alliance with Benny Blanco and Khalid for the single “Eastside,” which secured a place within the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100. Furthermore, her transition to Capitol Records took place during this period.
With the release of her third studio album, “Manic,” in 2020, Halsey achieved global acclaim and heightened album sales. The lead single, “Without Me,” emerged as her most triumphant single as a lead artist. Subsequently, her fourth studio album, “If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power,” launched in 2021, signifying a departure from her earlier sound in favor of a darker industrial tone.
Produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, members of Nine Inch Nails, the album received positive reviews for its unique direction. In 2023, Halsey made the decision to part ways with Capitol Records, a move that followed the release of the non-album single “So Good” the preceding year.
Halsey’s impact on the music industry was underscored in 2020 when Billboard disclosed her achievement of over 1 million album sales and a remarkable 6 billion streams in the United States. Beyond her musical prowess, her distinct vocal style earned her several prestigious awards, including three Billboard Music Awards, a Billboard Women in Music Award, an American Music Award, a GLAAD Media Award, an MTV Video Music Award, and three Grammy Award nominations.
She was lauded as the BMI Film & TV Awards’ Songwriter of the Year in 2021 and secured a spot on Time’s esteemed list of the 100 most influential individuals worldwide in 2020. Outside the realm of music, Halsey actively participates in endeavors related to suicide prevention awareness, advocacy for sexual assault victims, and engagement in racial justice protests.
