Alina Baraz (born September 24, 1993) is an American singer. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, she began her professional musical career in 2013 when she released "Roses Dipped in Gold". In 2015, Baraz and electronic producer Galimatias released a collaborative EP together titled Urban Flora through Ultra Music after discovering each other's work online. The EP was met with positive reception and streaming success.[2] Baraz released her first solo EP, The Color of You, in 2018.[3][4] In April 2020, Baraz released her debut studio album, It Was Divine.[5]

Alina Baraz
Born (1993-09-24) September 24, 1993 (age 31)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2013–present
Labels Alina Baraz, LLC/UnitedMasters
Websitealinabaraz.com

Early life

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Alina Baraz was born on September 24, 1993, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Russian-Ukrainian parents. She was the first child in her family born in United States. Growing up, her parents raised her on classical music, and on her own, she became interested in '90s music and singers such as Adele, Amy Winehouse and Corinne Bailey Rae. She began singing at a young age in her gospel choir. At age 19, she decided to move to Los Angeles, California to pursue singing as a professional career. She developed a passion for songwriting and wrote her first song, titled "Roses Dipped in Gold", released on April 15, 2013, in the "Lounge Masters Vibes" collection series.[6][7][8]

Career

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2013–2016: Urban Flora

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After moving to Los Angeles, Baraz discovered Danish electronic producer Galimatias' music online. She wrote lyrics for one of his instrumentals and released it on SoundCloud as a song titled "Drift" in 2013. Galimatias heard the track and decided to create more music with her. The two created an EP titled Urban Flora by sending each other music through Facebook and did not meet in person until February 2015, when the project was already finished.[9] Alongside "Drift", the songs "Pretty Thoughts", "Make You Feel" and "Fantasy" were released individually preceding Urban Flora. The EP was originally released on SoundCloud but on May 19, 2015, it received a commercial digital release through Ultra Music.[10][11] Upon release, Urban Flora was met with positive critical reception, and it peaked at number 111 on the US Billboard 200 and number 2 on the US Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums Chart. On September 9, 2015, a remix EP for Urban Flora was released, and later that month Baraz and Galimatias embarked on a brief co-headlining North American concert tour in support of the EP.[12][13] In August 2016, Baraz signed a record deal with independent label Mom + Pop Music and released a vinyl edition of Urban Flora.[14][15]

2016–2020: The Color of You and It Was Divine

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In the spring and summer of 2016, Baraz made her first solo live appearances by performing at North American music festivals such as Lightning in a Bottle, Sasquatch! Music Festival, Electric Forest Festival and Lollapalooza.[16] Also in the summer of 2016, Baraz shared that she was working on her debut solo studio album.[17] Baraz's first solo single, "Electric," featuring R&B singer Khalid, was released on January 20, 2017 through Mom + Pop Music, the single later appeared on her second EP, The Color of You, in 2018.[18] Following the release of the single, Baraz announced her first solo concert tour, entitled the 'Let's Get Lost Tour'. The tour took place from March to April 2017 and visited various cities across the United States and Canada.[19]

In September and October 2017, Baraz supported British rock band Coldplay for the final 8 North American shows on their A Head Full of Dreams Tour.[20] On September 29, 2017, Baraz released two singles, titled "Lavender and Velvet" and "Buzzin," in anticipation of her upcoming debut studio album.[21] "Buzzin" peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Songs Chart and the music video for the song, Baraz's first music video, was released exclusively through Apple Music on December 22, 2017.[22][23] It was announced that Baraz will be part of the Coachella 2018 lineup.[24]

On April 6, 2018, Baraz released her first solo EP, The Color of You, and released a music video for the track "I Don't Even Know Why Though".[3]

In September 2019 Baraz released the single "To Me".[25] In January 2020, Baraz released the standalone single "Trust", which was followed by the singles "Morocco" and "More Than Enough" in February and March respectively.

In March 2020, Baraz announced the release of her debut studio album, It Was Divine, which was released on April 24, 2020.[26] The album was supported by the singles "To Me", "Morocco" featuring 6lack, "More Than Enough" and "Off The Grid" featuring Khalid. It Was Divine features guest appearances from Nas and Smino and charted at #43 on the Billboard 200.[5]

2021–present: Independent music and touring

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On July 23, 2021, Alina Baraz released the single "Alone With You".[27] The song would mark her first release as an independent artist, following her departure from her previous record label, Mom+Pop. Alongside the song's release, Baraz announced a tour of the same name, set to start in late 2021.[28] On September 24, Baraz released the EP Sunbeam. The EP serves as part one of a two-part EP series.[29] The second EP, Moongate, was released on October 29, 2021. Alina's most recent single, "Don't Buy Me Roses" was released in September 2023.

Tours

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Headlining

  • Urban Flora Tour (with Galimatias) (2015)[13]
  • Let's Get Lost Tour (2017)[19]
  • Alina Baraz: The Tour (2018)
  • Alone With You Tour (2021)
  • Keep Me In Love Experience (2023)

Supporting

Discography

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Albums

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List of albums with selected details and chart peaks
Title Details Peak positions
US
[30]
US R&B [31] US Indie [32]
It Was Divine 43 6 5

Extended plays

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List of extended plays with selected details and chart peaks
Title Details Peak positions
US
[30]
US
Elec.

[34]
US
Heat.

[35]
Urban Flora[11]
(with Galimatias)
  • Released: May 19, 2015
  • Label: Ultra
  • Formats: LP, digital download
111 2 1
The Color of You[3]
  • Released: April 6, 2018
  • Label: Mom + Pop
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
59
It Was Divine (Remixes)[36]
  • Released: October 7, 2020
  • Label: Mom + Pop
  • Formats: digital download, streaming
Sunbeam[37][38]
  • Released: September 24, 2021
  • Label: Alina Baraz LLC
  • Formats: digital download, streaming
Moongate
  • Released: October 29, 2021
  • Label: Alina Baraz LLC
  • Formats: digital download, streaming

Singles

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List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart peaks and certifications
Title Year Peaks Certifications Album
US
Elec.
Dig.
[22]
US R&B[39]
"Drift"[40]
(with Galimatias)
2015 Urban Flora
"Make You Feel"[41]
(with Galimatias)
"Fantasy"[43]
(with Galimatias)
36
"Electric"[45]
(featuring Khalid)
2017 The Color of You
"Gone"[46]
(with Phlake)
Weird Invitations
"Lavender and Velvet"[21] Non-album singles
"Buzzin"[21] 10
"Feels Right"[47] 2018
"To Me"[48] 2019 It Was Divine
"Trust"[49] 2020 Non-album single
"Morocco"[50]
(featuring 6LACK)
It Was Divine
"More Than Enough"[51]
"Off The Grid"[52]
(featuring Khalid)
23
"Alone With You"[53] 2021 Sunbeam

Guest appearances

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List of non-single guest appearances
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Down for You"[54] 2015 Ta-ku Songs to Make Up To

Promotional singles

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List of promotional singles, with selected details
Title Year Album
"I Don't Even Know Why Though" 2018 The Color Of You
"Coming To My Senses"
"Endlessly"[55] 2020 It Was Divine

References

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  1. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Alina Baraz | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved April 14, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ Ruder, Claire (June 15, 2017). "After 2 years Galimatias resurfaces— with a new voice [Interview]". Earmilk. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Ortiz, Edwin (April 5, 2018). "Exclusive: Alina Baraz Shares "I Don't Even Know Why Though" Video and Talks 'The Color of You'". Complex. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  4. ^ Jasmine Montgomery, Sarah (September 25, 2017). "Alina Baraz teases new song "Buzzin"". The Fader. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "It Was Divine, by Alina Baraz". Alina Baraz. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  6. ^ Rutherford, Chrissy (October 13, 2015). "Alina Baraz On Creating Her Debut Album Over Facebook". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  7. ^ "Alina Baraz — Mom+Pop". Mom + Pop Music. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  8. ^ Gracie, Bianca (April 24, 2020). "How Alina Baraz Went From Sneaking Into Choir to Collaborating With Khalid, 6lack and More". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  9. ^ Duwe, Morena (July 21, 2015). "Exclusive Interview And Tea Party With Galimatias & Alina Baraz". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  10. ^ "Alina Baraz and Galimatias Team Up for Seductive EP, 'Urban Flora". EDM.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  11. ^ a b "Urban Flora by Alina Baraz on Apple Music". Apple Music. May 19, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  12. ^ "Urban Flora (Remixes) by Alina Baraz on Apple Music". Apple Music. September 4, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  13. ^ a b Wilde, Frankie (August 18, 2015). "Alina Baraz & Galimatias Announce Urban Flora Tour". EDMTunes. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  14. ^ "Alina Baraz Signs to Mom + Pop and Releases Urban Flora on Vinyl". Mom + Pop Music. August 16, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  15. ^ "Alina Baraz & Galimatias - Urban Flora - Amazon.com Music". Amazon. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  16. ^ Minsker, Evan; Monroe, Jazz (March 23, 2016). "Lollapalooza 2016 Lineup Announced". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  17. ^ "Alina Baraz on Twitter: "Working on my album"". Twitter. June 25, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  18. ^ Vensand, Rachel (January 24, 2017). "Alina Baraz and Khalid Link Up on Seductive New Track, 'Electric'". Ones to Watch. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  19. ^ a b "Alina Baraz Announces the 'Let's Get Lost Tour 2017'". Digital Tour Bus. January 31, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  20. ^ "Alina Baraz Announces Upcoming Tour Dates with Coldplay". Mom + Pop Music. February 17, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  21. ^ a b c Shouneyia, Alexa (September 29, 2017). "Alina Baraz Shines on Her 2 New Songs "Buzzin" and "Lavender and Velvet"". Complex. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  22. ^ a b "Alina Baraz - Chart history (Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  23. ^ ""Buzzin" on Apple Music". Apple Music. December 22, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  24. ^ Varga, George. "Coachella 2018 lineup will include Beyoncé, Eminem, The Weeknd & SZA". sandiegouniontribune.com. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  25. ^ "Alina Baraz - To Me". YouTube. September 24, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  26. ^ @alinabaraz (March 10, 2020). "The Album It Was Divine May 5th" (Tweet). Retrieved March 11, 2020 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ "Alina Baraz Drops Intimate "Alone With You"". HotNewHipHop. July 23, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  28. ^ Courtney, Ian (July 28, 2021). "Alina Baraz Announces 'Alone With You' Tour". CelebrityAccess. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  29. ^ "Alina Baraz Returns With Her Four-Track EP 'Sunbeam'". Complex. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Alina Baraz - Chart history (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  31. ^ "Alina Baraz". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  32. ^ "Alina Baraz". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  33. ^ https://twitter.com/alinabaraz/status/1250934464320077828. Retrieved April 18, 2020. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  34. ^ "Alina Baraz - Chart history (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  35. ^ "Alina Baraz - Chart history (Heatseeker Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  36. ^ "It Was Divine (Remixes) - EP by Alina Baraz". Apple Music. October 7, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  37. ^ "Sunbeam - EP by Alina Baraz". Rated R&B. September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  38. ^ "Sunbeam - EP by Alina Baraz". Apple Music. September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  39. ^ "Alina Baraz". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  40. ^ "Drift - Single by Alina Baraz, Galimatias on Spotify". Spotify. December 10, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  41. ^ "Make You Feel (Single) - Galimatias, Alina Baraz mp3 buy, full tracklist". Music-bazaar.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  42. ^ a b "American certifications – Alina Baraz". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  43. ^ "Fantasy - Single by Alina Baraz & Galimatias on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  44. ^ "Gold/Platinum". Music Canada. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  45. ^ "Electric (feat. Khalid) - Single by Alina Baraz on Apple Music". Apple Music. January 20, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  46. ^ "Gone, a song by Phlake, Alina Baraz on Spotify". Spotify. June 16, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  47. ^ Feels Right - Single by Alina Baraz, September 7, 2018, retrieved April 23, 2020
  48. ^ To Me - Single by Alina Baraz, September 25, 2019, retrieved April 23, 2020
  49. ^ Trust - Single by Alina Baraz, January 17, 2020, retrieved April 23, 2020
  50. ^ Morocco (feat. 6LACK), March 9, 2020, retrieved April 23, 2020
  51. ^ More Than Enough, March 26, 2020, retrieved April 23, 2020
  52. ^ Off the Grid (feat. Khalid), April 23, 2020, retrieved April 23, 2020
  53. ^ "Alina Baraz Shares New Song "Alone With You"". Complex. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  54. ^ "Songs To Make Up To by Ta-ku on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  55. ^ Endlessly, April 8, 2020, retrieved April 23, 2020