Peyton Nicole Booker, known professionally as Peyton, is an American singer-songwriter from Houston, Texas.[1]
Peyton | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Peyton Booker |
| Born | August 21, 1997 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Origin | Houston, Texas |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Artist, Singer, Singer-Songwriter |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | itspeyton |
Early life
editPeyton was born and raised in Houston, Texas.[2] She began learning the violin at five and grew up singing in church every Sunday and performing in classical ensembles. Peyton's late grandmother, Theola Booker, was a formative inspiration who not only composed and arranged music for renowned gospel musician Reverend James Cleveland, of which she received a Grammy Award nomination for her work behind the scenes, but also taught piano for decades at Peyton's elementary school.[3]
Musical career
editIn 2015, Peyton collaborated with Steve Lacy of The Internet for the track ‘Verbs’, and in that same year she released her debut EP Roller Coaster. She soon after released the song ‘Sweet Honey’, which caught the ear of Peanut Butter Wolf, who signed Peyton to Stones Throw.[4] The track was featured on season 3 of Issa Rae’s hit HBO series Insecure.[5] In 2019, Peyton released her debut Stones Throw EP Reach Out.
In June 2021, Peyton released her first studio album on Stones Throw, PSA. The album was executively produced by Biako and includes producers Keys N Krates, Vicky Farewell, Julia Lewis, Chase of Nazareth, McClenney and Jay Anthony, as well as a guest appearance from rapper Brice Blanco. The album received favourable reviews from outlets such as Pitchfork, which described it as a "pensive and lighthearted account of the trials and delights of young adulthood... its sunny, carefree music harkening to the days of R&B as the soundtrack of coming of age",[6] and on AllMusic, which described her as an "idiosyncratic creative force".[7]
Artistry
editIn an interview with OkayPlayer about her artistry, Peyton said, “I am told often that I am a strong lyricist, and that my voice is refreshing because of the sense of familiarity in my voice that gives a feeling of nostalgia with a different approach.” [8] Peyton has musical roots in gospel, soul, jazz, classical, and folk. Her passion for contemporary electronic music, hip-hop and R&B is all blended into her music.
Peyton cites Erykah Badu, The Pharcyde, The Neptunes, N.E.R.D., Mew, The Cardigans, Grizzly Bear, Kanye West and the biggest of them all, Amel Larrieux, as her influences. In the interview with OkayPlayer, Peyton says “I have been a fan of her music for as long as I can remember. I would listen to her music a lot because my dad would play her music in the house and on car rides. Her music reminds me of home. She has a very angelic voice and sings with such conviction and passion that makes you really feel the message she’s giving”.[9]
Discography
editEPs
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Roller Coaster[10] |
|
| Peace in the Midst of a Storm[11] |
|
| Reach Out[12] |
|
Singles
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Verbs (with Steve Lacy)[13] |
|
| Sweet Honey'[14] |
|
| Poison Baby |
|
| To Spare[15] |
|
| laylo/crazy4U |
|
| Swag[16] |
|
| Let It Flow (with Brice Blanco) |
|
Albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| PSA |
|
Soundtracks
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Insecure - Season 3 (2018) |
|
References
edit- ^ "First Look Friday: Peyton Is Poised To Impact The Game With Her Passion & Pen". Okayplayer. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
- ^ Lindsey, Craig. "Houston singer Peyton finds her place with her style of dreamy soul". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
- ^ "Booker, Theola - Biography". GIA Publications. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
- ^ "Introducing: Peyton". Stones Throw. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
- ^ Matta, Madonna. "Peyton Wants Her Music to Last Forever". Houstonia. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
- ^ "Peyton - PSA". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ "Peyton - PSA". AllMusic. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ "First Look Friday: Peyton Is Poised To Impact The Game With Her Passion & Pen". Okayplayer. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
- ^ "First Look Friday: Peyton Is Poised To Impact The Game With Her Passion & Pen". Okayplayer. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
- ^ Smith, CF (4 January 2016). "Peyton – Roller Coaster EP". TwistedSoulMusic. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ Haynes, Daniel (3 April 2017). "Peyton Finds Peace In The Midst of a Storm". Modern Life. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ Lamb, Karas. "Mixtape Monday: Peyton, Mannywellz, ScienZe, Ed Balloon + More". Okayplayer. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ O, Z. "Okayplayer's 21 Breakout Artists to Watch For in 2021". Okayplayer. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ Smith, CF (3 June 2016). "New music from Peyton, listen to 'Sweet Honey'". TwistedSoulMusic. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ D'Souza, Shaad. "Peyton's "To Spare" finds the humor in devastating rejection". The Fader. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ O, Z. "Best Songs of The Week: ft. Kamaiyah, MF DOOM, and More [Playlist]". Okayplayer. Retrieved May 19, 2021.