Riley Elizabeth Clemmons[2] is an American Christian musician, who plays Christian pop style contemporary worship music. She is known for her Christian radio hits, "Broken Prayers" and "Better for It".[3] She is known for her "Broken Prayers" and "Better for It" from her debut self-titled album via American music distributor Capitol CMG on August 3, 2018. On September 22, 2023, she released her third studio album called, “Church Pew,” with singles, “Loved By You” and “Miracle.”
Riley Elizabeth Clemmons | |
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| Birth name | Riley Elizabeth Clemmons |
| Born | December 9, 1999 |
| Origin | Nashville, Tennessee[1][non-primary source needed] |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2015–present |
| Labels |
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| Website | rileyclemmons |
After spending years refining her craft, she has accumulated over half a billion global streams and over 105 million YouTube video views. A Nashville native who is an accomplished composer, performer, producer, and recording artist, Riley draws inspiration from life experiences.
Early and personal life
editRiley Clemmons was "discovered" at a school pageant in Nashville by manager, Mitchell Solarek.[4] She would begin writing songs at the age of 13 and played shows around her hometown.[5] She has worked on her musical craft for several years, including eight years of vocal lessons and a decade of dance lessons.[6] She is currently signed to Capitol CMG.
Music career
editIn 2015, Clemmons signed to the independent label, Maxx Recordings. Her lyrics are inspired by the struggles of her relationships and faith. She wants to use the power of music and words to wake up and encourage the generation she is a part of.[7]
2017–2019: Breakthrough and self-titled debut studio album
editClemmons released her debut single on Capitol CMG, "Broken Prayers", on December 8, 2017.[8] A music video was released on the same day.[9] She discussed her story behind the song in a video uploaded to her YouTube channel, "The song "Broken Prayers" came truly from a place of brokenness and that feeling of having to get yourself together and bring the best most picture-perfect version of yourself to God, basically feeling like the broken pieces aren't good enough for God. The song came from a place of truly finding peace in the fact that God takes you at your most broken, at your lowest place and at your roughest. And not only does He take you there but He delights in it. And He genuinely loves you in that place."[10][11] The song was released to Christian radio and peaked at No. 17 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.
She released her second single, "Better For It," on June 8, 2018.[12] A music video was also released.[13] Clemmons announced she will join Danny Gokey and Tauren Wells for "The Hope Encounter" Tour in September until November.[14] The song peaked at No. 37 on the Hot Christian Songs chart. A music video for "Hold On" was released on July 19, 2018.[15]
Clemmons' self-titled debut studio album was released on August 4, 2018.[16] The album debuted at No. 28 on the Top Christian Albums chart and No. 13 on the US Heatseekers Albums chart.
2019-Present
editIn 2021, her sophomore album, Godsend, would flourish with singles including, “Fighting for Me,” “Keep on Hoping,” and “For the Good.” She was nominated as Female Artist of the Year at the K-Love Awards in 2021, becoming the youngest nominee in the show’s history at the age of 20. Riley would go on to be tapped as an artist to watch by People and Rolling Stone and was named one of the Top Christian Artists of 2022 by Billboard. With over half a billion global streams and 85 million YouTube video views at the age of 23, her music has continually proven to impact people.
On September 22, 2023, her third album, Church Pew, released with single, “Loved By You” amassing over 4 million global streams. “Miracle” reached 1 million streams in the first two weeks. Church Pew, with its pure and honest roots, will undeniably carry messages of hope, connecting people through love, humility, and humanity.
Riley’s music has cemented her place as an artist to watch with accolades from Rolling Stone, People Magazine, Dove Awards Nomination, KLOVE Award Nomination as well as performances on the TODAY Show, FOX & Friends, and debut at the Grand Ole Opry.
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ [17] |
US Heat [18] | ||
| Riley Clemmons |
|
28 | 13 |
| Godsend |
|
– | – |
| Church Pew |
|
– | – |
Extended plays
edit| Title | EP details |
|---|---|
| Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas / Silent Night |
|
| Fighting for Me |
|
| The First Christmas |
|
Singles
edit| Year | Single | Chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US AC [19] |
US Christ [20] |
US Christ Air. [21] |
US Christ AC [22] |
US Christ Digital [23] | ||||
| 2017 | "Broken Prayers" | — | 17 | 16 | 18 | — | Riley Clemmons | |
| 2018 | "Better for It"[12] | — | 37 | 28 | — | — | ||
| "Broke" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Drop Everything" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "I'll Stay" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Silent Night" | — | — | 23 | — | — | The First Christmas (EP) | ||
| "Winter Wonderland" | 30 | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| 2019 | "Fighting for Me" | — | 9 | 4 | 8 | 10 | Godsend | |
| "Free" | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
| 2020 | "Over and Over" (featuring Lauren Alaina) |
— | 27 | 24 | — | — | Godsend | |
| "Healing" | — | ? | ? | ? | ? | |||
| 2021 | "Keep on Hoping"[25] | — | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||
| "For the Good" | — | 9[26] | 5[27] | 10[28] | — | Godsend (Deluxe)[29] | ||
| 2023 | "Loved By You" | Church Pew | ||||||
| "Miracle" | ||||||||
As featured artist
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Dance [30] |
US Dance Airplay [31] |
US Christ. [20] |
US Christ. Airplay [21] | |||
| "Misfit Anthem"[32] (Social Club Misfits featuring Riley Clemmons) |
2017 | — | — | — | — | The Misadventures of Fern and Marty |
| "Out My Mind"[33] (Tritonal featuring Riley Clemmons) |
2018 | 38 | 12 | — | — | Non-album single |
| "I'm Leaning on You" (Crowder featuring Riley Clemmons) |
2020 | — | — | 19 | 15 | I Know a Ghost |
Awards
editGMA Dove Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Riley Clemmons | New Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2022 | "Without You" (Social Club Misfits featuring Riley Clemmons) |
Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ Riley Clemmons. "riley clemmons – About". Twitter. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. "BETTER FOR IT Work ID No.894268039 IPI No.779748265 (CLEMMONS RILEY ELIZABETH)". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved January 6, 2015. BETTER FOR IT Work ID No.894268039 IPI No.779748265 (CLEMMONS RILEY ELIZABETH)
- ^ JFHNews. ""Broken Prayers" Proves To Be Breakthrough Debut For Riley Clemmons Single Resonates With Radio Alongside Over Two Million Streams And Views". JFHNews. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ NewReleaseToday. "ARTIST PROFILE Riley Clemmons". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ "Riley Clemmons – MAXIMUM ARTIST". Maximum Artist Group. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ BMG. "Riley Clemmons – BMG". BMG. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ "[Interview] Maxx Recordings' Singer Riley Clemmons: "Timing Is Everything!"". BTSCELEBS. November 6, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ a b "Riley Clemmons by Riley Clemmons". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ "Riley Clemmons – Broken Prayers (Official Video)". Retrieved August 7, 2018 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Behind The Song: Riley Clemmons Shares The Heart Behind Her Single "Broken Prayers"". FreeCCM. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ "Riley Clemmons – Broken Prayers (Song Story)". Retrieved August 7, 2018 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b "Better For It – Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ "Riley Clemmons – Better For It". Retrieved August 7, 2018 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Riley Clemmons Drops 'Better For It' On Heels of Breakthrough Hit". JFHNews. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ "Riley Clemmons – Hold On". Retrieved August 7, 2018 – via YouTube.
- ^ Tmothy Yap (October 2, 2014). "Riley Clemmons Releases Debut Album Today". Hallels. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ "Riley Clemmons – Chart history (Top Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.[dead link]
- ^ "Riley Clemmons – Chart history (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ "Riley Clemmons – Chart history (AC Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2018.[dead link]
- ^ a b "Riley Clemmons – Chart history (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ a b "Riley Clemmons – Chart history (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ "Riley Clemmons – Chart history (Christian AC Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ "Riley Clemmons – Chart history (Christian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
- ^ "American certifications – Riley Clemmons". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
- ^ "[Music Video] Keep On Hoping – Riley Clemmons". Coghive. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
- ^ "Hot Christian Songs Chart | June 11, 2022". Billboard.
- ^ "Christian Airplay Chart | May 28, 2022". Billboard.
- ^ "Christian AC Airplay | April 16, 2022". Billboard.
- ^ "Riley Clemmons releases Godsend (Deluxe) with new songs and reimagined favorites". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
- ^ "Riley Clemmons – Dance Songs History". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ "Riley Clemmons – Dance Airplay History". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ "Misfit Anthem (feat. Riley Clemmons) [Radio Version] – Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
- ^ "Out My Mind (feat. Riley Clemmons) – Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved August 7, 2018.