Saleka Shyamalan (born August 1, 1996), known mononymously as Saleka, is an American singer-songwriter and actress.[1][2] She is the daughter of director M. Night Shyamalan and was cast as a fictional popstar, Lady Raven, in his thriller film Trap (2024). As a singer, she has performed songs for her father's projects such as the Apple TV+ series Servant (2019–2023) and his films Old (2021) and Trap (2024), and also released her first studio album Seance (2023).
Saleka | |
|---|---|
| Born | Saleka Shyamalan August 1, 1996 Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Father | M. Night Shyamalan |
| Relatives | Ishana Night Shyamalan (sister) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | R&B |
| Instruments |
|
Early life
editSaleka is the eldest daughter of filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan.[3][4] She and her sisters grew up watching horror films.[5][6]
Saleka studied classical piano as a child but decided to pursue singing and songwriting. She studied Literary Arts and Music at Brown University.[7]
Career
editSaleka has opened for acts like Boyz II Men, Baby Rose and Summer Walker.[7] Upon debuting her first single, "Clarity", in September 2020, Refinery29 called Saleka "a new artist to watch".[8] Saleka frequently collaborates with her younger sister, Ishana, who has directed a majority of her music videos.[9][10]
Her debut album, Seance, was released in late 2022.[11][12] Saleka recorded the majority of Seance at MilkBoy studios, Philadelphia.[13]
In 2021, Saleka released "The Sky Cries" for the second season of Servant. The music video for the single was directed by her father, M. Night Shyamalan.[14] She released three more songs for the third season of the series. The four songs were compiled in an EP, released on March 25, 2022. Within the show's canon Saleka's songs are said to be from the never-seen, in-show performer, Vivian Dale, who has died tragically.[15][16]
In June 2022, Giveon announced Saleka as one of four supporting acts for his North American Give or Take Tour on August and September 2022.[17]
Saleka made her acting debut in her father's film Trap (2024), for which she also wrote fourteen songs.[18][19] Her soundtrack album for the film, Lady Raven, was released on August 2, 2024.[20]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Seance |
|
| Lady Raven |
Extended plays
edit| Title | EP details | Track listing |
|---|---|---|
| Servant: Songs from the Attic (Music from the Apple TV+ Original Series) |
|
List
|
| Servant: Songs from the Attic (Deluxe Edition) [Music from the Apple TV+ Original Series] |
|
List
|
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Clarity" | 2020 | Seance |
| "Mr. Incredible" | ||
| "Graffiti" | 2021 | |
| "The Sky Cries" | Servant: Songs from the Attic and Servant: Songs from the Attic (Deluxe Edition) | |
| "Remain" | Old (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | |
| "How Many" | Seance | |
| "Seance" | 2022 | |
| "Red Eyes" | ||
| "Echo" | ||
| "Release" | 2024 | Lady Raven |
Music videos
edit| Title | Year | Director(s) |
|---|---|---|
| "Clarity" | 2020 | Ishana Night Shyamalan |
| "Mr. Incredible" | ||
| "Grafitti" | 2021 | |
| "The Sky Cries" | M. Night Shyamalan | |
| "How Many" (Lyric video) | Rafael "Rafatoon" Pérez | |
| "Seance" | 2022 | Ishana Night Shyamalan |
| "Red Eyes" (Lyric video) | Kevin Canales |
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Trap | Lady Raven |
References
edit- ^ Butler, Michael (October 2, 2020). "First Look Friday: R&B Singer Saleka Announces Herself With Debut Single "Clarity"". Okayplayer. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ "Rising R&B Star Saleka on Her Inspiring New Video and the Power of Expression". Vogue. February 5, 2021. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
- ^ Gibson, Kelsie (July 23, 2021). "Saleka Describes What It Was Like Collaborating With Dad M. Night Shyamalan on a Song in Old". PopSugar Entertainment UK.
- ^ "How Saleka Turned Old's Star-Studded Premiere Into a Family Affair". Vogue. July 23, 2021. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
- ^ Tangcay, Jazz (July 24, 2021). "M. Night Shyamalan's Daughter Follows in Filmmaking Footsteps as 'Old' Second Unit Director". Variety. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ Russian, Ale (May 26, 2024). "All About M. Night Shyamalan's Daughter, Ishana Night Shyamalan". People. Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ a b "[SPOTLIGHT] Saleka". Symphonic Distribution. September 23, 2020. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ Komonibo, Ineye. "New Music To Know: Personal Picks". www.refinery29.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ Tanenbaum, Michael (September 11, 2020). "M. Night Shyamalan's daughters filmed debut music video at Philly bar". www.phillyvoice.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ "An Interview with Saleka". Welcome to Vinyl Writer Music. March 19, 2021. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ Major, Michael. "Saleka Announces Debut Album 'Seance'". BroadwayWorld.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
- ^ Sloman, Christine (June 18, 2022). "Saleka reflects on her former self on "Seance"". // MELODIC Magazine. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
- ^ Baltin, Steve. "Video Premiere: Saleka Shyamalan Opens Up On The Gorgeous 'Graffiti'". Forbes. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ^ Martoccio, Angie (March 19, 2021). "Saleka Taps Her Dad, M. Night Shyamalan, to Direct New Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
- ^ "Saleka Shares the Origins of New Song "One More Night": Exclusive". Consequence. February 10, 2022. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
- ^ "Saleka Brings Attitude to the "Servant" Soundtrack with New Track "Take It or Leave It"". Flood. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
- ^ Samuels, Keithan (June 14, 2022). "Giveon Announces 'Give or Take Tour' Dates". Rated R&B. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ "Josh Hartnett and Saleka to Star in M. Night Shyamalan's Latest Film (Exclusive)". Film Updates. October 26, 2023. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Liz Shannon (June 7, 2024). "Saleka Explains Her Role as Lady Raven in M. Night Shyamalan's Trap, and Releases First Single". Consequence. Archived from the original on August 3, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Mavarro, Meagan (August 2, 2024). "'Trap' Star Saleka Releases 'Lady Raven' OST With Special Guest Kid Cudi; Listen Now". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
