Wikipedia

Havana Brown (musician)

Angelique Frances Meunier[1] (born 14 February 1985),[2] known professionally as Havana Brown or DJ Havana Brown, is an Australian DJ, singer, songwriter, record producer and dancer.[3][4] In 2008, Brown signed with Island Records Australia as a DJ for the record company and began releasing her Crave compilation album series, which featured remixes of songs from other artists.[5] This led to her touring with international artists, including Britney Spears, Rihanna, the Pussycat Dolls, Chris Brown and Enrique Iglesias.[6]

Havana Brown
Brown at the 2014 ARIA Music Awards
Brown at the 2014 ARIA Music Awards
Background information
Birth nameAngelique Frances Meunier[1]
Born (1985-02-14) 14 February 1985 (age 39)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres
Occupations
  • DJ
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • dancer
Years active2008–present
Labels
Websitedjhavanabrown.com.au

Brown made her debut as a recording artist in 2011, with the single "We Run the Night", which reached No.5 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart and was certified triple platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). The single earned Brown two ARIA Music Award nominations for Breakthrough Artist Single and Highest Selling Single. Following this success, Brown signed a US record deal with Universal Republic via producer RedOne's label 2101 Records.[7] A remix of "We Run the Night", featuring American rapper Pitbull was produced by RedOne and released in the United States. It reached No.1 on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart and No.26 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The remix was included on Brown's first EP, When the Lights Go Out, which was released in July 2012.

Brown was one of the contestants in the second season of the Australian version of the TV series, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2016, where she came 6th. In 2024 she teamed up with her friend Stephanie Wood to compete on The Amazing Race Australia (celebrity edition), where she placed 7th.[8]

Brown has been engaged since 2015 to former Young Talent Time star Vince Del Tito.[9]

Life and career

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Early life and career beginnings

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Brown was born in Melbourne, Australia to Mauritian parents of French descent from the island of Rodrigues and grew up in both Australia and Rodrigues, which she used to visit frequently.[10][11][12] Before she started to DJ, she was signed to a record label in the United Kingdom with a group called Fishbowl.[13] They were about to release their first single under the label, but the group broke up and Brown turned to DJing.[13][14] She then began performing at venues around Melbourne and worked with promotions around Australia.[15]

2008–09: Crave and touring

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In 2008, Brown signed to Island Records Australia after being approached by a boss of the label who asked her if she was interested in doing a compilation album.[14][16] She released her Crave compilation series through the label. In October 2008, Brown supported Rihanna on the Australian leg of her Good Girl Gone Bad Tour.[13] In May 2009, she served as a support act for the Pussycat Dolls during the Australian leg of their Doll Domination Tour.[17] Brown also supported Britney Spears during the European leg of her 2009 Circus Tour.[18] She earned the same support role for the Australian leg of the tour in November 2009.[19]

Since December 2009, Brown has provided mixes every Saturday night on Party People, a radio show that broadcasts across Australia by the Today Network.[20]

2011–2013: Breakthrough and When The Lights Go Out

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Brown performing at the B96 Summerbash in Chicago on 16 June 2012.

In April 2011, Brown was a supporting act for Chris Brown's Australian leg of his F.A.M.E. Tour.[21] On 29 April 2011, Brown released her debut single "We Run the Night",[22] which was written and produced by Cassie Davis and Snob Scrilla of the production duo More Mega.[23] The song peaked at No.5 on the ARIA Singles Chart[24] and was certified triple platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), for selling 210,000 copies.[25] On 4 September 2011, Brown told The Daily Telegraph that she had signed a US recording contract with Universal Republic Records via producer RedOne's label 2101 Records.[26] The official remix of "We Run the Night", featuring additional production by RedOne and a rap verse by American rapper Pitbull, was released in the United States on 27 September 2011.[27] It peaked at No.1 on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart. Brown's second single "Get It" was released on 9 September 2011,[28] and peaked at No.38 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[24] On 20 April 2012, Brown released a promotional single titled "City of Darkness".[29]

Brown's debut EP When the Lights Go Out was released on 17 July 2012.[30] The Australian version of the EP included five new songs, while the US version included the RedOne remix of "We Run the Night".[31] On 18 July 2012, she appeared as a musical guest on America's Got Talent.[32] In August 2012, Brown became a supporting act, alongside Timomatic and Taio Cruz, for Pitbull's Australian leg of his Planet Pit World Tour.[33] Brown represented Australia at the first ABU TV Song Festival 2012, which took place at the KBS Concert Hall in Seoul, South Korea, on 14 October 2012.[34][better source needed][35] "Big Banana", featuring R3hab and Prophet of 7Lions, was released as the third single from When the Lights Go Out on 4 December 2012.[36] It was Brown's second single to peak at No.1 on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart.[37] It also peaked at No.15 on the US Dance/Electronic Songs chart.[38] In Australia, "Big Banana" peaked at No.18 on the ARIA Singles Chart, and at No.2 on the ARIA Dance Singles Chart.[39][40] The song was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting sales of 70,000 copies.[41] "Spread a Little Love" was released as the fourth single from the EP but failed to chart.

2013–2022: Flashing Lights and subsequent releases

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Brown's debut studio album Flashing Lights was released on 11 October 2013, which debuted at No.6 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[42] It features collaborations with RedOne, R3hab, Cassie Davis, Snob Scrilla and Afrojack. Flashing Lights also features previously released tracks "We Run the Night", "Big Banana" and "You'll Be Mine". The album was in the process of creation from 2011 when "We Run the Night" was released (which sold over one million copies in the United States and charted across the globe). Brown spent 2012 and 2013 primarily based in the US working on the album. The lead single "Flashing Lights" was released on 23 August 2013 and peaked at No.68 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[43] "Flashing Lights" peaked at No.1 on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart marking it her third No.1 in the US on that chart. The second single "Warrior" was released on 27 September 2013, and debuted at No.32 before peaking at No.11 and was certified platinum for sales of over 70,000 copies. On 14 October 2013, Brown performed "Warrior" on season five of The X Factor Australia.[44]

On 27 March 2014, Brown released the single "Whatever We Want", which peaked at No.35 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Brown's next single "Better Not Said" was released on 9 September 2014, and peaked at No.79. In January 2015, she released her eleventh lead single "No Ordinary Love",[45] which is a dance version of Sade's song of the same name.

On 24 July 2015, Brown released her new single entitled "Battle Cry", featuring guest vocals from Bebe Rexha and Savi.

In 2018, Brown released the Hip hop influenced single "Glimpse" (feat. Rich the Kid). The single was originally the lead single from her then upcoming EP, with "Cookie" (feat. Veronica Vega) released on 10 May 2019 as the second single from the proposed EP. However the EP was subsequently scrapped due to damage to the original masters.

On 18 October 2019, Brown released the single "All Day", which has Pop music and R&B influenced sound.

2023

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In October 2023, Brown released "Forever Young". Her first new single in four years and first under new label Havana Brown Entertainment (HBE).[46][47]

Influences

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Brown claimed Janet Jackson as her biggest influence, stating "She's my idol" and "I want to be Janet Jackson! But the DJ-slash-Janet Jackson—I want to be able to put on big shows, I want dancers, I want fireworks, I want it all."[48]

Discography

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Main article: Havana Brown discography
Studio albums
EPs

Tours

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Headlining

Supporting act

Awards and nominations

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ARIA Music Awards

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The ARIA Music Awards is an annual ceremony presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognises excellence, innovation and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. The awards commenced in 1987.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2011 "We Run the Night" Highest Selling Single Nominated [51]
Breakthrough Artist – Single Nominated
2012 When the Lights Go Out Best Dance Release Nominated [52]
2014 "Warrior" Song of the Year Nominated [53]

APRA Awards

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The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2012 "We Run the Night" (Cassie Davis, Sean Mullins) Dance Work of the Year Nominated [54]

Channel V Awards

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The Channel V Oz Artist of the Year was an annual award presented by Channel V Australia and is voted by the Australian public from 1997 to 2014.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2013 herself Channel V Oz Artist of the Year Nominated [55]

MTV Europe Music Awards

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The MTV Europe Music Awards are awards presented by Paramount International Networks to honour artists and music in pop culture.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2014 herself Best Australia Act Nominated [56]

Poprepublic.tv IT List Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2011 herself Australian Female Artist Nominated [57][58]
Favourite DJ of 2011 Won
Breakthrough Artist of 2011 Won
2012 herself Favourite Australian Female Artist Nominated [59][60]
Favourite DJ of 2012 Won

World Music Awards

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The World Music Awards is an international award show and presents awards to the world's best-selling artists in a number of categories from each major territory. They were last held in 2014.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2014 herself World's Best Female Artist Nominated [61]
World's Best Live Act Nominated [62]
World's Best Entertainer of the Year Nominated [63]
"Warrior" World's Best Song Nominated [64]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Your query : Creator's Name begins with MEUNIER ANGELIQUE on any territories (Domestic works)". ISWC. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Havana Brown Feature on Radio 106.3FM Townsville". 4RGT. Prime Media Group Limited. Retrieved 28 April 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Havana Brown's next single marks a move away from club influences". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 26 July 2015. Mauritian Australian
  4. ^ "Aussie DJ Havana Brown's hot night out celebrating her 30th birthday". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 16 February 2015. Mauritian Australian
  5. ^ "Bio: DJ Havana Brown". Island Records Australia. Archived from the original on 22 June 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  6. ^ "Thank You Sydney". Enrique Iglesias Official Site. Retrieved 25 July 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ "DJ HAVANA BROWN – "We Run the Night"". 2101 Records. 30 January 2012. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  8. ^ "'A Nightmare': A Single Tooth Sees Havana Brown And Stephanie Wood Eliminated From The Amazing Race". 10 play. 23 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Havana Brown to wed her manager". dailytelegraph.com.au. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Havana Brown interview (part 1)". FaceCulture. 31 October 2012. Event occurs at 0:19. YouTube. Retrieved 9 October 2021. Rodriques yes... I used to go back there every two years with my family
  11. ^ Private Interview with DJ Havana Brown http://aprivilegedlife.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/private-interview-with-dj-havana-brown_4675.html
  12. ^ "Havana Brown". Maxim. August 2013.
  13. ^ a b c McRae, Ross (5 May 2011). "Havana mixes it up". The West Australian. Seven West Media Limited. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  14. ^ a b Chan, Yeni (21 September 2010). "Interview: Havana Brown". JuiceOnline.com. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  15. ^ "Interview: DJ Havana Brown". BeautyandLace.com.au. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  16. ^ Clarke, Layla (13 May 2011). "Havana Brown releases debut single 'We Run The Night'". The AU Review. Archived from the original on 26 June 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  17. ^ Duncan, Alasdair (26 May 2009). "Pussycat Dolls / Lady Gaga / DJ Havana Brown". Rave magazine. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  18. ^ "Havana Brown in a spin for Britney Spears as DJ". Perth Now. 6 July 2009. Archived from the original on 11 April 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  19. ^ "DJ Havana Brown Defends Britney Spears' "Amazing" Circus Concerts". The Hot Hits Live from LA. 12 November 2009. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  20. ^ "DJ Havana Brown set to sizzle on a Saturday night". GetMusic.com.au. Universal Music Australia. 4 December 2009. Archived from the original on 27 April 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  21. ^ Barnett, Sophie (19 January 2011). "Chris Brown's Aussie Tour!". MTV Australia. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  22. ^ "We Run the Night – Single (Australia)". iTunes Store. January 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  23. ^ "Chartifacts – Week Commencing: 19th September 2011". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  24. ^ a b "Discography Havana Brown". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  25. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 31 March 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  26. ^ Moran, Jonathan (4 September 2011). "DJ Havana Brown gets it right abroad". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  27. ^ "We Run the Night (feat. Pitbull) – Single by Havana Brown". iTunes Store (United States). Apple. January 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  28. ^ "Get It – Single (Australia)". iTunes Store. January 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  29. ^ "City of Darkness – Single by Havana Brown". iTunes Store. January 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  30. ^ "iTunes – Music – When the Lights Go Out – EP by Havana Brown". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. January 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  31. ^ "iTunes – Music – When the Lights Go Out – EP by Havana Brown". iTunes Store (United States). Apple. January 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  32. ^ Robyn. "America's Got Talent 2012 Season 7 Week 10 'Eliminations' Live Recap 7/18/12". allieiswired.com. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  33. ^ "Pitbull Announces Australian Tour in August 2012". The Hot Hits Live from LA. MCM Entertainment Pty Ltd. 21 May 2012. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  34. ^ "ABU TV Song Festival 2012 Participants". ESCKAZ.com. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  35. ^ "ABU TV Song Festival 2012". Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  36. ^ "Big Banana (Remixes) feat. R3hab & Prophet – EP by Havana Brown". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. January 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  37. ^ "Chart Highlights: Rolling Stones Debut on Dance/Club Play Songs". Billboard. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  38. ^ "'Big Banana' #15 on Dance/Electronic Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  39. ^ "Havana Brown feat. R3hab & Prophet – Big Banana". Australian Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  40. ^ "ARIA Australian Top 20 Dance Tracks". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 8 April 2013. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  41. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  42. ^ "iTunes – Music – Flashing Lights by Havana Brown". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  43. ^ "Flashing Lights - Single by Havana Brown". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. January 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  44. ^ "Havana Brown ready to light up Australia". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  45. ^ "No Ordinary Love (Walden Vs Havana Brown) - Single". iTunes. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  46. ^ "'Forever Young' with Havanna Brown". Joy 94.9. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  47. ^ "The Forever Young Havana Brown". Music Festival Australia. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  48. ^ Alpe, Lauren (13 June 2011), Interview – Havana Brown, MTV News, archived from the original on 16 June 2011, retrieved 13 June 2011
  49. ^ "Tour - Havana Brown". havanabrownmusic.com. Archived from the original on 10 May 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  50. ^ "Havana set to perform on DANCING WITH THE STARS - Havana Brown". havanabrownmusic.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  51. ^ "2011 ARIA Nominations Announced – Full List Here!". Take 40 Australia. Mcm Entertainment. 12 October 2011. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  52. ^ "Winners & Nominees Announced – 26th ARIA Awards 2012". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 3 October 2012. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  53. ^ Zuel, Bernard (7 October 2014). "Chet Faker and his beard are set to rule ARIAs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  54. ^ "Nominations > Dance Work of the Year – 2012". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  55. ^ "Channel V Oz Artist of the Year 2012". Channel V Australia. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  56. ^ "MTV EMA 2014 Full Nominations List has landed!". MTV Australia. Viacom. 17 September 2014. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  57. ^ Manser, Robert (31 December 2011). "2011 IT List Awards Nominees Announced". Poprepublic.tv. AKA Entertainment. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  58. ^ Manser, Robert (11 February 2012). "IT List Awards Winners Announced!". Poprepublic.tv. AKA Entertainment. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012.
  59. ^ "IT List Awards 2012". Poprepublic.tv. AKA Entertainment. Archived from the original (requires registration) on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  60. ^ Manser, Robert (14 February 2013). "IT List Awards Winners". Poprepublic.tv. AKA Entertainment. Archived from the original on 17 May 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  61. ^ "Nomination for World's Best Female Artist". World Music Awards. Archived from the original on 17 February 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  62. ^ "Nomination for World's Live Act". World Music Awards. Archived from the original on 17 February 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  63. ^ "Nomination for World's Best Entertainer of the Year". World Music Awards. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  64. ^ "Nomination for World's Best Song". World Music Awards. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by
None
 Australia in the ABU TV Song Festival
2012
with "We Run the Night" 		Succeeded by
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