Jully Black (born Jullyann Inderia Gordon Black, November 8, 1977) is a Canadian singer, songwriter and actress. She has released 4 studio albums, and 2 remix EPs. She has collaborated and written for many artists, including Nas, Saukrates, Choclair, Kardinal Offishall, Destiny's Child, and Sean Paul.
Jully Black | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Black at The Heart Truth celebrity fashion show in February 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jullyann Inderia Gordon |
| Born | November 8, 1977 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | Jully Black Entertainment Inc. - Universal Music Canada |
| Website | jullyblack |
She was chosen by CBC Music as one of "The 25 Greatest Canadian Singers Ever"[1] and has long been dubbed the "Canada's Queen of R&B" by fans and industry peers alike.[2][3][4]
Early life
editJullyann Inderia Gordon Black was born to Jamaican immigrants. She is the youngest of nine children, she grew up in the North York district in the neighbourhood of Jane and Finch in Toronto, Ontario.[5] After her parents divorced when Black was a child, she was raised in a strict Pentecostal household by her single mother, Aretha.
Musical career
edit
At age 19, Black was discovered by Warner/Chappell Music who immediately signed her. Shortly after, she was courted by Universal Music Canada where she was offered a deal to help propel her career. Black capitalized on these opportunities, which saw her garner her first Juno Award nomination in 1997 and continue to be nominated almost every year thereafter as well as having the opportunities to collaborate with and/or write for other well-known artists such as Nas, Destiny's Child, Sean Paul, Kardinal Offishall, and many others.[6]
Black had a Top 40 hit on the Canadian charts with 1998's "Rally'n". Subsequent singles also charted, such as "You Changed" and "Between Me and U". In the same year, she was invited to contribute to Rascalz' groundbreaking hip hop single, "Northern Touch", but was unable to participate due to other commitments.[7] In 1999, she appeared on 2Rude's single "Dissin Us", which won the MuchMusic Video Award for Best R&B/Soul Video in 2000.[8]
Black's debut album was originally scheduled for release in 2003 on MCA Records, under the title I Traveled,[9] but was shelved after MCA folded that same year.
In Summer 2005, a newly recorded album, This Is Me, was released by Universal Music Canada. The album included the hit singles "Sweat of Your Brow" and "5x Love". According to a piracy report by IFPI, there were "2.8 million illegal file swapping requests for her music in the first two weeks of her album's release".
Also in the same year, Black played the Preacher in the theatre production of "Da Kink in My Hair" at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Downtown Toronto. The play was a critical success as it sold out all of its 106 performances, being extended 5 times. This led to the weekly TV series on the Global Television Network, with Black singing the opening theme and being featured in two episodes.
In Summer 2007, her new single, "Seven Day Fool", was released, becoming Black's first Top 10 hit in Canada. Her second album, Revival, was released on October 16, 2007, and was awarded the Juno for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year. "Seven Day Fool" and "Revival" also became her 1st solo song and album to hit 1 Million plays on Spotify, despite being released long before the platform's creation.
Black was a correspondent on the sixth season of the CTV reality competition show Canadian Idol and hosted the 2008 Canadian Radio Music Awards. She has also been a celebrity reporter for the CTV daily entertainment news magazine program, etalk.[10] Black is also a featured weekly guest panelist on the CTV daytime talk show, The Marilyn Denis Show, and has been a multiple presenter at both the 2010 and 2011 P&G Beauty & Grooming Awards.
In 2009, Black, alongside YoungPete Alexander and Kellis E. Parker, wrote and released her third studio album, The Black Book. Following its release, Black kicked off a country-wide tour in Vancouver at the 2010 Winter Olympics.[11] In 2011, Black and YoungPete created a new production team known as "The Officials". Together, they've written and produced songs for an upcoming album tentatively titled: Made In Canada.
In 2010, a new song by Black, "At the Roncies" (about the Roncesvalles Avenue neighbourhood of Toronto), was the song chosen by listeners[12] to represent the province of Ontario in CBC Radio 2's Great Canadian Song Quest.
Black was selected to perform and open for Celine Dion at the 2012 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival honouring Jamaica's 50th Anniversary of Independence in 2012.[13]
In 2012, Black was nominated for a 2012 Juno Award for 'Best R&B/Soul Recording' for her song "Set It Off" featuring Kardinal Offishall.[14] In the same year, Black released an EP, Dropping W(8), a reference to her having these songs and feeling a weight on her shoulders.
In 2020, Black performed on FreeUp! The Emancipation Day Special.[15]
In 2022, Black was announced as a competitor in the eighth season of The Amazing Race Canada and was eliminated on the first leg after she and her partner Kathy missed the entrance to the Rialto theater allowing the trailing Cedric & Tychon to catch up.[16]
In 2023, she sang the Canadian national anthem at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. Black changed the lyrics from “our home and native land" to "our home on native land" as a mark of respect to the Indigenous groups within Canada.[17] She was later honoured by the Assembly of First Nations for this action.[18][19] In the same year she participated in an all-star recording of Serena Ryder's single "What I Wouldn't Do", which was released as a charity single to benefit Kids Help Phone's Feel Out Loud campaign for youth mental health.[20]
Discography
editAlbums
edit- 2005: This Is Me
- 2007: Revival
- 2009: The Black Book
- 2022: Three Rocks and a Slingshot
Official mixtapes
edit- 2012: Dropping W(8)
Singles
edit| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAN [21] | |||
| 1998 | "Rally'n" (with Saukrates) | 12 | I Travelled |
| 2000 | "Say No More" | — | |
| 2002 | "Between Me and You" (featuring Saukrates) | — | |
| 2005 | "Stay the Night" | — | |
| "Sweat of Your Brow" (featuring Demarco) | 16 | This Is Me | |
| "5x Love"/"Material Things" (featuring Nas) | 30 | ||
| 2006 | "I Travelled" | 66 | |
| "Gotta Let You Know (Scream)" | — | ||
| 2007 | "Seven Day Fool" | 9 | Revival |
| "DJ Play My Song" | — | ||
| 2008 | "Until I Stay" | 33 | |
| "Queen" | — | ||
| 2009 | "Running" | 40 | The Black Book |
| 2010 | "Need You" | — | |
| "Can U Feel It?" | — | DROPPING W(8) | |
| "Pushin'" | — | ||
| 2011 | "Set It Off'" (featuring Kardinal Offishall) | — | |
| 2012 | "Fugitive" | — | Non-album single |
| 2014 | "Here 2 Love U" | — | |
| 2015 | "Fever" | — | |
| 2019 | "Follow Your Love (Remix)" | — | |
| 2020 | "Mi No Fraid" | — |
Soundtracks
edit- 2010: George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight – Episode #7.24 (performer: "At The Roncies")
- 2008: Saving God (performer: "I Travelled")
- 2007: Da Kink in My Hair (composer: theme music - 5 episodes)
- 2006: Words to Music: The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (TV film) (performer: "Put Your Hand in the Hand")
- 2004: You Got Served (performer: "Heaven")
- 2003: The Fighting Temptations (writer: "I Know")
- 2002: Brown Sugar (performer: "You Changed")
Awards and nominations
edit- 2013: Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year "Fugitive" (NOMINATION)
- 2012: Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year "Set It Off" f. Kardinal Offishal (NOMINATION)
- 2010: Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year "The Black Book" (NOMINATION)
- 2008: Single of the Year, "Seven Day Fool" (NOMINATION)
- 2008: R&B/Soul Recording of the Year, "Revival" (WINNER)
- 2006: Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year, "Sweat of Your Brow" (NOMINATION)
- 2006: Gemini Award for Best Performance or Host in a Variety Program or Series for: Words to Music: The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame 2006 (NOMINATION)
- 2005: Canadian Urban Music Award (CUMA) for Dance/Electronic Recording of the Year, "Sweat of Your Brow" (Tricky Moreira [Just BE Remix]) (WINNER)
- 2004: Gemini Award for Best Performance or Host in a Variety Program or Series for: Tonya Lee Williams: Gospel Jubilee (NOMINATION)
- 2003: Juno Award for "Best R&B/Soul Song", "You Changed" (NOMINATION)
- 2002: MuchMusic Video Award Viewers Choice for Best Canadian Collaboration or Group, "The Day Before" (NOMINATION)
- 2002: MuchMusic Video Award for "Best Rap Video", "Light It Up" (NOMINATION)
- 2001: Juno Award for "Best Rap recording", "Money Jane" (NOMINATION)
- 1999: MuchMusic Video Award for "Best R&B/Soul Video". "Rally'n" (NOMINATION)
- 1999: Juno Award for "Best R&B/Soul Song". "Rally'n" (NOMINATION)
- 1998: MuchMusic Video Award for "Best Rap Video", "360" (NOMINATION)
- 1997: Juno Award for "Best Rap Recording", "What It Takes" (WINNER)
Filmography
editNetwork television performances
edit- 2012: Canada AM (Duet with Donny Parenteau, Alright With Me)
- 2012: The Marilyn Denis Show (Fugitive)
- 2012: CBC's Canada Day Celebration (O Canada/Seven Days Fool)
- 2010: CTV's "Juno Awards", Presenter/Performer
- 2010: CTV's Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies
- 2004: CBC's NHL Awards
- 2004: CBC's Tonya Lee Williams Gospel Jubilee
- 2004: Show Time/Soul Food Productions Presents "We Plan" Episode #064. Role, Jully Black
- 2004: MuchMusic Presents "Behind the Threads" an up-close look at the women of the Garment industry. Jully Black travels to Dhaka, Bangladesh to cover the story
- 2003: Toronto 1 Live Performance
- 2003: MTV's "Break Out"
- 2003: CTV's "Juno Award Presentation". Presented Shania Twain the "Artist of the Year" Award
- 2001: Citytv's New Years Celebration
- 2001: MuchMusic's "9/11" Music Tribute and Fund Raiser
- 2001: MuchMusic's "Da Mix" Final Episode
- 2001: CBC's "Juno Award Presentation"
- 2000: MuchMusic's "Da Mix" Tenth Year Anniversary Special
- 1999: MuchMusic's "Da Mix" Black History Celebration
- 1998: Citytv's "Electric Circus"
- 1997: Citytv's "Breakfast Television"
Television and film appearances
edit- 2023: Pretty Hard Cases, season 3 episode 6 "Spin Me Round" as Leticia
- 2023: Run the Burbs, season 2, episode 6 "Phamily Budget" as herself
- 2022: The Amazing Race Canada 8, Contestant
- 2012: The Marilyn Denis Show, Panelist
– Episode #2.79 (2012) … Herself – Episode #2.44 (2011) … Herself – Episode #1.15 (2011) … Herself
– Episode #7.24 (2010) … Herself - Performer – Episode dated December 2, 2009 (2009) … Herself
- 2009: etalk, Correspondent
– Episode dated March 18, 2009 – Episode dated March 20, 2009 – Episode dated April 3, 2009 – Episode dated April 23, 2009 – Episode dated April 27, 2009 – Episode dated August 17, 2009 – Episode dated August 19, 2009 – Episode dated August 20, 2009 – Episode dated August 27, 2009 – Episode dated September 3, 2009 – Episode dated September 10, 2009 – Episode dated October 12, 2009 – Episode dated October 16, 2009 – Episode dated December 2, 2009 – Episode dated January 28, 2010 – Episode dated April 7, 2010 – Episode dated April 28, 2010 – Episode dated June 29, 2010
- 2009: CTV's "Interview with Jay-Z", Interviewer
- 2008: Canadian Idol, Mentor
- 2008: CTV's "Jammin in Jamaica with Jully Black", Host
- 2008: Saving God, character: Aunt Essie
- 2007: 'Da Kink in My Hair, character: Veronika
- 2007: My Gift Is My Song: George Canyon Christmas (TV film), Musical guest
- 2006: Words to Music: The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame 2006 (TV film)
- 2005: Video on Trial
– Episode #1.28 (2006) … Herself – Episode #1.9 (2005) … Herself – Episode #1.2 (2005) … Herself
References
edit- ^ "25 best Canadian singers ever". CBC. June 22, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ ""Not a comeback, I've been here," Jully Black: Leading Change on a Global Stage". View the VIBE. March 8, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ Banfield, Devon (July 31, 2022). "One-on-One with Canada's Queen of R&B, Jully Black!". The Brandon Gomez Show. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ Mitz, Roman (October 10, 2022). "Jully Black – R&B Queen Still Reigns". Music Express.
- ^ "Jully Black - Song Quest 2010 - CBC Radio 2". www.cbc.ca. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jully Black". ReverbNation. Archived from the original on April 6, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
- ^ Canadian hip hop gets the Northern Touch Archived September 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, NOW, June 4, 1998.
- ^ "Jully Black" Archived August 1, 2019, at the Wayback Machine. The Canadian Encyclopedia, January 19, 2016.
- ^ "Travellin' woman: Jully Black". Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ "Jully Black charts her own course". CTV. Archived from the original on October 10, 2006. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ Patrick, Ryan B. (January 22, 2010). "Jully Black The Exclaim! Questionnaire". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
- ^ "Ontario - Song Quest 2010 - CBC Radio 2". www.cbc.ca. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ "2012 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival lineup". Prweb.com. December 22, 2011. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
- ^ "2013 JUNO Award Winners | the JUNO Awards". Archived from the original on April 22, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
- ^ "Watch now: FreeUp! Emancipation Day 2020, a CBC special celebrating Black Canadian artists" Archived August 1, 2021, at the Wayback Machine. CBC Arts, July 30, 2020.
- ^ "Jully Black hits the road for this summer’s edition of ‘The Amazing Race Canada’" Archived June 25, 2022, at the Wayback Machine. Toronto Star, June 22, 2022.
- ^ "Why singer Jully Black changed one word in Canada's national anthem". BBC News. February 21, 2023. Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
- ^ "Jully Black Honoured by Assembly of First Nations for "O Canada" Lyric Change". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ "Canadian R&B singer Jully Black honoured at AFN ceremony for anthem rendition at NBA All-Star Game". The Globe and Mail. April 4, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ Brent Furdyk, "Feel Out Loud: Alessia Cara, Serena Ryder & More Canadian Artists Collaborate On New Single Promoting Youth Mental Health Initiative" Archived March 11, 2023, at the Wayback Machine. Entertainment Tonight Canada, March 2, 2023.
- ^ Jully Black Chart History Archived December 31, 2021, at the Wayback Machine Billboard.com
External links
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