Contemporary R&B Artist Profile – Daniel Caesar

Daniel Caesar quickly made headlines after the release of his 2014 EP, Praise Break, before becoming an international sensation with his 2017 debut album Freudian. Freudian explored love’s intricacies as well as grieving losses and acceptance.

His songs recall an R&B that is sophisticated yet introspective, calling back to an earlier time when music was more soulful and authentic. Crystalline vocals float softly over sparse instrumentations which allows room for emotional reflections.

Background

Daniel Caesar epitomizes contemporary R&B music, drawing influence from various genres to craft his unique sound. His smooth melodies and emotive lyrics resonate with audiences worldwide – making him one of the most celebrated artists in modern music.

Caesar began his musical journey busking around Toronto’s parks and quickly gained notoriety among local audiences. In 2014 he released his critically-acclaimed EP Praise Break independently; later that same year, Freudian arrived as his debut album to showcase his unique sound while garnering him widespread popularity on social media platforms.

Caesar has an in-depth knowledge of human emotion, which his music reflects. He explores themes like love, heartbreak and personal development with his songs. Though he chooses to keep his personal life under wraps, many speculate he might be in a relationship. No matter his status in life though, his passionate performances often leave audiences feeling inspired and moved.

Music

Daniel Caesar burst onto the scene in 2014 with his debut EP Praise Break and brought with him an innovative, atmospheric R&B sound. As the son of a pastor, the singer-songwriter used gospel influences as well as religious beliefs to explore themes like religion, faith and unrequited love in his music.

Since then, his sound has evolved with releases like Case Study 01 and more recent singles like “Love Again”, featuring Brandy. His most recent offering NEVER ENOUGH features both new songs as well as revisited hits.

Caesar has developed his vocals over time to sound more reflective and less dreamlike in his recent tracks, layering falsetto, Auto-Tune, harmonizing vocals over simple instrumentals to create a rich tapestry that showcases human voices.

Personality

Daniel Caesar established an independent following through two critically-acclaimed EP releases before unveiling his debut album Freudian in August 2017, earning rave reviews and appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers as well as earning Juno and Polaris Music Prize nominations – not to mention thrilling audiences at Coachella!

Caesar uses a voice that sounds as if it could belong in a choir of angels to express the weight of his soul and the pain of his struggles in an almost spiritual manner. At the same time, he stands firm on being himself as an authentic artist, rejecting any notion that his sonics must fit neatly into any one box.

No matter if he’s riding waves of rolling rhythms on “Streetcar” (a revamp of Kanye West’s “Street Lights”) or exploring young love’s murky waters in Case Study 01, his music always feels immersive and even meditative – something which sets him apart from other musicians.

Career

Daniel Caesar quickly earned acclaim with two independently released EPs – Praise Break and Pilgrim’s Paradise – as well as his debut full-length album Freudian. His divine vocals and signature blend of soul/gospel/electronic music won him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.

Apple Music Up Next artist Jaden Schwartz continued his climb in 2019 with the Grammy-nominated album Case Study 01, collaborations with FKA Twigs and Common, his inaugural tour and the release of NEVER ENOUGH as his breakthrough release.

Caesar has created his most mature work to date in this project, showing off a more refined side to him through songs such as “Get You,” featuring Kali Uchis, and the heartbreaking serenade “Always”. Additionally, his voice can be found creating swelling ballads accompanied by weeping piano melodies; creating an album about human desire for more while realizing where you stand may just be enough for now.