Ciara Princess Harris (born October 25, 1985), who performs under
the mononym Ciara, is an American recording artist, dancer, actress,
and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she travelled around the
world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where
she met music producer, Jazze Pha. With his help, she was signed
to LaFace Records, and went on to become a successful artist, selling
more than seven million albums worldwide and having numerous top
ten hits.
In 2004 Ciara released her debut album Goodies which spawned the
number one hits "Goodies" and "1, 2 Step", selling
over five million copies worldwide and certified triple platinum
in the United States. The album earned her four nominations at the
2004 Grammy Awards. In 2006, she released her second album, Ciara:
The Evolution which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and
included the hits "Get Up" and "Promise". Her
third album Fantasy Ride released in May 2009, included the worldwide
top ten hit single "Love Sex Magic" with Justin Timberlake
which earned her a nomination at the 52nd Grammy Awards for "Best
Pop Collaboration with Vocals". Since making her musical debut
in 2004, Ciara has attained five Billboard Hot 100 top ten singles
including a number one. Prior to the release of her third album,
Ciara has sold over seven million albums worldwide,[1] and as of
June 2010, she has sold more than 4.3 million albums and 6.9 million
digital tracks in the United States alone.[2]
Ciara was born in Austin, Texas on October 25, 1985 as the only
child of Jackie and Carlton Harris. Since her father was in the United
States Army, throughout her childhood Ciara grew up on army bases
in Germany, New York, Utah, California, Arizona, and Nevada.[3] In
speaking of this, Ciara states that while she hated to lose good
friends, this helps her in her career when she has to travel all
over the world. During her teens, Ciara and her family settled in
Atlanta.[3] Ciara said that watching Destiny's Child and Janet Jackson
perform on a television program while staying home from school inspired
her to pursue a career in music,[3] and cites superstar siblings
Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson as her biggest inspiration.[4]
Ciara is quoted to have reached what she considered "a career
pinnacle" when she recorded with Janet Jackson on Jackson's
2008 Discipline album.
Career
2002–03: Hearsay and record deal
In her mid-teens Ciara formed the all girl group Hearsay with two
of her friends. The group recorded demos, but as time went on they
began to have differences and eventually parted ways.[3] Despite
this setback, Ciara was still determined to reach her goal and signed
a publishing deal as a songwriter. Her first success was the song "Got
Me Waiting" for R&B singer Fantasia Barrino's debut album,
Free Yourself[3] It was when she was writing songs that she met music
producer, Jazze Pha, whom she called her "music soulmate".
In 2002, the two recorded four demos, "1, 2 Step", "Thug
Style", "Pick Up the Phone", and "Lookin' at
You", which all appeared on her debut album which was released
two years later. The former was the second single released from it
and became a hit.[3]
After graduating from Riverdale High School in Riverdale, Georgia
in 2003, she was signed by LaFace Records executive, L.A. Reid, whom
she was introduced to by Jazze Pha.[5] She began production on her
debut album later that year. In early 2004, Ciara wrote a demo with
record producer, Sean Garrett. The demo was later brought to the
attention of Lil Jon and became her debut single "Goodies".
Lil Jon stated later that he knew it would be big seeing how it sounded
similar to Usher's international hit, "Yeah!"[3]
2004–05: Goodies
Main article: Goodies (album)
"
Goodies"
Play sound
"
Goodies", the crunk counterpart to "Yeah", lyrically
speaks of female empowerment and abstinence-promoting lyrics. It
became Ciara's first single to top the Billboard Hot 100.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.
Ciara released her debut album Goodies on September 28, 2004. Following
the release of the album, Ciara was hailed as the "Princess
or First Lady of Crunk&B". She worked with several writers
and producers on the album, including Jazze Pha (who discovered her),
Lil Jon, Bangladesh, R. Kelly, Johntá Austin, Sean Garrett,
and Keri Hilson, among others. The album debuted at number three
on the US Billboard 200, selling 124,750 copies in its initial week[6]
and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Goodies itself had
a seventy-one week stint on the Billboard 200, and certified three
times-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on
October 10, 2006,[7] and has sold around 2.7 million copies in the
United States as of June 2010.[2] Charting at twenty-two on the Canadian
Albums Chart, it was certified Platinum by the Canadian Recording
Industry Association.[8] The album charted at twenty-six on the UK
Albums Chart, and spent twenty weeks on the chart.[9] It was certified
Silver by the British Phonographic Industry, remaining to be Ciara's
sole certified album in the UK.[9]
Goodies's lead single, the title track, featuring Petey Pablo, was
released on June 8, 2004. Conceived as a crunk female counterpart
to Usher's "Yeah", the lyrical content goes against the
grain, speaking of abstinence, rejecting advances because "the
goodies will stay in the jar." Critics hailed it as an "anthem
of the summer" and one of the best singles of the year, complementing
its dance-feel and beat, and the irony of the "clever" lyrics.
The single performed well worldwide, topping the charts in Canada,
the United States and the United Kingdom, and charting in the top
ten of other charts, receiving Platinum certification in the United
States.[10][11] "1, 2 Step" featuring Missy Elliott was
released as the album's second single.[12] While topping the charts
in Canada, it additionally appeared the in top ten of six other countries,
and was certified Platinum or Gold in multiple regions.[10][11] The
song was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 48th Grammy
Awards.[13] "Oh" featuring Ludacris was released as the
third single on March 5, 2005. The song performed well worldwide,
appearing in the top ten of seven charts, and certified either Platinum
or Gold in multiple regions.[10][11]
Following the success of the album, Ciara released a CD/DVD entitled
Goodies: The Videos & More in the United States on July 12, 2005
which featured remixes to "1, 2 Step" and "Oh",
including two new songs. The release was certified platinum in the
United States. Ciara also served as an opening act for Gwen Stefani's
Harajuku Lovers Tour 2005 and went on tour with Chris Brown and Bow
Wow on the Holiday Jam Tour in December 2005. She made a guest appearance
on Missy Elliott's single "Lose Control" and also on Bow
Wow's single "Like You", which both peaked at number three
in the United States and obtained worldwide success. At the 48th
Grammy Awards, Ciara received four nominations including a Grammy
award for "Best New Artist", "Best Rap/Sung Collaboration" for "1,
2 Step", and "Best Rap Song" for "Lose Control" for
Elliot's single. She won "Best Short Form Music Video" with
Elliott for the single.[13]
2006–07: Ciara: The Evolution
Main article: Ciara: The Evolution
On December 5, 2006 Ciara released her second studio album, Ciara:
The Evolution. According to the singer, the title of the album is "about
so much more than just my personal growth -- it's about the evolution
of music, the evolution of dance, the evolution of fashion".[14]
The source of the album's creativity such as the sound and edge comes
from Ciara in general.[15] Although, Michael Jackson, Prince and
Madonna were influences on the album.[16] Ciara worked with a new
line of producers including Rodney Jerkins, Pharrell, Bryan-Michael
Cox, Will.i.am and many others, as well as working with producers
Jazze Pha and Lil Jon who previously worked with the singer on her
debut album.
Ciara: The Evolution became Ciara's first number one album on the
US Billboard 200 and second on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts
with sales of more than 338,000 becoming her highest first week of
sales to date. The album went on to be certified platinum by the
RIAA in the United States, within only five weeks of its release.
It sold over two million copies worldwide. The album's international
lead single "Get Up" which features Chamillionaire reached
number seven in the United States and gained a platinum accreditation.
It reached number five in New Zealand.[17] The song was used for
the film Step Up and featured on the film's soundtrack. The album's
lead single in the United States, "Promise" reached number
eleven on the Billboard Hot 100 and became her third number one single
on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. "Like a Boy" was
released as the second international single which reached within
the top twenty in the UK,[18] Finland,[19] France, Ireland, Sweden[20]
Switzerland, and also in the United States.[21]
In support of the album, Ciara headlined The Evolution Tour in October
2006. The tour went to seventeen different clubs in cities throughout
the United States. In August 2007 she headlined the Screamfest '07
tour with fellow rapper, T.I.. Ciara along with Chris Brown and Akon,
was a support act for Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad Tour in the United
Kingdom. She made guest appearances on singles such as "So What" by
Field Mob and also on Tiffany Evans' single "Promise Ring".
In addition to her music, Ciara made her acting debut in the MTV
Films production All You've Got in May 2006. In the movie she played
Becca Whiley, a teenager who is competing in a Volleyball Tournament.
Ciara became the face of Jay-Z's Rocawear clothing line and spokesperson
for the women campaign entitled "I Will Not Lose", which
debuted in the summer of 2007.
2008–09: Fantasy Ride
Main article: Fantasy Ride
Ciara in February 2009
In October 2008 Ciara was honored as Billboard's "Woman of
the Year", because of her success as a recording artist and
leadership in embracing the changing music business.[22] In the October
issue of Vibe Magazine, Ciara appeared to be naked on the magazine's
cover but she has stated that Vibe airbrushed her clothes off to
make it appear she was completely nude. Ciara told MTV News she was
hurt by the photos and was quite shocked when she finally got her
hands on the month's issue. She later confirmed that she was in fact
clothed.[23] Although her third album was originally intended for
a September 2008 release, Fantasy Ride was released after a number
of delays in May 2009. It became Ciara's first top ten album in the
UK and Canada. In the United States, Fantasy Ride debuted at number
three on the Billboard 200, becoming Ciara's third consecutive album
to debut within the top three on the chart.
The album's lead single "Never Ever" which featured Young
Jeezy was released in the United States in January 2009 and reached
a peak of number nine on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The second
single "Love Sex Magic" featuring Justin Timberlake successfully
became a worldwide hit, reaching within the top ten in eleven countries
including the US where it reached a peak of number ten on the Billboard
Hot 100. It went on to be certified platinum in Australia[24] and
received a gold accreditation in New Zealand.[25] It received a nomination
for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals" at the 52nd Grammy
Awards and also for Best Choreography in a Video at the 2009 MTV
Video Music Awards. In July 2009, Ciara headlined the Jay-Z & Ciara
Live tour with Jay-Z. She was also the support act for Britney Spears's
Circus tour, where she performed eight nights at London's prestigious
O2 Arena during June 2009.[26] Ciara made a guest appearance on Nelly's
single "Stepped On My J'z" from his album Brass Knuckles,
and also on Enrique Iglesias' international hit single, "Takin'
Back My Love", from his Greatest Hits album.
2010–present: Basic Instinct
Main article: Basic Instinct (album)
In February 2010, rapper Ludacris released a remix to his single "How
Low" which had Ciara as a featured artist alongside Miami rapper
Pitbull. In March 2010 Ciara made a cameo appearance in the music
video of Usher's single, "Lil' Freak". Her fourth studio
album Basic Instinct was released in December 2010. Ciara told Pete
Lewis of Blues & Soul magazine, that the album "is really
about her trusting her instinct and going back to the R&B/urban
basics in her music – like where she first started, in the
days of "Goodies" and "1, 2 Step".[27] It was
executively produced by the singer alongside her A&R agent Mark
Pitts and writing/production duo Tricky Stewart and The-Dream who,
also produced records for her previous album, Fantasy Ride. Basic
Instinct debuted at number forty-four on the US Billboard 200 chart,
with first-week sales of 37,000 copies.[28] Consequently, it marks
the first time in Ciara's career that one of her album's has missed
the top three, as well as continuing a downward trend in success.
On the U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, the album opened at number
eleven,[29] again becoming Ciara's lowest charting album of her career
thus far.
"Ride", which features Ludacris, was released as the album's
lead single on April 26, 2010. It peaked at number forty-two on the
US Billboard Hot 100, number three on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop
Songs chart.,[30] and achieved minor success in the UK.[31] It became
Ciara's twelfth top-ten R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and R&B/Hip-Hop
Songs hit.[32] The song won the award for "Best Dance Performance" at
the 2010 Soul Train Music Awards.[33] "Gimmie Dat" was
released as the third single off the album on November 2, 2010,[34]
the follow-up to her minor hit "Speechless". It has reached
a current peak of number sixty-seven on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop
Songs chart[21] and has achieved minor success in the UK.[35] In
November 2010 Ciara travelled to Australia to be part of the Summerbeatz
tour alongside Flo Rida, Jay Sean, Akon, Travie McCoy and Ja Rule.[36]
Artistry
Music and voice
"
Oh"
Play sound
"
Oh" makes uses of a heavy bassline, showcasing Ciara's trademark
breathy vocals.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.
With the release of her debut single "Goodies", Ciara
was referred to as the Princess of Crunk&B.[37] Allison Stewart
of The Washington Post commented that she has a "reedy, agile
voice, capable of conveying the only three emotions (sexy, sassy,
sad) an R&B singer needs.[38] Randall Roberts of Los Angeles
Times commented that "Ciara has been the most synthetic of the
R&B divas over the past decade, an electro-leaning vocalist whose
instrumental palate has heavily favored stark 808 beats, sassy and
seductive vocal lines."[39] In reviewing her second album Ciara:
The Evolution, Jody Rosen of Entertainment Weekly writes "Ciara's
comfort with rave-inspired beats sets her apart from Cassie, Amerie,
Rihanna, and other would-Beyoncés...[Her] singing is nimble
throughout: She whispers, coos, wails, and reels off speedy syncopations
worthy of Beyoncé herself."[40] Her third album Fantasy
Ride saw the singer showcasing a new pop and dance direction. Bill
Lamb of About.com commented that her hit "Love Sex Magic" has
a "retro funk guitar feel" to it and that "the song
rides a beat that brings simultaneous echoes of 70's R&B and
classic Janet Jackson.[41] Ciara's music is generally contemporary
R&B, but she also incoporates various styles of musical genres
including, hip hop, crunk, rap, dance-pop, electro pop and funk into
her songs. Critics have described her singles "Goodies", "1,
2 Step", "Get Up" and "Go Girl" as club
bangers.[42]
Ciara's debut album featured production from Jazze Pha who discovered
her. Critics compared the album to the late singer Aaliyah.[43][44]
and said it had qualities of Destiny's Child.[44] On her second album,
Ciara worked with one of her debut album collaborators Lil Jon on "That's
Right", sampling Pretty Tony's "Fix It in the Mix".[45]
She has also taken to sampling songs from other artist such as, Lyn
Collins's "Think (About It)" and Rob Base's "It Takes
Two" on "Make It Last Forever",[45] Jive Rhythm Trax’s
80's electro cut "122 BPM" on "C.R.U.S.H"[46]
and also Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' "If You Don't Know
Me by Now", sampling the chorus of the song onto "Never
Ever".[38]
Other ventures
In September 2008 Ciara contributed to the song "Just Stand
Up!" with fifteen female artists, who shared the stage to perform
the song live on September 5, 2008 during the "Stand Up to Cancer" television
special. The proceeds from the single were given to the fundraiser.[47]
The television special helped raise $100 million dollars for cancer
research.[48]
In 2009 Ciara signed a multi-million dollar deal with the modeling
agency Wilhelmina Models. After signing the deal she has been in
many magazine spreads. In addition to that, she also has her eyes
set on beginning a new clothing line. In June 2008 she was in talks
with the department store Steve & Barry's to create an affordable
clothing line.[49] On November 9, 2009 it was announced that Ciara
would be modeling in the German edition of "Vogue".[50]
During that time, it was also announced that Ciara would be the new
face of a major multimedia ad campaign for Verizon's smartphone the
LG Chocolate Touch. Ciara filmed a commercial for the campaign, which
features her dancing to her 2009 single "Work".[51] In
March 2010 it was officially confirmed and announced that Ciara was
the spokesperson in the new ad campaign for Adidas Originals. A commercial
for the campaign was released the same month, featuring numerous
of other celebrities.[52]
Personal life
In 2003, Ciara began dating rapper Bow Wow. They ended their relationship
in April 2006.[53]
Discography
Main article: Ciara discography
* Goodies (2004)
* Ciara: The Evolution (2006)
* Fantasy Ride (2009)
* Basic Instinct (2010)
Tours
Headlining
* 2006: The Evolution Tour
* 2007: Screamfest '07 (with T.I.)
* 2009: Jay-Z & Ciara Live (with Jay-Z)
Supporting act
* 2005: Harajuku Lovers Tour 2005
* 2007: Good Girl Gone Bad Tour
* 2009: The Circus Starring Britney Spears
* 2010: Summerbeatz
Filmography
Year Film Role Notes
2006 All You've Got Becca Watley Television film
2011 Mama, I Want to Sing! Amara Awaiting release