Lana Del Rey; Biography

Birth Name: Elizabeth Woolridge Grant

Birth Date: June 21st 1985

Origin: New York

Education and Career: 

Lana initially attended a Catholic elementary school and for one year, she attended a high school where her mother taught. Her first spark of interest within the music scene was highlighted when she began singing in her church choir. At 15 she was sent by her parents to Kent School in order to deal with her alcohol abuse and partying. After finally graduating high school, Lana took a gap year living on Long Island where her uncle taught her to play the guitar and this was when she realised that she could one day, become famous.

Shortly after this she enrolled at Fordham University where she majored in philosophy. However, alongside this she began writing and performing her own songs in nightclubs around the city. 

From here it was onwards and upwards for her. She signed her first ever recording contract with 5 Points Records in 2007 and released her first digital album 'Lana Del Rey'  under them in January 2010. She later went on to buy herself out of the contract with 5 Points in April 2010 and then signed a joint contract with Interscope, Polydor and Stranger Records in July 2011.

She released her second studio album 'Born to Die' in January 2012 which debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 and was the 5th best selling album of 2012. A remix of one of the featured singles 'Summertime Sadness' became her highest charting track on the U.S. Billboard hot 100 after peaking at number 6 in the country. She then went on to realise her 3rd extended play 'Paradise' that November and her 3rd studio album 'Ultraviolence' was released in June 2014 which debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200. In December 2014 she announced her headlining tour, taking place in the summer 2015.

Her music has been noted for its cinematic sound and its references to various aspects of pop culture, particularly that of the 1950's and 1960's Americana. She states that she draws influence from many well known stars; Elvis, Amy Winehouse, Nirvana etc. Lastly, Lana is the most streamed woman in the U.S. on spotifiy, which clearly connotes just how popular she is!

Below is a video of Lana performing before fame under her old stage name 'Lizzy Grant'

References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lana_Del_Rey