DYLN is a name used by Stephanie Lang, a Canadian Pop/R&B artist, songwriter, and producer based in Los Angeles, California. Her musical style is mainly pop and R&B, with influences of hip hop and electronic sounds.
Lang is known by the stage name Stef Lang. She adopted the name in 2016 and independently released her debut single "Better Things", which Pip Williams, of The Line of Best Fit describes as, "Sharp, slick electro-pop with a hell of an attitude." Lang wrote and co-produced her latest EP, Stef Lang _02, released in December 2020, which amassed over a million streams, garnering attention from coveted curated playlists, such as New Music Friday and Alternative R&B.
The name comes from a guitar which she named Stef Lang, on which she wrote songs during a depression. The carbon fibre guitar was said to be unbreakable, so the singer kept the sentiment as her name. Lang is known for her wide-ranging vocals, her talk-rapping style, and for her messages of female empowerment. She has performed at notable venues in New York, such as Rockwood Music Hall, The Bitter End, and Pianos, as well as clubs in Los Angeles such as The Peppermint Club, Hotel Cafe, and Resident. She has toured internationally. She has performed at events such as South by Southwest, NXNE, the Canadian Radio Music Awards, the Toronto International Film Festival, and CMJ.[1][2][3]
2006-2010: Career beginnings
In the spring of 2006, Lang won a local radio station talent competition hosted by The Beat 94.5, now Virgin Radio, where she won a four-song recording deal with a recording studio. After graduating high school at 17, she moved to Vancouver, BC, where accepted a studio internship to learn more about the music industry and music production.[4]
Two EPs were released, titled Birth and Blood and Bravery. In 2010, she independently released her debut album, The Underdog, which earned her two Canadian Radio Music Award Nominations (HOT AC & CHR) for her single "Mr. Immature".[5] The album was also nominated for Pop Album of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards.[citation needed]
2010-2016: The Underdog, Fighting Mirrors, Arrows Pt. 1 & 2
In 2012, Lang self-released her EP Fighting Mirrors and her single "Paper Doll." Later that year, she independently released a full album called Self, which she wrote and produced entirely herself. In 2013, Lang's vocals were featured on ISH's song "Rollin'" released on Warner Music. She released her EP Rubix in 2014. By 2015, Lang released two more EPs, Arrows Pt. 1 and Arrows Pt. 2, where she once again wrote and produced all of the tracks. Her final release under the name Stef Lang was her single "Stronger".[citation needed]
2017-2018: "Better Things", "Hold", Chapter 1: The Truth
In 2017, Lang made her debut as Stef Lang with her single "Better Things", which garnered buzz from notable music blogs such as The Line of Best Fit and Going Solo.[citation needed] Later that year she released two more singles, "Hold" and "Colours". In 2018, Lang moved to Los Angeles to further pursue music opportunities and later released her first EP, Chapter 1: The Truth. Mitch Mosk of Atwood Magazine described Chapter 1: The Truth as "A gorgeous three-track collection of dynamic and intimately reflective dark indie pop."[6] As a follow-up to her first EP, she later released another three-song EP called "Chapter 2: The Silver Lining" in 2019.
2019: Rings
In 2019, Lang released a full-length album called Rings, which she wrote and co-produced with her husband Frequency (Eminem, Rihanna), written entirely about their marriage.
2020: Stef Lang_02
She wrote and co-produced her most recent EP, Stef Lang_02 with her husband and released it in December 2020.
Musical style
Performing at SXSW in Austin, Texas, 2018
The genre of Lang's music has been described as pop with R&B and electronic undertones, often using hip-hop influences. Her latest EP Stef Lang_02 includes her wide-ranging vocals in songs like "Shower" as well as her talk-rapping style in "Quit Talkin’" and showcases influences to the likes of Beyoncé, Missy Elliot and The Black Eyed Peas. About her songwriting process, she says, "My philosophy is to write real songs," often crediting influences like Kid Cudi and Robyn, whose themes of darkness and sadness have molded her music.[3]
Music blog PressPlayOk stated, "Proclaiming this NYC gal as a future pop queen. Not to be missed."[7] Lang is also a music producer, often producing songs on her own.
Discography
Singles
Title
Details
"Better Things"
Released: March 3, 2017
Label: Self-released
Format: Digital download
"Hold"
Released: June 7, 2017
Label: Self-released
Format: Digital download
"Colours"
Released: November 10, 2017
Label: Self-released
Format: Digital download
"Need Me"
Released: June 26, 2020
Label: Self-released
Format: Digital download
Extended plays
Title
Details
Chapter 1: The Truth
Released: November 2, 2018
Label: Self-released
Format: Digital download
Chapter 2: The Silver Lining
Released: May 17, 2019
Label: Self-released
Format: Digital download
Stef Lang_02
Released: December 30, 2020
Label: Self-released
Format: Digital download
Studio albums
Title
Details
Rings
Released: November 15, 2019
Label: Independent
Formats: Digital Download
Film & TV song placements
"Like That" – Almost Family / Pilot Episode
"Face The Arrows" – VH1's Black Ink Crew" / Episode 514
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