Josh Levi (singer)

Last updated

Josh Levi
Josh Levi @HOTSPOTATL.png
Levi in 2024
Background information
Born
Joshua Levi Bolden

(1998-10-07) October 7, 1998 (age 27)
Houston, Texas
Genres R&B
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
  • dancer
Years active2009–present
Labels

Joshua Levi Bolden (born October 7, 1998) is an American singer and actor from Houston, Texas. [1] He first gained attention for his role in the NBC television series Friday Night Lights. He then attained further prominence after placing 8th on the third season of The X Factor USA. After performing as part of a short-lived boy group, Levi released his debut extended play DISC ONE in July of 2020.

Contents

After his EP caught the attention of Issa Rae he signed to her namesake label Raedio and Atlantic Records in 2021.

In March 2022, Levi voiced the character of Aaron Z from the fictional boy band 4*Town in the Pixar animated film Turning Red. He was featured on the song "Nobody Like U" from the film's soundtrack, co-written by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell . The song saw immediate success, peaking at number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100, Levi's first charting hit. [2] The song also earned him his first Grammy Award nomination later in November of 2022. [3] . In the meantime, Levi released the follow-up to his first extended play DISC TWO, in June 2022.

In October 2025, Levi released his debut studio album HYDRAULIC.

Career

2009–2019: Acting, The X Factor and Citizen Four

Levi started his career in 2009, when he landed the role of Darius Merriweather on the television series Friday Night Lights, which he starred in for two seasons. [4] [5]

In 2013, he was a finalist on season 3 [6] of the television series The X Factor USA. [7] [8] After he was eliminated, Levi returned to the show to participate with the top 12 of the competition. [9] [10] [11] Levi then advanced to the final eight slots before he was eliminated for a second time. [12] In February 2014, Levi released his debut single "Trying to Find You". [13] In June 2014, he appeared at a DigiTour show in Dallas, Texas, in June. [14] He also performed at the outlets at Anthem tree lighting ceremony in Phoenix, Arizona, [15] and the Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles in November 2014. [16] [17] In 2015, Levi toured with Aaron Carter; [18] and released an official cover of Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney's single, "FourFiveSeconds". [19] In 2016, Levi collaborated with American singers Niki and Gabi on a cover of "Work From Home" by Fifth Harmony. [20]

In early 2017, he formed a group named Citizen Four alongside Carson Boatman, Connor Boatman, and fellow The X Factor contestant, Austin Percario for Island Records. [21] In August 2017, it was announced that Levi had left the band. [22] That same year, he made a guest appearance on the Nickelodeon series The Thundermans . [23] In 2018, Levi made another Nickelodeon guest appearance on the television series Game Shakers . [24]

2019–2024: Solo music career, college education and record deal

Following his exit from the group Citizen Four, Levi shifted his full attention towards his education and solo ventures. In July 2019, he earned a Bachelor's degree of science in business and finance from Full Sail University. In July 2020, he released he first extended play DISC ONE. [25] In October 2020, he released the music video for his song "Don't They", which included a cameo by his childhood friend singer Normani. Celebrity photographer Blair Caldwell directed the music video in his directorial debut. [26] [27]

In September 2021, Levi signed to Issa Rae's Raedio and Atlantic Records. He also released the song "NASA" and its music video. [28] In 2022, Levi voiced the character of Aaron Z from the fictional boy band 4*Town in the Pixar animated film Turning Red . In April 2022, he earned his first Billboard Hot 100 charting hit with the Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell co-written "Nobody Like U" from the film's soundtrack, which peaked at number 49. [2] In June 2022, Levi released the remix to his song "Don't They" featuring Normani, from his second extended play DISC TWO. [29] In May 12, 2023, Levi released the deluxe to his second extended play called DISC TWO (SCRATCHED UP) which features the viral hit single, "Birthday Dance". Levi also announced that he was working on his debut studio album. [30] [31]

On May 31, 2024 Levi released single SOMETHING MORE. [32]

2025: HYDRAULIC and tour

On April 4 2025, Levi began touring as the support act for Flo on the North American leg of their Access All Areas tour, concluding in Los Angeles on May 25 2025. [33] [34]

On June 4th 2025, Levi announced his debut album, HYDRAULIC would be released in the summer of 2025, preceded by the lead single FEEL THE BA$$, and DON'T GO. [35] [36] [37]

The album's release faced multiple delays; originally slated for a summer release, HYDRAULIC was eventually released on October 10, 2025. [38] [39] . The album was received to acclaim, with critics praising its "glossy" production choices and Levi's "silky" vocals. [40] [41] . A primarily pop and R&B record, the album features collaborations with BEAM and Flo and production from MNEK and London on da Track. [42]

Levi has also hinted on multiple occasions about the possibility of a future tour. [43]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2009–2011 Friday Night Lights Darius Merriweather8 episodes
2016 Days of Our Lives DJEpisode: "#1.12833"
Royal CrushJordan6 episodes
NU Skool RecordsMitchellTelevision short
2017 The Thundermans DrakeEpisode: "Date of Emergency"
2017That's the GagWaiterEpisode: "Keke Gets Bad Press"
2018 Game Shakers RickEpisode: "Babe & the Boys" [44]

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2009I Pledge Allegiance...LennyShort film
2010 Halo Legends Kid B (voice)Direct-to-video
2014The Next DanceYoung TristianDirect-to-video
2017School SpiritsMickey
2022 Turning Red Aaron Z. (4*Town) (voice)Theatrical release [45]

Discography

Albums & EPs

TitleDetails
DISC ONE
DISC TWO
DISC TWO (SCRATCHED UP)
HYDRAULIC

Singles

See also

References

  1. ↑ Brian DiMaio (February 17, 2014). "My Motto is to Stay Odd, And Run Your Own Race: A TDQ Q&A With Entertainer Josh Levi". The Daily Quarterly.
  2. 1 2 Lee, Cydney; Rouhani, Neena (April 20, 2022). "R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Rico Nasty, Josh Levi, Kay Flock & More". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  3. ↑ "65th Annual GRAMMY Awards | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  4. ↑ Joey Guerra (October 1, 2013). "Houston's own Josh Levi sings, dances, acts and impresses 'X Factor' judges". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Josh Levi - Filmography". The Movies Made Me Do It. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  6. ↑ "X Factor USA 2013 Top 12 Recap: Wild Card Twist Gets Josh Levi Return on Fox Show". International Business Times. November 7, 2013.
  7. ↑ "He's Got the Moves Like MJ: Music Sensation Josh Levi Opens-Up!". The Levity Ball. January 24, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Josh Levi Talks Creating His Own Creative Vision For His Debut Project". Wonderland. January 7, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  9. ↑ Katy Kroll (November 7, 2013). "X-Factor Recap: Paulina Rubio Brings Back Josh Levi in Surprise Move". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  10. ↑ Elisabeth Kramer (November 6, 2013). "X Factor 2013: Josh Levi Brought Back as a Wildcard!". Wet Paint. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  11. ↑ Wade Rouse (November 14, 2013). "The X Factor: Josh Levi Is 'Straight Up' the Star of the Night". People. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  12. ↑ Jason Hughes (November 28, 2013). "'The X Factor': Josh Levi Impresses With Strong Take On Bruno Mars, Dedicates It To His Grandma". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  13. ↑ Haley Longman (February 14, 2014). "OK! Exclusive: Listen to The X Factor's Josh Levi's Romantic Debut Single!". OK Magazine. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  14. ↑ Brandon Thibodeaux (June 8, 2014). "Stars of YouTube Take to the Stage". The New York Times.
  15. ↑ "Before You Exit, Josh Levi, Christina Grimmie perform at Anthem tree lighting ceremony". Your West Valley. November 12, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  16. ↑ "The 13th Annual Citadel Tree Lighting Concert". KTTV. November 5, 2014. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  17. ↑ Scarlett Zhiqi Chen (November 6, 2014). "The Brightest Nights of the Year". Los Angeles Magazine. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  18. ↑ "Josh Levi comes to UK with Aaron Carter". Music News. January 4, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  19. ↑ Mike Sanford. "X-Factor star Josh Levi covers Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney's "Four Five Seconds"". Heed Magazine. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  20. ↑ Work from Home- Fifth Harmony COVER by Niki and Gabi ft. Josh Levi, June 17, 2016, retrieved October 29, 2023
  21. ↑ Milazzo, Crissy (May 19, 2017). "Meet Citizen Four, Your Next Favorite Boy Band". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Rising Boy Band Citizen Four Talks Destiny's Child-Sampling Single 'My Name (Say It)' & Getting Approval From Beyonce". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Josh Levi". IMDb. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Game Shakers" Babe & the Boys (TV Episode 2018) - IMDb , retrieved June 6, 2022
  25. ↑ "'The X Factor' Alum Josh Levi Drops New EP & Reveals How He Plans To 'Make Waves' In Music & Beyond". Hollywood Life. July 1, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  26. ↑ Mangum, Trey (October 2, 2020). "Josh Levi Debuts 'Don't They' Video Starring Normani and Directed by Blair Caldwell". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Exclusive: Normani Stars In Josh Levi's Sultry Music Video "Don't They"". Wonderland. October 2, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Josh Levi Signs to Issa Rae's Raedio, Shares New Song 'NASA'". Rated R&B. September 7, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Josh Levi Talks Normani Collaboration, 'Disc Two' EP: Interview". Rated R&B. June 6, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  30. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (May 13, 2023). "Josh Levi Releases 'Disc Two (Scratched Up)' EP". Rated R&B. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  31. ↑ Baker, Josh (December 29, 2023). "Josh Levi On Viral Moments and Working On His Debut Album". EBONY. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  32. ↑ Staff, iTunes.com. "SOMETHING MORE - Single". iTunes.com. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  35. ↑ Staff, iTunes.com. "HYDRAULIC". iTunes.com. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  36. ↑ Staff, iTunes.com. "FEEL THE BA$S (Prelude) [feat. BEAM] - Single". iTunes.com. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  37. ↑ Staff, Spotify.com. "DON'T GO". Spotify.com. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Josh Levi on X". x.com. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Josh Levi on X". x.com. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  40. ↑ "Josh Levi shows the "Hydraulic" power of life and love [Album Review] – EARMILK". October 9, 2025. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  41. ↑ W, Jamila. "Album Review: Hydraulic by Josh Levi". www.shatterthestandards.com. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  42. ↑ "HYDRAULIC by Josh Levi". Genius. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Josh Levi on X". x.com. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  44. ↑ "Benjamin Flores Jr. & Thomas Kuc's Epic Episode Recap Fail | Game Shakers | Nickelodeon" . Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  45. ↑ "INTERVIEW - The Voices of 4*Town in 'Turning Red' Jordan Fisher, Grayson Villanueva, Josh Levi & Topher Ngo | POC Culture". March 11, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
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