Mathai (singer)

Last updated
Mathai
Birth nameSharon Mathai
Born (1992-11-27) November 27, 1992 (age 31)
Queens, New York, U.S.
Origin Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Genres Pop, jazz
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2012–present

Sharon Mathai, known professionally as Mathai, is an American singer. She was on the second season of NBC's The Voice and was one of the top 10 contestants.

Contents

Trained in jazz during her childhood, Mathai started developing her vocal style around the age of sixteen with a sound reminiscent of Billie Holiday, Norah Jones, Nelly Furtado, and Adele, although two of her biggest influences are Johnny Cash and Amy Winehouse.[ citation needed ]

Early life

Sharon Mathai was born on November 27, 1992, in Queens, New York. Her parents, Samuel and Elsa, are from Kerala, India. She stated that she could understand Malayalam but could not speak very fluently. [1] She adopted the stage name Mathai, which is the name 'Matthew' in Malayalam, as derived from Hebrew. She had started singing at age 3, primarily in church events. When she was 10, her family moved to Dallas, Texas. Mathai attended Coppell High School and Texas Women's University.

Career

Beginnings

During the winter of 2010 she had the opportunity to perform during the AMTC convention in Orlando, Florida where she was discovered by two entertainment executives, and soon took a break from school to move to Atlanta to pursue her music career. [2]

In late 2010 she auditioned for The Glee Project , a spin-off from the television series GLEE on FOX. [3] After advancing to the final round, she did not make the cast, but she was convinced that singing was what she wanted to do.

In November 2011, on a dare from friends, Mathai auditioned for Season 2 of the talent competition series, The Voice on NBC. [4] After making it through the blind auditions, her rendition of "Rumor Has It" by Adele's caused coaches (Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Cee-Lo Green) to turn around and woo her to join their team. [5] [6] Mathai joined Team Adam and over the next several weeks continued to advance before being eliminated after making the top ten. [3] [7]

After The Voice

Mathai collaborated with Lecrae on the track "Free From it All" from Gravity , which was released September 4, 2012 and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. [8] [9] The album won the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album. [10]

Mathai's EP, Girl Like Me, was released on July 4, 2013. Her debut single, "Once Again", was released on March 25, 2013. The EP was written and produced by Mathai and Grammy Award-winning producers Dru Castro and Pierre Medor.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lecrae</span> American rapper, record producer, and actor from Texas

Lecrae Devaughn Moore is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record and film producer, record executive, actor, and entrepreneur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandisa</span> American singer

Mandisa Lynn Hundley, known professionally as Mandisa, is an American gospel and contemporary Christian recording artist. Her career began as a contestant in the fifth season of American Idol, in which she finished in ninth place. She is the fifth American Idol alumna to win a Grammy Award, for her album Overcomer in the Best Contemporary Christian Music Album category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Make You Feel My Love</span> 1997 song by Bob Dylan

"Make You Feel My Love", also known as "To Make You Feel My Love", is a song written by Bob Dylan for his album Time Out of Mind, released in September 1997. It was first released commercially in August 1997 by Billy Joel for his compilation album Greatest Hits Volume III.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lea Michele</span> American actress and singer (born 1986)

Lea Michele Sarfati is an American actress, singer, and songwriter. She began her career as a child actress on Broadway, appearing in productions of Les Misérables (1995–1996), Ragtime (1997–1999), Fiddler on the Roof (2004–2005), and Spring Awakening (2006–2008). Michele came to prominence playing Rachel Berry on the Fox series Glee (2009–2015), for which she received nominations for an Emmy Award, two Golden Globe and three Grammy Award nominations for music recorded for the series, also spawning multiple hits on the Billboard charts. Michele subsequently starred as Hester Ulrich on the Fox series Scream Queens (2015–2016) and as Valentina Barella on the ABC sitcom The Mayor (2017).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adele</span> British singer (born 1988)

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, known mononymously as Adele, is an English singer-songwriter. She is known for her mezzo-soprano vocals and sentimental songwriting. Adele has received numerous accolades including 16 Grammy Awards, 12 Brit Awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chasing Pavements</span> 2008 single by Adele

"Chasing Pavements" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele for her debut studio album, 19 (2008). Written by Adele with its producer Francis "Eg" White, the song was released as the second single from the album on 14 January 2008. Its lyrics describe questioning whether or not to keep chasing something that is not going anywhere. Adele was inspired to write the song after public argument and subsequent break up with an older man.

<i>21</i> (Adele album) 2011 studio album by Adele

21 is the second studio album by the English singer-songwriter Adele. It was released on 24 January 2011 in Europe by XL Recordings and on 22 February 2011 in North America by Columbia Records. The album was named after the age of the singer during its production. 21 shares the Motown/soul influences of her 2008 debut album 19, but also draws influence from the American country and Southern blues music that Adele started listening to during the North American leg of her tour An Evening with Adele. Composed in the aftermath of the singer's separation from her then partner, the album explores themes of heartbreak, healing, introspection, and forgiveness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Someone like You (Adele song)</span> 2011 single by Adele

"Someone like You" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele. She and Dan Wilson wrote and produced the track for her second studio album, 21 (2011). It is the second single and final track on the album. The song was inspired by a broken relationship with one's life partner, and lyrically speaks of Adele's coming to terms with it. XL Recordings released the song as the second single from the album on 24 January 2011 in the United Kingdom and on 9 August 2011 in the United States. Accompanied only by a piano in the song, Adele sings about the end of the relationship with her ex-partner.

Ashthon Jones is an American singer from Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Jones finished as the 13th place finalist on the tenth season of American Idol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rumour Has It (Adele song)</span> 2011 song by Adele

"Rumour Has It" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele for her second studio album, 21 (2011). The song was written by Adele and Ryan Tedder; the latter is also the producer. Adele has stated that the song was not inspired by the media but it was aimed at her own friends who believed 'rumours' they read about her in tabloids. It was released on 5 November 2011 as the fourth single from the album in the United Kingdom.

<i>Gravity</i> (Lecrae album) Album by Lecrae

Gravity is the sixth studio album by American Christian hip hop artist Lecrae, released on September 4, 2012. The album features appearances from Big K.R.I.T., Mathai, Ashthon Jones, Sho Baraka and Mali Music, along with labelmates Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, Derek Minor, who was formerly known as PRo, and Tedashii. Producers on the album include DJ Khalil, Street Symphony's Heat Academy, and The Watchmen. The first single off the album, "I Know", was released on July 24, 2012, and was followed by "Tell the World" featuring Mali Music on August 15, 2012, and "Mayday" featuring Big K.R.I.T. and Ashthon Jones on August 30, 2012. Reach Records released five music videos for the album: "Lord Have Mercy", featuring Tedashii along with No Malice of Clipse, on August 1, 2012, "Tell the World", featuring Mali Music, on October 19, 2012, "Mayday", featuring Big K.R.I.T. and Ashthon Jones, on December 13, 2012, "Fakin'", featuring Thi'sl, on February 1, 2013, and "Confe$$ions", featuring David Banner, on April 30, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turning Tables</span> 2011 single by Adele

"Turning Tables" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele for her second studio album, 21 (2011). Conceived after an altercation with her former lover, the song was co-written by Adele and singer-songwriter Ryan Tedder, whilst the production was completed by Jim Abbiss. "Turning Tables" is a pop ballad with a soulful sound; its instrumentation consists of piano, "Broadway-worthy" strings, and guitar. Lyrically, the song describes a domestic dispute in which its narrator assumes a defensive stance against a manipulative ex-lover. XL Recordings sent the song to UK mainstream radio on 5 November 2011 as the fifth single from 21 along with "Rumour Has It".

Amanda Leah Brown is an American singer and dancer from New York City. She was a contestant on the third season of NBC’s The Voice and finished in fifth place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candice Glover</span> American singer and actress

Candice Rickelle Glover is an American R&B singer and actress who won the twelfth season of American Idol. Glover is the first winner to have auditioned three times before being cast for the live shows. Her debut album Music Speaks was released on February 18, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reach Records</span> American label of Christian hip hop

Reach Records is an American independent record label specializing in Christian hip hop. The label was founded in 2004 by Ben Washer and the hip-hop artist Lecrae. In addition to Lecrae, the Reach Records roster contains artists like Tedashii, Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, 1K Phew, WHATUPRG, Wande, Hulvey, and Limoblaze. The hip-hop collective 116 operates under the label and consists primarily of the label's solo acts. The artists Sho Baraka, Derek Minor, Aha Gazelle, KB and Gawvi were formerly signed to the label, and DJ Official was under the label until his death.

<i>Church Clothes 2</i> 2013 mixtape by Lecrae

Church Clothes 2, officially Church Clothes, Vol. 2, is the second mixtape by Christian hip hop artist Lecrae, released on November 7, 2013 by Reach Records. Hosted by Don Cannon, it follows Lecrae's previous mixtape, Church Clothes, and Grammy Award-winning full-length album Gravity, both of which came out in 2012. Two versions of the album were released, a free version with host Don Cannon, and a commercial version off iTunes without the DJ. The first single off the album, "Round of Applause", was released on May 14, 2013. On May 21, a remixed version of the song, featuring rapper B.o.B, was released. A second single off the album, "I'm Turnt", dropped on October 18, 2013. The mixtape was downloaded over 100,000 times on DatPiff.com in the first two weeks and debuted at No. 21 on the Billboard 200 chart, No. 1 on the Top Christian and Gospel charts, and No. 3 on the Top Rap chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dunlap Exclusive</span> American record producer (born 1983)

Charles Dunlap is better known by his stagename Dunlap Exclusive. He is a Grammy, Stellar and 3x Dove award-winning music producer from Nashville, Tennessee who has worked with artists such as 2 Chainz, Lloyd, Jim Jones, Trina, Rick Ross and Lecrae.

<i>Anomaly</i> (Lecrae album) 2014 studio album by Lecrae

Anomaly is the seventh studio album by American Christian hip hop artist Lecrae, released on September 9, 2014, through Reach Records. The album features appearances from Crystal Nicole, Kari Jobe, and For King & Country, along with label-mate Andy Mineo. Anomaly met with a positive critical reception, and the song "Nuthin", released for streaming as a single on July 1, 2014, was nominated for the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards in the best Impact Track category. The album also fared well commercially, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with over 88,000 copies sold. It also debuted at No. 1 on the Top Gospel Albums chart, marking the first time that any artist has ever topped both the 200 and Gospel charts. Anomaly won Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year at the 2015 GMA Dove Awards, and Rap, Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year at the 2015 Stellar Awards. Two songs earned a nomination for the 2015 Grammy Awards; "All I Need Is You" was nominated for Best Rap Performance, and "Messengers", featuring For King & Country, which won Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.

Daniel "Danny" Tannenbaum, known professionally as Bekon, previously known as Danny Keyz, is an American record producer, songwriter and musician.

References

  1. ↑ Dargan, Shruti (April 4, 2012). "India is home to me: Sharon Mathai". Hindustan Times . Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Success Stories: Mathai". Actors, Models, and Talent for Christ. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  3. 1 2 "US music show: Indian-American makes it to the top 24". The Times of India . 30 March 2012. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  4. ↑ "Extraordinary People: An Afternoon with Mathai ("The Voice")". Vertigo Shtick. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  5. ↑ Gallo, Phil. "'The Voice' Recap: Mathai Delivers Awe-Inspiring 'Rumour Has It'". Billboard. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  6. ↑ "'The Voice' Contestant Mathai Crushed Her Performance – AND She's From Georgia! She Calls The Bert Show To Spill What It Was Like On Stage". The Bert Show. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  7. ↑ Jaffer, Murtz (26 April 2012). "The Voice 2012: Exclusive Exit Interview With Mathai". Inside Pulse. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  8. ↑ "Lecrae 'Gravity' Tracklisting Revealed". Rapzilla . July 24, 2012. Archived from the original (Web) on July 27, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  9. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (September 12, 2012). "Matchbox Twenty Gets First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart" (Web). Billboard . Nielsen Business Media . Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  10. ↑ Nessif, Bruna (December 5, 2012). "55th Annual Grammy Awards: Complete List of Nominees" (Web). E! . NBCUniversal . Retrieved December 9, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.