Mikky Ekko

Last updated
Mikky Ekko
Birth nameJohn Stephen Sudduth
Born Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2008–present
Labels
Website www.mikkyekko.com

John Stephen Sudduth, known professionally as Mikky Ekko, is an American singer and songwriter from Nashville. He co-wrote and was featured on Rihanna's 2013 single "Stay", which charted in multiple countries, becoming his first-charting material. Ekko released his debut studio album, Time , in 2015 through RCA Records. Fame, his second album, was released in 2018 on Interscope Records. [1]

Contents

Early life

John Stephen Sudduth was born in Louisiana and is the son of a preacher. He eventually moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a music career. [2] He began working as a songwriter for other artists, but realized that he wanted to be a singer. [3] [4]

Career

2008–12: Career beginnings

In 2009, Sudduth partnered with producer Tim Lauer and engineer Dan Hansen to record an a cappella version of "Sedated", released under the name Mikky Ekko. That led to his first EP Strange Fruit, which released February 15, 2009. In September 2009, he toured with the Nashville-based collective group Ten Out of Tenn. [5]

Lauer and Hansen collaborated with Ekko for his 2010 EPs, Reds and Blues. "Who Are You, Really?", one of the tracks from Reds, caught the attention of experimental hip hop producer Clams Casino. [2] It was featured in no fewer than six TV series episodes [6] ( Teen Wolf , Ringer , Pretty Little Liars , True Blood , The Blacklist and Reign ). The video for "Feels Like the End", his second official single, produced by Nick Ruth and Ekko, was released to YouTube on September 25, 2012, [7] with the digital release following on September 25. "Pull Me Down", written and produced by Ekko and Casino, was released digitally on October 30, 2012. The official video was uploaded to YouTube on November 16, 2012. [8] Ryan Hemsworth released a remix of the song to iTunes on December 7, 2012. [9]

2012–16: Breakthrough and Time

In November 2012, Ekko was featured on singer Rihanna's seventh studio album Unapologetic on the track "Stay", which became a single in 2013. [10] The song, originally written by Ekko and English songwriter Justin Parker, charted in multiple countries, becoming Ekko's first-charting material. [11] It gave Ekko his first entry on the UK Singles Chart, charting at number four, and on the US Billboard Hot 100 at three. [12] The song charted in the top five of 19 countries, including in Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and Switzerland. It has sold an approximate 10 million copies globally, making it his best selling single. Ekko performed "Stay" together with Rihanna for the first time at the 2013 Grammy Awards on February 10, 2013. [13] Mikael Wood of Los Angeles Times positively reviewed the performance and wrote that it was the most memorable moment of the night. [13]

Ekko released his first official music video on February 6, 2013, for his third single "Pull Me Down" through his VEVO account. [14] "Who Are You, Really?" was featured during the closing credits of HBO's season six premiere of "True Blood" on June 16, 2013. Ekko premiered the video for "Kids" through VEVO on July 8, 2013. [15] It was released via iTunes on September 8, 2013. [16] Ekko co-wrote the song "We Remain" for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack , performed by Christina Aguilera.

Ekko's debut album was titled Time . [17] In March 2015, the song "Smile" was used in the trailer for the teen drama Paper Towns . [18] "Watch Me Rise" became an opening theme for the EFL Championship on Sky Sports. In April 2015, Ekko was picked as Elvis Duran's Artist of the Month and was featured on NBC's Today show hosted by Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb and broadcast nationally where he gave a live performance of "Smile".

2016-2018: Fame

In 2016, Ekko began working on his next project, entitled Fame. Produced by Jay Joyce, the album was recorded in Nashville. [19] [20] The album's first single, "Blood on the Surface", released October 13, 2017. [21] Paper Magazine premiered the song on October 12, 2017, describing it as "synthy retro". [20] "Light the Way", a second song, was released on October 20, 2017. [22] Fame was released on November 2, 2018. [23]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum details
Time
Fame
  • Released: November 2, 2018 [25]
  • Label: Interscope
  • Formats: CD, digital download

Extended plays

TitleDetails
Strange Fruit
Reds
  • Release: June 29, 2010 [27]
  • Format: Digital download
  • Label: Colour and Sound Collective
Blues
  • Release: December 14, 2010 [28]
  • Format: Digital download
  • Label: Colour and Sound Collective
Tracks
  • Release: February 8, 2013 [29]
  • Format: Digital download
  • Label: RCA
Advance Copy

Singles

As lead artist

DateTitleAlbum
2012"We Must Be Killers" [32] Non-album single
"Feels Like the End" [33] Tracks
"Pull Me Down" [34] [upper-alpha 2]
2013"Kids"Non-album single
2014"Smile"Time
2015"Watch Me Rise" [35]
2017"Blood on the Surface"Fame
"Light the Way"
2018"Not the One"
"Moment"
"What's It Like Now"

Promotional singles

DateTitleAlbum
2014"Mourning Doves" [36] Time
"Time" [37]
2015"U" [38]
2018"Cherish You" [39] Fame
Writer/Production/Featured Artist Credits
YearTitleArtistAlbum
WriterProducerFeat / VocalistVocal Producer
2012"Paint It Red" [40] Two Inch Punch Non-album singlexx
2013"Stay" Rihanna (feat Mikky Ekko) Unapologetic xxxx
2013"We Remain" Christina Aguilera Hunger Games Catching Fire Soundtrack x
2014"Stranger" Chris Malinchak (feat Mikky Ekko)Non-album singlexx
2015"Don't Let Go" Giorgio Moroder (feat Mikky Ekko) Déjà Vu xx
2015"Surf" Vince Staples Summertime '06 xx
2016"Be Somebody" Clams Casino (feat. A$AP Rocky & Lil B) 32 Levels x
2016"Into The Fire" Clams Casino (feat Mikky Ekko) 32 Levels xxxx
2016"Blast" Clams Casino 32 Levels x
2016"Claim My Love" Jarryd James Highxx
2017"Sideline" Niia Ix
2018"Break Me Down" Steve Angello Human xx
2018"Black Tux, White Collar" A$AP Rocky Testing xx
2018"Where We Start" Vance Joy Nation of Two x
2019 "Days in the East" Drake Care Package x
2019"Beyond the Pale" Cold War Kids New Age Norms 1 x
2020"Drown" Martin Garrix (feat Clinton Kane)Non-album singlex
2020"Promised Land" Future Utopia (feat Mikky Ekko)12 Questionsxxxx
2020"Fear or Faith Pt 2" Future Utopia (feat Idris Elba)12 Questionsxx
2020MMXX - III Diplo (feat Mikky Ekko) MMXX xxxx
2020MMXX - IX Diplo (feat Mikky Ekko) MMXX xxxx
2021"Breaks My Back" Meg Myers Non-album singlex
2021"Lovesick" Maroon 5 Jordi xx
2022"Cry On Me" Ella Henderson (feat Mikky Ekko) Everything I Didn't Say xx
2022"Collider Particles" Madison Cunningham Revealer (album) x
2022"Coast" Hailee Steinfeld (feat Anderson .Paak)x
2022"Before We Panic"TOBi (feat Mikky Ekko)xxx
2023"Fire Sign"TRY (feat Mikky Ekko)xxx
2023"Long Way To Go" Pink feat The Lumineers Trustfall x
2023"I Don't Wanna Be Like You" Ruel 4th Wall x
2023"Set Yourself On Fire" Ruel 4th Wall x
2023"In Pieces" Chloe Bailey In Pieces xx
2023"The Hardest Part" Olivia Dean (feat Leon Bridges)x
2023"How Do I Love Again"Rowan DrakeDear Ellax
2023"Lose Control" Teddy Swims I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Pt 1)x
2023"The Door" Teddy Swims I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Pt 1)x
2023"Suitcase" Teddy Swims I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Pt 1)x
2023"Bad Tattoo" Cannons Heartbeat Highway x
2023"Devastation" X Ambassadors w/ Pamex
2023"Set It On Fire" Jenny Owens Young Avalanchex
2023"Biting My Tongue" Duncan Laurence Skyboy x
2023"Growing Up Is Hard" Chelsea Cutler Stellaria x
2023"Drain Me"Towa Birdxx
2023"Looking For"Brenn!x
2024"World Brand New"Bowen YoungUsx
2024"Red Sky" 21 Savage American Dream xxx
2024"Spokane, Washington" Benjamin Francis Leftwich Some Things Breakxx
2024"Lesson Learned"Matt Hansenx
2024"Hammer To The Heart" Teddy Swims I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Pt 1.5)x
2024"Love Hotel"leftovermaxx
2024"Victory Garden" The Lone Bellow x
2024"To The Bone"Bowen YoungUsxx
2024"UFO"Smith and Thellx
2024"Let Go" Kygo (feat Sasha Sloan)KYGOx
2024"Blame" Lucky Daye (feat Teddy Swims)Algorithmx
2024"Funeral" Teddy Swims x
2024"Big Love" Suki Waterhouse Memoir of a Sparklemuffinx
2024"Bad Dreams" Teddy Swims x
2024"The End" Bilmuri x

Notes

  1. ↑ Re-released on April 6, 2018. [31]
  2. ↑ This song also appears on Ekko's Time album.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Guetta</span> French DJ and record producer (born 1967)

Pierre David Guetta is a French DJ and record producer. He has sold over 10 million albums and 65 million singles globally, with more than 30 billion streams on spotify. Guetta was voted the number one DJ in the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs polls in 2011, and throughout 2020 until 2023. In 2013, Billboard ranked his song "When Love Takes Over" as the number one dance-pop collaboration ever.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mika discography</span>

The discography of Mika, an English pop singer-songwriter, consists of six studio albums, four live albums, two compilation albums, nine extended plays, thirty-six singles, thirty-one music videos, and four video albums. As of 2017, Mika has sold over 20 million records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pitbull discography</span>

Cuban-American rapper Pitbull has released twelve studio albums, four compilation albums, one soundtrack album, four official mixtapes, over 300 singles, over 1,000 songs, and over 200 music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Judge Me</span> 2012 single by Chris Brown

"Don't Judge Me" is a song by American singer Chris Brown on his fifth studio album, Fortune (2012). It was produced by the Messengers, and written by Brown, Nasri Atweh, Adam Messinger and Mark "Pelli" Pellizzer. The song was sent to urban contemporary radio stations in the United States on August 14, 2012, as the fifth and final single from the album. "Don't Judge Me" is a midtempo ballad, with lyrics in which Brown asks his lover to forgive him for his past indiscretions and move on with the future. The lyrics reportedly referred to Brown's former relationships with American model and fashion designer Karrueche Tran and Barbadian singer Rihanna.

Justin Parker is an English songwriter and record producer best known for his work with female singer-songwriters such as Lana Del Rey, Rihanna, Bat for Lashes, and Banks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stay (Rihanna song)</span> 2012 single featuring Mikky Ekko

"Stay" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her seventh studio album, Unapologetic (2012). It features guest vocals by Mikky Ekko and was released as the second single from the album on December 13, 2012. "Stay" was co-written by Ekko and Justin Parker. The song's lyrics speak of temptation and the inability to resist true love. Music critics were generally positive in their opinion regarding the balladry and most described it as a standout track on the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shut Up (And Give Me Whatever You Got)</span> 2013 song by Amelia Lily

"Shut Up (And Give Me Whatever You Got)" is a song recorded by British singer Amelia Lily. It was released on 20 January 2013, as her second single, Lily revealed that the track was a stronger release compared to her debut, citing that the track highlighted her attitude, vocals and a representation as an artist. The song was written by Brian Higgins, Luke Fitton, Tim Deal, Matt Gray, Miranda Cooper, Brooke X, Tim Powell, Toby Scott, Owen Parker and Joshua Jenkin.

Gorgon City are an English electronic music production duo consisting of two North London producers Kye "Foamo" Gibbon and Matt "RackNRuin" Robson-Scott. Their 2014 singles "Ready for Your Love" and "Here for You" reached the top 10 in the UK. They are currently signed to the UK-based record label Positiva Records which is a division of Universal Music Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Mahone discography</span>

The discography of Austin Mahone, an American singer-songwriter, consists of two studio albums, two mixtapes, five extended plays, twenty three singles, twenty six promotional singles, and thirty-six music videos. Mahone independently released his debut single, "11:11" to iTunes on February 14, 2012. On May 29, 2013, he released his debut EP, Extended Play, in Japan only. On June 5, 2012, Mahone independently released his second single, "Say Somethin", his first release under the management of Chase Entertainment. On August 28, 2012, Mahone announced that he had been signed to Chase/Universal Republic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yuna discography</span>

The discography of Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna consists of four international studio albums, three Malaysian albums, six EPs, 32 international single releases, and 43 music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fifth Harmony discography</span> Band discography

American girl group Fifth Harmony has released three studio albums, six extended plays, 12 singles,, 11 promotional singles and 17 music videos. After finishing third on the second season of The X Factor US the group was signed to Epic Records though Syco Music. Less than a year later, Fifth Harmony released their debut single from their debut extended play, "Miss Movin' On". The single charted on the Mainstream Top 40 and New Zealand, peaking at 27 in both countries. It was certified Gold in the United States for selling combined sales and track-equivalent streams units of 500,000. The group's extended play, Better Together peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 and number 18 in New Zealand, charting in both countries similar to the group's lead single. As part of the promotion for Better Together, four other versions were released of the extended play, including an acoustic release, a Spanish-language acoustic and a standard Spanish-language translated version as well as a remix edition. The four former EPs were released in a 4-CD bundle titled Better Together: The Deluxe Edition, directly from Fifth Harmony's official store; it also included a download code for the latter remix EP, as it was not available physically. In Walmart exclusively, the Juntos and Juntos Acoustic EPs were bundled together, while at Target, "One Wish" was included as a bonus track on the original version; meanwhile, the iTunes edition of the original EP included "Me & My Girls", which the group performed in 2013 as guests on the third season of The X Factor, and served as a promotional single for the EP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diana Gordon discography</span>

American singer-songwriter Diana Gordon has released one studio album, five extended plays, seventeen singles, six promotional singles, nineteen music videos and thirteen other appearances. She began as a writer for other artists, later signing with Atlantic Records where she began working on an album while continuing to write songs for other acts and providing vocals on songs. She released her debut single, "Dirty Talk", on February 17, 2010. It achieved success worldwide, reaching number one on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart and the US Dance Club Songs chart. Her debut album With the Music I Die was released in 2011, and although not managing to chart worldwide, it reached number 25 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart, and produced three further singles.

<i>Time</i> (Mikky Ekko album) 2015 studio album by Mikky Ekko

Time is the debut studio album by American recording artist Mikky Ekko. The album was released worldwide on January 16, 2015, by RCA Records, except for the United States where it was released on January 20.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sabrina Carpenter discography</span>

American singer Sabrina Carpenter has released six studio albums, two extended plays, 24 singles, 23 promotional singles and 31 music videos. After gaining recognition on Disney Channel's Girl Meets World and performing its theme song, Carpenter signed a five-album deal with Hollywood Records. In 2014, she released her debut single Can't Blame a Girl for Trying and an EP of the same name. She followed this with her debut album Eyes Wide Open (2015) which debuted at number 43 on the US Billboard 200.

<i>Déjà Vu</i> (Giorgio Moroder album) 2015 studio album by Giorgio Moroder

Déjà Vu is the fourteenth studio album by Italian DJ Giorgio Moroder: his first album, after a 23-years hiatus, since Forever Dancing (1992). It was released on 12 June 2015, and features collaborations with: Kylie Minogue, Sia, Britney Spears, Kelis, Charli XCX, Mikky Ekko, Foxes and Matthew Koma, among others. On 20 January 2015, the collaboration with Kylie Minogue, "Right Here, Right Now", was officially released, along with a video teaser.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walk the Moon discography</span>

American rock band Walk the Moon has released five studio albums, one live album, one compilation album, seven extended plays, ten singles, four promotional singles, and nineteen music videos. Walk the Moon was formed in 2006 in Cincinnati, Ohio as Wicked in the Mix, originally consisting of Nicholas Petricca, Adam Reifsnyder, Sam Cole and Ricky Human, the former two having attended Kenyon College together. The group's first EP, entitled The Anthem, would be released later that same year in March. Wicked in the Mix later self-released their only studio album, WM in June 2007. The band's lineup would begin to go through several different member changes throughout the next three years, leaving Petricca as the only member from the original group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kicking Sunrise</span> American soul/pop rock duo

Kicking Sunrise is an American soul/pop rock cover band from Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, consisting of Joe Murphy and Mark Altamuro. They released their single "Here's to the Sunrise" on April 10, 2015 and their album Here's to the Sunrise on June 2, 2015, of which both have been featured on CBS Philadelphia, TBS for Major League Baseball coverage and TNT for the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. Kicking Sunrise also released their EP When It's Right on January 4, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cloves (singer)</span> Australian singer-songwriter

Kaitlyn "Kaity" Dunstan, known by her stage name Cloves, is an Australian singer-songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Chainsmokers discography</span>

The discography of American DJ duo the Chainsmokers consists of five studio albums, one soundtrack, five extended plays, forty three singles, three promotional singles, thirty-three music videos, and thirty-eight remixes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel Platten discography</span>

The discography of Rachel Platten, an American singer and songwriter, consists of five studio albums, two extended play and twelve singles. Platten released her debut studio album Trust in Me in 2003, which she has called "a collection of demos". Her second album, Be Here, was released from Rock Ridge Music in 2011. Her 2011 single "1,000 Ships" peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Adult Top 40 chart, also playing at various radio stations. In the spring of 2015, Platten released "Fight Song" from Wildfire. The song has been used in various media, as well as serving the official anthem for the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. It reached number six on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Australian Singles Chart, number six in Ireland, number eight in New Zealand, number nine on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 and number one on the UK Singles Chart. It has double platinum sales in the US. Platten's 2015 Fight Song EP reached number 20 on the Billboard 200. On September 11, 2015, Platten released her second single, "Stand by You" from Wildfire. It has peaked in the top ten on charts in Canada and the United States, and has peaked in the top twenty on charts in Australia and Poland. The song has since been certified Platinum in the United States. "Broken Glass", the lead single from her fourth studio album, Waves, was released on August 18, 2017. The album was released on October 27, 2017.

References

  1. ↑ "Mikky Ekko on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
  2. 1 2 "New music: Mikky Ekko – Pull Me Down". The Guardian . London. November 1, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Mikky Ekko / Biography". Jango. December 16, 2012.
  4. ↑ "IN DEMAND: MIKKY EKKO". Gigwise. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Ten Out of Tenn Return With New Lineup". American Songwriter. July 20, 2009.
  6. ↑ "Mikki Ekko music on TuneFind". TuneFind. August 14, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Mikky Ekko - Feels Like the End". YouTube. September 25, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Mikky Ekko - Pull Me Down (Official Video)". YouTube. November 16, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Pull Me Down (Ryan Hemsworth Remix) - Single". iTunes. December 7, 2012.
  10. ↑ Corner, Lewis (November 30, 2012). "Rihanna confirms new single 'Stay' - listen". Digital Spy. Nat Mags . Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  11. ↑ Rahman, Ray. "Hear Mikky Ekko's original version of Rihanna's 'Stay' -- EXCLUSIVE". Article. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  12. ↑ Trust, Gary (21 February 2013). "Baauer's 'Harlem Shake' Debuts Atop Revamped Hot 100". Billboard. New York, NY: Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  13. 1 2 Wood, Mikael (February 11, 2013). "Review: Rihanna, Frank Ocean keep it simple amid Grammy spectacle". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Mikky Ekko - Pull Me Down". Vevo. YouTube. February 7, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Mikky Ekko - Kids". Vevo. YouTube. July 8, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Mikky Ekko - Kids EP". iTunes. July 11, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Fall Album Preview: 72 Anticipated Releases '64 of 73'". Billboard.com. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Paper Towns Official Trailer". 20th Century Fox . Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Mikky Ekko on Apple Music". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  20. 1 2 "Premiere: Hear Mikky Ekko's Synthy Retro New Single "Blood on the Surface"". PAPERMAG. 2017-10-12. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  21. ↑ "Blood on the Surface - Single by Mikky Ekko on Apple Music". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  22. ↑ "Light the Way - Single by Mikky Ekko on Apple Music". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  23. ↑ "Mikky Ekko details forthcoming FAME album with dreamy new track "Cherish You"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
  24. ↑ "Time". iTunes. 16 January 2015.
  25. ↑ "FAME by Mikky Ekko on Apple Music". iTunes. 2 November 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Strange Fruit". Amazon. February 15, 2009.
  27. ↑ "Reds by Mikky Ekko". iTunes, Apple Music. June 29, 2010.
  28. ↑ "Blues - EP by Mikky Ekko". iTunes, Apple Music. December 14, 2010.
  29. ↑ "tracks - EP by Mikky Ekko". iTunes, Apple Music. February 8, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Spotify - ADVANCE COPY EP". Spotify. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  31. ↑ "Advance Copy EP - EP by Mikky Ekko". iTunes, Apple Music. April 6, 2018.
  32. ↑ "We Must Be Killers - Single". iTunes. August 6, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Feels Like the End - Single". iTunes. September 25, 2012.
  34. ↑ "Pull Me Down - Single". iTunes. October 30, 2012.
  35. ↑ "Spotify - Watch Me Rise". Spotify. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  36. ↑ "Spotify - Mourning Doves". Spotify. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  37. ↑ "Spotify - Time (Single)". Spotify. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  38. ↑ "Spotify - U". Spotify. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  39. ↑ "Spotify - Cherish You". Spotify. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  40. ↑ "Paint It Red (feat. Mikky Ekko) - Single". iTunes . Retrieved May 4, 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.