Sabi (singer)

Last updated

Sabi
Sabi fft.jpg
Sabi during performance "(Drop Dead) Beautiful" on Femme Fatale Tour in 2011
Background information
Birth nameJenice Dena Portlock
Also known asSabi
Born (1987-11-24) November 24, 1987 (age 36)
Inglewood, California, United States
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • dancer
  • actress
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2008–present
Labels
Website officialsabi.com

Jenice Dena Portlock (born November 24, 1987), [2] [ non-primary source needed ] also known as Sabi, is an American pop singer, songwriter, dancer and actress from Los Angeles, California. She is best known for her guest appearance on Cobra Starship's 2011 single, "You Make Me Feel...", which peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. Prior, she was part of the hip hop girl group the Bangz. [3] [4]

Contents

Biography

Early life and career beginnings

Sabi was born in Inglewood, California, the daughter of a Salvadoran mother and African American father. She was raised in a bilingual Spanish and English language household. Her parents were separated. As a child, she frequently watched music videos on MTV, particularly enjoying Michael Jackson, Prince, and Sade. These music videos influenced her passion for singing and songwriting and desire to become a performer. Sabi became involved in theatre in middle school and graduated from Westchester Senior High School in 2005. In 2008, she appeared in an independent short film called The Smallest River in Almirante, which was executive produced by actor Shia LaBeouf. She was cast in commercials for ABC Family, Universal Studios, and Pepsi while studying communications at California State University, Long Beach.

During this time, Sabi continued to work on her vocal technique trying to imitate other singers. She began to write her own songs and record them on a voice recorder, improving her technique when she started working with the producers that she had been introduced to by her then-manager.[ citation needed ]

2009–10: The Bangz and group disbandment

During the summer of 2009, Sabi was approached by The Co-Stars, a production team who were looking to launch a female duo. They created an urban pop group called The Bangz with Sabi and Korttney Ann Elliott, known as Ella Ann. They were signed to the indie recording label VNR, Asylum Records, and Warner Bros. Records. They released two singles, "Boys With Tattoos (We Jerkin')" and "Found My Swag", which reached moderate success and airplay.

Shortly after the release of these singles, Ella Ann was seriously injured in a drive-by shooting; she was unable to continue as a part of The Bangz as a result.

Sabi shot a solo video and performed several times alone under The Bangz name, but ultimately the group could not continue without Ella Ann. The duo disbanded, but Warner Bros. chose to continue the label's relationship with Sabi as a solo artist.

2011–present: Solo career

In April 2011, Sabi released the song "Goodnight" as a promotional single for her debut album. Also in 2011, Sabi was featured on the Britney Spears song "(Drop Dead) Beautiful" as well as the Cobra Starship single "You Make Me Feel...," the latter of which peaked at No. 7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. She later accompanied Spears on Femme Fatale Tour and was featured on the tour's DVD release. She was also featured on the New Boyz song "Tough Kids" from the album Too Cool to Care .

Shortly after, she released the song "Wild Heart", produced by Cirkut, which was later recorded in Simlish for The Sims 3 video game. [5] Her debut album, then titled All I Want, was to feature production from Benny Blanco, Klas of the Teddybears, Diplo, Ammo, The Cataracs and The Co-Stars and was due to be released via Dr. Luke's Kemosabe imprint and Warner Bros. Records. [6] A video for "Wild Heart"' debuted on March 19, 2012. [7] A new Dr. Luke and Cirkut-produced track "Where They Do That At?" featuring Wale premiered on Spotify in April 2012. [8] The video for the song, directed by Tim Cruz, debuted on April 19, 2012, along with a behind-the-scenes video. [9]

Sabi was also announced to be host of her own fashion web-series, which was titled Found My Swag after The Bangz's single. The series premiered on the YouTube channel "The Warner Sound" on November 1, 2012. [10]

In November 2012, Sabi released the Jakob Owens-directed video another new single, titled "Champagne". The song was produced by Crack For Kids. [11]

In August 2013, she released "Cali Love" featuring Tyga, the lead single from her mixtape 0–60: Love Sounds. Sabi released the song "Love Sounds", produced by Ryan McDermott, in November 2013 and announced that the mixtape would be released on November 13, 2013. On the eve of 0–60: Love Sounds's release, Sabi premiered a cover of Fleetwood Mac's 1977 single "Dreams", a track included on her mixtape. [12] The entire 11-song mixtape was released for free download via the site HotNewHipHop.com. [13]

After the release of the mixtape, Sabi parted ways with both Kemosabe and Warner Bros. Records and began recording music as an independent artist.

In 2017, Sabi released "The One", a promotional single made available exclusively via her SoundCloud account. Following three years of silence, she returned to music in February 2020 and released "Ready", produced by Malcolm D. McDaniel. Unlike "The One", the single was released to most major streaming platforms and digital download services via BlakBurd Ent. and Empire Distribution. [14]

Later in 2020, she began hosting an Apple Music radio program titled, "Easy Hits Radio with Sabi", geared toward adult contemporary music. [15]

Discography

Mixtapes

0–60: Love Sounds
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Intro"Ryan McDermott1:09
2."Cali Love" (featuring Tyga) Mark J. Feist 3:37
3."Love Sounds"McDermott3:41
4."Better Than This" Mark J. Feist 3:45
5."Hollywood Romance"McDermott, The Arsenals (co.)3:56
6."24K"Jonas Jeberg3:43
7."Both of Us" (featuring Ryan McDermott)McDermott, Mike McTaggard (co.)3:30
8."The Change"The Costars2:29
9."Body Language" Mark J. Feist 2:34
10."Dreams"McDermott4:38
11."Cali Love" (Remix) (featuring Tyga)McDermott3:47

Singles

List of single
TitleYearAlbum
"Wild Heart"2011N/A
"Where Do They Do That At?"
(featuring Wale)		2012
"Champagne"
"Cali Love" (feat Tyga)20130 to 60: Love Sounds
"Glow"2016N/A
"Ready"2020
"—" denotes a title that was not released or did not chart in that territory.

Promotional singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[16] 		AUS
[17] 		CAN
FRA
[18] 		GER
IRL
[19] 		NLD
[20] 		NZ
[21] 		SWI
[22] 		UK
[23]
"You Make Me Feel..."
(Cobra Starship featuring Sabi)		201173413—122814716 Night Shades
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

Other appearances

YearSongArtist(s)Album
2011"(Drop Dead) Beautiful" Britney Spears Femme Fatale
"Tough Kids" New Boyz Too Cool to Care
2012"Barely Standing" Diplo & Datsik Express Yourself
2013"Overflow" Ryan McDermott Ryan Vs. The Sandman: Tale of The Sleepwalkers
2015"Firestarter" [a] Sandro Silva [28] Non-album single

Music videos

SongYearDirector
"Wild Heart"2012Mike Mahil
"Where They Do That At?" (feat. Wale) Tim Cruz
"Champagne"Jakob Owens
"Cali Love" (feat. Tyga)2013Mike Mahil

Related Research Articles

<i>The Sound of White</i> 2004 studio album by Missy Higgins

The Sound of White is the debut studio album by Australian pop singer-songwriter Missy Higgins, released 6 September 2004 by Eleven. It won the 2005 ARIA Music Award for Best Female Artist. Higgins had secured recording contracts with Eleven and Warner Bros. while still in high school, after winning a competition for unsigned artists run by radio station Triple J. Her winning song, "All For Believing", is included on this album. After a backpacking trip in 2002, Higgins toured and wrote songs during 2003. She wrote most tracks alone and collaborated on three songs, with Kevin Griffin, Jay Clifford and Clif Magness respectively. The Sound of White was recorded in 2004 with producer John Porter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cobra Starship</span> American band

Cobra Starship was an American dance-rock band from New York City, New York, formed in 2005 by Gabe Saporta. He recorded the first album as a solo project, While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets. Saporta later enlisted guitarist Ryland Blackinton, bassist Alex Suarez, drummer Nate Novarro, and keytarist Victoria Asher, all of whom provide backing vocals.

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

The discography of American rapper Juelz Santana consists of two studio albums, one compilation album, seven mixtapes, and 22 singles.

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

The discography of American singer T-Pain consists of seven studio albums, one compilation album, one soundtrack album, one instrumental album, seven mixtapes, 21 singles and nineteen music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M.I.A. discography</span>

British rapper and singer M.I.A. has released six studio albums, two extended plays, three mixtapes, forty singles and twenty-nine music videos. Born Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, M.I.A. began her career as a visual artist and film-maker, and moved into making music after filming a documentary on the band Elastica in 2001. The band's lead singer, Justine Frischmann, lent her a Roland MC-505 sequencer/drum machine which she used to make a demo tape that secured her a contract with British label XL Recordings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jane's Addiction discography</span>

The discography of Jane's Addiction, an American alternative rock band, consists of four studio albums, two live albums, four compilation albums, seventeen singles and ten music videos. Jane's Addiction was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band is composed of Perry Farrell (vocals), Dave Navarro (guitar), Eric Avery (bass) and Stephen Perkins (drums). After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly toured in 1997, reunited in 2001 and then parted ways in 2004. Jane's Addiction reunited again in 2008, with founding member Eric Avery returning on bass. In 2010, Avery Left once again, only to return once more in 2022. The band's varied musical style has influences rooted in punk rock and heavy metal.

<i>And Winter Came...</i> 2008 studio album by Enya

And Winter Came... is the seventh studio album by Irish singer, songwriter, and musician Enya, released on 7 November 2008 by Warner Bros. Records internationally and by Reprise Records in the United States on 11 November 2008. After recording new Christmas songs for her fourth EP Sounds of the Season: The Enya Collection (2006), Enya started work on a Christmas album of traditional carols and original tracks, but the idea was changed to a collection of songs with a Christmas or winter theme as it better suited the style of the new material. It was recorded with her longtime collaborators, arranger and producer Nicky Ryan and his wife, lyricist Roma Ryan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eliza Doolittle (singer)</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1988)

Eliza Sophie Caird, better known by her former stage name Eliza Doolittle now Eliza, is an English singer and songwriter from Westminster, London. After performing her music in live venues around London from the age of 15, Eliza signed to Parlophone in 2008.

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

The discography of American rapper Tyga consists of seven studio albums, three compilation albums, twenty mixtapes, sixty-seven singles and forty-six music videos. In 2008, Tyga released his first studio album, No Introduction, on the record label Decaydance Records. The album was led by the single "Coconut Juice", which peaked at number 94 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and marked Tyga's first song to enter on the chart. In 2010, Tyga and Virginia singer Chris Brown released the collaborative mixtape Fan of a Fan (2010), which included their hit single "Deuces", which peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Tyga's first song to chart on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it peaked atop.

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

Cobra Starship was an American pop punk band, formed by Gabe Saporta in 2005. Other members are guitarist Ryland Blackinton, bassist Alex Suarez, drummer Nate Novarro, and keytarist Victoria Asher, all of whom provide backing vocals. The group released their debut album, While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets in 2006. Their song "Bring It" was retitled "Snakes on a Plane " in order to be included on the soundtrack album Snakes on a Plane: The Album.

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

The discography of American rapper Wale consists of seven studio albums, three compilation albums, ten mixtapes, one extended play, sixty-five singles, two promotional singles and forty-one music videos. In 2005, Wale started his music career by releasing mixtapes in the Washington, D.C. area. His debut mixtape was titled Paint a Picture. Following that, Wale released his second mixtape in 2006, Hate Is the New Love. In the same year, Wale signed with a local record label in Studio 43. In 2007 Wale was discovered by Mark Ronson, and was signed by Allido Records, which released his third mixtape, 100 Miles & Running, featuring artist Daniel Merriweather.

<i>Self Made Vol. 1</i> 2011 compilation album by Maybach Music Group

Self Made Vol. 1 is the first compilation album by MMG. The album was released on May 24, 2011, by Maybach Music Group and Warner Bros. Records. It features MMG's new roster additions, Wale, Meek Mill, Teedra Moses, Pill and Stalley along with Torch and Gunplay of Triple C's. Outside of the label, the album features guest appearances from Curren$y, Jadakiss, Jeremih, J. Cole, CyHi the Prynce and French Montana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Make Me Feel...</span> 2011 single by Cobra Starship

"You Make Me Feel..." is a song by American synthpop band Cobra Starship with guest vocals by American pop singer Sabi. It was the first single released from their fourth studio album, Night Shades. The song was released digitally through iTunes on May 10, 2011. The song is a dance-pop, electropop song and it talks about looking for a soul mate in the club. It received mixed reviews from most music critics; some thought that the song was "catchy and happy" but at the same time criticized it for being too "faceless and empty." Commercially, the song reached No. 1 in New Zealand and the top 10 in Australia, Canada, Hungary, Japan, and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molly Smitten-Downes</span> British singer (born 1987)

Molly Alice Smitten-Downes, known by her mononym Molly, is an English singer and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirko Bangz</span> American rapper (born 1989)

Kirk Jerel Randle, better known by his stage name Kirko Bangz, is an American rapper from Houston, Texas. He is best known for his single, "Drank in My Cup" which was released in 2011 and peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<i>Dreams and Nightmares</i> 2012 studio album by Meek Mill

Dreams and Nightmares is the debut studio album by American rapper Meek Mill, released on October 30, 2012, by Maybach Music Group and Warner Bros. Records. Mill intended for it to be authentic and more cohesive than his mixtapes, having a stronger connection through both vocals and beats. The album features guest appearances from Kirko Bangz, Rick Ross, Nas, John Legend, Drake, Wale, and Mary J. Blige, among others. Production was primarily handled by Jahlil Beats and Boi-1da, alongside the likes of Tone the Beat Bully and Key Wane. The recording took place from January to September 2012, including sessions in a studio bus on the Club Paradise Tour. Sessions were also held in Los Angeles and Miami, and multiple recordings were included on Mill's ninth mixtape, Dreamchasers 2 (2012). The dreams represent Mill making money as a performer, while the nightmares are based on coming up from his neighbourhood.

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

The discography of American rapper Meek Mill consists of five studio albums, seven extended plays, one compilation album, three collaborative albums, eleven mixtapes, fifty-four singles, ten promotional singles and thirty music videos.

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

The discography of English singer and songwriter Neon Hitch. Neon's debut digital single "Get Over U" was released in February 2011. Hitch then released her single "Bad Dog", which was intended to be the lead single from her debut album. Later in 2011, she was featured on Gym Class Heroes' song "Ass Back Home". In 2012, Neon Hitch released "Fuck U Betta" and "Gold" featuring Tyga, her official first and second singles respectively. Both songs peaked at number one on the Billboard Dance/Club Play chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nico & Vinz discography</span>

Norwegian singing and songwriting duo Nico & Vinz has released two studio albums, fourteen singles and one mixtape.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lianne La Havas discography</span>

The discography of Lianne La Havas, an English singer and songwriter, consists of three studio albums, seven extended plays, thirteen singles and eleven music videos. Born in London her career began after being introduced to various musicians and singer Paloma Faith, for whom she sang backing vocals. In 2010, Lianne signed to Warner Bros. Records, spending two years developing her songwriting before releasing any music.

References

  1. ↑ 2ichard3rooks, none (April 18, 2012). "Sabi featuring Wale - Where They Do That At". hyperbeast.com. Hypebeast . Retrieved August 10, 2022. R&B songstress Sabi drops off her latest single "Where They Do That At,"{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ "Title unknown". Twitter. Archived from the original on November 25, 2012.
  3. ↑ Jocelyn Vena. "Sabi 'Grinding' Out Debut Album", MTV, August 9, 2011.
  4. ↑ Kelley L. Carter. "Britney Spears Is A VMA 'Icon', Sabi Says", MTV, August 26, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Wild Heart (Simlish version) by Sabi lyric video". YouTube . January 8, 2014.
  6. ↑ Sabi Lights Up the Screen in ‘Wild Heart’ Video. Rap-Up.com (March 5, 2012). Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  7. ↑ Sabi – Wild Heart [Official Music Video. YouTube. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  8. ↑ Sabi, Listen to the world premiere of Sabi’s new track Archived July 16, 2012, at archive.today . Officialsabi.com (April 17, 2012). Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  9. ↑ Video: Sabi f/ Wale – ‘Where They Do That At?’. Rap-Up.com (April 19, 2012). Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  10. ↑ Profile, rap-up.com, October 30, 2012.
  11. ↑ Sabi – Champagne, singersroom.com, November 29, 2012.
  12. ↑ Daw, Robbie (November 12, 2013). "Sabi's Cover Of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" From Her '0–60′ Mixtape: Idolator Premiere" . Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  13. ↑ Ray, Jason (November 13, 2013). "Sabi – 0–60: Love Sounds". HNHH. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  14. ↑ Sabi - Ready on YouTube
  15. ↑ Easy Hits Radio with Sabi on Apple Music
  16. ↑ "You Make Me Feel... – Cobra Starship". Billboard . Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Australian Discography Sabi". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  18. ↑ "French Charts Discography Sabi". Irish-charts.com. Les Charts. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Irish Charts Discography Sabi". Irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  20. ↑ "Dutch Discography Sabi" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  21. ↑ "New Zealand Discography Sabi". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Swiss Discography Sabi". Hitparade.ch (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  23. ↑ "The Official Charts Company – Sabi". Official Charts Company . Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  24. ↑ Recording Industry Association of America. RIAA. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  25. ↑ Displaying Search Results for: Cobra starship Archived February 25, 2014, at the Wayback Machine . Gold Platinum Database. musiccanada.com
  26. ↑ Top 50 Singles Chart – Australian Record Industry Association Archived September 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . Ariacharts.com.au. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  27. ↑ recording industry association of New Zealand Archived March 6, 2010, at the Wayback Machine . RIANZ. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  28. ↑ "Firestarter". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
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.