Brooke Candy
Brooke Dyan Candy (born July 20, 1989) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and tattoo artist. Raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, she rose to prominence after starring in Grimes' music video for "Genesis" (2012). Following its success, Candy's status in the underground scene rose as she began to release her own music, including the songs "Das Me" (2012), "Everybody Does" (2013), and "I Wanna Fuck Right Now" (2013). In 2014, she signed a recording contract with RCA and released her debut major label single, "Opulence", with an accompanying EP of the same name.[1] Later, she joined Columbia's UK roster.[2]
Brooke Candy
Brooke Dyan Candy
July 20, 1989
Oxnard, California, U.S.
- Rapper
- singer
- songwriter
- tattoo artist
2012–present
Candy's debut album, Daddy Issues, was originally intended for a 2015 release but saw a series of delays. Following a slew of pop-driven singles in 2016, including "Happy Days", "Paper or Plastic" and the moderately-successful "Living Out Loud", Candy left the labels in 2017. Throughout 2017 and 2018, she toured alongside Charli XCX and Lizzo, also headlining her own tour, the Tie Me Up Tour. Candy released her first full-length album, Sexorcism, in October 2019.
Early life[edit]
Brooke Candy was born in Oxnard, California, to Tom Candy, the former chief financial officer of the pornographic magazine Hustler, and a pediatric nurse. She grew up in the Los Angeles suburb of Agoura Hills.[3] She is of Italian descent on her mother's side while her father's side is Orthodox Jewish.[4][5][6][7] Her parents divorced when she was eight. Candy frequently spent time in the office of Larry Flynt, the chief executive officer of Hustler during her childhood.[8] At the age of twelve, Candy became addicted to recreational substances.[9]
After graduating from high school in 2007, Candy moved to San Francisco, California with the intent of becoming a photographer. During this time, she interacted with "creative, mostly queer circles" that introduced her to the idea of creative sexual expression. She eventually returned to Los Angeles after deciding to start a career in music.[10] Candy lived out of her car for a period, working as a stripper at the Seventh Veil adult club in Hollywood. Her activities as a stripper strained her relationship with her parents who disapproved of the job due to its sexual nature. While working as an intern for Rachel Zoe, Candy contacted Larry Flynt, seeking work as a photographer for Hustler, though was instead employed as a mannequin stylist for Hustler store fronts, a job she described as "dress[ing] the mannequins slutty."[3] Candy later repaired her relationship with them after they began to view her as a successful musician.[10]
Career[edit]
2011–2013: Underground beginnings[edit]
While working as a mannequin stylist for Hustler store fronts, Candy was approached at a party by producer Khris Lorenz, who was drawn to her outlandish fashion style and invited her to the studio to create a song together.[11] Already having had amateur experience with publishing song concepts and covers of popular rap songs on her Tumblr blog, Candy and close friend Jesse Saint John worked with Lorenz on Candy's debut single "Das Me", which eventually received an official release on October 16, 2012.[11]
In August 2012, Candy co-starred in the music video for "Genesis" by Canadian musician Grimes. The two met at a party after Candy's fashion caught Grimes' attention.[10] During 2012 and 2013, Candy independently released her first three music videos for her songs; "Das Me", "Everybody Does", and "I Wanna Fuck Right Now" on YouTube. The videos had each amassed more than a million views by early 2013.[3] Candy's first major label recording took place when she appeared on the track "Cloud Aura" on Charli XCX's debut album True Romance.[12] The two were introduced by Azealia Banks when Candy hosted Banks' Mermaid Ball in Los Angeles.[13] Candy recorded several club-rap songs during her early years in the music industry, eight of which accumulated on her debut mixtape,The Mixtape, self-released on June 25, 2013.[14]
2014–2017: Breakthrough, Opulence, and major-label releases[edit]
In late 2013, Candy caught singer and songwriter Sia's attention, and was contacted via Instagram with the purpose of writing one song for her. Sia eventually ended up executive producing Candy's debut EP, helping her to get a record contract and to find, in Sia's words: "[a] decent, nice, honest management, and [to] help [her] make the art [she] want to make from a place of positive mental health and love".[15]
Candy eventually signed with RCA Records in February 2014.[16] "Opulence", co-written with Sia and produced by Diplo, was her first single with the label.[17] Candy performed it on April 3, 2014, at Nicola Formichetti's debut Diesel fashion show on Venice[18] before releasing it on April 22, 2014, for digital download[19] along with its official music video directed by Steven Klein and styled by Formichetti.[20][21] The video explores the theme of "freaks," a concept that was conceived by Candy and Formichetti at a drag bar in Tokyo. It features transgender women, drag queens, and gay men who are friends with Candy. "We're all freaks and outcasts, and this was meant to empower them," Candy said.[17] Formichetti, Candy and Klein worked on a V Magazine shoot that led to Steven Klein directing "Opulence," the music video to the eponymous lead single from Candy's debut EP.[22] It was released on May 6, 2014[1] to praise from critics.[23][24]
On May 16, 2015, Brooke Candy uploaded on Vevo, a video called "A Study in Duality", where she "explores the various archetypes of today's culture". It featured the instrumental of her song "Happy Days", which was produced by More Mega and released the following year.[25] The video itself was directed by Candy and Lil Internet, under Formichetti's fashion direction and Hayley Pisaturo's styling.[26] In August 2015, Brooke Candy partnered with MAC Cosmetics on a line of makeup products.[27] She released a single called "Rubber Band Stacks" on August 13 with a music video, directed by Cody Critcheloe[28] and styled by Formichetti on August 17.[29][30] The song is featured on the Madden NFL 16 video game.[31]
Candy released "Happy Days" on January 29 to positive reviews from critics.[32][33][34] On February 4, 2016, its video, also styled by Formichetti and directed by Renata Raksha, premiered on Nylon.[35] On May 13, Candy released a song titled "Changes" to promote her second makeup line with MAC.[36] On June 2 a new track called "Nasty" along its music video, directed by Rankin and co-styled by Candy herself premiered via Hunger TV.[37] On July 7, another single called "Paper or Plastic" was released to a mixed reception[38] When responding to criticism regarding her change in musical style, Candy stated: "[W]hatever I have to do [to] garner a larger, broader audience to spread my message on a larger scale, I stand for women, I stand for freedom. For love and self-preservation."[39] The music video for the song, directed by Darren Craig, premiered a week later.[40][41][42]
Candy's debut album was set to be called Daddy Issues, being executively produced by then label-mate Sia, who was also a songwriter on the record. Sia opined that "[she] was the only person who could really support [Candy] in becoming who [she is] on a grander stage or platform".[43] In 2014, Sia had written at least two songs for the album, one being the then-upcoming single "Living Out Loud"[43] which she featured on,[44] and another Cher-inspired record.[9] Other collaborators included Greg Kurstin, Jack Antonoff[45] and Matthew Koma.[9] Candy released a KDA remix of the previously unreleased song on December 16, 2016.[46][47] The original and proper single version of the song was released on February 3, 2017.[48][49][50] The same day of the song's release, RCA announced Daddy Issues would be published in spring 2017.[51] Outside of her music, Candy starred in the fashion film directed by Gracie Otto and Thomas Kerr called Candy Crush, released in January 2017.[52]
2017–2021: Independent career and Sexorcism[edit]
In 2017, the release for Daddy Issues was canceled after Candy left RCA. Candy spoke to Bullett magazine about her experience with RCA Records, comparing it to the film The Matrix and expressed relief at leaving the label. She also confirmed she was working on an EP set to be released during summer of 2017.[53] The EP would consist of all original music as Sony owned the songs Candy previously created. During June 2017, she toured as a supporting act for Lizzo[54] and performed at LA Pride.[55][56] She premiered the music video for her single "Volcano" on July 7, 2017, co-written by Candy herself, producer Cory Enemy, Sia, and Jesse Saint John.[57]
Candy released "For Free" as a Germany-only promotional single on March 14, 2018.[58] It was featured on the Germany's Next Topmodel "Hip-Hop Edition" episode, where Candy made an appearance and a music video filming took place.[59] This was followed by a single called "War", intended as the lead single for Candy's punk rock-inspired second EP titled Who Cares? before it was scrapped due to Candy focusing on new material.[60] The single was written by Candy with Jesse Saint John, MNDR, Peter Wade, Will Ivy and Dave Sharma[60] and released on May 18, 2018, alongside its lyric video, directed by Korean artist MLMA.[61] The follow-up single "My Sex" featuring Pussy Riot, MNDR and Mykki Blanco was released on August 17, 2018, along its animated music video, directed by Swedish artist Pastelae and made in collaboration with ManyVids. The song was co-written by Charli XCX and also produced by MNDR and Wade, with additional production by Trapchat.[62][63][64][65][66] She also teamed up with Pornhub directing an erotic film called I Love You, which was released on August 29, 2018.[65][64]
On November 7, 2018, Candy stated that releasing a first full-length album was still a possibility. "Because of my experience with Sony, I must have made like 60 songs and they just never let me put any of them out. I had a full album ready to go and that kind of burnt me a little bit and put a bad taste in my mouth. I questioned my music and my art for a while and just stopped making it completely," Candy explained. "I'll release the next couple of songs but I'm planning an album and it's in the works. I don't want to jump ahead and say things because if things don't happen like, godammit!"[67] On November 16, a new single called "Nuts" featuring American songwriter and rapper Lil Aaron was released. The song was written along frequent collaborator Jesse Saint John and Sarah Hudson.[68] On December 12, 2018, she released a joint single along production duo Ojivolta called "Oomph". The music video, directed by Candy herself, debuted the same day.[69] On December 25, 2018, she released a collection of unreleased tracks for free download which included a demo of Candy's 2017 single "Volcano" as well as collaborations with SOPHIE, Lakewet, and Cory Enemy among others.[70] Following a promotional tour in Asia, a Takahiro Nishikawa-directed tour documentary, Tokyo Tour Diary, was premiered via Noisey on January 4, 2019.[71]
On January 10, 2019, Candy confirmed that she had finished her debut album. It was recorded in London with English producer Oscar Scheller along with London-based American rapper Ashnikko.[72] Candy spoke on her time alongside the pair: "Ashnikko is basically a savant! We agreed she would help with an EP if I helped with a music video, but we had three tracks done in a day… within four days we had twelve strong, cohesive songs!"[73] On February 28, Candy confirmed the album was titled Sexorcism and that the first promotional single was called "Happy",[74] which was released on March 29, 2019 along its official music video directed by Rankin.[75] Sexorcism was slated for a tentative September 2019 release via Sega Bodega's imprint NUXXE.[75] The other singles and their music videos, "XXXTC" featuring Charli XCX and Maliibu Miitch, "Drip" featuring Erika Jayne, and "FMU" featuring Rico Nasty were released on July 2, 2019,[76][77] September 10, 2019,[78] and October 21, 2019.[79] Sexorcism was released on October 25, 2019[80] and was promoted through a concert tour titled, Sexorcism Tour.[81] Additional music videos for the songs, "Freak Like Me",[82] "Nymph",[83] "Honey Pussy",[84] and "Cum" were released throughout 2019 and 2020.[85]
2021–present: Tattooing and upcoming second album[edit]
In April 2021, Candy auctioned a non-fungible token of a digital artwork titled "I Wanna Be Your Doge", which features Candy wearing her outfit from the "Genesis" music video alongside a nude Elon Musk on a dog leash. The winner of the auction would also receive a replica of Candy's outfit from the "Genesis" music video tailored to fit their size.[86] Eight other artworks under Candy's name were released as non-fungible tokens throughout 2021 before her website hosting them was taken down.[86] In November 2021, Candy stated in an interview with Inked that she started tattooing during the COVID-19 pandemic and had since become a tattoo artist.[11] Candy also revealed that she had been working on her second studio album in London, which she described as "more pop and digestible".[11] In May 2022, she announced that her second studio album was set to be released by NUXXE and was initially slated for release that summer.[87] With the working title Freaky Princess, the album's initial lead single "Flip Phone" was released on September 9, 2022, along a self-directed music video[88] produced by the magazine Paper along Korean sunglasses brand Gentle Monster.[89][90] On October 14, 2022, Candy collaborated with Croatian musician Only Fire on the single "Yoga", which was initially promoted as the second single of her sophomore album.[91] In an interview with Only Fire in January 2023, Candy discussed the possibility of reworking her upcoming album into an EP, stating that she already had enough finished material for one.[92]
On February 1, 2023, Brooke announced her third single since Sexorcism, "Juicy Fruit", which was released later in the month on Valentine's Day and features backing vocals from Cecile Believe.[93] "Juicy Fruit" had previously been teased several times on Candy's personal TikTok and Instagram accounts. The official '80s-inspired music video directed by Jennifer Juniper Stratford premiered later that day through People Magazine.[10] On July 27, 2023, Candy released the song "FMUATW", a "bass-laden" single produced by Cole M.G.N. that had previously been teased in multiple live performances throughout 2022. It also received an accompanying music video directed by Candy herself.[94] The single's release was soon followed by the release of an accompanying three-track remix EP on September 22, 2023. It featured Only Fire, Babynymph, and PC Music's Umru as remixers of the single.[95]
The rollout of Candy's sophomore album shifted throughout 2023, eventually culminating in the release of the song "Safe Word" on February 22, 2024 as the "official lead single" of the upcoming album, showcasing an electro-pop and house sound. In an interview with V Magazine, which described the song as "the start of a new chapter for the artist", Candy explained that the genre of its associated album would be "quintessential pop", describing it as an "escapist fantasy about being confident and stepping into your power" in favor of her more hypersexual, camp lyrical themes.[96]
Artistry and public image[edit]
Artistry[edit]
Candy's music has been described as electropop[97][98] and pop-rap,[99] while her more club-rap[38] work has been recognized for its twerk-able nature, springy beats, and cyberpunk.[13] Thematically, Candy's music has been described as an intersection between art, sex, and fantasy, as well as sexual liberation and empowerment. She has stated that becoming sober positively influenced her artistic abilities and alongside the COVID-19 lockdowns helped her find clarity.[88] She has cited Lil' Kim as an inspiration for her rapping technique and irreverent image.[100]
Candy explained after leaving RCA that she had believed the record deal would give her "a fucking massive platform to spread a conscious, positive message to young girls and the queer community" but reversed her stance and decided "[staying] true to what [she is] good at—making raw and authentic rap music, and just being [herself]" would help her to better do so.[53]
Public image[edit]
Candy is known for her extreme and versatile fashion style and her emphasis on sex. Candy recalled being previously advised by record executives not to create a "sexual" music video for her single, "I Wanna Fuck Right Now." Sia described Candy as a "feminista glam alien" while Grimes called her a "muse."[3][101] Vogue profiled Candy in July, 2014, saying "For all her shape-shifting, perhaps it's helpful to think of Brooke Candy as a tabula rasa whose videos, concerts, and everyday appearances each necessitate a different character. Together, they make her a fashion plate palimpsest."[102]
Vice blogger Ali Carman asked Candy, in an interview, if she was offended that her internet persona was considered fake. Candy replied: "My persona is a reality to me, you know. Like I would never rap and act hood if it wasn't actually my mentality and I wouldn't perform in a super-sexual way if being a stripper wasn't the way I made money."[100] MTV called Candy's look "super hardcore", a "breath of fresh, fearless air", and a prayer answered by the pop goddesses.[103] Calling her the "Freaky Princess", The Guardian journalist Michael Cragg agreed with the stripper-turned-rapper's alias, comparing her to Xena, the Warrior Princess.[104]
Candy's fashion has been described as a distinctive stripper-meets-Tumblr aesthetic[105] and often collaborates with fashion designer Seth Pratt.[106] Following trends in stan culture, Candy has nicknamed her fanbase #FagMob.[107]
Candy has been open about her struggles with bipolar disorder and her methods of managing it through artistic self-expression and tattoos.[108]
Activism[edit]
Candy is a vocal proponent of the legalization of sex work and legality of recreational use of marijuana.[3] She also expresses strong feminist ideals[100] and identifies as a liberal.[88]
Personal life[edit]
Candy is openly pansexual.[109] She has several tattoos, including the name "Gotti" tattooed on the inside of her forearm in honor of John Gotti, after whom she has also named her puppy.[103]
Candy lived with Seth Pratt as his roommate during her career beginnings. She married fellow tattoo artist Kyle England in 2019.[110] The two met after Candy hired him as her tattoo artist. She stated that he changed her opinion on "relationships and monogamy."[4] Candy also hosts a blog dedicated to photography.[100]
Headlining
Supporting
Promotional
Guest