There’s no doubt that Lana Del Rey is one of the most iconic female artists of our time. She has positioned herself firmly within the halls of modern music fame, having created an impressive catalogue of thoughtful and soulful songs, while also fusing together a unique blend of genres including indie, pop, and hip-hop. As a dreamy and visionary artist, Lana Del Rey has developed a distinct sound and powerful visual aesthetic that has earned her worldwide acclaim.
Early Life and Career
The American singer-songwriter born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, who goes by the stage name Lana Del Rey, was born on June 21, 1985, in New York City. She is of Scottish and Italian heritage. Del Rey grew up mainly in Lake Placid, New York, a small village in the Adirondack Mountains.
Del Rey released her debut album, “Born to Die,” in 2012 and instantly made a name for herself in the music world. Her early singles, such as “Video Games” and “Blue Jeans” put her on the map, with both songs earning top ten spots on the Billboard Hot 100. She followed that success with her sophomore album “Ultraviolence” in 2014, along with her hit singles “Summertime Sadness” and “West Coast”.
Defining Style and Music
Del Rey has a very distinct and recognizable style. Her look is inspired by vintage styles and is most easily described as a dreamy, ethereal, and sometimes moody aesthetic. She often incorporates 1920s and 1950s fashion with classic Hollywood glamour and modern trends. Her look is further complemented with her signature dark lipstick, cat eye makeup, and hairstyles that range from long wavy locks to shorter curls.
Themes in Del Rey’s Music
Although Del Rey’s music can be classified as indie-pop, it is unique in its dreamy force. It evokes a mysterious, slightly melancholic feeling of hope and sadness. Del Rey’s music is often about love, life, and death and draws on a wealth of literary and religious references. In addition, she frequently discusses themes of melancholy, nostalgia, dreams, glamour, and manifesting dreams into reality.
Collaborations and Cultural Impact
In her impressive career as an artist, Lana Del Rey has collaborated with icons such as ASAP Rocky, The Weeknd, and Elton John. She notably signed a record deal with Interscope Records in 2011 and more recently with Polydor Records in 2020.
Del Rey has also made a cultural impact by advocating for women’s rights, mental health awareness, and the power of the creative arts. She has been noted for her powerful visual storytelling— blending together vintage elements such as 1950s California imagery, noir film aesthetics, and melodramatic music.
List of Popular Songs
Lana Del Rey has had numerous hit songs throughout her career. Some of her most popular songs from her various albums include:
● “Video Games”
● “Born to Die”
● “Dark Paradise”
● “Summertime Sadness”
● “National Anthem”
● “Young and Beautiful”
● “Lust for Life”
● “Ride”
● “High by the Beach”
● “Mariners Apartment Complex”
Awards and Accolades
Lana Del Rey has seen an impressive level of success throughout her career. She has earned multiple awards including a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media for “Young and Beautiful” in 2014, the MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography for her song “Ride” in 2012, and Brit Awards for International Female Solo Artist in 2018.
In addition, she has been placed in various publications’ lists of the best contemporary female vocalists. Del Rey has graced magazine covers such as Vogue, Dazed, and GQ and was dubbed one of the “100 Most Influential People” by Time in 2019.
Lana Del Rey is without a doubt one of the most iconic female artists of our time. With her dreamy and visionary style, she has surpassed the boundaries of genres and impacted the world with her standout style and thoughtful lyrics. She’s created a distinct body of work that has earned her numerous awards, accolades, and magazine covers. Del Rey continues to be a pioneer in the music world, pushing boundaries and creating timeless music that will remain in the annals of music history.