Lana Del Rey

Early Life and Education

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, known professionally as Lana Del Rey, was born on June 21, 1985, in Manhattan, New York City. She is the eldest of three children of Robert Grant, who worked in advertising and later in real estate, and Patricia Hill, a former schoolteacher. Raised in Lake Placid, New York, Del Rey attended a Roman Catholic elementary school and performed in school plays and musicals. Her early teens were marked by struggles with alcohol, leading her parents to enroll her in Kent School, a boarding school in Connecticut. After achieving sobriety, she attended Fordham University in the Bronx, where she graduated with a degree in philosophy, focusing on metaphysics​​.

Career Beginnings and Breakthrough

Del Rey began her musical career under the name Lizzy Grant, performing in clubs during her gap year. In 2006, she recorded a demo album titled Sirens as May Jailer. She signed with 5 Points Records in 2006 and recorded an EP titled Kill Kill with producer David Kahne. The EP was released digitally in 2008. In 2010, she released an album Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant, but it was withdrawn from circulation at her request. Her major breakthrough came in 2011 with the viral success of her single "Video Games," leading to a contract with Polydor and Interscope Records. Her debut album, Born to Die (2012), was a critical and commercial success, featuring hits like "Summertime Sadness"​​.

Musical Evolution and Notable Works

Following the success of Born to Die, Del Rey released Paradise (2012), which included the single "Ride". In 2014, she released Ultraviolence, produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, which received positive reviews and debuted at number one in both the U.S. and the U.K. Ultraviolence solidified her critical reputation, despite not generating as many hits as her debut album​ .

In 2015, she released Honeymoon, followed by Lust for Life in 2017. Both albums showcased her evolving style, blending rock influences and nostalgic pop elements. Her critically acclaimed sixth album, Norman Fucking Rockwell! (2019), explored soft rock and was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards​.

In 2021, she released Chemtrails over the Country Club and Blue Banisters. Her ninth studio album, Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd (2023), featured contributions from various artists including Father John Misty and Jon Batiste. The album was well-received and nominated for Grammy's Album Of The Year.

Recent Performances and Collaborations

In 2022, Del Rey collaborated with Taylor Swift on "Snow on the Beach," from Swift's album Midnights, which debuted at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Her 2024 Coachella headlining performance was a significant highlight, featuring a mix of hits from her discography and covers, including "Doin' Time" by Sublime and "Ocean Eyes" by Billie Eilish​​.

Personal Life

Del Rey has been open about her struggles with addiction and her journey to sobriety. She is known for her complex persona, blending elements of tragic romance and vintage Hollywood glamour. She has also been involved in several high-profile relationships, though she tends to keep her personal life private​​.

Awards and Recognition

Lana Del Rey has received numerous accolades, including an MTV Video Music Award, three MTV Europe Music Awards, two Brit Awards, and two Billboard Women in Music Awards. She has been nominated for eleven Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. In 2023, Rolling Stone named her one of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, and Rolling Stone UK hailed her as The Greatest American Songwriter of the 21st century​.

Discography

1. Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant (2010)
2. Born to Die (2012)
3. Paradise (2012)
4. Ultraviolence (2014)
5. Honeymoon (2015)
6. Lust for Life (2017)
7. Norman Fucking Rockwell! (2019)
8. Chemtrails over the Country Club (2021)
9. Blue Banisters (2021)
10. Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd (2023)