Capella Grey
Curtis Anthony Jackson II (born August 2, 1995), known professionally as Capella Grey, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer from the Bronx, New York. He is the founder of Allepac the Family and signed a joint venture with Capitol. He released two mixtapes in 2020 and received widespread recognition in 2021 with his breakout single "Gyalis".[1]
Capella Grey | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Curtis Anthony Jackson II |
| Born | August 2, 1995 New Rochelle, New York, U.S. |
| Origin | Bronx, New York, U.S. |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2016–present |
| Labels |
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| Associated acts |
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Early life
Curtis Jackson II was born in New Rochelle, New York. He grew up in a Jamaican family and started playing instruments at a young age, learning how to play from church.[2] He spent most of his early years living in Danbury, Connecticut and the Bronx, and developed his musical career in Mount Vernon, New York.[3]
Musical career
Capella Grey started his musical career writing and producing for other artists, including "Love You Better" by King Combs featuring Chris Brown. He signed an R&B girl group called Rèign to Allepac Records, and wrote and produced for their debut album released in 2019.[4][5] On January 8, 2020, he released his debut mixtape Yea Nah I'm Out, followed by his second mixtape The QuaranTape Vibe 1.[6] He signed with Capitol in 2021, saying they are "not trying to change me as an artist to meet the standards or expectations of music now, which is why I went with them."[7]
On January 4, 2021, he released the single "Gyalis", which samples Juvenile's "Back That Azz Up". The song went viral in New York and on social media platforms, spawning unofficial remixes from A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Kranium, Tory Lanez, Angel and Haile, among others. The song reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and was called the "song of the summer" by multiple publications.[8][9] The official remix was released on October 1, 2021, featuring Popcaan and Chris Brown.[10] On December 17, he released the single "Talk Nice".[11]
On March 18, 2022, Capella Grey released the single "Confujawn" with Nija.[12]
Artistry
Capella Grey described his sound as "singing at the tempo of a rapper", and cited Kranium, Ty Dolla Sign, Charlie Wilson, Jodeci, Diddy, 50 Cent, and Dipset as his musical influences.[13][14]
Allepac the Family
| Allepac the Family | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founder | Capella Grey |
| Status | Active |
| Distributor(s) | Capitol |
| Genre | |
| Location | New York City, U.S. |
Allepac the Family is an American record label based in New York City, founded by Capella Grey.[13] The roster includes Capella Grey, DJ Kanai, Father Z, Ghost, Alayzha Sky, BBearded, JusQuinn, Branford, Kidd Meech, Jah Bless, and Rèign, among others. The label signed a joint venture deal with Capitol, saying "they are a great team of record breakers and I am excited to work with them."[15]
Discography
Mixtapes
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Yea Nah I'm Out |
|
| The QuaranTape Vibe 1. |
|
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [16] |
US R&B /HH [17] |
CAN [18] |
UK | UK R&B | ||||
| "One More Chance" | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | TBA | |
| "Gyalis" | 2021 | 38 | 10 | 84 | 65 | 26 | ||
| "Sas Crise" (featuring Alayzha Sky and Ghost) |
— | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Gyalis (Remix)" (featuring Chris Brown and Popcaan) |
— | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Talk Nice" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Confujawn" (with Nija) |
2022 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B /HH |
CAN | NZ Hot | |||
| "You know My Body"[20] (DreamDoll featuring Capella Grey) |
2021 | — | — | — | — | TBA |
| "Seduce"[21] (Russ featuring Capella Grey) |
—[upper-alpha 1] | 10 | 79 | 2 | Non-album single | |
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Never Mind" | 2016 | Niko | N/A |
| "City of Mine" | DJ Myte, TheMoneyManDot, MoneyGangDeeDee, Quentin Gilmore, S.O, T-Mac |
4 Square Peace Project | |
| "Nostalgia" | Spades Saratoga, ManFromDaVideo, PlayBoiiTwan, Jayy | ||
| "Black & Blue" | Ella Avolu, Quentin Gilmore, Topik, Deputy Commissioner Anthony Mitchell | ||
| "Getaway ♂" | Dre Dot, Moriece, Y.A.C (Young and Comfortable), Chris Denim | ||
| "Be The Change" | Carson Stapleton, Darnella Fountain, Dre Dot, Franceska Marie, Chris Denim, Devyn, Sals, Kaveh | ||
| "Our Ting" | Quentin Gilmore | N/A | |
| "Up To You / Away" | Brandon Brown | N/A | |
| "Vibe Right" | 2018 | DJ Kanai, Haddy Hadd | N/A |
| "Like I Do" | 2019 | Branford | N/A |
| "Up On Time" | 2020 | Earl Young, 40 Kash | N/A |
| "Mutual"[23] | Yungin' Miyagi | Back From That Fall Off | |
| "Kittylude, Pt. 2" | MoneyGangDeeDee | Dee Dee F. Baby | |
| "Ari's Interlude Pt. 5" | Tony Smeezy, Branford | Fuck Tony Smeezy | |
| "Don't Have Time (Remix)" | Xotica | N/A | |
| "Again & Again" | 31sbillz, Jayy B, 31stdre | Trap Luv | |
| "Say Less, Do More" | Chubbs Guapo, Sbam Khi | Journal Entries | |
| "Painful Silence"[24] | Haddy Racks | N/A | |
| "1hunnid (Remix)"[25] | 2021 | Rico Tarantino, Jdhane, Ryan Ramirez | Clarity |
| "Outside" | Hannibal | N/A | |
| "Gyalis Summer" | Yung Gemini | N/A | |
| "Mid Night Drive" | Khaleel Rei | The Other Side | |
| "Too Late"[26] | Jdhane | N/A | |
| "Driver"[27] | WhyThree | Balloon Boy | |
| "Still My Baby"[28] | Quentin Gilmore, MoneyGangDeeDee | N/A | |
| "Find My Way 2 U" | Rayven M. | N/A | |
| "Bestie"[29] | Culture Jam, A Boogie wit da Hoodie | Kawhi Leonard Presents: Culture Jam (Vol. 1) | |
| "Facetime" | Queenferrari | N/A | |
| "Let Me Know"[30] | Rush33 | N/A | |
| "Me Vs You" | 2022 | PJ tha Balla | N/A |
| "Frontin For The Gram" | Haddy Racks | Trench Talk | |
| "Whatever On Whatever" | Zae France | N/A | |
| "When I Call You" | Su'Lan | TBA |
Writing discography
| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Love You Better"[31] | 2018 | King Combs, Chris Brown | Non-album single |
| "Eveything (Intro)" | 2019 | Rèign | Ii, Say That[32] |
| "CLA" | Rèign, DJ Myte, Jazzi Corleone | ||
| "Want Me" | Rèign | ||
| "Girlfriend" | Rèign | ||
| "Draggin' It" | Rèign, JusQuinn | ||
| "Are You Dumb" | Rèign, Kai Ca$h, Niko Brim | ||
| "Chances" | Rèign | ||
| "Mad Face" | Rèign, Lady London | ||
| "Dyckman" | Rèign, Terrele Rose | ||
| "G's Joint (Interlude)" | Rèign | ||
| "Done" | Rèign | ||
| "Don't Tempt Me" | Rèign | ||
| "One More" | Rèign | ||
| "Reasons" | Rèign | ||
| "Intro"[33] | 2020 | Tierra B. | Tierra B. |
| "Toxic"[34] | Miriam Sintim | N/A | |
| "Perfect Girl"[35] | Karyl | N/A | |
| "Incoming Call"[36] | 2021 | Khaleel Rei | N/A |
Production discography
| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Anything Like Your Mother" | 2016 | Capella Grey | N/A |
| "Junior's Interlude" | Wilbert "Busta" Francis | 4 Square Peace Project[37] | |
| "City of Mine" | DJ Myte, Capella Grey, TheMoneyManDot, MoneyGangDeeDee, Quentin Gilmore, S.O, T-Mac | ||
| "Nostalgia" | Spades Saratoga, ManFromDaVideo, PlayBoiiTwan, Capella Grey, Jayy | ||
| "Getaway ♀" | Màz, MoneyGangDeeDee, Lyph, Omega, Sals, Slayla | ||
| "Incredible" | Quentin Gilmore, Màz, TheMoneyManDot, MoneyGangDeeDee, JodyJo | ||
| "Getaway ♂" | Dre Dot, Moriece, Y.A.C (Young and Comfortable), Capella Grey, Chris Denim | ||
| "Be The Change" | Carson Stapleton, Darnella Fountain, Dre Dot, Franceska Marie, Chris Denim, Devyn, Sals, Capella Grey, Kaveh | ||
| "Black Sheep" | 2017 | Capella Grey | N/A |
| "Like I Do" | 2019 | Branford, Capella Grey | |
| "CLA" | Rèign, DJ Myte, Jazzi Corleone | Ii, Say That[32] | |
| "Want Me" | Rèign | ||
| "Girlfriend" | Rèign | ||
| "Draggin' It" | Rèign, JusQuinn | ||
| "Are You Dumb" | Rèign, Kai Ca$h, Niko Brim | ||
| "Chances" | Rèign | ||
| "Mad Face" | Rèign, Lady London | ||
| "2 Fif" | Rèign, DJ Kanai | ||
| "Dyckman" | Rèign, Terrele Rose | ||
| "Done" | Rèign | ||
| "Reasons" | Rèign | ||
| "Flexx"[38] | Amirahle | N/A | |
| "Favorite Girl" | 2020 | Capella Grey, JusQuinn | Yea Nah I'm Out |
| "Body!" | Capella Grey | ||
| "Boyz2Us" | Capella Grey, Playboiitwan, DrewSoWavy | ||
| "Breathe (nfs)" | Capella Grey | ||
| "Run The City" | Capella Grey, The Frvternity | ||
| "Buzz Me In" | Capella Grey | ||
| "Here She Go" | Capella Grey | ||
| "Soon Come" | Capella Grey, Iman, JusQuinn | ||
| "As You Should" | Capella Grey, JusQuinn | ||
| "Together" | Capella Grey, Timeless | ||
| "Word?" | Capella Grey, Timeless | ||
| "Unappreciated" | Capella Grey | ||
| "WTW" | Capella Grey, JusQuinn, Alayzha Sky | The QuaranTape Vibe 1. | |
| "Dashout" | Capella Grey, Father Z | ||
| "Boffum" | Capella Grey, Quentin Gilmore, JusQuinn | ||
| "So.. Slide" | Capella Grey, Bsmnt Boy, Brandon Brown | ||
| "Trues" | Capella Grey, AO, Spades Saratoga | ||
| "One More Chance" | Capella Grey | N/A | |
| "Gyalis" (Solo or Remix) | 2021 | Capella Grey, Chris Brown, Popcaan | TBA |
| "Sas Crise" | Capella Grey, Alayzha Sky, Ghost | ||
| "Toxic" | Branford | N/A |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | A Lot Going On | Himself | Documentary series, 10 episodes |
Awards and nominations
| Award | Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soul Train Music Awards | 2021 | Best New Artist | Himself | Nominated | [31] |
Notes
- "Seduce" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 20 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[22]
References
- Dailey, Hannah. "How Capella Grey's 'No Rules' Mantra Led to Breakthrough Hit 'Gyalis'". Billboard.
- "Capella Grey Is No Longer Taking A Back Seat To The Music Industry". Bossip.
- F., Arden. "Capella Grey's Energy Is Perfect For Our Movement!". Four Side NY.
- "Allepac Records Presents Girl Group Reign".
- OTV Studios. "OTV LIVE Episode #048 - Allepac Records" – via YouTube.
- Benoit, Kevin. "The Story of Capella Grey – An Undeniable Force Rises". Parlé Mag.
- "Capella Grey's Music Sounds Like a New York Summer". Vice.
- Lamarre, Carl. "Capella Grey Wants to Rewrite Hip-Hop History: 'I Feel Like We're Cheating Right Now'". Billboard.
- Andeson, Trevor (November 12, 2021). "Capella Grey's 'Gyalis' Hits Top 10 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- Baugh, Claudine (September 28, 2021). "Capella Grey Announces 'Gyalis' Remix With Popcaan, Chris Brown". Dancehallmag. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- "Capella Grey says they should "Talk Nice" in new video". Revolt.
- "Capella Grey And Nija Want No 'Confujawn' Through Romance In Their Flirtatious New Video". Uproxx.
- "THE BREAK PRESENTS – CAPELLA GREY". XXL.
- Hot 97. "Capella Grey on A.Boogie Remixing Gyalis, Andre 3000 and Relationship Insecurities" – via YouTube.
- "Capella Grey, born Gyalis". Jamaica Observer.
- "Hot 100 Chart: October 16, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: November 13, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- "Billboard Global 200: October 16, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- "Capella Grey Mines RIAA Gold With Dancehall-Flavored Hit 'Gyalis'". October 21, 2021.
- "DreamDoll and Capella Grey link up for "You Know My Body" visual". Revolt.
- "Seduce" – via Apple Music.
- "Russ Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
- "Mutual" – via Apple Music.
- "Painful Silence" – via Apple Music.
- "1hunnid" – via Apple Music.
- "Too Late" – via Apple Music.
- "DRIVER" – via Apple Music.
- "Still My Baby" – via Apple Music.
- "Seduce" – via Apple Music.
- "Let Me Know" – via Apple Music.
- "2021 Soul Train Awards: 3 Things to Know About Soul Train Awards' "Best New Artist" Nominee Capella Grey". BET.
- "Ii, Say That - Rèign". Tidal.
- "Intro - Tierra B." Tidal.
- "Toxic - Miriam Sintim". Tidal.
- "Perfect Girl - Karyl". Tidal.
- "Incoming Call - Khaleel Rei". Tidal.
- "BWTV – 4 Square Peace Project". Black Westchester.
- "Flexx". Tidal.