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Birth of Lana
Lana Del Rey, born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant on June 21, 1985, in the state of New York. She grows up in Lake Placid, a small town in upstate New York. Lana was born into a family of three children. Her father, Robert England Grant Jr., was a domain investor, and her mother, Patricia Ann Hill, worked as a teacher. Lana has a younger sister named Caroline (known as Chuck), who is a photographer and visual artist, and a brother named Charlie. -
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Lana's childhood
She grew up primarily in Lake Placid, a small, rural town in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. She has described her childhood as being filled with natural beauty but also isolation, which would later influence her music’s melancholic tone.During her time in boarding school and high school, she began to develop her interest in music, though she initially intended to study philosophy or pursue a career in community service.She taught herself to play the guitar and began writing songs. -
Early Exposure to Music
Although Lana didn’t initially grow up with aspirations to be a singer, music became an outlet for her as a teenager. After struggling with personal issues, including alcohol dependence, she was sent to Kent School, a boarding school, where her life began to stabilize. It was during this period that she started exploring music more seriously. -
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Boarding School and her earlier Challenges
In her teenage years, Lana struggled with alcohol dependency, which led her parents to send her to Kent School, a boarding school in Connecticut, when she was around 15. She has spoken openly about her struggles with addiction during this time and how overcoming it profoundly shaped her life and future work. -
Learning Guitar and Songwriting
When she was about 18 years old, her uncle taught her how to play basic chords on the guitar. With just a few chords under her belt, she realized that she could start writing songs. She has described this as a pivotal moment in discovering her love for songwriting. In her words: "I realized I could probably write a million songs with those six chords." -
First Records
After finishing high school, she moved to New York and attended Fordham University, where she studied Philosophy with a focus on metaphysics. During this time, he began performing at small bars and clubs around the city. Elizabeth Woolridge Grant begins recording music under the name Lizzy Grant. She had a sweet and melodic voice, but had not yet developed the distinctive vocal style we associate with Lana Del Rey. -
First contract
Lana Del Rey, still known as Lizzy Grant, was working on her music while living in a trailer park in New Jersey. At this stage, she was developing a unique style that mixed elements of alternative pop, indie and vintage aesthetics. Lana signed her first record deal with 5 Points Records (her first record label) and released a digital album titled Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant in 2010, although she retired shortly after. -
Change of identity
Elizabeth Grant adopts the name Lana Del Rey, inspired by the combination of the glamour of classic Hollywood cinema and the tropical atmosphere of places like Miami. This change marks the beginning of her transformation into an artist with a unique style, with a retro and melancholic aesthetic. -
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Jump to the fame
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Launch of "Video Games" mv
On June 29, 2011, Lana independently releases Video Games. The song goes viral thanks to a video she created herself, using vintage clips, celebrity images, and home scenes. Video Games receives massive praise for its emotionality and originality, becoming a phenomenon on blogs and social media. -
Interscope Records contract and EP Lana Del Rey
Impressed by the viral success of Video Games, Lana signs with Stranger Records and later with Interscope Records and Polydor. In October 2011, she releases an EP titled Lana Del Rey which includes Video Games and Blue Jeans. This EP consolidates her reputation as an artist on the rise. -
Lana Del Rey's performance on Saturday Night Live
Lana Del Rey was a guest on SNL before the release of her debut album Born to Die (which came out on January 27, 2012). This was unusual, as SNL typically reserves musical performances for more established artists. Lana performed two songs: Video Games and Blue Jeans. But she was criticized, becaus some people said that her voice seemed to be unstable, and everyone had high expectations of the performance. -
Born to Die
On January 27, 2012, Lana released her album Born to Die. It included hits such as Video Games, Born to Die, Blue Jeans, and Summertime Sadness. The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and later became one of the best-selling albums of the year.
Although it received mixed reviews initially, it has since been considered a classic of alternative pop music. Her image combines retro glamour with a narrative of vulnerability and decadence. -
Response of Lana
Lana did not immediately respond to the criticism, keeping a low profile in the days following the Saturday Night Live broadcast. However, in subsequent interviews, she addressed the issue honestly. Lana admitted that she was nervous and not yet used to performing on live television. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he expressed that he understood the reaction, saying: "It wasn't an amazing performance, but I don't think it was terrible either. I was just trying to do my best." -
Her first award
Lana del Rey won Best New Act for her meteoric rise with Born to Die in 2012 at the Q Awards ceremony. This would be one of the first awards Lana would win and has great sentimental value to her. -
Born to Die: The Paradise Edition
Is an expanded reissue of Lana Del Rey's debut album Born to Die. It was released on November 9, 2012 as a special version featuring all the songs from the original album plus a new EP titled Paradise. These new songs explore themes of nostalgia, decadent glamour, toxic love, and the duality of the American dream. Musically, the EP incorporates more melancholic, orchestral, and cinematic sounds, consolidating its unique aesthetic. -
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Development of "Ultarviolence"
Throughout 2013, Lana worked on her second studio album, Ultraviolence, collaborating with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys as producer. This process marks a shift towards a rawer, alternative rock sound. -
Short film "Tropico"
In December 2013, Lana released Tropico, a 27-minute short film directed by Anthony Mandler. The film features songs from her Paradise EP (Body Electric, Gods Monsters and Bel Air) and tells a story full of symbolism, exploring themes of sin, redemption and the American dream. Tropico consolidates her ability to combine music and visual narrative in a unique cinematic style. During the premiere in Los Angeles, Lana mentions that Tropico is the end of a chapter. -
Ultraviolence
Lana presents a darker, more introspective and psychedelic rock-oriented sound, moving away from the baroque pop of Born to Die and Paradise. West Coast: First single, with an unusual structure and a tempo change that reflects its experimental spirit. Shades of Cool: A melancholic ballad with intense guitars. Brooklyn Baby: A satire on hipster stereotypes. Ultraviolence: A poetic and controversial exploration of toxic love. The album debuts at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts. -
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The Endless Summer Tour
The Endless Summer Tour was a promotional tour for her new album Ultraviolence. meanwhile she was developing Honeymoon, trying to experiment in new horizons. This tour also helped her to connect more with her fans. the tour placed at number 156 on Pollstar's "2015 Year-End Top 200 North American Tours" list, grossing $6 million from 16 shows. -
Honeymoon
Lana released her third studio album, Honeymoon, on September 18, 2015. This album returns to the more cinematic and orchestral influences of Born to Die and Paradise. The lyrics explore themes of heartbreak, melancholy, fantasy, and death, with a slow, nostalgic, and enveloping atmosphere. Honeymoon was well received by critics, praised for its cohesion and introspective atmosphere. Commercially, it debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart. -
Brit Award
Throughout 2016, Lana remains a cult figure, participating in several major festivals and events. One of this events was the Brit Awards,. They annually award the British music industry, and Lana won in the category of "Best International Female Solo Artist". -
Lust for Life
Her fifth studio album, Lust for Life, was released on July 21, 2017. This album marked an evolution in her tone, with more hopeful and optimistic songs compared to her previous works. It continued to explore themes of love, nostalgia, and social criticism, but with a more collaborative and positive edge. It included political and social references, reflecting the turbulent times in the United States. -
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L.A. To the Moon Tour
She went on a promotional tour that included appearances on television shows and festivals. She announced the LA to the Moon Tour, which began in late 2017 and continued into late 2018. Originally the end of the tour was scheduled to end September 7, 2018, in Lehavot HaBashan, it ended early in Budapest on August 10, 2018, due to protest associated with the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict. -
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Work in new projects
During 2018, Lana began working on her next album, Norman Fucking Rockwell! (released in 2019). She released two promotional singles: Mariners Apartment Complex (September 12, 2018).
Venice Bitch (September 18, 2018).
These songs showed a shift towards a more introspective, intimate and organic sound, influenced by classic rock and folk. -
Norman Fucking Rockwell! (NFR!)
Their sixth studio album, Norman Fucking Rockwell!, was released. Produced primarily alongside Jack Antonoff, it showcased a shift towards a more introspective and organic sound, drawing influences from classic rock, folk, and soft rock. The lyrics focused on themes such as heartbreak, melancholy, and critical observation of American culture. The title references the artist Norman Rockwell, but with an ironic twist, capturing the tension between American idealism and its modern reality. -
Don't Call Me Angel
She participated in a collaboration with Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus on Don’t Call Me Angel, part of the Charlie’s Angels soundtrack.
She appeared at high-profile events and continued to be an important figure in fashion and pop culture. -
Question for the Culture
"Question for the Culture" is an open letter posted by Lana Del Rey on her Instagram account on May 21, 2020. In it, Lana expressed her thoughts and frustrations about the way her music and artistic style had been perceived and criticized in comparison to other female artists in the music industry. The post sparked an intense debate on social media and the media, dividing opinions among her fans, critics, and the general public. -
Lana's response after being criticized for the "Question for the Culture"
In later posts, Lana stated that she is not trying to attack other artists or make racial comments, but rather expressing her feelings about how her music was perceived. -
Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass
Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass is Lana Del Rey's first book of poetry, published on September 29, 2020 in physical format, although the audiobook narrated by herself was previously released on July 28, 2020. This project represents an extension of her artistic talent beyond music, showcasing her ability as a poet and writer. It is a collection of original poems written by Lana, exploring themes such as nostalgia, love, nature, identity and personal reflection. -
Chemtrails Over the Country Club (COTCC)
Released on March 19, 2021, this was Lana's seventh studio album. Produced primarily by Jack Antonoff, who previously worked with her on Norman Fucking Rockwell!, it was musically more minimalist, with elements of folk, soft rock, and alternative country. The lyrics explore identity, nostalgia, family, and the longing for tranquility amidst chaos. Although it did not reach the same level of acclaim as Norman Fucking Rockwell!, it was well received by critics. -
Closing of her Social Media
Lana shut down her social media in September 2021, stating that she wanted to focus on her personal life and creative work without public distractions. This because of all the hate she received after trying to clean her image in social media -
Blue Banisters
Released on October 22, 2021, this was her eighth studio album, released in the same year as Chemtrails Over the Country Club. More experimental and personal, the album reflects her life during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is perceived as a response to the criticism and misunderstandings she had faced in previous years. It received mixed reviews, with praise for its emotional honesty and experimental approach, though some felt it lacked cohesion compared to previous works. -
Lana and Taylor
Lana after her disappearance of the media she participated in Snow on the Beach, a collaboration with Taylor Swift included in the album Midnights (released in October 2022). Although her participation was brief, it generated excitement among fans of both artists. -
Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd (DYKTTTUOBlvd)
Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd is Lana’s ninth studio album, which after a long time of disappearing from the public eye and not releasing new music other than collaborations she returned, DYKTTTUOBlvd It is an introspective and experimental album, with sounds that combine orchestral ballads, gospel influences and poetic lyrical structures. The songs address themes such as mortality, family, spirituality, melancholy and beauty in the everyday. -
Lollapalooza 2023
Lana Del Rey performed at the 2023 Lollapalooza Festival on August 6 in Grant Park, Chicago. Her performance included a selection of iconic songs from her career, including "AW," "Young and Beautiful," "Ride," "Born to Die," "Blue Jeans," "Norman fucking Rockwell," "Ultraviolence," "Summertime Sadness," and "Video Games." It was one of the events that bringed back Lana to the public eye, as she seemed to be more relaxed in other events like Glastonbury 2023. -
Grammy Awards 2024
In early 2024, Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd was nominated for several major awards, including the 2024 Grammy Awards in categories such as Album of the Year and Song of the Year. Despite not winning, she was recognized as one of the most influential artists of the decade, with several publications highlighting her on their lists of the best contemporary artists. -
Tough (feat Quavo), a new thing for Lana
Tough is a single released by Lana on July 3, 2024, and it is actually part of a new project that Lana has been working on for a while, a new album, which will be called The Right Person Will Stay. Tough is actually a hip-hop song in collaboration with rapper Quavo, it is a song which is going to be part of something quite big.