Daniel Caesar is not a new name in music, his soulful voice and lyrics have become a mainstay in the R&B world since his breakout debut album Freudian in 2017 and he has recently received critical success with his sophomore album Case Study 01.

Born Ashton Simmonds in Oshawa, Canada to religious parents, the singer's childhood was full of gospel and choir. With this richness of musical expression surrounding the young artist, a desire to make music naturally followed suit. But, for Caesar, the journey to creating his most authentic art was not easy. After getting kicked out from his home at 17, he was forced to sleep on couches and benches as he started recording his EP Praise Break in 2014, which received widespread critical acclaim. The slow, deep tracks about themes from religion to unrequited love gave Caesar the chance to stand out as a true soul singer whose music was a break from the heavy electronic-pop of the time.

While Praise Break put the singer-songwriter on the radar, it was with debut album Freudian in 2017 that Caesar was given the spotlight he deserved. Tracks like "Get You" and "Best Part" blew up, with more than 100 million views on YouTube. This album also gave Caesar his first Grammy nominations, winning Best R&B Performance for "Best Part."

While it may seem that Daniel Caesar's rise was almost instantaneous, the artist has been working in the industry for the past five years, honing in on making his voice something unique. With his stripped-back vocals, Caesar has emerged as the face of a new generation of bringing soul to the forefront. His most recent album Case Study 01 sees the artist experimenting with a more psychedelic sound, whilst staying true to his gospel and soul roots with a rich voice and even richer lyrics.

The humble beginnings still follow Caesar in everything he does, as he recognizes his roots in the church and his struggles as a starving artist. These backgrounds manifest in his writing, with every lyric evoking an almost synesthetic experience, from his older works like "Japanese Denim" to most recent "ENTROPY." On his success, Caesar laments:

" I have my sights set high. I feel successful now, but I still have a long way to go. "

Catch Daniel Caesar on tour promoting his most recent album, tickets here.