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Multi-Platinum Recording Artist Dawn Richard Suits Up For “Armor On” EP
Former Danity Kane and Diddy's Dirty Money Singer/Songwriter Calls All Hearts with Debut Solo Project
(LOS ANGELES, CA) – March 20, 2012 – Multi-platinum singer/songwriter, Dawn Richard, announced the release of her highly anticipated solo EP, Armor On. The nine-track EP, is the introduction to Richard's Goldenheart Trilogy, a conceptual project about a lover fighting to protect her heart. The album is being Executive Produced by Richard and Grammy Nominated Producer/Songwriter Andrew “Druski” Scott (Trinitee 5:7, From Above, Michelle Williams, Letoya Luckett).
Richard is no stranger to battle. In 2005, the New Orleans native competed against over 10,000 girls for a coveted spot in Sean “P. Diddy” Combs girl group on the Making The Band reality TV series. Through rigorous rehearsals, eliminations and even becoming a Hurricane Katrina victim, the chanteuse persevered and even created the name for the mega Pop group, Danity Kane. After two platinum albums, the group disbanded in front of millions of viewers due to various reasons. Refusing to sail into obscurity, the singer/songwriter continued to write and reference demos for Diddy who eventually decided to make her a part of his hybrid Hip-Hop trio, Dirty Money.
“The transition was a new experience for me,” says Richard. “But, music has always been the focal point which enabled me to continue without faltering.”
In 2011, Richard released A TellTale Heart mixtape – the prelude to Armor On and Goldenheart. In a single week, the mixtape received over 1,000,000 downloads shocking both Richard and her doubters.
“I put out this project to see if fans were comfortable with the idea of me being a solo artist,” states Richard. “Not only were they comfortable, but I didn't lose the Danity Kane or Dirty Money supporters and actually gained a new audience.”
“Armor On is a musical graphic novel of what [she's] been through in the past six years,” proclaims Grammy Nominated producer/songwriter Druski. “It's bold, innovative and yet at the same time honest – that's why we're calling it 'Heart music'. It's something that I truly feel R&B is lacking nowadays.”
“I wanted to create a musical novel so that when you listened to it you felt as if you had a cathartic experience,” remarks Richard. “For me, this EP is everything that I couldn't say, was told not to say and was told I'd never say. I want the lyrics to move you, challenge you and sonically inspire you. In 'heart music' there are no boundaries or limits. We have the ability to fight, sword in hand and armor on.”
Previously, the songstress released the smash holiday single, “December Sky”, which reached the top 40 on iTunes R&B/Soul charts and premiered her video for the fan favorite, “SMFU (Save Me From U)” on 106 & Park. Armor On is slated to debut on March 27, 2012 exclusively on iTunes.
For more information, please visit:: www.dawnrichardblog.com or follow Dawn Richard on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dawnrichard
ABOUT DAWN RICHARD
Singer/Songwriter Dawn Richard is a founding member of the Bad Boy Records multi-platinum selling group Danity Kane. Born and raised in New Orleans, Richard grew up with music constantly surrounding her. Her father, a musician and choir director was one of the members of RCA Records' R&B group, Chocolate Milk. Attending the University of New Orleans on full scholarship, Richard's first claim to fame was as a opening act for Anthony Hamilton. Five years later, the songstress auditioned for Making The Band, season 3. After making the group, Richard wrote several records for Danity Kane's second platinum album Welcome to the Dollhouse and eventually wrote for other Bad Boy recording acts including Day26 and Diddy himself. In 2010, Richard joined Diddy to form the critically acclaimed group, Dirty Money. Richard wrote on five records for the Last Train To Paris album that has sold over 500,000 copies since it's 2011 debut. The singer is currently gearing up for her debut solo EP, Armor On slated to debut March 27, 2012. For more information please visit: www.dawnrichard.tumblr.com or follow Dawn Richard on Twitter at @DawnRichard. - Andrew Scott
Discography
Danity Kane (2006) Platinum, Danity Kane of Bad Boy Records
Welcome To The Dollhouse (2008) Platinum, Danity Kane of Bad Boy Records
The Prelude To A Heart Tale (2012), Diddy Dirty Money of Bad Boy Records
Armor On (2011)
GoldenHeart (forthcoming 2012)
Photos
Bio
MultiPlatinum Singer/Songwriter Dawn Richard is a former member of the 2 Time Billboard 100 Chart #1 musical group Danity Kane (2005 to 2009) and in 2010 joined Diddy-Dirty Money with label head Sean "Diddy" Combs and Kalenna Harper of Bad Boy Records. Born and raised in New Orleans, Richard grew up on music. Her father, a musician and choir director, was also a member of the RCA R&B group Chocolate Milk. “I’d sneak underneath his piano and watch him perform,” recalls Richard. She later joined her dad’s choir and also began performing with a local group called Realiti. “Growing up, I was more into alternative music,” says Richard, whose influences range from the Cranberries and Sheryl Crow to Green Day and Melissa Etheridge. “I saw myself as the leader of a rock band with pink hair, singing the music I love.
In 2009, Richard began working with Bad Boy Records, writing for artists including Cassie, Day26 and Combs himself.
In 2009, Richard was asked by Diddy himself to become a member of another group called Diddy-Dirty Money, which includes Combs and singer/songwriter Kalenna Harper. The trio released Last Train To Paris December 2010 with four hit singles including "Hello, Goodmorning", "Loving You No More", "Angels" and their #1 hit single, "Coming Home" featuring Skylar Grey. The group would go on to win the BET Award in 2011 for Best Group.
In 2009, Richard was asked by Diddy himself to become a member of another group called Diddy-Dirty Money, which includes Combs and singer/songwriter Kalenna Harper. The trio released Last Train To Paris December 2010 with four hit singles including "Hello, Goodmorning", "Loving You No More", "Angels" and their #1 hit single, "Coming Home" featuring Skylar Grey. The group would go on to win the BET Award in 2011 for Best Group.
In 2011, Richard released her mixtape, A Tell Tale Heart, a prelude to her Goldenheart trilogy. Within a week, the mixtape received 1,000,000 downloads with hits such as "Bulletproof", "Me, Myself & Y" and "These Tears".
In 2011, Richard partnered with Grammy nominated producer Druski and began working on material for her Goldenheart project. From the studio collaborations, Dawn released one of her most critical works to date titled, "Save Me From U". In January of 2012, Richard premiered the video on BET's 106 & Park and announced the Armor On project. In 2012 Richard and Druski began working on her EP, Armor On. The 10-track Afro/Cuban, electro-pop release was released on iTunes on March 27, 2012. Within three hours of its release, Armor On was No. 1. The project debut on Billboard's Heatseeker Charts at #4, #25 on Billboard's Independent Charts and #28 on Billboard' Hip-Hop/R&B Charts. The album was given 3.5 out 5 stars on About.com, B+/A- on IGN.com and 4.5 stars from the Washington Post.
"We didn't expect to be #1 and to do the numbers that we did," states Dawn. "But the hearts are here, they are speaking loud and clear and this is only the beginning."
Since then, Richard has embarked on a tour with fellow New Orleans native and YMCMB signee, PJ Morton for a mini-promo tour. Richard is currently finishing up her solo album Goldenheart slated for a Fall 2012 release.
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