A boy named ROSA
A boy named ROSA | |
|---|---|
| File:A boy named ROSA March 2019.jpg ROSA in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Roger William Saro |
| Born | 11 August 1994 Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Labels | BOUTIQUE |
Roger William Saro (born 11 August 1994), known professionally as A boy named ROSA, is a Dutch-Surinamese/Native American singer, songwriter, rapper and producer. In 2017, he released his debut single and accompanying music video "Drunk Girls" via Vice Magazine.[1] In 2020 he released the singles "Phone", "BLOW" and "Eye Candy" ahead of his upcoming debut studio album FEMALE, scheduled to be released July 7 via his record label BOUTIQUE.
Early life
ROSA was born in Amsterdam to a Surinamese mother and a Native American father. Domestic abuse led to his father leaving the household while he was still a toddler. He was raised solely by his teenage mother in the Bijlmer, an Amsterdam borough that used to be synonymous with crime, drugs, unemployment and illegal immigrants.
Career
2017: Career beginnings
In June 2017, ROSA released his official debut single "Drunk Girls" along with its music video via Vice Magazine. "Drunk Girls" has been described as ‘an ode to unapologetically strong women in control of their femininity and sexuality’. [2] The sound blends alternative R&B with the aesthetics of mainstream pop music and the black & white music video was shot in Berlin, Germany.
2020-2021: Phone, BLOW, Eye Candy and FEMALE
In 2020 ROSA announced his debut album FEMALE. A body of work centered on female empowerment and male emotional maturity.[3][4] The lead single and its accompanying music video "Phone" was released March 27 and premiered via British lifestyle and fashion magazine Wonderland. The visual was described as "boundary pushing" by the publication, further stating "ROSA is crafting a world of acceptance and without limitations, and avoids he/she pronouns in the lyrics to the song, which explores his frustration of a love interest who is constantly on her phone. The dreamy visuals show straight, gay and lesbian couples each yearning for attention from their respective partners only to be ignored. Social media culture and the obsessiveness in the way we use our phones is also tackled in the artist’s song." [5][6] Follow-up single "BLOW" was released June 12 and tackled ROSA's bouts with a severe cocaine addiction,[7] depression[8] and mental health.[9] The song's music video was described as "a stunning work of art" and "a surreal amalgam of grandness emphasizing the initial euphoria of cocaine use and eventual deterioration as the high comes down".[10] The third and final single "Eye Candy" closed out the trilogy of music videos and introduced ROSA's rapping and storytelling abilities.[11][12] Keeping the FEMALE theme going, "Eye Candy" tells the story of a superficial Generation Z woman, while simultaneously examining the judgmental male perspective.[13][14] FEMALE is scheduled to be released July 7.
Musical style
ROSA's music incorporates alternative R&B, hip hop and pop music. Critics have compared his sound to Frank Ocean, Kid Cudi, Dev Hynes and Anderson .Paak.[15] [16] [17] [13][18]
While reviewing "BLOW", Clash stated "His own work is equally striking, pursuing doggedly individual aims while communicating in an open, refreshing fashion."[19]
Discography
Singles
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Eye Candy" | 2020 | FEMALE |
| "BLOW" | ||
| "Phone" | ||
| "Drunk Girls" | 2017 | FEMALE |
Videography
Music videos
| Title | Year | Director(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Eye Candy" | 2020 | Sarah Friedman | |
| "BLOW" | A boy named ROSA Liza Koifman |
||
| "Phone" | Safi Graauw | ||
| "Drunk Girls" | 2017 | CAVEMEN |
References
- ↑ Kinani, Souf (June 6, 2017)."'Drunk Girls' van ROSA is een ode aan vrouwen die mannen bespelen". Vice Magazine (in Nederlands). Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ↑ "A boy named ROSA – Drunk Girls Lyrics". Genius. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
- ↑ Chandler, Kendal (April 1, 2020). "rosa, "phone"". imperfect fifth. April 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ↑ blame it on WONGO (March 27, 2020). "ROSA - Phone". 2DOPEBOYZ. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ↑ "ROSA premieres the boundary-pushing music video for "Phone"". Wonderland Magazine. March 27, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ↑ "What's Good This Week #59". Velvet Independent. April 3, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
- ↑ Arunarsirakul, Alissa (June 16, 2020)."ROSA Addresses His Secret Cocaine Addiction in "BLOW"". The Hidden Hits. 16 June 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ↑ "ROSA Reveals Cinematic Music Video For 'BLOW'". plnkwifi. 12 June 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ↑ Schmitt, Tyler (June 15, 2020). "ROSA confronts mental health, drug abuse in new single 'BLOW'". Variance Magazine. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ↑ "ROSA Shares New Single 'BLOW'". Caesar Live N Loud. August 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ↑ Odutola, Tayo (July 23, 2020)."ROSA breaks down the attributes of the perfect 'EYE CANDY'". Word Is Bond. 23 July 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ↑ "ROSA Shares New Single 'Eye Candy'". Caesar Live N Loud. July 2020.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Video Premiere: ROSA Releases Eye Candy". House of Solo Magazine. August 21, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ↑ Arunarsirakul, Alissa (August 31, 2020)."ROSA's "Eye Candy" Video Is Truly Breathtaking". The Hidden Hits. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ↑ "ROSA releases stunning new single 'BLOW'". TotalNtertainment. June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ↑ Peeke, Dan (June 2020). "the most radicalist". The Most Radicalist. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ↑ Mombourquette, Katy (June 16, 2020). "rosa, "blow"". imperfect fifth. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ↑ "New Music From Chloe x Halle And Jorja Smith In This Week's Wonderlist". Wonderland Magazine. June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ↑ Murray, Robin (June 12, 2020). "Track Of The Day 12/6 - ROSA". Clash Magazine. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
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