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Ralph (singer)

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Ralph
Ralph performing in March 2017
Ralph performing in March 2017
Background information
Birth nameRaffaela Weyman
BornToronto, Ontario, Canada
OriginToronto, Ontario
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2014–present
Labels604, Rich Man, Wednesday, Crocodile Tears, Skeletory
Websitesongsbyralph.com

Raffaela Weyman, known professionally as Ralph (often stylised as RALPH), is a Canadian singer and songwriter from Toronto, Ontario.[1]

Early life

[edit]

Weyman was born in Toronto, Ontario. She's a trained vocalist from Toronto's collegial Annex neighborhood.[2] As a child, Weyman developed appreciation for the sounds and styles of the past, including Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Prince and The Temptations.[3]

Career

[edit]

2015–2016: Early career

[edit]

Weyman began writing and performing as Ralph a few years ago with a creative partner. According to her, it wasn't a productive relationship as she'd receive instrumental portions from him and have to write songs based on them: "I always felt it was a bit of a backseat project for a little while. I was interested in the project, and doing it with him, but I felt this disconnect because I wouldn't be writing the songs with him."[2] On May 1, 2015, she released her debut single "Trouble" with an accompanying video.[4]

After she signed with 604 Records Ontario, Ralph started to feel more in control of her own music and began to write songs for her debut EP.[5] The song "Cold to the Touch" was released on May 25, 2016 as the lead single from the project.[6] Three months later, she released the second single "Something More" on August 3, which was inspired by Aziz Ansari's Netflix show Master of None.[7] The music video for the song premiered on October 7, becoming her first official video to be released on Vevo.[8] The third single "Busy Man" was released on October 24.[9]

2017–2018: Ralph and A Good Girl

[edit]

On February 14, 2017, Ralph announced the release of the EP's fourth single "Tease". The next day, on February 15, the song came out alongside a proper music video.[10] On the same day, the self-titled EP Ralph became available to pre-order on iTunes. The EP was officially released on March 3 containing all her previous singles, with the exception of "Trouble", plus two new songs, "Lit the Fire" and "Crocodile Tears",[11] the latter being the first song she wrote for the project.[2] A launch party for the EP was held on March 22 at Drake Underground in Toronto.[12] On May 17, the single "Cold to the Touch" received an official music video.[13]

On June 28, Ralph released a cover of Candi Staton's song "Young Hearts Run Free" as a promotional single.[14] The singer has revealed she's been working on a full-length album, which she expects to be "bigger, better and more interesting, more surprising".[2] On October 6, 2017, she released "Screenplay", featuring the Canadian duo The Darcys, as a promotional single to support the tour they held together in November.[15]

"September Fades", previously known as "Evergreen", was released on March 7, 2018, as the lead single from her debut album.[16] The music video for the song was filmed on October 18, 2017 and released on March 7, 2018. It was directed by Gemma Warren and it is mainly inspired by the American TV series Twin Peaks.[17] On April 6, 2018, the singer was featured on the single "Target" by the British duo Hannie.[18]

Ralph released a second single titled "Girl Next Door", which features fellow Canadian rapper Tobi on May 2, 2018.[19] A music video for the single, directed by Ally Pankiw, premiered on July 4, 2018.[20] The third single, "Tables Have Turned", was released on July 18, 2018.[21] Danielle Nemet shot and directed a music video for the song, which was later released on November 15, 2018.[22] On August 22, the singer announced the release date of her debut studio album A Good Girl, which was released on September 28, 2018.[23] Along with the announcement, "Weather" was released as the fourth single from the album.[24] The fifth and final single "Long Distance Lover" was released on October 2, 2018, alongside a music video directed by Ally Pankiw.[25]

2019–2021: Flashbacks & Fantasies

[edit]

On June 19, 2019, Ralph announced a new single titled "Gravity", which was released as the lead single for her second EP, Flashbacks & Fantasies, on July 3. An animated music video for the song premiered on July 4. It was made by artist Amika Cooper and features drawings of Ralph in space.[26] As of January 2020, "Gravity" became the singer's first song to reach the top 20 on Mediabase's Canada Top 40 chart peaking at number 20.[27] To date, it has also peaked at number 23 on Nielsen's Canada CHR/Top 40 chart.[28] On July 19, 2019, Australian singer Hopium released the single "Scorpio", which features Ralph.[29] On August 1, the singer announced "No Muss No Fuss" as the second single, which was released on August 14, 2019, accompanied by a music video directed by Gemma Warren.[30] From August 28 to September 19, Ralph served as an opening act for Carly Rae Jepsen during the Canadian concerts for The Dedicated Tour.[31] A third single, "Last Time," was released on October 2, 2019.[32]

Flashbacks & Fantasies was made available for pre-order on October 28, and then officially released on November 13, 2019. Along with the spawned singles, it features three new songs as well: "Headphone Season," "Sunday Girl," and "Looking for You." This last song was released as the fourth single and received a music video directed by Rosanna Peng on the very same day as the EP release.[33][34]

On January 28, 2020, Ralph was nominated to the Dance Recording of the Year category for the 2020 Juno Award with her 2019 single "Gravity".[35] On January 30, the singer announced "Superbloom", a new single scheduled to be released on February 10.[36]

In the summer of 2020, Ralph appeared as a musical coach on two episodes of the inaugural season of Canada's Drag Race.[37][38]

She also started a record label with longtime friend and manager Laurie Lee Boutet called 'Rich Man Records', and has since released her own music under the label, with the goal to eventually develop the label and work with other artists to release their music as well. [39]

2021–Present

[edit]

On April 14, 2021, Ralph released her first single off her upcoming EP 'Gradience', the song was called 'Tommy' and she released with a Marie Antoinette inspired music video (directed by Renee Rodenkirchen and shot by Ralph's younger brother, cinematographer Teo Weyman). Tommy did very well on radio, especially on the West Coast of Canada. She released her second single 'Love Potion' in May, and then released 'Gradience' on July 7th. [40] [41]

In 2022, Ralph sang alongside Donovan Woods on his track 'Leave When You Go' from his album 'Big Hurt Boy'

On April 7, 2023, Ralph released her first single off her new album '222' entitled 'Scary Hot'. It was the first song she had ever released where she publicly mentioned her bi-sexuality, as the song is about being with a woman. [42]She released her second single 'Pain Relief' on May 19, and finally she released '222' in June. The title refers to angle numbers, as she said the numbers 222 were following her everywhere during the year she was writing her EP, so it felt obvious that they meant something important. [43]

She also wrote and performed on a duet with Priyanka, who had become her friend after meeting on Canada's Drag Race Season 1. The song was called 'Bad Bitches Don't Cry' and they released a music video starring the pair, complete with dancing and pyrotechnics.[44]

Artistry

[edit]

Ralph describes her musical genre as a mixture between synth-pop, disco and smooth soul. She has mentioned Donna Summer, Cher, Stevie Nicks and Sade as her main influences.[45] The singer "blends funky 1970's bass with 1980's style pop keys, while staying contemporary through vocal melodies and fresh synth sounds". Her songwriting style is described as narrative, usually following themes of "jealousy, lust, deception and strength".[3]

Personal life

[edit]

Ralph came out as a bisexual in 2023.[46]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Details
A Good Girl

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Details
Ralph
  • Released: March 3, 2017[47]
  • Label: 604, Wednesday
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming, vinyl
Flashbacks & Fantasies
  • Released: November 13, 2019[48]
  • Label: Crocodile Tears
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming, vinyl
Gradience[49]
  • Released: July 7, 2021
  • Label: 604
  • Formats: digital download, streaming
222
  • Released: June 30, 2023
  • Label: 604
  • Formats: digital download, streaming

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
CAN
CHR
[50] 		CAN
Hot
AC
[51]
"Trouble"[52] 2015 — — Non-album single
"Cold to the Touch"[53] 2016 — 44 Ralph
"Something More"[54] — —
"Busy Man"[55] — —
"Tease"[56] 2017 — —
"September Fades"[16] 2018 — — A Good Girl
"Girl Next Door"[19]
(featuring TOBi) 		— —
"Tables Have Turned"[21] — —
"Weather"[24] — —
"Long Distance Lover"[25] — —
"Gravity"[26] 2019 23 23 Flashbacks & Fantasies
"No Muss No Fuss"[30] — —
"Last Time"[57] — —
"Looking for You"[34] — —
"Superbloom"[36] 2020 — — Non-album singles
"Crush" — —
"Hard Candy Christmas" — —
"Tommy" 2021 36 — Gradience
"Love Potion" — —
"A Christmas to Remember"
(with Ryland James) 		— — Non-album singles
"Gasoline" 2022 — —
"Scary Hot" 2023 — — 222
"Pain Relief" — —
[edit]
Title Year Album
"Target"[18]
(Hannie featuring Ralph) 		2018 Non-album singles
"Scorpio"[29]
(Hopium featuring Ralph) 		2019
"A Christmas to Remember"
(Ryland James featuring Ralph) 		2021

Promotional singles

[edit]
Title Year Album
"Young Hearts Run Free"[58] 2017 Non-album singles
"Screenplay"[59]
(with The Darcys)

Music videos

[edit]

Director credits adapted from IMVDb.[60]

Year Title Other artist(s) Director(s)
2015 "Trouble" None Kit Knows
2016 "Something More" Matt Bianchi and Thea Hollatz
2017 "Tease" Gemma Warren
"Cold to the Touch"
2018 "September Fades"
"Girl Next Door" TOBi Ally Pankiw
"Long Distance Lover" None
"Tables Have Turned" Danielle Nemet
2019 "Gravity" Amika Cooper
"No Muss No Fuss" Gemma Warren
"Looking for You" Rosanna Peng

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Bergman, Randi. "Bedroom Diaries: Ralph". Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Ralph is Master And Commander of Her Own Brand of Pop". Noisey. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
  3. ^ a b "Ralph". 604 Records. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  4. ^ "Premiere: Take a Joyride with Ralph for Her Debut Video "Trouble"". Noisey. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
  5. ^ "Ralph Musician: Meet Your New Fave Woke Pop Princess". Flare. 2017-05-23. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  6. ^ "Ralph drops her infectious summer jam 'Cold To The Touch'". The 405. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  7. ^ "Premiere: Ralph - 'Something More'". Clash. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  8. ^ "Something More - Ralph". Vevo. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  9. ^ "Synth-pop songstress Ralph chases a happy ending on "Busy Man"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  10. ^ "Toronto's Ralph deals with promiscuous men on 80s-inspired "Tease"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  11. ^ "Ralph – Ralph EP CD (Canada Only) – 604 Records Shop". 604 Records. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  12. ^ "Photo Review – Ralph EP Release Party". Canadian Beats Media. 2017-03-23. Retrieved 2017-09-19.
  13. ^ "RALPH Debuts 'Cold To The Touch' Music Video". Much.com. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  14. ^ "Ralph's "Young Hearts Run Free" Cover Makes Us Want to Watch 'Romeo + Juliet'". Noisey. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  15. ^ "Ralph releases new single, "Screenplay" featuring The Darcys". Canadian Beats Media. 2017-10-06. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
  16. ^ a b "September Fades - Single by Ralph". iTunes. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  17. ^ "Ralph Takes Advantage of Love In 'September Fades'". Paper. 2018-03-07. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  18. ^ a b "Premiere: Hannie - 'Target' (ft. Ralph)". Clash. 6 April 2018. Retrieved 2019-07-22.
  19. ^ a b "Girl Next Door (feat. Tobi) - Single by Ralph". iTunes. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  20. ^ "Ralph Is The 'Girl Next Door' In Hazy Video Featuring Tobi". Much.com. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  21. ^ a b "Tables Have Turned - Single by Ralph on Apple Music". iTunes. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  22. ^ "Ralph - Tables Have Turned". 2018-11-15. Retrieved 2019-07-22 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ a b "Ralph share new single "Weather"". Indscene. 2018-08-22. Retrieved 2018-08-23.
  24. ^ a b "Weather - Single by Ralph". iTunes. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-23.
  25. ^ a b "Premiere: Ralph Releases Queer Speed-dating Music Video for "Long Distance Lover"". Out. 2018-09-28. Retrieved 2019-07-22.
  26. ^ a b "Exclusive: Ralph Shares House Music-Inspired New Single "Gravity"". Paste. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-22.
  27. ^ "Ralph". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
  28. ^ "BDSRadio Charts". www.bdsradio.com. Archived from the original on 2011-05-23. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  29. ^ a b "Universal Music Publishing | Australia & New Zealand". umusicpub.com. Retrieved 2019-07-22.
  30. ^ a b "No Muss No Fuss by Ralph". Feature.fm. Retrieved 2019-08-01 – via Smartlink.
  31. ^ "Folk singer turned pop performer joins The Dedicated Tour". The Manitoban. 2019-09-08. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
  32. ^ "Ralph shares bittersweet new single "Last Time" from upcoming EP "Fantasies & Flashbacks"". Elicit Magazine. 2019-10-02. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
  33. ^ "Ralph on Twitter". Twitter. 2019-10-28. Retrieved 2019-10-30.
  34. ^ a b "Ralph Returns with Romantic Video "Looking For You"". Popdust. 2019-11-13. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
  35. ^ "2020 Juno Award Nominees". The Juno Awards. Archived from the original on 2020-04-08. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  36. ^ a b Superbloom - Single by Ralph on iTunes, retrieved 2020-01-31
  37. ^ Rebecca Alter (August 3, 2020). "'Canada's Drag Race' Recap: Valley of the Dwolls". Vulture. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  38. ^ Kevin O’Keeffe (September 4, 2020). "'Canada's Drag Race' Episode 10 recap: The Queen of the North is here". Xtra Magazine. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  39. ^ "Mar 2020: Ralph goes from Good Girl to Rich Man". 14 March 2020.
  40. ^ "Pop superstar RALPH announces new EP with lead single "Tommy" | Best Fit".
  41. ^ "RALPH Has a Thing for a Boy Named "Tommy"".
  42. ^ "Ralph is A "Scary Hot" Storyteller and Singer". 7 May 2023.
  43. ^ "Ralph Gives Canadian Queer Pop a New Name with '222'". August 2023.
  44. ^ "Priyanka - Bad Bitches Don't Cry (Official Video) ft Ralph". YouTube. 27 April 2023.
  45. ^ "Five Questions With Ralph". Canadian Beats Media. 2017-02-25. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  46. ^ Davies, Jeffrey (August 1, 2023). "Ralph Gives Canadian Queer Pop A New Name With '222'". PopMatters. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  47. ^ "Ralph - EP by Ralph on Apple Music". iTunes. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  48. ^ "Ralph on Twitter". Retrieved 2019-10-30.
  49. ^ "Ralph Announces 'Gradience' EP, Shares "Tommy" Video | Exclaim!".
  50. ^ "Ralph Chart History - Canada CHR/Top 40". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  51. ^ "Ralph Chart History - Canada Hot AC". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  52. ^ "Trouble - Single by Ralph on Apple Music". iTunes. May 2015. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  53. ^ "Cold to the Touch - Single by Ralph on Apple Music". iTunes. 2016-05-25. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  54. ^ "Something More - Single by Ralph on Apple Music". iTunes. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  55. ^ "Busy Man - Single by Ralph on Apple Music". iTunes. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  56. ^ "Tease - Single by Ralph on Apple Music". iTunes. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  57. ^ "Ralph explores the complexities of getting back with your ex in "Last Time"". 2 October 2019. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  58. ^ "Young Hearts Run Free - Single by Ralph on Apple Music". iTunes. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  59. ^ "Screenplay (feat. The Darcys) - Single by Ralph on Apple Music". iTunes. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
  60. ^ "Ralph". IMVDb. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
[edit]
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