Calvin Harris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Calvin Harris
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Harris performing in 2012
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Adam Richard Wiles
17 January 1984 Dumfries, Scotland
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| Other names | Love Regenerator |
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| Years active | 2002–present |
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Works
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| Spouse(s) |
Vick Hope
(m. 2023) |
| Awards | Full list |
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Adam Richard Wiles (born 17 January 1984), who is known by his stage name Calvin Harris, is a famous Scottish DJ, record producer, singer, and songwriter. He is one of the most successful electronic musicians in the world. He sometimes uses another stage name, Love Regenerator, for some of his music.
Harris became famous worldwide with his third album, 18 Months (2012). This album had nine top-ten hits in the United Kingdom, breaking a record previously held by Michael Jackson. He is known for huge hit songs like "We Found Love" with Rihanna, "Summer", and "One Kiss" with Dua Lipa.
Over his career, Harris has won many awards, including Brit Awards and a Grammy Award. He was also named the world's highest-paid DJ by Forbes magazine for six years in a row, from 2013 to 2018.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Adam Richard Wiles was born in Dumfries, Scotland. His parents were English and moved to Scotland before he was born. He has an older brother and sister. As a teenager, he became interested in electronic music and started making demo recordings in his bedroom in 1999.
After finishing school, he worked in supermarkets and a fish factory to earn money to buy DJ equipment. At 18, he released his first two songs, "Da Bongos" and "Brighter Days." He then moved to London to be part of the music scene there.
Life in London was difficult, so he moved back home to Dumfries. He started posting his music on his Myspace page. A talent manager named Mark Gillespie discovered him on the website and signed him. This was the start of his professional career.
Harris chose the stage name "Calvin Harris" because he thought it sounded good. However, in his personal life, he prefers to be called by his real name, Adam.
Career
2006–2008: First Album and Breakthrough
In 2006, Calvin Harris signed with major record labels after being discovered on Myspace. His first album, I Created Disco, came out in June 2007. He wrote, produced, and performed all the songs himself. The album featured hit singles like "Acceptable in the 80s" and "The Girls".
During this time, he also worked with other famous artists. He co-wrote and produced two songs for Kylie Minogue's album X, including the hit "In My Arms". In 2008, he collaborated with rapper Dizzee Rascal on the song "Dance wiv Me", which became a number-one hit in the UK.
2008–2010: Ready for the Weekend
Harris released his second album, Ready for the Weekend, in 2009. It went straight to number one on the UK Albums Chart. The first single from the album, "I'm Not Alone", also hit number one in the UK. Other popular songs from the album included "Ready for the Weekend" and "Flashback".
After this album, Harris decided to stop singing on most of his tracks. He wanted to focus on producing music and have guest singers perform the vocals. This allowed him to work with many different artists.
In 2009, he famously jumped on stage during a live performance on the TV show The X Factor with a pineapple on his head. He later said sorry for the prank.
2011–2013: 18 Months and Global Fame
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In 2011, Harris became a global superstar. He produced the song "We Found Love" for Rihanna. The song was a massive success, reaching number one in 27 countries, including the United States. It became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
His third album, 18 Months, was released in 2012. It was filled with hit songs featuring famous singers. These included "Let's Go" with Ne-Yo, "Sweet Nothing" with Florence Welch, and "Feel So Close", which he sang himself.
The album set a new UK chart record by having nine top-10 singles, more than any other artist from a single album at the time. This success made him one of the most in-demand DJs and producers in the world.
2013–2015: Motion Album
Harris continued his success with his fourth album, Motion, released in 2014. The first single, "Under Control", was a collaboration with DJ Alesso and the band Hurts, and it went to number one in the UK.
The album's biggest hit was "Summer", which he sang himself. It became a global anthem and was one of the most-streamed songs of 2014. Other hits from Motion included "Blame" with John Newman and "Outside" with Ellie Goulding.
By this time, Harris was headlining major music festivals around the world, like Coachella and Lollapalooza.
2016–2021: New Sounds and Big Hits
In 2016, Harris released "This Is What You Came For", another huge hit with Rihanna. He then changed his musical style for his fifth album, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 (2017). This album had a more relaxed, funky sound and featured many famous artists like Frank Ocean, Ariana Grande, and Katy Perry.
After the album, he released several successful standalone singles. "One Kiss" with Dua Lipa (2018) became a number-one hit in many countries. He also released "Promises" with Sam Smith and "Giant" with Rag'n'Bone Man.
In 2020, he started a new project under the name Love Regenerator, releasing music that was inspired by early rave and techno sounds.
2022–present: Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2
In 2022, Harris released a sequel to his funk-inspired album, titled Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2. The album featured collaborations with artists like Justin Timberlake, Dua Lipa, and Pharrell Williams.
In 2023, he teamed up with Ellie Goulding again for the song "Miracle". The song was a huge success and won the Brit Award for British Dance Act in 2024. In August 2024, he released a compilation album called 96 Months, which included many of his hit singles that weren't on his main albums.
Other Work
Besides making his own music, Calvin Harris has been involved in other projects.
- Record Label: In 2010, he started his own record label called Fly Eye Records to release music from other electronic artists.
- DJ Residencies: He has been a resident DJ at some of the biggest nightclubs in Las Vegas, including Hakkasan and Omnia.
- Endorsements: Harris has been the face of major brands like Emporio Armani and has appeared in ads for Pepsi and Coca-Cola.
- Charity Work: He has supported many charities over the years. He has performed at charity concerts and donated money to causes like ending homelessness, helping children in war zones, and supporting victims of tragedies.
Personal Life
Calvin Harris is married to television presenter Vick Hope. They got married on 9 September 2023. In April 2025, it was announced that they were expecting their first child.
He is a fan of his hometown football team, Queen of the South F.C., and also supports Liverpool F.C..
Discography
- I Created Disco (2007)
- Ready for the Weekend (2009)
- 18 Months (2012)
- Motion (2014)
- Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 (2017)
- Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 (2022)
- 96 Months (2024)
Concert Tours
- Groove Armada: Soundboy Rock tour (2007)
- Faithless: To All New Arrivals tour (2007)
- Ready for the Weekend tour (2009–2010)
- Deadmau5 and Skrillex: Unhooked tour (2010)
- Rihanna: Last Girl on Earth (2010–2011)
- Rihanna: Loud Tour (2011)
- Greater Than Tour (with Tiësto), UK and Ireland (2012)
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Note | Ref. |
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| 2015 | Entourage | Himself | Cameo |
Awards and nominations
Images for kids
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Harris performing at Rock in Rio, Madrid, 2012
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Harris at Perth Stereosonic, 2010
See also
In Spanish: Calvin Harris para niños
