Elle Varner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elle Varner
Varner in 2019
Background information
Birth name	Gabrielle Varner
Born	(1989-02-12) February 12, 1989 (age 36) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Years active	2009–present
Labels	E1 MBK RCA J
Associated acts	By All Means Dexter Wansel J. Brown Pop & Oak

Gabrielle Serene Varner (born February 12, 1989) is an American singer and songwriter. She is known for her soulful music. Elle was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Los Angeles. She comes from a family of musicians.

Elle Varner went to New York University to study music. In 2009, she signed a record deal with RCA Records. Her first album, Perfectly Imperfect, came out in 2012. It was a big hit, reaching number four on the US Billboard chart.

Elle Varner's Early Life

Elle Varner has a diverse background. Her family comes from Cape Verde, Africa, and Sweden. She has said that her father is half Swedish and half Black. Her mother is fully Cape Verdean.

Elle's parents, Mikelyn Roderick and Jimmy Varner, were also songwriters and music publishers. Her mom sang backup for famous artists like Barry White. Her dad worked with groups like Kool & the Gang. Her parents even had their own music group called By All Means.

Growing up, Elle spent a lot of time in music studios. She started playing musical instruments at age six. She learned to play the flute, piano, and guitar. She also joined music programs, including a vocal jazz group in high school. Later, she attended New York University to study music.

Elle Varner's Music Career

Starting Out: Perfectly Imperfect

When Elle was 16, she joined her high school's vocal jazz group. There, she learned a lot about singing and jazz music. She also got to be part of the Grammy in the Schools Mentoring Program. This program helped her meet music industry leaders.

Elle was accepted into New York University's special music program. She graduated in 2008. In 2009, she signed a deal with MBK/J-RCA Records and Sony Music. She was even featured in BET's Music Matters campaign for new artists.

Her first song, "Only Wanna Give It to You", came out in 2011. It featured the rapper J. Cole. This song was the first single from her debut album, Perfectly Imperfect. It did well on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

In 2012, Elle released a free collection of songs called Conversational Lush. This helped promote her upcoming album. Her second single, "Refill", was released soon after. It also charted on Billboard. Elle's debut album, Perfectly Imperfect, was released on August 7, 2012. It sold 33,000 copies in its first week. The album reached number four on the Billboard 200 chart.

Later Albums: Ellevation

After her first album, Elle started working on a second one called Four Letter Word. She worked with many producers. However, this album was never officially released. Elle later left RCA Records.

In 2019, Elle Varner released her first EP (a shorter album) called Ellevation. An EP usually has fewer songs than a full album.

Elle Varner's Musical Style

Elle Varner is known for her unique voice. She is a mezzo-soprano, which means she has a middle vocal range. Her music often mixes pop, hip hop, and soul sounds. Her songs talk about relationships, girl power, and having fun. Some people compare her music to artists like Rihanna and Erykah Badu.

Elle looks up to artists like Kanye West and Adele. She wanted to combine the best parts of hip-hop and soulful singing in her music. She also gets ideas from her hometown of Los Angeles. She loves the feeling of West Coast rap from her childhood. Elle also names Mariah Carey, Brandy, and Monica as inspirations.

She also admires Ella Fitzgerald, a famous jazz singer. Elle said she was amazed by Ella's beautiful and enchanting voice.

Discography

Studio albums

• Perfectly Imperfect (2012)
• Ellevation (2019)

Mixtapes

• Conversational Lush (2012)

Tours

Headlining

• The Ellevation Tour (2020)

Supporting

• Chapter V World Tour (2012)
• NYLA Tour (2019)

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Awards

BET Awards