Santigold facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Santigold
Santigold performing in 2012
Background information
Birth name	Santi White
Also known as	Santogold
Born	(1976-09-25) September 25, 1976 (age 48) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres	Electronic new wave indie alt-pop alternative dance
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter record producer
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Roc Nation Downtown Atlantic

Santi White (born September 25, 1976), who is known by her stage name Santigold, is an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. She first became famous for her 2008 album, Santogold. Critics loved the album because it mixed many different styles of music, like dub, new wave, and hip hop. Her song "L.E.S. Artistes" became a hit in the United Kingdom.

Her later albums, including Master of My Make-Believe (2012) and Spirituals (2022), also received great reviews. The Guardian newspaper called Spirituals a "whirlwind album full of feeling and fervour."

Santigold has worked with many famous artists, such as the Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and David Byrne. She has won several awards, including "Best Breakthrough Artist" at the 2008 NME Awards.

Early Life and First Steps in Music

Santi White was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her father, Ron White, was an advisor to the city's mayor, and her mother, Aruby Odom-White, was a psychiatrist. She went to Wesleyan University, where she studied both music and African-American studies.

In the 1990s, a friend gave her the nickname "Santogold," which she later used as her stage name. Before becoming a singer, she worked at Epic Records finding and developing new artists. She left that job to help write and produce the first album for the singer Res.

Santigold was also the lead singer of a punk rock band from Philadelphia called Stiffed. The band released an EP called ... Sells in 2003 and an album called Burned Again in 2005. While she was in the band, a record label in London offered her a contract to make music on her own.

Career Highlights

2007–2010: The Santogold Album and Tours

Santigold performing in 2008

As a solo artist, Santigold's first songs, "Creator" and "L.E.S. Artistes", got a lot of attention online in 2007. Her first album, Santogold, came out in April 2008. It mixed many genres, from new wave to reggae, and critics loved it.

Magazines like Entertainment Weekly and Spin gave the album high praise. Rolling Stone magazine named "L.E.S. Artistes" the second-best song of the year. To support the album, she toured with famous artists like M.I.A., Björk, and Coldplay. She also opened for Jay-Z, Kanye West, and the Beastie Boys.

In 2009, she changed her stage name from Santogold to Santigold. This was because of a possible legal issue with the director of a 1985 movie called Santo Gold's ... Circus.

2011–2013: Master of My Make-Believe

In 2011, Santigold released the song "Go!", which featured Karen O from the band Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Her second album, Master of My Make-Believe, was released in the spring of 2012. She said the album was about "creating your own reality."

The album's first single was "Disparate Youth". The song was used in a TV commercial for the Honda Civic. The album was another success with critics. After its release, Santigold went on tour again, opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and headlining her own shows. She also made a guest appearance on the TV show The Office.

2015–2021: 99¢ and a Mixtape

In 2015, Santigold recorded the song "Radio" for the movie Paper Towns. Her third album, 99¢, came out in 2016. The album explored ideas about self-promotion in the age of social media. One of its songs, "Can't Get Enough of Myself," had an interactive music video that let fans put themselves in it.

In 2018, she released a surprise mixtape called I Don't Want: The Gold Fire Sessions. A mixtape is a collection of songs, often released for free or online. This one was inspired by sunny, Afro-Caribbean music. The following year, she went on the 10 Years Golder Tour to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her first album.

2022–present: Spirituals

After a four-year break, Santigold returned in 2022 with a new album, Spirituals. She worked with many of her usual partners, like Rostam Batmanglij and Boys Noize, as well as new ones.

The album received very positive reviews. NME magazine called her a "fearless sonic pioneer." The Guardian praised the album as a journey through feelings of loneliness, victory, and anger, inspired by African American folk songs.

Working With Other Artists

Santigold at Koko, London, in August 2008

Besides her own albums, Santigold has worked with many other musicians.

• She co-wrote the song "Littlest Things" for Lily Allen and "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)" for Ashlee Simpson.
• In 2008, she recorded the song "My Drive Thru" with Pharrell Williams and Julian Casablancas of The Strokes.
• She was featured on Jay-Z's song "Brooklyn Go Hard", which was produced by Kanye West.
• She sang on the song "Whachadoin?" with M.I.A. and on "Gifted" with Kanye West and Lykke Li.
• She worked with the Beastie Boys on their song "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win".
• She has also appeared on albums by Drake, ASAP Rocky, Tyler, the Creator, and David Byrne.

Musical Style and Legacy

Santigold has a vocal range known as a mezzo-soprano. Her music is famous for mixing many different styles. Early in her career, her sound was often compared to the artist M.I.A., but Santigold said her music is different.

She has said she is inspired by 1980s pop music, punk rock, and new wave music. Her favorite band is Devo. She also grew up listening to reggae, jazz, and music from Nigeria, like Fela Kuti.

Santigold's influence is widely recognized. In 2022, superstar Beyoncé named Santigold in her song "Break My Soul (The Queens Remix)" as one of 29 legendary Black women in music who inspired her.

Personal Life

Santigold was married to Trevor Andrew. They have three children: a son born in 2014 and twin babies born in 2018.

Discography

Studio albums

• Santogold (2008)
• Master of My Make-Believe (2012)
• 99¢ (2016)
• Spirituals (2022)

Mixtapes

• Top Ranking: A Diplo Dub (2008)
• I Don't Want: The Gold Fire Sessions (2018)

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Santigold para niños