Van Hunt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Van Hunt
|
|
|---|---|
Van Hunt at Levitt Pavilion Pasadena 2012
|
|
| Background information | |
| Born | March 8, 1970 Dayton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Origin | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | Neo soul, funk, rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, musician, producer |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, saxophone |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | Capitol (2001–2006) Blue Note (2007) Godless Hotspot/Thirty Tigers (2011–present) |
| Associated acts | Curtis Scott Whitehead, Jermaine Rand |
Van Hunt Jr. (born March 8, 1970) is an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He is also a talented musician who plays many instruments. Van Hunt released his first album, Van Hunt, in 2004. His second album, On the Jungle Floor, came out in 2006. Both were released by Capitol Records. In 2007, he won a Grammy Award for his part in a tribute song. This song was a cover of "Family Affair" by Sly & the Family Stone.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Start
Van Hunt was born in Dayton, Ohio. He grew up with his mother. His father, Van Hunt Sr., was friends with the drummer for the band Ohio Players. Van Hunt started playing drums when he was 7 years old. He learned saxophone at age 8. Later, he added bass and keyboards to his skills.
The guitar was the last instrument he learned. He played guitar in a rock band called Royalty. In 1996, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia. There, he started making music demos for rappers. This helped him pay his bills. He met famous producers and artists like Dallas Austin and TLC.
Music Career Journey
Starting Out in Music
Van Hunt helped write and produce a song called "Hopeless." This song was for singer Dionne Farris. It was featured in the movie Love Jones in 1997. He also wrote songs with Rahsaan Patterson and Cree Summer. Through Dionne Farris, Van Hunt met Randy Jackson. Randy Jackson later became a judge on American Idol. Jackson became Van Hunt's manager in 2002.
Time with Capitol Records
Van Hunt recorded many songs for his first album in 2000. Producer Dallas Austin showed Hunt's music to Capitol Records. This led to Van Hunt signing with the label in 2001. His first album, Van Hunt, was released in February 2004. This album was nominated for a Grammy Award.
His second album, On the Jungle Floor, came out in 2006. This album included the song "Character." It also had a new version of "Mean Sleep" with Nikka Costa. Van Hunt has toured with many famous artists. These include Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, and Kanye West. In 2007, Van Hunt won a Grammy Award. He won for "Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals." This was for the song "Family Affair" with John Legend and Joss Stone.
Working with Blue Note Records
In 2007, Van Hunt released a short digital album called The Popular Machine. He then announced a full album, Popular, for Blue Note Records. This album was supposed to come out in January 2008. However, Blue Note Records decided not to release the album. Van Hunt wrote online that he wasn't sure if Popular would ever be officially released.
The record label owned the recordings and didn't sell them back to him. Van Hunt felt they couldn't promote the album well. The album was described as a cool mix of funk, rock guitar, and soul music. In August 2017, Popular was finally released online. This was 10 years after it was first made.
Making Music Independently
By 2008, Van Hunt was working on a new album. He planned to release it himself. He wanted to use the internet to share his music. In 2009, he released Use in Case of Emergency. This was a collection of older songs and remixes. He also worked on a book of short stories. In 2010, he performed at a tribute to Curtis Mayfield.
Godless Hotspot and New Albums
On June 14, 2011, Van Hunt announced a new song called "June." It was his first new song in three years. He also announced his new album, What Were You Hoping For?. This album was released through his own label, Godless Hotspot, and Thirty Tigers. "June" was the first of several free songs released before the album came out.
In 2014, Van Hunt shared updates about his next album. In March 2015, he announced the album title: The Fun Rises, the Fun Sets. It was released on May 5, 2015. He released two singles from the album, "Vega (Stripes On)" and "Old Hat." Both songs had official music videos. The album reached #31 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Musical Influences
Van Hunt has been inspired by many artists, including:
- David Bowie
- Serge Gainsbourg
- The Isley Brothers
- Curtis Mayfield
- Thelonious Monk
- The Ohio Players
- Iggy Pop
- Prince
- Richard Pryor
- Sly Stone
- Neil Young
Personal Life
Van Hunt is a father to a son named Drake.
Discography
Albums
- Van Hunt (2004), Capitol
- On the Jungle Floor (2006), Capitol
- What Were You Hoping For? (2011) – Godless Hotspot/Thirty Tigers
- The Fun Rises, the Fun Sets (2015) – Godless Hotspot/Thirty Tigers
- Popular (2017), Blue Note
Compilations
- Use in Case of Emergency (2009), self-released – collection of outtakes
EPs
- Acoustic E.P. (2004), Capitol – digital EP
- Napster Sessions (2004), Capitol – digital EP
- Connect Set (2006), Capitol – digital EP
- The Popular Machine (2007), Blue Note – digital EP
- The Lamplighter Series (2009), Blue Note – digital EP
Singles
- "Down Here in Hell (With You)" (2004), Capitol
- "Dust" (2004), Capitol
- "Seconds of Pleasure" (2004), Capitol
- "Character" (2006), Capitol
- "Being A Girl" (2006), Capitol
- "Eyes Like Pearls" (2011), Godless Hotspot/Thirty Tigers
- "Vega (Stripes On)" (2015), Godless Hotspot/Thirty Tigers
- "Old Hat" (2015), Godless Hotspot/Thirty Tigers
- "Headroom" (2015), Godless Hotspot/Thirty Tigers
- "hopeless (penny witta hole in it)" (2020) 1061229 Records DK
- "Set Your Witches on Fire" (2021) 1061229 Records DK
- "Peachfuzz" (2021) Modern Works Music Publishing
- "Our Love Lingers" (2024), OnTheHuntmusicgroup
Awards and Nominations
- 2005 Grammy Award nomination for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for "Dust."
- 2006 Grammy Award win for Best R&B Performance by a Duo Or Group With Vocals for "Family Affair"
