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{{short description|Canadian singer and songwriter}}
{{short description|Canadian singer-songwriter}}
{{Copy edit|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=October 2021}}
{{use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = kai
| name = Alessia De Gasperis
| image = Alessia-DeGasperis-Brigante11.jpg
| image =
| image_size = 250px
| image_size = 250px
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| caption = Alessia De Gasperis
| caption = Alessia De Gasperis
| birth_name = Alessia De Gasperis-Brigante
| birth_name = Alessia De Gasperis-Brigante
| alias = Kai (and Alessia De Gasperis)
| alias = Kai
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|03|17|df=yes}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|03|17|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| birth_place = [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer-songwriter}}
| instruments = {{hlist|Vocals|piano|keyboards|guitar}}
| instruments = {{hlist|Vocals|piano|keyboards|guitar}}
| years_active = 2008–present
| years_active = 2008–present
| label = [[Warner Music]]
| label = [[Warner Music]]
| associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Adventure Club]]|[[Diplo]]|[[Childish Gambino]]|[[Flume (musician)|Flume]]|[[Hunter Siegel]]|[[Skrillex]]}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Adventure Club]]|[[Diplo]]|[[Childish Gambino]]|[[Flume (musician)|Flume]]|[[Hunter Siegel]]|[[Skrillex]]}}
| website = {{URL|listentokai.com}}
| website = {{URL|alessiadegasperismusic.com/}}
}}
}}
'''Alessia De Gasperis-Brigante''' (born 17 March 1990), known professionally as '''Kai''' (and '''Alessia De Gasperis'''), is a Canadian singer and songwriter from [[Toronto]], Ontario.<ref name=CBC>{{cite web|title=Artist: Kai on CBC music |url=http://music.cbc.ca/#/artists/Kai |publisher=CBC |accessdate=18 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301002442/http://music.cbc.ca/#!/blogs/2013/6/Rear-view-Mirror-Who-was-Suzanne-and-why-did-Leonard-Cohen-make-her-famous |archivedate= 1 March 2016 }}</ref> Best known for her collaborations, she co-wrote and was featured on [[Flume (musician)|Flume's]] Grammy-nominated "[[Never Be like You]]", [[Diplo|Diplo's]] "Revolution", and "Mind" from the Grammy award-winning 2015 album by [[Jack Ü]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kai-mn0003313982/biography|title=Kai {{!}} Biography & History|website=AllMusic|language=en-us|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref>
'''Alessia De Gasperis''' (born 17 March 1990), formerly known as '''Kai''' (also stylized in [[all lowercase]]), is a [[Music of Canada|Canadian]] singer-songwriter from [[Toronto]], Ontario.<ref name=CBC>{{cite web|title=Artist: Kai on CBC music |url=http://music.cbc.ca/#/artists/Kai |publisher=CBC |accessdate=18 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301002442/http://music.cbc.ca/#!/blogs/2013/6/Rear-view-Mirror-Who-was-Suzanne-and-why-did-Leonard-Cohen-make-her-famous |archivedate= 1 March 2016 }}</ref> Best known for her collaborations, she co-wrote and was featured on [[Flume (musician)|Flume's]] [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]]-nominated "[[Never Be like You|Never Be Like You]]", [[Diplo]]'s "Revolution", and "Mind" from by [[Jack&nbsp;Ü]]'s Grammy award-winning 2015 album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kai-mn0003313982/biography|title=Kai {{!}} Biography & History|website=AllMusic|language=en-us|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Kai went to [[Bishop Strachan School]], notable for its various alumni, including actress [[Laurie Holden]]. She is the granddaughter of deceased Italian-Canadian billionaire [[Alfredo De Gasperis]].<ref name="yrfds">{{cite web | url=http://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/2517806-fred-de-gasperis-honoured-for-vision-philanthropy/ | title=Fred De Gasperis honoured for vision, philanthropy | publisher=yorkregion.com | date=2 April 2013 | accessdate=30 September 2016 | author=Kelly, Tim}}</ref>
Alessia De Gasperis-Brigante attended [[Bishop Strachan School]]. She is the granddaughter of deceased Italian-Canadian billionaire [[Alfredo De Gasperis]].<ref name="yrfds">{{cite web | url=http://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/2517806-fred-de-gasperis-honoured-for-vision-philanthropy/ | title=Fred De Gasperis honoured for vision, philanthropy | publisher=yorkregion.com | date=2 April 2013 | accessdate=30 September 2016 | author=Kelly, Tim}}</ref>


Kai derives her name from the [[Japanese language|Japanese]] word 'kai', which means 'change'. She claims to be something new in music and she only wants "to relate [and] share her stories with her fans and anyone who will lend their ear."
Kai derives her name from the Japanese word ''kai'', which means 'change'. She claims to be something new in music and she only wants "to relate [and] share her stories with her fans and anyone who will lend their ear."<ref name="cdbbkai" />


In April 2, 2021, she said the following on social media: "Kai was part of me i felt safe in sharing.An aspect of me.But im ready to be all of me now.Change is good when it's coming from truth.Allow me to introduce myself:My name is Alessia De Gasperis and i look forward to our friendship and journey together and im grateful for your love and support
On 2 April 2021, she said the following on social media: "Kai was part of me I felt safe in sharing. An aspect of me. But I'm ready to be all of me now. Change is good when it's coming from truth. Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Alessia De Gasperis and I look forward to our friendship and journey together and I'm grateful for your love and support always and forever, ADG (Alessia De Gasperis)"{{Quote without source|date=June 2021}}
always and forever,ADG(Alessia De Gasperis)"<ref name="cdbbkai" />


==Career==
==Career==
===Early career===
===Early career===
In 2011, Kai released her debut [[extended play]] ''11:11'', which included her debut single "I Choose Me", which is frequently used in campaigns for [[First Choice Haircutters]]. The EP received minimal promotion and did not impact any charts.<ref name="ridethetempokai">{{cite web | url=http://ridethetempo.com/2011/05/06/listen-kai-1111/ | title=[LISTEN] KAI- 11:11 | publisher=Ride the Tempo | date=6 May 2011 | accessdate=3 September 2016 | author=Feng, Tiana | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023015022/http://ridethetempo.com/2011/05/06/listen-kai-1111/ | archive-date=23 October 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cdbbkai" />
In 2011, Kai released her debut [[extended play]], ''11:11'', which included her debut single "I Choose Me", which is frequently used in campaigns for [[First Choice Haircutters]]. The EP received minimal promotion and did not chart.<ref name="ridethetempokai">{{cite web | url=http://ridethetempo.com/2011/05/06/listen-kai-1111/ | title=[LISTEN] KAI – 11:11 | publisher=Ride the Tempo | date=6 May 2011 | accessdate=3 September 2016 | author=Feng, Tiana | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023015022/http://ridethetempo.com/2011/05/06/listen-kai-1111/ | archive-date=23 October 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cdbbkai" />


In 2012, Kai teamed up with [[Montreal]] dubstep group [[Adventure Club]] on the track "Need Your Heart",<ref>{{cite web|title=Adventure Club - Need Your Heart ft. Kai|url=http://thissongissick.com/blog/2012/adventure-club-need-your-heart-ft-kai/|publisher=thissongissick|accessdate=29 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102121631/http://thissongissick.com/blog/2012/adventure-club-need-your-heart-ft-kai/|archive-date=2 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> which features Kai's vocals and writing. The song has been remixed by several artists, including Minnesota,<ref name=Earmilk>{{cite web|title=Minnesota Remixes "Need Your Heart"|url=http://www.earmilk.com/2012/11/09/adventure-club-need-your-heart-feat-kai-minnesota-remix/|publisher=earmilk.com}}</ref> Crywolf, and Candyland. The track peaked at number 2 on the iTunes Electronic music chart.<ref name="mcfes" />
In 2012, Kai collaborated with [[Montreal]] [[dubstep]] group [[Adventure Club]] on the track "Need Your Heart",<ref>{{cite web|title=Adventure Club – Need Your Heart ft. Kai|url=http://thissongissick.com/blog/2012/adventure-club-need-your-heart-ft-kai/|publisher=thissongissick|accessdate=29 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102121631/http://thissongissick.com/blog/2012/adventure-club-need-your-heart-ft-kai/|archive-date=2 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> which features Kai's vocals and writing. The song has been remixed by several artists, including Minnesota,<ref name=Earmilk>{{cite web|title=Minnesota Remixes "Need Your Heart"|date=9 November 2012 |url=http://www.earmilk.com/2012/11/09/adventure-club-need-your-heart-feat-kai-minnesota-remix/|publisher=[[Earmilk]]}}</ref> Crywolf, and Candyland. The track peaked at number 2 on the iTunes Electronic music chart.<ref name="mcfes" />


===Breakthrough===
===Breakthrough===
Kai collaborated with [[Diplo]] on his [[extended play|EP]] ''Revolution'', co-writing and appearing on the title track "Revolution". She lent her vocals to the track "[[Crawl (Childish Gambino song)|Crawl]]" by [[Childish Gambino]] for his second studio album ''[[Because the Internet]]''.
Kai collaborated with [[Diplo]] on his [[extended play|EP]] ''Revolution'', co-writing and appearing on the title track "Revolution". She lent her vocals to the track "[[Crawl (Childish Gambino song)|Crawl]]" by [[Childish Gambino]] for his second studio album, ''[[Because the Internet]]''.


In 2014, Kai wrote "Sweet Talker", which was produced by Diplo, the title track from [[Jessie J]]'s [[Sweet Talker (Jessie J album)|third studio album]] of the same name which was released in October 2014. She claims to have written the song with [[Rihanna]] in mind.<ref name="aeska">{{cite web | url=https://aestheticmagazinetoronto.com/2015/10/20/interview-kai-talks-debut-album-jack-u-collab-fashion/ | title=Interview: Kai talks debut album, Jack U collab, and Fashion | publisher=Aesthetic Magazine | date=20 October 2015 | accessdate=28 August 2016}}</ref> In 2015, she was featured on [[Skrillex]] and Diplo's collaborative project [[Jack Ü]]'s [[Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü|debut album]] on a track entitled "Mind", which she wrote.
In 2014, Kai wrote "Sweet Talker", which was produced by Diplo, the title track from [[Jessie&nbsp;J]]'s [[Sweet Talker (Jessie J album)|third studio album]] of the same name which was released in October&nbsp;2014. She stated that she wrote the song with [[Rihanna]] in mind.<ref name="aeska">{{cite web | url=https://aestheticmagazinetoronto.com/2015/10/20/interview-kai-talks-debut-album-jack-u-collab-fashion/ | title=Interview: Kai talks debut album, Jack U collab, and Fashion | publisher=Aesthetic Magazine | date=20 October 2015 | accessdate=28 August 2016}}</ref> She wrote and was featured on the track "Mind" on the 2015 debut album of [[Jack Ü]], a collaborative project of [[Skrillex]] and Diplo.


In 2016, Kai wrote and was featured on the track "[[Never Be Like You]]" by Australian electronic musician [[Flume (musician)|Flume]]. It reached number one in Australia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/aria-singles-flume-never-be-like-you-is-no-1-20160213|title=ARIA Singles: Flume 'Never Be Like You' Is No 1|publisher=Noise11|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|date=February 13, 2016|accessdate=February 13, 2016}}</ref> and the top 20 in the United States,<ref name="bbhot1001">{{cite web | url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/1493317/flume/chart?f=379 | title=Flume - Chart History - Billboard Hot 100 | publisher=Billboard | accessdate=27 August 2016 | archive-date=12 October 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012230549/http://www.billboard.com/artist/1493317/flume/chart?f=379 | url-status=dead }}</ref> as well as becoming an international hit and her first song to top the iTunes Electronic music chart.<ref name="mcfes">{{cite web | url=http://musicchartfeeds.com/itunes-electronic-charts/ | title=iTunes Electronic Charts | publisher=iTunes | date=27 August 2016 | accessdate=28 August 2016}}</ref>
In 2016, Kai wrote and was featured on the track "[[Never Be like You|Never Be Like You]]" by Australian electronic musician [[Flume (musician)|Flume]]. It reached number one in Australia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/aria-singles-flume-never-be-like-you-is-no-1-20160213|title=ARIA Singles: Flume 'Never Be Like You' Is No 1|publisher=Noise11|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|date=13 February 2016|accessdate=13 February 2016}}</ref> and the top 20 in the United States,<ref name="bbhot1001">{{cite web | url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/1493317/flume/chart?f=379 | title=Flume – Chart History – Billboard Hot 100 | publisher=Billboard | accessdate=27 August 2016 | archive-date=12 October 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012230549/http://www.billboard.com/artist/1493317/flume/chart?f=379 | url-status=dead }}</ref> as well as becoming her first song to top the iTunes Electronic music chart.<ref name="mcfes">{{cite web | url=http://musicchartfeeds.com/itunes-electronic-charts/ | title=iTunes Electronic Charts | publisher=iTunes | date=27 August 2016 | accessdate=28 August 2016}}</ref>
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


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* Released: 2011
* Released: 2011
* Label: Watson Entertainment
* Label: Watson Entertainment
* Formats: [[Music download|Digital download]], [[CD]]<ref name="cdbbkai">{{cite web | url=http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kai42 | title=11:11 | publisher=CDBaby | date=2011 | accessdate=1 September 2016|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20161023041413/http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kai42|archive-date=23 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Formats: Digital download, CD<ref name="cdbbkai">{{cite web | url=http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kai42 | title=11:11 | publisher=CDBaby | date=2011 | accessdate=1 September 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023041413/http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kai42|archive-date=23 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|}
|}


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! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:9em;"| Album
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:9em;"| Album
|-
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Canadian Hot 100|CAN]]<br /> <ref name="ch100">{{cite web | url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/1493317/flume/chart?f=793 | title=Flume - Chart History - Canadian Hot 100 | publisher=Billboard | accessdate=27 August 2016 | archive-date=3 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803124450/http://www.billboard.com/artist/1493317/flume/chart?f=793 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Canadian Hot 100|CAN]]<br /> <ref name="ch100">{{cite web | url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/1493317/flume/chart?f=793 | title=Flume – Chart History – Canadian Hot 100 | publisher=Billboard | accessdate=27 August 2016 | archive-date=3 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803124450/http://www.billboard.com/artist/1493317/flume/chart?f=793 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref name="AUS-singles">[http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Kai+%5BCA%5D Australian-charts.com Kai page]</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref name="AUS-singles">[http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Kai+%5BCA%5D Australian-charts.com Kai page]</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[AIR Charts|AUS<br />Indie]]<br /><ref name="ausindie">{{cite web | url=https://www.air.org.au/chart/100_independent_singles/20160125 | title=SINGLES CHART | publisher=Australia Independent Records (AIR) | date=25 January 2016 | accessdate=28 August 2016}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[AIR Charts|AUS<br />Indie]]<br /><ref name="ausindie">{{cite web | url=https://www.air.org.au/chart/100_independent_singles/20160125 | title=SINGLES CHART | publisher=Australia Independent Records (AIR) | date=25 January 2016 | accessdate=28 August 2016}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Ultratop|BEL<br>(FL)]]<br><ref name="utop50">{{cite web | url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/1720f4/Flume-feat.-Kai-Never-Be-Like-You | title="Never Be Like You" | publisher=Ultratop 50 | accessdate=27 August 2016}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Ultratop|BEL<br>(FL)]]<br><ref name="utop50">{{cite web | url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/1720f4/Flume-feat.-Kai-Never-Be-Like-You | title="Never Be Like You" | publisher=Ultratop 50 | accessdate=27 August 2016}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[SNEP|FRA]]<br><ref name="FRA">{{cite web |url=http://www.lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Kai+%5BCA%5D |title=Discographie Kai [CA] |language=French |publisher=[[SNEP]]. Hung Medien |accessdate=7 June 2016}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[SNEP|FRA]]<br><ref name="FRA">{{cite web |url=http://www.lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Kai+%5BCA%5D |title=Discographie Kai [CA] |language=French |publisher=[[SNEP]]. Hung Medien |accessdate=7 June 2016}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Official New Zealand Music Chart|NZ]]<br /><ref name="NZ">{{cite web |url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Kai+%5BCA%5D |title=charts.nz - Discography Kai [CA] |publisher=Hung Medien |accessdate=7 June 2016}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Official New Zealand Music Chart|NZ]]<br /><ref name="NZ">{{cite web |url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Kai+%5BCA%5D |title=charts.nz – Discography Kai [CA] |publisher=Hung Medien |accessdate=7 June 2016}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br /><ref name="bbhot1001" />
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br /><ref name="bbhot1001" />
|-
|-
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|
|
* ARIA: 7× Platinum<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/SinglesAccreds2018.htm|title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles.|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|accessdate=22 July 2018}}</ref>
* ARIA: 7× Platinum<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/SinglesAccreds2018.htm|title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles.|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|accessdate=22 July 2018}}</ref>
* [[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]]: Platinum<ref>{{cite certification|region=New Zealand|type=single|recent=website|id=4208|accessdate=11 March 2016}}</ref>
* [[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]]: Platinum<ref>{{cite certification|region=New Zealand|type=single|id=4208|accessdate=11 March 2016}}</ref>
* [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]: 2x Platinum<ref name="hpnbl">{{cite web | url=http://headlineplanet.com/home/2016/08/18/flumes-never-like-reaches-platinum-united-states/ | title=Flume's "Never Be Like You" Reaches Platinum in the United States | publisher=Headline Planet | date=17 August 2016 | accessdate=27 August 2016 | author=Cantor, Brian}}</ref>
* [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]: 2× Platinum<ref>{{cite certification|region=United States|artist=Flume|title=Never Be Like You|access-date=3 April 2022}}</ref>
| ''[[Skin (Flume album)|Skin]]''
| ''[[Skin (Flume album)|Skin]]''
|}
|}
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'''Other featured in'''
'''Other featured in'''
* 2013: "Revolution" <span style="font-size:85%;">(Diplo feat. Faustix, ImanoS & Kai)</span>
* 2013: "Revolution" <span style="font-size:85%;">(Diplo feat. Faustix, ImanoS & Kai)</span>
* 2015: "Mind" <span style="font-size:85%;">(Jack Ü feat. Kai)</span>
* 2015: "Mind" <span style="font-size:85%;">(Jack Ü feat. Kai)</span>, RIAA: Gold<ref>{{cite certification|region=United States|title=Mind|artist=Skrillex & Diplo|access-date=3 April 2022}}</ref>
* 2015: "Let Me Love You Right" <span style="font-size:85%;">(Hunter Siegel feat. Kai)</span>
* 2015: "Let Me Love You Right" <span style="font-size:85%;">(Hunter Siegel feat. Kai)</span>


Line 115: Line 114:
||2011
||2011
||Independent Music Awards
||Independent Music Awards
| ''Best Folk Singer/Songwriter Song''
| ''Best Folk Singer-Songwriter Song''
| "I Choose Me"
| "I Choose Me"
|{{nominated}}<ref name="ima">{{cite web | url=http://independentmusicawards.com/blog/2011/02/16/10th-annual-independent-music-awards-nominees-announced/ | title=10TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED! | publisher=Independent Music Awards | date=16 February 2011 | accessdate=3 September 2016}}</ref>
|{{nominated}}<ref name="ima">{{cite web | url=http://independentmusicawards.com/blog/2011/02/16/10th-annual-independent-music-awards-nominees-announced/ | title=10TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED! | publisher=Independent Music Awards | date=16 February 2011 | accessdate=3 September 2016}}</ref>
Line 162: Line 161:
[[Category:ARIA Award winners]]
[[Category:ARIA Award winners]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Canadian female pop singers]]
[[Category:Canadian women pop singers]]
[[Category:Musicians from Toronto]]
[[Category:Singers from Toronto]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian women singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian women singers]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian singers]]
[[Category:Bishop Strachan School alumni]]

Latest revision as of 12:47, 9 March 2024

Alessia De Gasperis
Birth nameAlessia De Gasperis-Brigante
Also known asKai
Born (1990-03-17) 17 March 1990 (age 34)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresPop
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • keyboards
  • guitar
Years active2008–present
LabelsWarner Music
Websitealessiadegasperismusic.com

Alessia De Gasperis (born 17 March 1990), formerly known as Kai (also stylized in all lowercase), is a Canadian singer-songwriter from Toronto, Ontario.[1] Best known for her collaborations, she co-wrote and was featured on Flume's Grammy-nominated "Never Be Like You", Diplo's "Revolution", and "Mind" from by Jack Ü's Grammy award-winning 2015 album.[2]

Early life and education

[edit]

Alessia De Gasperis-Brigante attended Bishop Strachan School. She is the granddaughter of deceased Italian-Canadian billionaire Alfredo De Gasperis.[3]

Kai derives her name from the Japanese word kai, which means 'change'. She claims to be something new in music and she only wants "to relate [and] share her stories with her fans and anyone who will lend their ear."[4]

On 2 April 2021, she said the following on social media: "Kai was part of me I felt safe in sharing. An aspect of me. But I'm ready to be all of me now. Change is good when it's coming from truth. Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Alessia De Gasperis and I look forward to our friendship and journey together and I'm grateful for your love and support always and forever, ADG (Alessia De Gasperis)"[This quote needs a citation]

Career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

In 2011, Kai released her debut extended play, 11:11, which included her debut single "I Choose Me", which is frequently used in campaigns for First Choice Haircutters. The EP received minimal promotion and did not chart.[5][4]

In 2012, Kai collaborated with Montreal dubstep group Adventure Club on the track "Need Your Heart",[6] which features Kai's vocals and writing. The song has been remixed by several artists, including Minnesota,[7] Crywolf, and Candyland. The track peaked at number 2 on the iTunes Electronic music chart.[8]

Breakthrough

[edit]

Kai collaborated with Diplo on his EP Revolution, co-writing and appearing on the title track "Revolution". She lent her vocals to the track "Crawl" by Childish Gambino for his second studio album, Because the Internet.

In 2014, Kai wrote "Sweet Talker", which was produced by Diplo, the title track from Jessie J's third studio album of the same name which was released in October 2014. She stated that she wrote the song with Rihanna in mind.[9] She wrote and was featured on the track "Mind" on the 2015 debut album of Jack Ü, a collaborative project of Skrillex and Diplo.

In 2016, Kai wrote and was featured on the track "Never Be Like You" by Australian electronic musician Flume. It reached number one in Australia[10] and the top 20 in the United States,[11] as well as becoming her first song to top the iTunes Electronic music chart.[8]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]

Extended plays

[edit]
Titel Details
11:11
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: Watson Entertainment
  • Formats: Digital download, CD[4]

Singles

[edit]
[edit]
List of singles released as featured artist
Titel Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
CAN
[12] 		AUS
[13] 		AUS
Indie
[14] 		BEL
(FL)
[15] 		FRA
[16] 		NZ
[17] 		US
[11]
"Need Your Heart"
(Adventure Club featuring Kai) 		2012 — — — — — — — Non-album single
"Crawl"
(Childish Gambino featuring Kai) 		2013 — — — — — — 86 Because the Internet
"Never Be Like You"
(Flume featuring Kai) 		2016 21 1 1 10 27 2 20 Skin

Other featured in

  • 2013: "Revolution" (Diplo feat. Faustix, ImanoS & Kai)
  • 2015: "Mind" (Jack Ü feat. Kai), RIAA: Gold[21]
  • 2015: "Let Me Love You Right" (Hunter Siegel feat. Kai)

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Ceremony Kategorie Nominated work Result
2011 Independent Music Awards Best Folk Singer-Songwriter Song "I Choose Me" Nominated[22]
2012 Toronto Independent Music Awards HNSS – Best Acoustic Performance[23] K.A. Won
2016 ARIA Awards Best Pop Release "Never Be like You" Won
Song of the Year Nominated
Best Video Nominated
2017 Grammy Awards Best Dance Recording[24] Nominated
APRA Awards Dance Work of the Year[25] "Never Be Like You" (Harley Streten, Kai, Geoffrey Earley) – Flume featuring Kai Won
Most Played Australian Work[26] Won

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Artist: Kai on CBC music". CBC. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  2. ^ "Kai | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  3. ^ Kelly, Tim (2 April 2013). "Fred De Gasperis honoured for vision, philanthropy". yorkregion.com. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  4. ^ a b c "11:11". CDBaby. 2011. Archived from the original on 23 October 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  5. ^ Feng, Tiana (6 May 2011). "[LISTEN] KAI – 11:11". Ride the Tempo. Archived from the original on 23 October 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Adventure Club – Need Your Heart ft. Kai". thissongissick. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  7. ^ "Minnesota Remixes "Need Your Heart"". Earmilk. 9 November 2012.
  8. ^ a b "iTunes Electronic Charts". iTunes. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  9. ^ "Interview: Kai talks debut album, Jack U collab, and Fashion". Aesthetic Magazine. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  10. ^ Ryan, Gavin (13 February 2016). "ARIA Singles: Flume 'Never Be Like You' Is No 1". Noise11. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Flume – Chart History – Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  12. ^ "Flume – Chart History – Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  13. ^ Australian-charts.com Kai page
  14. ^ "SINGLES CHART". Australia Independent Records (AIR). 25 January 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  15. ^ ""Never Be Like You"". Ultratop 50. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  16. ^ "Discographie Kai [CA]" (in French). SNEP. Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  17. ^ "charts.nz – Discography Kai [CA]". Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  18. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  19. ^ "New Zealand single certifications". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  20. ^ "American certifications – Flume – Never Be Like You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  21. ^ "American certifications – Skrillex & Diplo – Mind". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  22. ^ "10TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED!". Independent Music Awards. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  23. ^ "TIMA winners". torontoima.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  24. ^ "59TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS NOMINEES". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  25. ^ "Dance Work of the Year". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2017. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  26. ^ "Most Played Australian Work". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2017. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
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