Lana Del Rey (Elizabeth Woolridge Grant) is an American singer and songwriter. Her music is recognized for its nostalgic, glamorous, and melancholic sound. Her music resembles 1950s-1960s Americana. She released her first album Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant in 2010, and has released eight more albums since then. She has been nominated for 11 grammys and is the blueprint for most alternative pop female artists today.
Lana began her music career in the early 2000s. She initially started performing around clubs in New York City and though it didn’t get much attraction, she later released her first album, Lana Del Rey A.K.A. Lizzy Grant. Her breakthrough happened in 2011 with the release of her song “Video Games,” which went viral and resulted in a major label deal. This was a crucial turning point for her. Her second album, Born to Die, released in early 2012 featuring hits like “Summertime Sadness”,“Diet Mountain Dew”, “Video Games”, and so on solidified her as a prominent figure in the music industry. So, while Lana Del Rey A.K.A. Lizzy Grant is technically her debut, Born to Die is the album that established her in the music industry. Experimentation and improvement defined her early journey and ultimately contributed to the creation of her renowned persona.
One of her best moments for me personally I believe is her song “Young and Beautiful,” featured in the famous movie The Great Gatsby starring Leonardo Dicaprio. Written and performed from Daisy’s perspective, the song tells of her vulnerability and desire for a lasting, unconditional love that lasts beyond her youth and beauty. When I first watched the movie, I found the scene beautifully executed, and the music truly just tied everything together. I don’t think the scene would’ve had the same impact or hold as much value if it weren’t for Lana’s voice in it.
Two Grammy Awards, nine MTV Music Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, one Brit Award, and numerous other honors, have all been won by Lana Del Rey to date. Her achievements and influence in the music industry are evidenced by the more than 30 prizes she has won in a variety of ceremonies.
There are definitely many reasons why people love her and her music, but for me personally, I’ve been a fan since a very young age. One of my earliest memories of listening to her is back in elementary school, hearing her hit “Summertime Sadness” and enjoying it very much. I think her music is not only great but also diverse. Her songs vary widely, some make you want to dance, while others can bring you to tears or evoke tenderness. Overall, I’ve loved her music since I was a little girl, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
