Naomi Sharon Webster (born March 4, 1995) is a Dutch singer-songwriter. In early 2023, Sharon became the first female signee to Drake's record label, OVO Sound.[1] Her debut album, Obsidian, was released later that year in October, being lauded by critics for its emotional depth and diverse range of influences.[2]
Naomi Sharon | |
|---|---|
 Sharon performing in 2024 | |
| Born | March 4, 1995 Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Other names | First Lady of OVO |
| Alma mater | Academy of Theatre and Dance |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2019-present |
| Partner | Jamie Sun (2013-2021) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Labels | OVO Sound |
| Website | naomisharonmusic |
Early life
editNaomi Sharon Webster was born to an Aruban father and a Dutch mother in Rotterdam, Netherlands.[3] Sharon grew up in a vastly musically inclined family, her father working as a DJ and her mother being a singer. Sharon's aunt also sang, while her uncle played in an instrumental ensemble. She formed her artistic sound around a variety of musicians she admired in her youth, including Sade, Eva Cassidy, Marcus Miller, Stevie Wonder and Sting.[4] She attended the Academy of Theatre and Dance.[5] Upon leaving in the third year, Sharon would perform in musical theater, appearing in The Lion King and Dream Girls. During the early 2010s, she would do cover songs.[6] Sharon also participated in the sixth season of The Voice of Holland in 2016.
Career
edit2019–present
editSharon released her debut single, "The Moon" in 2019. That same year, she gave a TED Talk for TEDxAmsterdamWomen about self-love, where she performed the song. Her second single, "Breeze" caught the attention of Drake, who signed her to his OVO Sound record label in 2023, making her the first female act on its roster. She released two singles entitled "Definition of Love" and "Hills" in anticipation of her debut album, Obsidian. The 12-track album was released on October 20, 2023 to moderate critical success. Steven Ward of Grimy Goods described the project as, "an immense emotional gravitas, created to tap into or articulate the mercurial realms that exist inside of you."[6] Sharon went on to perform in her debut tour, Obsidian Tour, with three dates in North America and four in Europe.[7] She released a single, "Nothing Sweeter" on January 18, 2024.[8]
Artistry
editMusical style
editSharon's sound has been described as, "genre-defying." Her songs have been noted to fuse alternative R&B and ambient house as well as including foreign influences from Afrobeats and Spanish music. Sharon's songs mainly deal with themes of love, heartbreak, and healing.[2] Her low register vocals have been described as reminiscent to Sade's.[9]
Personal life
editSharon has a home in Rotterdam.[9]
In 2021, Sharon broke off her engagement and eight-year relationship with ex-fiancé Jamie Sun. It was alleged by Sun on Instagram that Sharon was having an affair with Drake, with Sun claiming that Sharon and Drake "did a lot more" than "just make music".[10]
Discography
editAlbums
edit- Obsidian (2023)
Tours
editSupporting
References
edit- ^ Walker, Joe (January 20, 2023). "Drake Introduces OVO Sound's First Female Artist: 'Been Waiting For This Day'". HiphopDX. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ a b Zapatero, Jesse (October 20, 2023). "ALBUM REVIEW: NAOMI SHARON'S DEBUT ALBUM "OBSIDIAN"". A Book of Us. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
- ^ "Hoe de scheiding van haar ouders Naomi Sharon kwetsbaar, maar ook sterker heeft gemaakt". AD.nl (in Dutch). August 20, 2020.
- ^ Chambers, Brittany (March 22, 2024). "Naomi Sharon On 'Obsidian' & Debut Tour: Opportunity For Collective Healing". Forbes. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ "NAOMI SHARON". MARYN HAERTEL. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
- ^ a b Ward, Steven (March 15, 2024). "Artists You Should Know: Naomi Sharon". Grimy Goods. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ Davies, Nicola (April 4, 2024). "Intentional Simplicity Relays Intricate Emotion: Naomi Sharon Interviewed". Clash Music. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ Horvath, Zachary (January 20, 2024). "Naomi Sharon Is Madly In Love On "Nothing Sweeter"". Hot New Hiphop. Archived from the original on January 20, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ a b Wickes, Jade (January 19, 2024). "How Naomi Sharon went from theatre kid to Drake protégée". The Face. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ Zidel, Alex (September 26, 2022). "Drake Accused Of Breaking Up Singer's Relationship During "Certified Lover Boy" Sessions". Hot New Hiphop. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
External links
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