Tiana Thomas-Ambersley (born 22 November 1995), known professionally as Tiana Major9, is a British singer from London. They are currently signed to Motown and gained worldwide recognition with the Grammy-nominated single "Collide," from the Queen & Slim soundtrack.[1]

Tiana Major9
Birth nameTiana Thomas-Ambersley
Born (1995-11-22) 22 November 1995 (age 28)
London, England
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Labels

Early life edit

Tiana Major9 was born and raised in the London Borough of Newham, England and grew up in a Jamaican household, listening and singing gospel in church from the age of five. They studied music at the City and Islington College before pursuing it as a career.[2] They gained local recognition in 2014 as a finalist in MOBO's UnSung competition.[3]

Career edit

Between 2017 and 2018, Major9 released singles "Merry Go," "Levee (Let It Break)," and "Mr. Mysterious."[4] On 25 January 2019, Major9 released their debut EP, Rehearsal @ NINE.[5] They also appeared on Stormzy's album on the song "Rainfall" and the Queen & Slim soundtrack on the song "Collide," the latter being nominated for a Grammy Award. On 7 August 2020, Major9 released their second EP, At Sixes And Sevens, after signing with Motown.[6]

Artistry edit

The name Major9 refers to the major 9th chord. Her sound has been compared to the likes of Amy Winehouse, Jazmine Sullivan, Marsha Ambrosius and Lauryn Hill,[7] blending elements of soul, R&B, jazz, and reggae.[8]

Personal life edit

Major9's verified Twitter and Instagram pages indicate the artist uses she/they pronouns.[9][10]

Discography edit

Extended plays edit

Title Album details
Rehearsal @ NINE
  • Released: 25 January 2019
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
At Sixes and Sevens
  • Released: 7 August 2020
  • Label: Motown
  • Format: Digital download
Fool Me Once
  • Released: 15 March 2022
  • Label: Motown
  • Format: Digital download

Singles edit

As lead artist edit

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Adult R&B

[11]
"Merry Go" 2017 Non-album single
"Levee (Let It Break)"
"Mr. Mysterious" 2018
"Collide"[12]
(with EarthGang)
2019 9 Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack and At Sixes And Sevens
"Think About You" 2020 At Sixes And Sevens
"Lucky"
"On Read"[13]
(with Lucky Daye)
2021 Table For Two

Guest appearances edit

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Rainfall" 2019 Stormzy Heavy Is the Head
"Silent Night" 2020 A Motown Holiday
"Reason to Smile" 2022 Kojey Radical Reason to Smile
"Talkin" 2022 Kojey Radical and Kelis Reason to Smile
"homies" 2023 Saint Harison homies

Awards and nominations edit

Award Year Category Work Result Ref.
Black Reel Awards 2020 Outstanding Original Song "Collide" (with EarthGang) Won [14]
Grammy Award 2021 Best R&B Song "Collide" (with EarthGang) Nominated [15]

References edit

  1. ^ "TIANA MAJOR9 TALKS BEING NOMINATED FOR A GRAMMY, ROMANCE & MORE ON 'WHO WE BE TALKS'". GRM Daily. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  2. ^ "TIANA MAJOR9-FROM EAST LONDON TO MOTOWN RECORDS". Flaunt Magazine. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Tiana Major9 Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  4. ^ Mokoena, Tshepo (24 January 2019). "Tiana Major9 Is a Singular Voice in Black British Soul". Vice.
  5. ^ "Tiana Major9". Wonderland Magazine. 8 July 2019.
  6. ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (6 August 2020). "Tiana Major9 – 'At Sixes And Sevens' EP review: Motown debut shows potential to join the greats". NME. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  7. ^ Muktar, Amel (21 August 2020). "Basquiat Paintings & Nola Darling: Inside The Mind Of Tiana Major9". Vogue.
  8. ^ Lamarre, Carl. "How Tiana Major9 Overcame Her Vulnerabilities on Her New EP". Billboard. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  9. ^ "https://twitter.com/TianaMajor9". Twitter. Retrieved 31 May 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  10. ^ "TM9 (@tianamajor9) • Instagram photos and videos". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Tiana Major9 – Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  12. ^ "Tiana Major9 And EarthGang "Collide" In New Collab From 'Queen & Slim' Soundtrack". Complex.com.
  13. ^ "Lucky Daye And Tiana Major9 Are Lovebirds On Different Pages For Their 'On Read' Track". Uproxx. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  14. ^ Davis, Clayton (11 December 2019). "Black Reel Awards Nominations: 'Queen & Slim' Lead The Field, Kelvin Harrison Nabs Double Nomination". Awards Circuit.
  15. ^ "Grammy Nominations 2021: See the List". The New York Times. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2021.