Jawny Explained

JAWNY
Birth Name:Jacob Lee-Nicholas Sullenger
Alias:Johnny Utah
Birth Date:December 23, 1995
Birth Place:Fairfield, California, United States
Origin:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Years Active:2016–present
Label:Interscope
Partner:Doja Cat (2019 - 2020)

Jacob Lee-Nicholas Sullenger (born December 23, 1995),[1] [2] known professionally by his stage name Jawny (stylized in all caps; formerly Johnny Utah), is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He first received recognition after the release of his 2019 single "Honeypie" and was signed to Interscope Records in January 2020. He made his major-label debut with the mixtape For Abby.

Early life and education

Sullenger was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area.[3] He first learned how to play guitar at the age of 6 and began composing songs in his early teens.[4] He briefly attended college where he studied nursing but dropped out to pursue music.[5] He also managed a pizzeria in New Jersey to pay bills.[3]

Career

At the age of 20 in 2016, Sullenger moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he began making music under the moniker Johnny Utah. The pseudonym was a reference to Keanu Reeves' character in the 1991 film Point Break.[3]

In January 2018, he released a self-titled EP via Z Tapes Records.[6] He released several more singles that year, including "Folding Like Honey",[7] "Patty", and "Crazy for Your Love". His songs also appeared on Spotify's "Bedroom Pop" playlist.[8] In November 2018, the tracks were compiled by Z Tapes Records into a second EP entitled Big Dogs.[9]

In April 2019, he released the single "Honeypie",[10] which was later featured on Spotify's "Fresh Finds" and "Ultimate Indie" playlists. That exposure led to the song accruing millions of streams on the platform.[11]

Sullenger was signed to Interscope Records in January 2020[12] and around that time changed his stage name to Jawny, a reference to a Philadelphia slang term. He also relocated to Los Angeles, California.[3]

In February 2020, he released the single "Anything You Want".[12] He released his Interscope debut project, For Abby, in October 2020.[13] Jawny described the 10-track project as a mixtape rather than an EP.[14] One of the collection's singles, "Sabotage",[15] premiered at number 34 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart in January 2021.[16]

Personal life

Sullenger was in a romantic relationship with rapper and singer Doja Cat from August 2019 to February 2020.[17]

Discography

Albums

Title! scope="col"
Details
It's Never Fair, Always True

Mixtapes

Title! scope="col"
Details
For Abby

Extended plays

Title! scope="col"
Details
Johnny Utah
(as Johnny Utah)
  • Released: January 15, 2018
  • Label: Z Tapes
  • Formats: Digital download, cassette
Big Dogs
(as Johnny Utah)
  • Released: November 28, 2018
  • Label: Z Tapes
  • Formats: Digital download, cassette
The Story of Hugo[18] [19]
  • Released July 14, 2021
  • Label: Interscope
  • Formats: Digital download, cassette

Singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeaksCertificationsAlbum
US
Alt

"Folding Like Honey"2018Big Dogs
"Really Meant"
"Honeypie"201946 For Abby
"4Tounce"[21]
"Sabotage"202034
"Super Bad Mantra"[22]
(featuring Christian Blue)
"Anything You Want"
(featuring Doja Cat)
rowspan="3"
"Trigger of Love"2021
"Best Thing"
"Take It Back"
(with Beck)[23]
2022
"Strawberry Chainsaw"

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jacob Leenicholas Sullenger, Born 12/23/1995 in California. May 12, 2020. California Birth Index.
  2. Web site: June 6, 2014. Fort Mill High School to award 419 diplomas. May 12, 2020. Herald Online. Fort Mill Times.
  3. Ginsberg . Gab . February 14, 2020 . New Interscope Signee Jawny on Why He Won't Just Be Another 'Viral' Moment . Billboard . July 8, 2020.
  4. Jawny - Love Boy Pop Music From Los Angeles (Portrait) . April 5, 2020 . Video . Diffus . July 8, 2020 . Sullenger, Jacob (interviewee).
  5. News: Titelbaum . Benny . November 6, 2019 . Indie rockstars Goth Babe and Johnny Utah kickoff CU's Homecoming week . CU Independent . July 8, 2020.
  6. News: London . Dianca . February 1, 2018 . The Deli Philly's February Record of the Month: Johnny Utah – Johnny Utah . The Deli Magazine . July 8, 2020.
  7. News: May 1, 2018 . New Track: "Folding Like Honey" - Johnny Utah . The Deli Magazine . July 8, 2020.
  8. News: Wetmore . Brendan . November 20, 2018 . Johnny Utah Will Never Stop Clowning Around . Paper . July 8, 2020.
  9. News: November 28, 2018 . New Johnny Utah EP Available for Streaming & Purchase . The Deli Magazine . July 8, 2020.
  10. News: La . Michelle . April 25, 2019 . Johnny Utah is breaking out of his bedroom in "Honeypie" . EarMilk . July 8, 2020.
  11. Wang . Amy X. . February 27, 2020 . How Do You Get a Hit Song? Spotify Says to Pitch It . Rolling Stone . July 8, 2020.
  12. News: La . Michelle . March 2, 2020 . Jawny will do "Anything You Want" and we love him for it . . July 8, 2020.
  13. News: Scott . Ruby . October 27, 2020 . JAWNY Delivers a High-Spirited Mixtape in Major Label Debut 'For Abby' . . November 1, 2020.
  14. News: Aubrey . Elizabeth . October 28, 2020 . Jawny – 'For Abby' review: one of lockdown's most innovative and colourful bedroom pop projects . . November 1, 2020.
  15. News: August 7, 2020 . JAWNY SHARES NEW TRACK 'SABOTAGE' . DIY Magazine . November 1, 2020.
  16. January 23, 2021 . Alternative Airplay . Billboard . November 1, 2020.
  17. News: Wetmote . Brendan . December 10, 2020 . JAWNY Opens Up About How His Split From Doja Cat Changed His Album . en . . January 11, 2022.
  18. Web site: July 14, 2021 . Interview: Jawny tells the other side of 'For Abby' with 'The Story of Hugo' . July 26, 2022 . RIFF Magazine . en-US.
  19. Web site: Young . Martyn . July 19, 2021 . Jawny: "I don't want to be the hottest flavour of the month" Dork . July 26, 2021 . readdork.com . en-US.
  20. United States. Jawny. September 24, 2021.
  21. News: Wetmore . Brendan . December 12, 2019 . Watch Johnny Utah Pivot to Bodybuilding in '4Tounce' . Paper . July 8, 2020.
  22. News: Legittino . Joey . September 21, 2020 . JAWNY's "Super Bad Mantra" Is a Masterpiece Years in the Making . Ones to Watch . November 1, 2020.
  23. Web site: June 17, 2022 . JAWNY taps Beck for new version of "take it back": Stream . July 26, 2022 . Consequence . en-US.