Pia Mia Explained

Pia Mia
Birth Name:Pia Mia Perez
Birth Date:19 September 1996
Birth Place:Guam
Years Active:2013–present

Pia Mia Perez[1] (born September 19, 1996) is an Guamanian singer, songwriter, actress, and model. She began her career posting song covers on YouTube, after which she was discovered by American singer Babyface in 2010. Three years later, she signed with Interscope Records and worked closely with record producer Nic Nac to release her debut extended play (EP), The Gift (2013), which gained popularity from and included her cover of Drake's 2013 single, "Hold On, We're Going Home".

Two years later, she released her 2015 single "Do It Again" (featuring Chris Brown and Tyga), for which she became best known. The song marked her only entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The following year, she guest appeared on will.i.am's single "Boys & Girls", which peaked within the top 40 of the UK singles chart.[2] She parted ways with the label in 2017, although she briefly signed a record deal with Republic Records and Louis Bell's Electric Feel Entertainment in 2020, before departing both the following year.[3]

Outside of music, Perez is also a novelist.[4]

Early life

Pia Mia Perez was born on September 19, 1996,[5] on Guam, an unincorporated territory of the United States. She is of Chamorro, Italian, Dutch, and Hungarian descent. She is the daughter of Angela Terlaje Perez and Peter Perez Jr. In Guam, Perez performed at weddings and other community events, before moving to Los Angeles in 2010 with her mother to pursue her music career professionally.

Career

2013–2017: The Gift, The Gift 2 and breakthrough

Perez was discovered by and worked with producer Babyface during her first year in Los Angeles.[6] Eventually she was introduced to Chris Brown's manager and record executive Abou "Bu" Thiam in 2013. She began working on material with producer Nic Nac and regularly uploaded covers to YouTube. In late 2013, Kylie Jenner, a close friend, invited Perez to a family dinner, during which she was asked to sing her cover of Drake's single "Hold On, We're Going Home", who was also in attendance. Kim Kardashian uploaded a video of the performance to her social media, and it gained over a million views. Following the viral success, she released her first song "Red Love" on December 9, 2013, along with its music video.[7] Her debut extended play The Gift was released online for free later that month with eight tracks.

In February 2014, Pia Mia signed a multi-album deal with American record label Interscope Records.[8] The same month, Perez and Chance the Rapper released an original song "Fight for You" for the 2014 science-fiction action film Divergent.[9] The song was featured on the film's original soundtrack.[10] Perez began working on her debut album in 2014 and recorded roughly 100 songs over the next year.[11]

In early 2015, she released the promotional single "Fuck with U" featuring American rapper G-Eazy. It was initially intended to be the first single from Mia's debut studio album under Interscope, but was later scrapped. On May 4, 2015, Mia released "Do It Again", which featured vocals from Chris Brown and Tyga, and became Mia's first charting song. It has reached No. 8 on the UK Top 40, No. 71 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, No. 19 on the Rhythmic Songs chart and No. 70 on the Canadian Hot 100.[12] On October 30, 2015, Mia released follow-up single called "Touch", produced by Stargate and BloodPop. It reached No. 47 in Australia and the UK Singles Chart.

In 2016, Perez was featured on will.i.am's single "Boys & Girls" which peaked in the top 40 on the UK Singles Chart. Perez released the promotional single "We Should Be Together" on December 15, 2016.[13]

On May 25, 2017, Pia released the single "I'm a Fan" featuring Jeremih.[14] Pia Mia parted ways with Interscope Records and Wolfpack Entertainment, both divisions of Universal Music Group in late 2017. She stated that she did not have enough creative freedom under the label and that there were excessive delays with her music.[15] On December 15, she self-released her second EP The Gift 2, which was preceded by the promotional single, "Off My Feet", released on December 1, 2017.[16] [17]

2019–present: Acting and label changes

In 2019, Perez made her acting debut, portraying Tristan in the film After.[18] Correspondingly, she released the single, "Bitter Love", which served as the film's theme song. On June 20, 2019, Perez released "Crybaby" featuring Theron Theron as a promotional single.[19] Following this, she released promotional singles "Feel Up" with American rapper YG on September 5, 2019, and "Don't Get Me Started" with rapper Gunna and producer Carnage on October 2, 2019.[20] [21] All four singles were released under Perez's independent record label Cherry Pie Records.

On May 14, 2020, it was announced that Perez had signed to Electric Feel Entertainment and Republic Records. Perez released the single "Princess", her first single released under her new label, on May 15, 2020.[22] In an interview with Idolator, Perez confirmed the release of the single "Hot", which will feature on her upcoming debut studio album.[23] "Hot" was released on July 24, 2020, later accompanied by a visualizer for the song, released on September 14.[24] A remix of the song featuring Sean Paul and Flo Milli was released on October 27, 2020. A visualizer for the remix version was released on October 30.[25]

In 2020, Perez announced that she had written a book titled The Princess Diaries: Sand, Glitter and Silicone which will be released chapter by chapter via Wattpad.[26] On October 1, 2021, Perez released the My Side EP, which was preceded by the singles "730" and "Only One".[27] The EP is her first since 2017's The Gift 2. A holiday EP titled Christmas was released one month after on November 1, 2021.[28]

Discography

Extended plays

TitleDetails
The Gift[29]
  • Released: December 23, 2013
  • Format: Digital download
  • Label: Wolfpack, Interscope
The Gift 2[30]
  • Released: December 15, 2017
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
  • Label: Pia Mia Recordings
My Side
  • Released: October 1, 2021
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
  • Label: Cherry Pie Records
Christmas
  • Released: November 1, 2021
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
  • Label: Cherry Pie Records

Singles

As lead artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
[31]
AUS
[32]
BEL
(Wa)

[33]
CAN
[34]
DEN
[35]
IRE
[36]
NZ
[37]
SCO
[38]
SWE
[39]
UK
[40]
"Red Love"[41] 2013The Gift
"Mr. President"[42] [43] 2014
"Do It Again"
(featuring Chris Brown and Tyga)
201571 5 39 70 38 52 10 15 70 8

Platinum[44]

rowspan="6"
"Touch"47 83 28 47
  • BPI: Silver
"I'm a Fan"[50]
(featuring Jeremih)
2017
"Bitter Love"2019
"Princess"[51] 2020
"Hot"
"730"2021My Side
"Only One"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

As featured artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
AUS
BEL
(Wa)

FRA
[52]
GER
[53]
IRE
SCO
UK
"Boys & Girls"
201653 17 46 39 42 14 21 rowspan="4"
"Cuddled Up"
2020
"Lovefool"
"Good Luck"
2021
"How We Do It"
2022 Scorcha
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Promotional singles

TitleYearAlbum
"Bubblegum Boy"[55]
--font-weight:normal;-->">(with Bella Thorne)2011rowspan=2
"The Last Man On Earth"[56] 2012
"Shotgun Love"[57] The Gift
"What a Girl Wants"[58] rowspan="3"
"Fuck with U"[59]
(featuring G-Eazy)
2015
"We Should Be Together"[60] 2016
"Off My Feet"2017The Gift 2
"Crybaby"[61]
(featuring Theron Theron)
2019rowspan="3"
"Feel Up"[62]
(with YG)
"Don't Get Me Started"[63]
(with Gunna and Carnage)

Guest appearances

Filmography

Film

Year TitleRole class=unsortable Notes
2019AfterTristan
2020After We Collided

Television

Year TitleRole class=unsortable Notes
2016East Los HighHerselfEpisode: "You're Dancing Like a Gringo"
2018Happy TogetherRylie ConnersEpisode: "Pilot"

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: High Tea With Pia Mia at The Plaza. September 24, 2015.
  2. Web site: Go Behind the Scenes With Pia Mia for 'Bitter Love'. April 26, 2019. PAPER. en. May 14, 2020.
  3. Pia Mia Signs With Electric Feel/Republic: Exclusive. May 14, 2020. Billboard. May 14, 2020.
  4. Web site: Pia Mia Releases Her First Romance Novel . May 22, 2024 .
  5. Web site: Pia Mia Perez Celebrates Her 19th Birthday on September 19!. SciClonic. September 19, 2015 . Ronan Kreet. December 16, 2015.
  6. Web site: Hot 97 . Pia Mia Gives The TRUE Story Behind Her Relationship With Nic Nac & Kylie Jenner . Youtube . June 23, 2015.
  7. Web site: Ortiz . Edwin . Pia Mia Shares Her Tale of Heartbreak in "Red Love" Music Video . Complex . December 9, 2013.
  8. News: Singer-Songwriter Pia Mia Signed to Interscope Records. August 11, 2015. Interscope Geffen A&M Records. PR Newswire. February 20, 2014.
  9. Web site: Minsker . Evan . Listen: Pia Mia Featuring Chance the Rapper: "Fight for You" (Produced by Clams Casino) . Pitchfork . February 27, 2014.
  10. Web site: Ehrlich . Brenna . Chance the Rapper and Pia Mia Go All Four and Tris on 'Divergent' Track . https://web.archive.org/web/20200703112634/http://www.mtv.com/news/1723126/divergent-track-pia-mia-chance-the-rapper-fight-for-you/ . dead . July 3, 2020 . MTV . February 27, 2014.
  11. Web site: Power 106 Los Angeles. Pia Mia Sang For Kanye + Drake At Kardashian Dinner. Youtube. May 6, 2015.
  12. Pia Mia Chart History. Billboard.
  13. Web site: Pia Mia Drops New R&B Jam 'We Should Be Together' - LISTEN. February 17, 2021. Capital XTRA. en.
  14. Web site: Premiere: Pia Mia Stuns in New Video for "I'm a Fan" f/ Jeremih. February 17, 2021. Complex.
  15. Web site: Real . Evan . Pia Mia Talks Finding Herself as an Independent Artist, New Song 'Bitter Love': 'It Feels Like My Heart and Soul' . https://web.archive.org/web/20190322161310/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8503539/pia-mia-interview-bitter-love . dead . March 22, 2019 . Billboard (archived) . March 22, 2019.
  16. Web site: The Drop: Your Guide To New Music Friday Featuring Vallis Alps & Sasha Sloan. Idolator. Mike Wass. December 1, 2017.
  17. Web site: Amazon.com: The Gift 2: Pia Mia: MP3 Downloads. Amazon. December 15, 2017.
  18. Web site: Pia Mia shines with an acting debut in 'After'. April 12, 2019. Shah. Harshvardhan. April 27, 2019. V.
  19. Pia Mia Shares Island-Tinged Summer Single 'Crybaby'. June 21, 2019. Billboard. May 14, 2020.
  20. Web site: A Bop! Pia Mia Teams Up With YG On New Single "Feel Up". September 9, 2019. idolator. May 14, 2020.
  21. Web site: Premiere: Pia Mia Connects With Gunna and Carnage for New Collab "Don't Get Me Started". Complex. en. May 14, 2020.
  22. Web site: Princess by Pia Mia. Apple Music. en-au. May 14, 2020.
  23. Web site: Interview: Pia Mia Talks "Princess" & New Music. May 27, 2020. idolator. May 27, 2020.
  24. Web site: Princess Pia Mia on Instagram: "As long as you're keepin it HOT 7/24". https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CCwoLMEFTP1 . 2021-12-24 . limited. July 18, 2020. Instagram. en.
  25. Web site: October 30, 2020. Pia Mia Teams Up With Sean Paul & Flo Milli For "Hot" Remix. October 30, 2020. idolator.
  26. Web site: Pia Mia's New Book Series is Free and Worth the Read . Glitter Magazine . May 28, 2020.
  27. Web site: 2021-10-05. Pia Mia Stuns on Smooth New EP "My Side". 2021-12-25. CelebMix. en-GB.
  28. Web site: 2021-12-13. Social Media Maven Pia Mia Dishes on Her New "Christmas" EP (EXCLUSIVE). 2021-12-25. Distractify. en-US.
  29. Web site: The Gift by Pia Mia. iTunes. May 30, 2011. June 4, 2011.
  30. Web site: The Gift 2. iTunes. December 15, 2017. January 9, 2018.
  31. Pia Mia – Chart history: The Hot 100. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media.
  32. Peaks in Australia:
  33. Web site: Discografie The Vamps. Belgium (Flanders) Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  34. Pia Mia – Chart history: Canadian Hot 100. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media.
  35. Web site: Discography Pia Mia. Danish Charts Porta. Hung Medien.
  36. Web site: Discography Pia Mia. Irish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  37. Web site: Discography Pia Mia. New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  38. Peaks in Scotland:
    • "Do It Again": http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20150821/41/
    • "Touch": http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20151106/41/
    • "Boys & Girls": http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20160520/41/
  39. Web site: Discography Pia Mia. Swedish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  40. Web site: Artist Search > Pia Mia. Official Charts Company. Officialcharts.com/.
  41. Web site: Pia Mia: 'I'm here to speak for what's really going on for teenagers' . L.A. Times. May 31, 2014 . November 16, 2017.
  42. Web site: Watch YouTube Star Pia Mia's Awesome New Video for "Mr. President". Seventeen Magazine. May 29, 2014. November 16, 2017.
  43. Web site: Pia Mia Released The Visual For Her Single, "Mr. President". The Source. May 19, 2014. November 16, 2017.
  44. Web site: Gold & Platinum . .
  45. Australia. 2015. 24 August 2021.
  46. United Kingdom. Pia Mia. June 26, 2022.
  47. Sweden. Pia Mia. artist. July 10, 2023.
  48. Denmark. single. Pia Mia feat. Chris Brown & Tyga. Do It Again. 8891. July 10, 2023.
  49. New Zealand. single. Pia Mia feat. Chris Brown and Tyga. Do It Again. 4150. October 9, 2015.
  50. Web site: I'm a Fan. iTunes. May 26, 2017. November 16, 2017.
  51. Web site: Pia Mia Is Releasing A New Single Called "Princess". May 12, 2020. idolator. May 13, 2020.
  52. Web site: WILL.I.AM FEAT. PIA MIA - BOYS & GIRLS (CHANSON). Les Charts.
  53. Web site: WILL.I.AM & PIA MIA - BOYS & GIRLS. Top40 Charts.
  54. Web site: Certified Awards . . April 17, 2017 . To access, enter the search parameter "Boys & Girls," click "Exact Match," and select "Search" . August 1, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170801142929/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards/Search.aspx . dead .
  55. Web site: Bubblegum Boy – Single by Pia Mia & Bella Thorne. iTunes. May 13, 2010.
  56. Web site: The Last Man on Earth – Single by Pia Mia. iTunes. May 13, 2010.
  57. Web site: Shotgun – Single by Pia Mia. iTunes. May 13, 2010.
  58. Web site: What a Girl Wants – Single by Pia Mia. iTunes. May 13, 2010.
  59. Web site: F**k With U (feat. G-Eazy) - Single by Pia Mia. iTunes. May 13, 2010.
  60. Web site: We Should Be Together. iTunes. December 16, 2016. November 16, 2017.
  61. Web site: Crybaby (feat. Theron Theron) – Single by Pia Mia. June 21, 2019. iTunes. June 21, 2019.
  62. Web site: Feel Up - Single by Pia Mia & YG. July 21, 2020. Apple Music. September 6, 2019. en-us.
  63. Web site: Don't Get Me Started – Single by Pia Mia, Gunna & Carnage. October 4, 2019. Apple Music. October 2, 2019.