William Singe Explained

William Singe
Birth Name:Liam Anthony Singe
Birth Date:2 July 1992
Birth Place:Sydney, Australia
Years Active:2011–present
Label:Twenty87

Liam Anthony "William" Singe (born 2 July 1992) is an Australian YouTuber, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is most notable for his online videos on YouTube and Facebook.

Singe started his career as a member of The Collective, an Australian boy band which was formed during the fourth season of The X Factor Australia in 2012, finishing in third place. The Collective subsequently signed with Sony Music Australia and released seven singles and a self-titled album. They disbanded after Singe left the group in 2015.

In 2014 and 2015, Singe recorded numerous R&B, pop, reggae, hip-hop and rap covers in his bedroom. In less than a year, he accumulated over two million Facebook fans, reached a number one position on Spotify, 20 million Spotify streams, and earned more than 500 million video views and 2.6 million subscribers on YouTube.[1]

Early life

William Singe was born and raised in Forestville, aka 'Forry', a suburb of northern Sydney. He is of Māori descent.[2]

William began recording music as a child, drawing inspiration from his father, a singer and songwriter from Ngāti Porou, New Zealand.[3]

He was a student at St Augustine's College in Brookvale and worked as a bank teller at the Commonwealth Bank in Dee Why.[4] [5]

Career

In 2011, Singe auditioned for The X Factor in season three and made it to the end of the bootcamp stage.[6]

In 2012, he auditioned for the fourth season singing Justin Bieber's "One Less Lonely Girl" (with added rap lyrics that Singe wrote himself) and received positive comments from the judges.[7] He progressed to the super bootcamp stage.[8]

2012–2014: The Collective

See also: The Collective (band).

After Singe did not to make it into the top six of the Under-25 Boys category during super bootcamp, the judges decided to put him together with Trent Bell, Julian De Vizio, Zach Russell and Jayden Sierra to form a boy band named The Collective.[9] [10] On 20 November 2012, it was announced that The Collective finished in third place.[11]

On 22 November 2012, The Collective signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia.[12] [13] The group's self-titled mini album, The Collective, was released on 14 December 2012.[14] The album debuted at number 11 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold.[15] [16]

In 2013, Singe was featured on fellow X Factor contestant Bella Ferraro's single "Forgot You" which peaked at number 75 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[17] [18] [19]

On 18 February 2015, Singe announced on Facebook that he had left the group to pursue his solo career.[20] The remaining members of The Collective disbanded that same month to also pursue solo careers.[21] [22] [23]

2015–present: Solo career

As a solo performer, Singe recorded cover tracks of contemporary musicians, such as from Justin Bieber, Adele, Drake, Fetty Wap, and The Weeknd. He sang in his bedroom and uploaded the videos to Facebook and YouTube. Starting 2015 with 6 cover videos and around 20 thousand followers on his Facebook page, Singe grew to more than two million followers by the end of the year with 44 additional cover videos.[24] [25]

Singe announced on 14 October that he signed to Paradigm, a US entertainment agency representing Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Sia and Black Eyed Peas, among others.

In September and October, One Direction's Liam Payne and the singer T-Pain reached out via Twitter to connect with Singe, expressing interest to collaborate with him.[25] [26] [27]

Singe covered Drake's song "Hotline Bling" on 24 September.[28] It became his most popular video to date. In less than a month, the video earned close to 25 million views on YouTube and Facebook,[29] reaching a number one position on Spotify's US Viral 50 chart.[30] [31]

Singe co-wrote "What You Want" for and with Samantha Jade, included on her album Nine, which was released in 2015.

Noting Singe's success, Capital Xtra concluded: "YouTube sensation William Singe is a star in his own right, having racked up millions of views across his phenomenal covers of Fetty Wap's '679,' The Weeknd's 'Earned It' and now Drake's 'Hotline Bling.' The 22-year-old Aussie singer-songwriter completely makes the song his own and it sounds incredible."[32] The Fern Events, a South Sydney-based event solutions company, also commented that Singe was "just phenomenal, his perseverance is really paying off."[33]

On 29 July, Singe announced that he had officially signed with RCA Records.[34] His debut solo single was released on 3 February 2017, titled "Rush".

On 5 May 2017, he appeared on the Jonas Blue single "Mama",[35] which became a top 10 hit in many countries, including Australia, UK, New Zealand, Germany, Norway, Denmark and South Africa.

On 13 June 2017, he reached 2 million subscribers on YouTube.

In January 2018, "Mama" was nominated for two Brit Awards. The ceremony would take place the following month.[36]

In May 2023, Singe signed with independent record label & management group, ACTS Music Group. His debut album, Where Do Birds Go At Night?, was released on 28 July 2023.[37]

Concert tours

In January 2016, Singe embarked on The Introduction Tour across Australia, Asia, the United States and Europe. In February, March and April 2017, he toured the United States with Alex Aiono on the "Changes Tour".[38] [39] [40] [41] [42]

In October 2023, Singe headlined the first 1MX Festival held in Sydney.

Discography

Charted singles

As lead artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positions<--! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"Certifications-->Album
AUS
"Rush"2017rowspan="1"

As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
UK
[43]
AUS
[44]
AUT
[45]
DEN
[46]
GER
[47]
NLD
[48]
NOR
[49]
NZ
[50]
SWE
[51]
US
[52]
"Forgot You"
(Bella Ferraro featuring Will Singe)
201375
"Mama"
(Jonas Blue featuring William Singe)
20174 7 5 5
[53]
5 5 9 8
[54]
6 Blue
"Breathe"
(EDY featuring Will Singe)[64]
2023EDYONTHEBEAT
"—" denotes items which failed to chart in that country.

Notes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: How William Singe Went From Boy Band To A Viral Solo Sensation. Payne. Ogden. Forbes. 1 May 2016.
  2. Web site: Singe. Will. @WillSinge Status. Twitter. 30 December 2012. 30 December 2012.
  3. Web site: Sydney's William Singe Signed with US Agent Paradigm . The Fern Events . 22 October 2015 . 23 December 2015.
  4. News: Bennett. Rod. Manly's Margi Coen speaks of coaching The Collective's Will Singe to X Factor stardom . Manly Daily. News Community Media. 16 November 2012. https://archive.today/20121215192959/http://origin.manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/manlys-margi-coen-speaks-of-coaching-x-factors-the-collective-to-stardom/. dead. 15 December 2012.
  5. News: Bennett. Rod. Forestville's Will Singe and The Collective safe for another week on the X-Factor. Manly Daily. News Community Media. 31 October 2012. https://archive.today/20121215194549/http://origin.manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/will-singe-the-collective-x-factor-aussie-made/. dead. 15 December 2012.
  6. News: Byrnes. Holly. Next stop, the live shows for X Factor's Top 12. The Daily Telegraph. News Limited. 13 September 2012. 23 November 2012.
  7. Web site: Lewdon. Courtney. The X Factor Australia Season Four – The Third Auditions. Throng. Throng Media. 22 August 2012. https://archive.today/20121230202210/http://www.throng.com.au/2012/08/the-x-factor-australia-season-four-the-third-auditions-angela-vayne-good-question-hayden-maurirere/. live. 30 December 2012.
  8. Web site: The Collective. The X Factor Australia. Yahoo!7. https://web.archive.org/web/20120920004800/http://au.tv.yahoo.com/x-factor/contestants/the-collective/. dead. 20 September 2012.
  9. Web site: Lewdon. Courtney. The X Factor Australia Season Four – The 2012 Top Twelve Decided!. Throng. Throng Media. 12 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121030063540/http://www.throng.com.au/2012/09/the-x-factor-australia-season-four-the-2012-top-twelve-decided/. live. 30 October 2012.
  10. Web site: Knox. David. X-tra smiles for a hit show. TV Tonight. 14 September 2012. 16 November 2012.
  11. News: Samantha Jade wins The X Factor Australia. The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 20 November 2012. 21 November 2012.
  12. News: McCabe. Kathy. X Factor winner Samantha Jade's single What You've Done to Me iTunes number one. The Australian. News Limited. 22 November 2012. 23 November 2012.
  13. News: Fans turn out for The Collective. The Sunday Times. News Limited. 27 July 2013. https://archive.today/20130728225401/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/fans-turn-out-for-the-collective/story-fnii5t8l-1226686896787. dead. 28 July 2013.
  14. Web site: The Collective – CD. Sanity. 29 November 2012.
  15. Web site: Discography The Collective. Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. 30 September 2012.
  16. Web site: ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Albums. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 21 February 2013.
  17. Web site: iTunes – Music – Forgot You (feat. Will Singe) – Single by Bella Ferraro. 18 October 2013 . iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. 25 April 2014.
  18. Web site: Ryan. Gavin. ARIA Singles: It Is Still About Katy Perry. Noise11. Noise Network. 26 October 2013. 26 October 2013.
  19. Web site: X Factor Australia Alum Bella Ferraro Releasing New Single Forgot You! . Aria Charts . 23 December 2015.
  20. Web site: William Singe – Its been an incredible ride and I love my brothers.... Facebook. 18 February 2015. 24 February 2015.
  21. Banter with Ollie Geale Welcomes Julian De Vizio. YouTube. 11 March 2015. 11 October 2015.
  22. Jack & Jayden Sierra Radio Interview on 2RDJ. YouTube. 28 April 2015. 11 October 2015.
  23. Trent Bell Radio Interview with Jase from The Stars of Tomorrow. YouTube. 27 September 2015. 11 October 2015.
  24. Web site: William Singe . Facebook . 24 December 2015.
  25. Web site: The Collective band member Will Singe goes solo: 'Now I can do what I've always wanted' . The Daily Telegraph . Jonathon Moran . 7 December 2015 . 23 December 2015.
  26. Web site: T-Pain keen to collab with William Singe . Mai . 29 September 2015 . 23 December 2015.
  27. Web site: Liam Payne wants to work with producer Will Singe . Sugarscape . 8 October 2015 . 23 December 2015.
  28. Web site: This Cover Of Drake's 'Hotline Bling' Will Give You Chills . Capital Xtra . 23 December 2015.
  29. Web site: YouTube Star William Singe's "Hotline Bling" Cover Might Give Everyone Else's A Run For Their Money . Shenequa Golding . Vibe . 13 October 2015 . 23 December 2015.
  30. Web site: United States Viral 50 . Spotify . 1 November 2015 . 23 December 2015.
  31. Web site: Snapshot of #1 on United States Viral 50 . 26 December 2015.
  32. Web site: 10 Covers Of Drake's 'Hotline Bling' That Are As Good As The Original . Capital Xtra . 16 October 2015 . 23 December 2015.
  33. Web site: Sydney's William Singe Signed With US Agent Paradigm . The Fern Events . 6 August 2016.
  34. Web site: Facebook Famous Singer/Songwriter William Singe Signs A Record Deal With RCA . Forbes . 6 August 2016.
  35. Web site: INTERVIEW: Jonas Blue on 'Mama', New Collaborations & His Live Show. Mastrogiannis. Nicole. 6 July 2017. iHeartRadio. 30 July 2018.
  36. Web site: Nominations for The 2018 Brit Awards . Bell media . 27 October 2020.
  37. Web site: William Singe Honours Roots with Whanau. Hashtag Magazine. 26 May 2023. 28 May 2023.
  38. Web site: WILLIAM SINGE - SOLD OUT Tickets . Moshtix . 24 December 2015.
  39. Web site: William Singe – The Introduction Tour . Neumos . 17 February 2015 . 24 December 2015.
  40. Web site: William Singe: Tour Dates 2015 . Bandsintown . 24 December 2015.
  41. Web site: The Introduction Tour . williamsinge.com . 24 December 2015.
  42. Web site: Touring: William Singe . auspOp . 7 December 2015 . 23 December 2015.
  43. Web site: Artist Search > Jonas Blue. Official Charts Company.
  44. Web site: Discography Jonas Blue. Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  45. Web site: Discographie Jonas Blue. Austrian Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  46. Web site: Discography Jonas Blue. Danish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  47. Web site: Discographie Jonas Blue. German Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  48. Web site: Discografie Jonas Blue. Dutch Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  49. Web site: Discography Jonas Blue. Norwegian Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  50. Web site: Discography Jonas Blue. New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  51. Web site: Discography Jonas Blue. Swedish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  52. Jonas Blue - Chart history - Billboard. .
  53. Web site: Track Top-40 Uge 29, 2017 . . 26 July 2017.
  54. Web site: NZ Top 40 Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 7 August 2017. 7 August 2017.
  55. United Kingdom. William Singe. 5 April 2023.
  56. Australia. 2023. single. 5 April 2023.
  57. Germany. William Singe. 5 April 2023.
  58. Sweden. 2017. 32. single. 5 April 2023.
  59. Austria. Mama. Jonas Blue. 5 April 2023.
  60. Denmark. 7786. 5 April 2023.
  61. Netherlands. Mama. Jonas Blue. 5 April 2023.
  62. United States. Mama. Jonas Blue. 5 April 2023.
  63. New Zealand. single. 4397. 5 April 2023.
  64. Web site: Debut LP 'EDYONTHEBEAT' by Rising Star EDY: A Teaser of the Future of R&B in Aotearoa . NZ Music. 24 November 2023. 25 November 2023.