Hoodie Allen

Hoodie Allen

Hoodie Allen performing at Roseland Ballroom in 2013
Background information
Born (1988-08-19) August 19, 1988[1]
Origin Long Island, New York, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Associated acts
Website www.hoodieallen.com

Steven Adam[1] Markowitz, known professionally as Hoodie Allen, is an independent American rapper. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, he began working at Google before ultimately quitting to pursue a music career full-time. Between the years 2009 and 2011, Hoodie released several mixtapes which garnered moderate success in the underground music scene. Finally in 2012, he released his first official EP titled All American which debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200. A follow-up mixtape, Crew Cuts, was released the next year along with an acoustic version of All American. In October 2014, Hoodie officially released his debut studio album, People Keep Talking which was successful with first week sales of over 30,000 along with a debut position of No. 8 on the Billboard 200. Hoodie followed up on his success in January 2016 and released his second studio album, Happy Camper.

Early life

Steven Markowitz was born on Long Island and raised in a Jewish household in Plainview along with his brother, Daniel.[2] He started writing lyrics as a child, and would perform raps for his friends at house parties. Markowitz first attended the Long Island School for the Gifted in South Huntington, and later attended Plainview – Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School.

While attending the University of Pennsylvania, he pledged the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. He also played as defensive back for the Penn's sprint football team. After graduating in 2010 with a degree in marketing and finance, he worked at Google as an AdWords associate in their Standardized AdWords Reseller Training (START) program.[3][4] He would leave at 7AM for a bus ride to the Googleplex in Mountain View, work a full day at Google, return home at 6PM, write songs, answer fan emails, and schedule concerts until 2 or 3 AM.[5] Reflecting on this, Allen said, "I was moving so fast, and even while I was at Google there was so much going on that I felt like I was doing two full-time jobs."[4] His dream and passion was music, so when he got opportunities to do live shows, he decided to leave Google.[5][6]

Career

2009–12: Beginnings and Leap Year

Hoodie Allen originally was the duo of Steve Markowitz and Obey City (Samuel Obey, a childhood friend) on vocals and production, respectively. The name came about because Steven's nickname growing up was "Hoodie," and he wanted a name that "would stick in peoples' minds and be a little bit funny and representative of who I am" so a play off of famed filmmaker Woody Allen was settled on.[7] Steve and Obey's first two releases were the Bagels & Beats EP and Making Waves mixtape. These earned Hoodie a nomination for MTVU's Best Music on Campus Award in 2009.[8] The single "UPENN Girls" also received notable attention. However, in 2010 Obey City ceased to produce in Hoodie for unknown reasons, and Steve continued making music with RJ Ferguson (aka RJF), giving himself the name Hoodie Allen.[9][10] In June 2010, he released "You Are Not a Robot," which sampled "I Am Not a Robot" by Marina and the Diamonds and which hit No. 1 on Hype Machine, an aggregator that collects the most-blogged about music in the world.[5] After seeing the response, he spent the summer working, and finished his mixtape Pep Rally by September.[9] The album was largely produced by RJF, and sampled songs from Death Cab for Cutie, Flight Facilities, Marina and the Diamonds, Ellie Goulding, and Two Door Cinema Club. He picked the name "Pep Rally" because he said that it "captured the energy of the record" and something "new and exciting."[11] He self-financed a video for the lead single "You Are Not A Robot," which helped the mixtape get downloaded over 200,000 times.[12]

In July 2011, Hoodie released his third mixtape, Leap Year. It reached 250,000 SoundCloud plays in its first week of release.[13] In support of the album, Hoodie headlined a 15-city tour across North America, including stops in San Francisco, New York City, and Montreal, with supporting act Fortune Family opening on several venues.[14] Previously, he had toured with The Cataracs, Das Racist, Chiddy Bang, Mike Posner, and RJD2.[15][16]

2012: All American

On March 4, 2012, Hoodie announced via Twitter that he would be releasing his first EP, titled All American.[17] He decided on this title because he credited his success to freedom in the United States, because he felt the songs showcased his best music to date, and because of a hometown restaurant with the same title. Hoodie spent five months developing the album, building tracks from scratch with his producer, RJF, rather than using sampled beats.[18] Regarding the writing process, Hoodie stated that, "I would describe it as liberating... It was like, 'Okay, I hear this idea in my head, I hear these original ideas, [and] I'm putting them and piecing them together.'"[18] On March 29, 2012, Hoodie released the first single from All American entitled "No Interruption," as well as its music video.[19][20] The music video for his second single on All American, titled "No Faith In Brooklyn (feat. Jhameel)," was released on April 9.[21] All American was released on April 10, 2012, and debuted as the No. 1 album on iTunes and at No. 10 on the Billboard 200.[22][23] Over the months of April and May, Hoodie made a 22-stop tour across the US in support of All American, featuring rapper Wax, Jared Evan, and others varied from show to show.[24][25] On March 23, 2012, Hoodie hinted at an upcoming announcement of a "UK tour for June," and officially announced the four dates on April 19 via Facebook.[26] The I Work Better In The UK Tour was his first time performing overseas. The Excellent Adventure Tour, which featured G-Eazy, began on September 7, 2012.[27] He later announced six more dates at which he would tour.[28]

2013: Crew Cuts and Americoustic

On February 11, 2013, XXL premiered the music video for "Cake Boy," the first single off of Hoodie's upcoming mixtape.[29] The single was later released on iTunes for purchase.[30] A week later, the music video for "Fame Is For Assholes" (abbreviated FIFA) premiered on YouTube which features rapper Chiddy Bang.[31][32] Hoodie commented, "I wanted to write a track that mixed a classic doo-wop vibe with the more upbeat hip-hop style that my fans have come to love."[33]

To promote his new music, Hoodie embark on his Cruisin' USA Tour with Aer and Jared Evan which began on March 5, 2013.[34] G-Eazy, instead of Aer, accompanied Hoodie on his Boston, Philly, and NYC shows. During the Cruisin' USA Tour, Hoodie had his fans chant that they wanted to see him on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Leading up to Roseland Ballroom, Hoodie started the hashtag "#GetHoodieAllenOnFallon" on Twitter to rally his fans along with a YouTube video directed at Fallon. After trending worldwide, Fallon replied the night of the concert asking to speak with Hoodie.[35] He continued touring through the year with many performances through the summer at college campuses and other venues. In September he went to Europe for his Fake ID and a Passport Tour.[36]

Hoodie performed his new single "Make It Home" on Fuse alongside Kina Grannis which was released nationally on Hoodie's YouTube and on Fuse TV on April 30.[37] The studio version of the single was released onto iTunes on May 15, 2013, where it reached the top ten of the iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap charts.[38][39]

On July 30, 2013, Hoodie released the music video for "No Interruption (Acoustic)". His acoustic EP Americoustic was released on August 13, 2013, and reached No. 1 on the iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap album chart and No. 4 on the iTunes overall albums chart despite it also being available for free download.[40] The EP's guitar work was composed, recorded and produced by Our Last Night guitarist Matt Wentworth.

2014: People Keep Talking

Main article: People Keep Talking

The lead single off of Hoodie's debut studio album, People Keep Talking, was released on May 7, 2014, titled "Show Me What You're Made Of." It premiered along with its music video, which parodied the film Happy Gilmore, and featured fellow rapper D-WHY and Tommy Lee from Mötley Crüe. The single was made available for purchase on iTunes and debuted as the No. 2 song overall.[41] Hoodie then made his television debut on Good Day Philadelphia playing an acoustic version of "Show Me What You're Made Of" after a short interview on May 15.[42]

To promote the album, Hoodie went on a world tour titled People Keeping Talking World Tour, this included shows in the US, Europe, Canada, and Australia, featuring artists Chiddy Bang and MAX. The tour began on October 29, 2014, at the Royal Oak Music Theater in Royal Oak, Michigan, and ran into June 2015.

After tweeting to bassist Pete Wentz about touring together, it was announced that Hoodie would be a special guest on the The Boys of Zummer Tour with co-headliners Fall Out Boy and Wiz Khalifa.[43]

2016–present: Happy Camper

On January 22, 2016, Hoodie released his second studio album, Happy Camper.[44] Leading up to its release, the eighth track, "Champagne and Pools" (featuring Blackbear and KYLE), and the album's lead single, "Are U Having Any Fun?" (featuring Meghan Tonjes), were released.[45][46] The lead single was also accompanied by its music video which followed the style of a video game similar to Grand Theft Auto V. Although the album was released for free, Happy Camper was also made available for download on iTunes peaking at No. 2 on the overall albums chart.[47]

Reception

In July 2011, Hoodie cracked the Top 10 of Billboards Uncharted Territory.[48] For the week of August 5, 2011, he was No. 2 on Billboards Uncharted Territory, with Billboard noting that his "growing popularity is undeniable."[13]

On April 10, 2012, Hoodie's All American EP went to No. 1 on the iTunes charts within hours of its release. All American also debuted at No. 10 on Billboard's Top Albums and was featured on its hip-hop and R&B column, The Juice.[49][50]

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[51]		 US R&B
[52]		 US Rap
[53]		 CAN
[54]		 GER
[55]		 SWI
[56]
People Keep Talking 8 2 2 24 65 68
Happy Camper 28 2 1 — — —
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Extended plays

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US CAN UK
All American 10[57] 16 64
Americoustic 29 42 —
All About It EP
  • Alternative European release to People Keep Talking
  • Released: October 14, 2014
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download
 — — —
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[58]		 Hip-Hop
US
[59]		 Rap
US
[60]
"You Are Not A Robot" 2010 — — — Pep Rally
"No Interruption" 2012 — — — All American
"No Faith In Brooklyn"
(featuring Jhameel)		 — — —
"Cake Boy" 2013 — — — Crew Cuts
"Fame Is For Assholes"
(featuring Chiddy)		 — — — Crew Cuts
"Make It Home"
(featuring Kina Grannis)		 — — — Non-album single
"No Interruption (Acoustic)" — — — Americoustic
"Show Me What You're Made Of" 2014 — — — People Keep Talking
"Movie" — — —
"Dumb for You" — — —
"All About It"
(featuring Ed Sheeran)		 71 — 13
"Let It All Work Out" 2015 — — — Non-album single
"The Moment"
(featuring Travis Garland)		 — — — Non-album single
"Champagne and Pools"
(featuring Blackbear and KYLE)		 — — — Happy Camper
"Are U Having Any Fun?"
(featuring Meghan Tonjes)		 2016 — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

  1. 1 2 "Hoodie Allen". iTunes. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  2. ↑ HJs @ SXSW 2011 – The Jewish Rappers of SXSW. Hipster Jew. March 14, 2011.
  3. ↑ Siegel, Joel (April 2012). When Steven Met Hoodie. The Pennsylvania Gazette.
  4. 1 2 O’Dell, Jolie. Former Googler, Current Rapper: Meet Hoodie Allen. Mashable. June 8, 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 Scott, Nathan. From Google to Tour Bus, Bay Area Rapper Carves New Career Path. The Bay Citizen. March 14, 2011.
  6. ↑ An Interview with Hoodie Allen: The Rapper You Should Be Talking About. W2FY. September 9, 2010.
  7. ↑ Meet the Artist: Hoodie Allen. The Kollection. March 14, 2011.
  8. ↑ Hoodie Allen nominated for MTVU's Best Music on Campus. Tipping Franklins.
  9. 1 2 TGLR Interview with Hoodie Allen. The Good Life. October 13, 2010.
  10. ↑ Djordje, Gasic. Mixtape: Hoodie Allen "rio life". Complex Magazine. July 26, 2011.
  11. ↑ Joseph, Matt. Interview With Hoodie Allen. February 27, 2011.
  12. ↑ Gamboa, Glenn. Video: Hoodie Allen's ‘Not a Robot’. Newsday. February 16, 2011.
  13. 1 2 Blistein, Jon. Uncharted Territory: Hoodie Allen Breaks Into The Top 5, Dionne Bromfield Holds Strong. Billboard. August 5, 2011.
  14. ↑ [FRESH!] Hoodie Allen -- The Chase Is On + Tour Dates. The Music Ninja. July 21, 2011.
  15. ↑ Billboard Bits: Pusha T Ends Lil Wayne Beef, Chiddy Bang Rock Out At SXSW. Billboard. March 16, 2011.
  16. ↑ Offitzer, Adam. Music for the Masses. Diamondback Online. April 14, 2011.
  17. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (March 5, 2012). "Big announcement time! The title of my upcoming EP is "All American"...". Twitter.
  18. 1 2 Cubarrubia, R.J. Hoodie Allen Goes Pro With Debut EP, 'All American'. Billboard. April 10, 2012.
  19. ↑ Hoodie Allen – "No Interruption" Video. The Smoking Section. March 29, 2012.
  20. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (March 29, 2012). "Hoodie Allen - "No Interruption" (Official Video)". wearehoodie. YouTube. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  21. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (April 9, 2012). "Hoodie Allen - "No Faith In Brooklyn (ft. Jhameel)" (Official Video)". wearehoodie. YouTube. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  22. ↑ Gamboa, Glenn. Hoodie Allen has iTunes No. 1 album. Newsday.
  23. ↑ "Hoodie Allen - Chart history". Billboard.
  24. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (March 12, 2012). "We're going to be giving away a lot of cool free swag to anyone who helps promote the tour..". Facebook.
  25. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (March 7, 2012). "Tickets On Sale This Friday...". Facebook.
  26. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (April 19, 2012). "Huge news! Touring the UK. Tickets on sale...". Facebook.
  27. ↑ "Hoodie Allen and G-Eazy Excellent Adventure Tour Dates and "Plastic Dreams" (feat. Johanna Fay)". This Is So Sick. July 26, 2012.
  28. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (November 20, 2012). "December 2012 tour dates". Facebook.
  29. ↑ Diep, Eric (February 13, 2013). "Watch the Exclusive Video Premiere of Hoodie Allen's "Cake Boy"". XXL.
  30. ↑ "Cake Boy - Single - Hoodie Allen". iTunes. February 11, 2013.
  31. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (February 17, 2013). "Yo! I will drop a brand new song and video with Chiddy Bang...". Facebook.
  32. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (February 18, 2013). "Hoodie Allen - "Fame Is For A*****es" feat. Chiddy (Official Video)". Youtube.
  33. ↑ Yaselli, Blas (February 18, 2013). "Hoodie Allen – Fame Is For Assholes (feat. Chiddy)". The Music Ninja.
  34. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (March 5, 2013). "Pittsburgh! Thank you for an amazing first night of tour". Twitter.
  35. ↑ Teicher, Jordan (April 17, 2013). "Can Twitter Make Hoodie Allen a Star?". Slate.
  36. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (July 11, 2013). "I'm heading to Europe for a September Tour!". Facebook.
  37. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (April 30, 2013). "In case you missed it, "Make It Home" is officially online!...". Facebook.
  38. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (May 15, 2013). "Here you go! "Make It Home" is now officially online...". Facebook.
  39. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (May 15, 2013). "Wow! Make it Home is #10 on the iTunes charts.". Facebook.
  40. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (August 13, 2013). "Holy crap! #4 overall and #1 on Hip Hop. Thank you for all the love lets keep climbing! #Americoustic". Twitter.
  41. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (May 8, 2014). "Calling fans who bought "Show Me" on iTunes". Twitter.
  42. ↑ "Hoodie Allen Brings His Acoustic Set To Good Day". My Fox Philly. May 15, 2014.
  43. ↑ Leight, Elias. "Fall Out Boy & Wiz Khalifa Announce Co-Headlining Summer Tour". Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  44. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (January 21, 2016). "My album #HappyCamper is out now!". Twitter.
  45. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (November 19, 2015). "NEW MUSIC: "Champagne and Pools" (feat. @iamblackbear & @SuperDuperKyle)". Twitter.
  46. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (January 19, 2016). "NEW MUSIC: "Are U Having Any Fun"". Twitter.
  47. ↑ Allen, Hoodie (January 22, 2016). "Yo #HappyCamper is #2 on iTunes!". Twitter.
  48. ↑ Bylin, Kyle. Uncharted Territory: Diggy Simmons Returns, The Knocks Feel "Sunshine". Billboard. July 7, 2011.
  49. ↑ Caulfield, Keith. Lionel Richie's 'Tuskegee' Album Hits No. 1 On Billboard 200. The Hollywood Reporter. April 19, 2012.
  50. ↑ "Hoodie Allen". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  51. ↑ "Hoodie Allen – Chart history: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  52. ↑ Invalid chart name entered Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums%5b%5bCategory:Articles using BillboardChartNum with invalid chart name%5d%5d "Hoodie Allen – Chart history: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums" Check |url= value (help). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  53. ↑ "Hoodie Allen – Chart history: Rap Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  54. ↑ "Hoodie Allen – Chart history: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  55. ↑ "Hoodie Allen discography". officialcharts.de. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  56. ↑ "Hoodie Allen discography". swisscharts.com. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  57. ↑ "Hoodie Allen". Billboard.com. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  58. ↑ Invalid chart name entered Billboard The Hot 100%5b%5bCategory:Articles using BillboardChartNum with invalid chart name%5d%5d "Hoodie Allen – Chart History: Billboard The Hot 100" Check |url= value (help). Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  59. ↑ Invalid chart name entered Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs%5b%5bCategory:Articles using BillboardChartNum with invalid chart name%5d%5d "Hoodie Allen – Chart History: Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" Check |url= value (help). Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  60. ↑ Invalid chart name entered Billboard Hot Rap Songs%5b%5bCategory:Articles using BillboardChartNum with invalid chart name%5d%5d "Hoodie Allen – Chart History: Billboard Hot Rap Songs" Check |url= value (help). Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
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