* En anglais uniquement
August 08 appeared to be a left-of-center R&B newcomer when he debuted as a recording artist in 2018, but he was well-known behind the scenes, most notably as a co-writer of
DJ Khaled's number one pop hit "I'm the One." A former affiliate of
88rising -- with whom he scored the gold-certified single "Midsummer Madness" --
August 08 is unflinchingly introspective with his own output, which includes the EP-length releases
Father (2018),
Happy Endings with an Asterisk (2019), and
Emotional Cuh (2020), and singles for
Def Jam.
Also an arranger, producer, and experienced background vocalist,
August 08 was a late bloomer and a quick study. The Los Angeles native was inspired to learn multiple instruments and compose after hearing
Dwele's 2008 cover of
Bobby Caldwell's "Open Your Eyes."
August's earliest efforts were credited on several releases, under the names August Grant and Ray Jacobs, across 2016 and 2017. During this period, his most popular work was heard on
Wale's "Fashion Week" and
DJ Khaled's "I'm the One," the latter a number one pop hit in the U.S. and a chart-topper elsewhere. In February 2018,
August was featured on
Rich Brian's
Amen album, and then he released "Funeral," his debut single. These recordings, the subsequent hit "Midsummer Madness," and the quick-to-follow
Father EP established his partnership with the management, marketing, label, and artist collective
88rising. After
Happy Endings with an Asterisk and
Emotional Cuh were issued through
88rising,
August struck a deal with
Def Jam. His next move was the single "Keep Me Around," trailed by a cover of
James Blake's "Retrograde." Both tracks were out toward the end of 2021. ~ Andy Kellman