Ray Dalton

Ray Dalton (born May 10, 1991) is an American singer and songwriter based in Seattle, Washington. He began his career as a gospel and R&B singer.[1] Dalton gained prominence as the featured singer on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' 2011 hit song "Can't Hold Us", which gained popularity when it was re-released as a single in early 2013.[1] The song was certified platinum in the U.S. in April 2013.[2] He has won two MTV Video Music Awards.[3]

For the New Zealand rugby union player, see Ray Dalton (rugby union).
Ray Dalton
Ray Dalton in 2010
Background information
Born (1991-05-10) May 10, 1991
Washington, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2011–present
Associated acts
Websitewww.raydalton.com

Life and career

Dalton's mother is Mexican American and his father is African American.[2] He began singing at the age of 6 on the advice of his music teacher, joining the Seattle Children's Choir. He continued to sing through high school. He has described himself as a fan of Fleetwood Mac.[2] Dalton spent his senior year in high school listening to Missy Elliott, Amy Winehouse, and Kanye West, according to an interview with MTV News.[2]

Aside from music, Dalton is a tennis player who has worked as a tennis instructor.[1] He gave up teaching tennis following the success of "Can't Hold Us" to pursue a full-time career as a musician.[1] Dalton sings in the Total Experience Gospel Choir of Seattle, as of 2013.[1]

Dalton's work drew the attention of producer Ryan Lewis, who had heard Dalton's singing on a song for another artist.[1] Lewis reached out to Dalton via Facebook.[1] Dalton soon began collaborating with Lewis and Macklemore in the studio.[1] The first song the trio worked on together was Macklemore's and Lewis' 2011 single, Wings.[1]

In June 2012, Dalton released his first single, So Emotional,[4] which was mixed by Ryan Lewis. He also announced he was working on his 'own project' to be called The Dalton Show.[5]

Dalton, Lewis and Macklemore created the hook for "Can't Hold Us" in one day.[1] Dalton shot his scenes for the single's music video while on tour in New Zealand in March 2013.

Discography

Singles

As lead artist
Year Title Album
2012 "So Emotional" Non-album singles
2017 "If You Fall"
2018 "Bass Down"
2020 "In My Bones"
Year Title Peak chart positions Album
US
[6]		 AUS
[7]		 BEL
(Fl)
[8]		 BEL
(Wa)
[9]		 DEN
[10]		 FRA
[11]		 NOR
[12]		 NZ
[13]		 SWE
[14]		 SWI
[15]		 UK
[16]
2010 "Kingdom Come"
(Dyno Jamz featuring Ray Dalton)		 ——————————— Dyno Jamz
2011 "Can't Hold Us"
(Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton)		 11224344143 The Heist
"Whisper"
(Camila Recchio featuring Ray Dalton)[17]		 ——————————— Non-album singles
2012 "Need Your Love"
(Sol featuring Ray Dalton)		 ———————————
2014 "Visceral"
(John Mark McMillan featuring Ray Dalton)		 ——————————— The Borderland Sessions
2015 "Don't Worry"
(Madcon featuring Ray Dalton)		 —8225525242814854 Non-album singles
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

References
  1. Unterberger, Andrew (2013-03-22). "Talking Tennis, Rachael Ray and "Can't Hold Us" with Macklemore Hook Man Ray Dalton". Popdust. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  2. Thomas, Rebecca (2013-04-30). "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' 'Can't Hold Us': Decoding The Hook! Ray Dalton, the 22-year-old crooner behind the catchy chorus, talks to MTV News about the Seattle duo, that epic video and a few baffling lyrics". MTV News. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  3. Willis, Kim (2013-08-26). "MTV VMAs: The winners and nominees". USATODAY. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
  4. So Emotional - Ray Dalton (Bandcamp)
  5. RayDalton.com - Biography Archived 2013-05-31 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Peak positions for singles in the US:
  7. Hung, Steffen. "Discography Ray Dalton". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  8. Hung, Steffen. "Discografie Ray Dalton". Belgium (Flanders) Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  9. Hung, Steffen. "Discographie Ray Dalton". Belgium (Wallonia) Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  10. Hung, Steffen. "Discography Ray Dalton". Danish Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  11. Hung, Steffen. "Discographie Ray Dalton". French Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  12. Hung, Steffen. "Discographie Ray Dalton". Norwegian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  13. Hung, Steffen. "Discography Ray Dalton". New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  14. Hung, Steffen. "Discography Ray Dalton". Swedish Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  15. Hung, Steffen. "Discographie Ray Dalton". Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  16. Peak positions in the United Kingdom:
  17. "Camila Recchio - Whisper (feat. Ray Dalton) Official Music Video". YouTube. 2011-12-28. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
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