Biography
Bryce Vine merges pop, rap, and alternative rock elements as a rapper and singer whose output features clever, reflective lyrics alongside memorable choruses. His rhyme patterns alternate between easygoing and razor-sharp, laced with understated humor and offhand commentary on intimate bonds, such as the 2018 breakthrough hit "Drew Barrymore," along with observations of everyday surroundings, as captured in 2014's "Sour Patch Kids," his earliest online success. Productions frequently incorporate guitar while upending hip-hop norms through unusual melodic choices. Following notable independent achievements, he secured a major-label contract that facilitated the 2019 arrival of his first full-length album, Carnival. He sustained momentum by issuing a consistent series of singles that probed contrasting sonic textures and emotional registers, among them the self-aggrandizing rap cut "Nobody," the arrogant breakup number "y can't we b friends," and the mordantly humorous socio-political pop track "American Dream," all appearing inside a six-month window during 2022.
Bryce Vine entered the world as Bryce Ross-Johnson in New York City on June 16, 1988. Actress Tracey Ross served as his mother while restaurateur Brad Johnson was his father. At age ten Vine relocated with his mother to Los Angeles so she could advance her career while raising her son. In 1999 she obtained a starring part on the daytime drama Passions, and the character remained on the series through 2008. That accomplishment enabled the family to establish roots in the L.A. suburb of Westlake Village, and observing his mother on set prompted the young Vine to contemplate an artistic vocation. His father imparted a fondness for vintage R&B, and at age 13 Vine's parents presented him with a guitar that he learned to play independently. Beyond '90s R&B, he drew strong inspiration from pop-punk and alternative rock, particularly Green Day and Third Eye Blind.
Over time Vine refined his skills as a vocalist and songwriter, making his recording debut in 2010 via a featured appearance on G-Eazy's track "Coming Home." Encouraged by relatives and peers, he tried out for The Glee Project in 2011, the reality series created to cast performers for the then-popular television program Glee. Although accepted into the show's inaugural season, Vine was eliminated during the opening episode; he later expressed satisfaction with the result, informing a reporter, "That was not the right place for me." He maintained focus on music by enrolling at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. During his Berklee years he connected with Nolan Lambroza, who was gaining recognition as a producer through collaborations with the likes of Lil Wayne, Pitbull, and Justin Bieber. Lambroza recognized Vine's abilities and placed him on his independent imprint, Kiva House Lambroza.
Vine issued his debut EP, the six-song Lazy Fair (a pun on the French phrase "laissez-faire," also the name of a boat belonging to his parents), in 2014. The project yielded two online successes, "Sour Patch Kids" and "Guilty Pleasure," which respectively accumulated more than 11 million and five million streams. In 2015 Bryce lampooned hardcore rap tropes on "The Thug Song," a recording constructed around a Green Day sample that blocked its commercial release. A second EP, Night Circus, appeared in 2016. The following year Vine released the single "Drew Barrymore," which achieved hit status upon its 2018 reissue and ultimately attained double Platinum status. Early 2019 single "La La Land" (with YG) likewise entered the Billboard Hot 100 (and received Platinum certification), while debut full-length Carnival landed in July and reached the upper half of the Billboard 200 album chart. Alongside Carnival, Vine also put out the 2019 single "I'm Not Alright" with Loud Luxury, which earned a Gold plaque. February 2020 saw Vine return with the single "Baby Girl" (featuring Jeremih), which climbed to Number 29 on the pop charts. The five-song EP Problems emerged in August 2020 and included the tracks "Life Goes On" and "Problems," the latter featuring Grady. A partnership with the indie electronic group Cheat Codes produced the single "Stay," which also appeared on the Cheat Codes' 2021 LP, Hellraisers, Pt. 1. A further collaboration with a prominent electronic dance-pop act occurred in 2022 when Vine appeared on "Water," a single from U.K. duo Snakehips. (Three remix versions, from Ferreck Dawn, Quarterhead, and Torren Foot, were released concurrently with the original track.) Vine's prolific release pace persisted as he unveiled three additional major singles, "American Dream," "y can't we b friends," and "Nobody," during the first six months of 2022.
Bryce Vine entered the world as Bryce Ross-Johnson in New York City on June 16, 1988. Actress Tracey Ross served as his mother while restaurateur Brad Johnson was his father. At age ten Vine relocated with his mother to Los Angeles so she could advance her career while raising her son. In 1999 she obtained a starring part on the daytime drama Passions, and the character remained on the series through 2008. That accomplishment enabled the family to establish roots in the L.A. suburb of Westlake Village, and observing his mother on set prompted the young Vine to contemplate an artistic vocation. His father imparted a fondness for vintage R&B, and at age 13 Vine's parents presented him with a guitar that he learned to play independently. Beyond '90s R&B, he drew strong inspiration from pop-punk and alternative rock, particularly Green Day and Third Eye Blind.
Over time Vine refined his skills as a vocalist and songwriter, making his recording debut in 2010 via a featured appearance on G-Eazy's track "Coming Home." Encouraged by relatives and peers, he tried out for The Glee Project in 2011, the reality series created to cast performers for the then-popular television program Glee. Although accepted into the show's inaugural season, Vine was eliminated during the opening episode; he later expressed satisfaction with the result, informing a reporter, "That was not the right place for me." He maintained focus on music by enrolling at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. During his Berklee years he connected with Nolan Lambroza, who was gaining recognition as a producer through collaborations with the likes of Lil Wayne, Pitbull, and Justin Bieber. Lambroza recognized Vine's abilities and placed him on his independent imprint, Kiva House Lambroza.
Vine issued his debut EP, the six-song Lazy Fair (a pun on the French phrase "laissez-faire," also the name of a boat belonging to his parents), in 2014. The project yielded two online successes, "Sour Patch Kids" and "Guilty Pleasure," which respectively accumulated more than 11 million and five million streams. In 2015 Bryce lampooned hardcore rap tropes on "The Thug Song," a recording constructed around a Green Day sample that blocked its commercial release. A second EP, Night Circus, appeared in 2016. The following year Vine released the single "Drew Barrymore," which achieved hit status upon its 2018 reissue and ultimately attained double Platinum status. Early 2019 single "La La Land" (with YG) likewise entered the Billboard Hot 100 (and received Platinum certification), while debut full-length Carnival landed in July and reached the upper half of the Billboard 200 album chart. Alongside Carnival, Vine also put out the 2019 single "I'm Not Alright" with Loud Luxury, which earned a Gold plaque. February 2020 saw Vine return with the single "Baby Girl" (featuring Jeremih), which climbed to Number 29 on the pop charts. The five-song EP Problems emerged in August 2020 and included the tracks "Life Goes On" and "Problems," the latter featuring Grady. A partnership with the indie electronic group Cheat Codes produced the single "Stay," which also appeared on the Cheat Codes' 2021 LP, Hellraisers, Pt. 1. A further collaboration with a prominent electronic dance-pop act occurred in 2022 when Vine appeared on "Water," a single from U.K. duo Snakehips. (Three remix versions, from Ferreck Dawn, Quarterhead, and Torren Foot, were released concurrently with the original track.) Vine's prolific release pace persisted as he unveiled three additional major singles, "American Dream," "y can't we b friends," and "Nobody," during the first six months of 2022.
Singles
