Hip-Hop/Rap
Dru (Andrew Grange) grew up in Toronto and has passionately pursued his music career since 2001. The R&B/Soul Juno Award and MuchMusic Video Award winner’s major influences include Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, D’Angelo and Jay-Z. Dru released his debut solo album “The One” in 2008, and the album was rated 3.5 out of 4 stars by the critically acclaimed publication, Toronto Star. Dru’s presence was felt on Canada’s CHR/Top 40 and Hot AC stations in April 2008 when Dru was named CHUM’s Emerging Artist of the Month. Dru’s first three singles ‘The One’, ‘Stay with Me (Always)’ and ‘Seasons’ received strong rotation across the country, with videos for all three songs appearing on all major media outlets. In 2009 Dru climbed the Canadian radio and video charts in both Canada & the UK when he was the featured artist on the hit single “Runnin” by renowned DJ’s Doman & Gooding’s dance compilation. This single earned Dru yet another Juno Award nomination in 2010 for “Best Dance Recording of The Year” Dru has been identified by Billboard Magazine as one of the most Important Emerging Canadian Artists, and his debut solo release reinforces that he is “The Prince of the North”. Before becoming a solo artist, Dru was the front man for the R&B group “In Essence” that was then signed to Sony BMG Canada. The group went on to release the award winning album “The Master Plan” with hit songs such as “You’ll Never Find” which was also featured on Funk Master Flex’s gold selling “60 Minutes of Funk Vol. 4″ and quickly became a massive club hit in New York, Atlanta and Toronto. Currently based in Toronto, Dru is a force in the industry both as a performer and song writer. He has written such hits for other foreign recording artists such as multiplatinum Korean boy Band “Tohoshinki” who covered his song “Stay With Me Always” (Flower Lady) and he has the 2010 single for Japanese superstar Crystal Kay “Flash” which is also featured in the Japanese TV commercial for Canon’s latest camera. In April 2011 Dru moved on to completing his most significant deal to date, which was merging his own independant label (EFFORTLESS ENT) with Universal Music with plans to release his new solo album which was previously recorded in L.A and the Caribbean. After a year of dedicated and creative work Dru has managed to surface with a hit album that titillates any music lovers appetite with a perfect fusion of the old soulful R&B sounds that his fans know and love as well as a new and exciting sound that makes his long awaited album well worth the wait. Since the inception of Dru’s new upcoming album, he has managed to become even more focussed, diligent and passionate about the music he produces. Maintaining his drive, humility and class, Dru is poised to introduce a new brand and style to the R&B world.
Dru & Lincoln |
In Essence |
Andrew Granger |