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Josh Levi (singer)

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Josh Levi
Levi in 2024
Born
Joshua Levi Bolden

(1998-10-07) October 7, 1998 (age 26)
Houston, Texas
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
  • dancer
Known forFriday Night Lights, The X Factor USA

Joshua Levi Bolden (born October 7, 1998) is an American singer, actor, and dancer from Houston, Texas.[1][2] He first gained attention for his role in the NBC television series Friday Night Lights. He then attained further prominence as a finalist on the third season of The X Factor USA. Afterwards he made guest appearances on the Nickelodeon television shows The Thundermans and Game Shakers.

In 2021, he signed to Issa Rae's Raedio and Atlantic Records. In March 2022, Levi voiced the character of Aaron Z from the fictional boy band 4*Town in the Pixar animated film Turning Red. In April 2022, he earned his first Billboard Hot 100 charting hit with the Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell co-written "Nobody Like U" from the film's soundtrack, which peaked at number 49.[3]

Career

[edit]

2009-2019: Acting, The X Factor and Citizen Four

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Levi started his career with in 2009, when he landed the role of Darius Merriweather on the television series Friday Night Lights, which he starred in for two seasons.[1][4]

In 2013, he was a finalist on season 3[5] of the television series The X Factor USA.[6][7] After he was eliminated, Levi returned to the show to participate with the top 12 of the competition.[8][9][10] Levi then advanced to the final eight slots before he was eliminated for a second time.[11] In February 2014, Levi released his debut single "Trying to Find You".[12] In June 2014, he appeared at a DigiTour show in Dallas, Texas, in June.[13] He also performed at the outlets at Anthem tree lighting ceremony in Phoenix, Arizona,[14] and the Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles in November 2014.[15][16] In 2015, Levi toured with Aaron Carter;[17] and released an official cover of Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney's single, "FourFiveSeconds".[18] In 2016, Levi collaborated with American singers Niki and Gabi on a cover of "Work From Home" by Fifth Harmony.[19]

In early 2017, he formed a group named Citizen Four alongside Carson Boatman, Connor Boatman, and fellow The X Factor contestant, Austin Percario for Island Records.[20] In August 2017, it was announced that Levi had left the band.[21] That same year, he made a guest appearance on the Nickelodeon series The Thundermans.[22] In 2018, Levi made another Nickelodeon guest appearance on the television series Game Shakers.[23]

2019-present: Solo music career, college education and record deal

[edit]

Following his exit from the group Citizen Four, Levi shifted his full attention towards his education and solo ventures. In July 2019, he earned a Bachelor's degree of science in business and finance from Full Sail University. In July 2020, he released he first extended play DISC ONE.[24] In October 2020, he released the music video for his song "Don't They", which included a cameo by his childhood friend singer Normani. Celebrity photographer Blair Caldwell directed the music video in his directorial debut.[25][26]

In September 2021, Levi signed to Issa Rae's Raedio and Atlantic Records. He also released the song "NASA" and its music video.[27] In 2022, Levi voiced the character of Aaron Z from the fictional boy band 4*Town in the Pixar animated film Turning Red. In April 2022, he earned his first Billboard Hot 100 charting hit with the Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell co-written "Nobody Like U" from the film's soundtrack, which peaked at number 49.[3] In June 2022, Levi released the remix to his song "Don't They" featuring Normani, from his second extended play DISC TWO.[28] In May 12, 2023, Levi released the deluxe to his second extended play called DISC TWO (SCRATCHED UP) which features the viral hit single, "Birthday Dance". Levi also announced that he was working on his debut studio album.[29][30]

Filmography

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Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2009—11 Friday Night Lights Darius Merriweather 8 episodes
2016 Days of Our Lives DJ Episode: "#1.12833"
Royal Crush Jordan 6 episodes
NU Skool Records Mitchell Television short
2017 The Thundermans Drake Episode: "Date of Emergency"
2017 That's the Gag Waiter Episode: "Keke Gets Bad Press"
2018 Game Shakers Rick Episode: "Babe & the Boys" [31]

Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2009 I Pledge Allegiance... Lenny Short film
2010 Halo Legends Kid B (voice) Direct-to-video
2014 The Next Dance Young Tristian Direct-to-video
2017 School Spirits Mickey
2022 Turning Red Aaron Z. (4*Town) (voice) [32]

Discography

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EPs

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Title Details
DISC ONE
DISC TWO
DISC TWO (SCRATCHED UP)

Singles

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  • 2018: 98
  • 2018: Doorstep
  • 2018: Drive By
  • 2019: Seen It All
  • 2020: If The World
  • 2021: NASA
  • 2021: What's The Use (with Raedio)
  • 2022: VICES
  • 2022: Don't They [Remix] (feat. Normani)
  • 2023: EGO
  • 2023: BIRTHDAY DANCE

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Joey Guerra (October 1, 2013). "Houston's own Josh Levi sings, dances, acts and impresses 'X Factor' judges". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  2. ^ Brian DiMaio (February 17, 2014). "My Motto is to Stay Odd, And Run Your Own Race: A TDQ Q&A With Entertainer Josh Levi". The Daily Quarterly.
  3. ^ a b Lee, Cydney; Rouhani, Neena (April 20, 2022). "R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Rico Nasty, Josh Levi, Kay Flock & More". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  4. ^ "Josh Levi - Filmography". The Movies Made Me Do It. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  5. ^ "X Factor USA 2013 Top 12 Recap: Wild Card Twist Gets Josh Levi Return on Fox Show". International Business Times. November 7, 2013.
  6. ^ "He's Got the Moves Like MJ: Music Sensation Josh Levi Opens-Up!". The Levity Ball. January 24, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  7. ^ "Josh Levi Talks Creating His Own Creative Vision For His Debut Project". Wonderland. January 7, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  8. ^ Katy Kroll (November 7, 2013). "X-Factor Recap: Paulina Rubio Brings Back Josh Levi in Surprise Move". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  9. ^ Elisabeth Kramer (November 6, 2013). "X Factor 2013: Josh Levi Brought Back as a Wildcard!". Wet Paint. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  10. ^ Wade Rouse (November 14, 2013). "The X Factor: Josh Levi Is 'Straight Up' the Star of the Night". People. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  11. ^ Jason Hughes (November 28, 2013). "'The X Factor': Josh Levi Impresses With Strong Take On Bruno Mars, Dedicates It To His Grandma". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  12. ^ Haley Longman (February 14, 2014). "OK! Exclusive: Listen to The X Factor's Josh Levi's Romantic Debut Single!". OK Magazine. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  13. ^ Brandon Thibodeaux (June 8, 2014). "Stars of YouTube Take to the Stage". The New York Times.
  14. ^ "Before You Exit, Josh Levi, Christina Grimmie perform at Anthem tree lighting ceremony". Your West Valley. November 12, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  15. ^ "The 13th Annual Citadel Tree Lighting Concert". KTTV. November 5, 2014. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  16. ^ Scarlett Zhiqi Chen (November 6, 2014). "The Brightest Nights of the Year". Los Angeles Magazine. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  17. ^ "Josh Levi comes to UK with Aaron Carter". Music News. January 4, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  18. ^ Mike Sanford. "X-Factor star Josh Levi covers Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney's "Four Five Seconds"". Heed Magazine. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  19. ^ Work from Home- Fifth Harmony COVER by Niki and Gabi ft. Josh Levi, June 17, 2016, retrieved October 29, 2023
  20. ^ Milazzo, Crissy (May 19, 2017). "Meet Citizen Four, Your Next Favorite Boy Band". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  21. ^ "Rising Boy Band Citizen Four Talks Destiny's Child-Sampling Single 'My Name (Say It)' & Getting Approval From Beyonce". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  22. ^ "Josh Levi". IMDb. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  23. ^ "Game Shakers" Babe & the Boys (TV Episode 2018) - IMDb, retrieved June 6, 2022
  24. ^ "'The X Factor' Alum Josh Levi Drops New EP & Reveals How He Plans To 'Make Waves' In Music & Beyond". Hollywood Life. July 1, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  25. ^ Mangum, Trey (October 2, 2020). "Josh Levi Debuts 'Don't They' Video Starring Normani and Directed by Blair Caldwell". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  26. ^ "Exclusive: Normani Stars In Josh Levi's Sultry Music Video "Don't They"". Wonderland. October 2, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  27. ^ "Josh Levi Signs to Issa Rae's Raedio, Shares New Song 'NASA'". Rated R&B. September 7, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  28. ^ "Josh Levi Talks Normani Collaboration, 'Disc Two' EP: Interview". Rated R&B. June 6, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  29. ^ Samuels, Keithan (May 13, 2023). "Josh Levi Releases 'Disc Two (Scratched Up)' EP". Rated R&B. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  30. ^ Baker, Josh (December 29, 2023). "Josh Levi On Viral Moments and Working On His Debut Album". EBONY. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  31. ^ "Benjamin Flores Jr. & Thomas Kuc's Epic Episode Recap Fail | Game Shakers | Nickelodeon". Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  32. ^ "INTERVIEW - The Voices of 4*Town in 'Turning Red' Jordan Fisher, Grayson Villanueva, Josh Levi & Topher Ngo | POC Culture". March 11, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
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