Ashley Nicolette Frangipane chose an anagram of her first name as her stage name. Since then, we know her as Halsey. She started her career like so many others, by uploading covers on YouTube. But unlike so many others, she succeeded in becoming massively popular with her own songs as well. New Americana, off her debut album Badlands, was her first worldwide hit, in 2015.

Less than five years later, she released her third long-player Manic. 3AM is my favourite track on it. A tune full of ’90s rock nostalgia and killer drums, played by  by Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith.

The song, which details Halsey’s insecurities after a night of drinking, ends with a voicemail message. It says: “Your best song is the song that’s currently on the radio. How many people can say that? That their best song was the one that’s currently about to be a massive hit. It’s already a hit. It’s just gonna get more massive. How many people can say it? Not very many. Congratulations!” On twitter, the singer revealed this was a real voicemail, left by… John Mayer. In his message, he predicted the success of her single Without Me, before it was a hit. It went on to become her biggest single yet.

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Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.