Jeremih’s real name is Jeremih Felton. Jeremih is an American singer, songwriter, rapper and record producer. He was born on July 17, 1987 in Chicago, Illinois. His real full name is Jeremih Felton.
Quick Answer
Jeremih’s real name is Jeremih Felton. His full name is Jeremih Felton and he was born on July 17, 1987 in Chicago, Illinois.
Who is Jeremih?
Jeremih is an American R&B singer, songwriter, rapper and record producer. He is best known for his singles “Birthday Sex” and “Down on Me” which both reached the top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2009. His debut self-titled album Jeremih was released in June 2009 and reached number 6 on the US Billboard 200 chart. Jeremih has released 4 studio albums and his music is generally contemporary R&B with hip hop and pop influences.
Some key facts about Jeremih:
- Full name: Jeremih Felton
- Born: July 17, 1987 in Chicago, Illinois
- Genres: R&B, hip hop, pop
- First album: Jeremih (2009)
- Biggest hits: “Birthday Sex”, “Down on Me”
- Record label: Def Jam
Jeremih grew up on the North Side of Chicago and became involved in music at a young age, playing instruments like drums, piano and saxophone. He was encouraged by his mother who was a musician herself. In high school, Jeremih learned music production skills using programs like FL Studio and Logic Pro.
After graduating, Jeremih attended Columbia College Chicago where he honed his natural singing talent by performing open mics around the city. He was discovered by a record executive while performing at the Transistor music studio. This led to him signing with Def Jam Records in 2007.
The Meaning and Origins of His Stage Name
Jeremih’s stage name is pronounced the same as his given name, Jeremiah. However, he decided to change the spelling to “Jeremih” to differentiate his artist name.
In a 2009 interview with Vibe magazine, Jeremih explained the meaning behind the unique spelling:
“Well, I dropped the ‘a’ because I felt like that was more upbeat, more energetic. I wanted my music to reflect that…”
So he essentially changed the spelling to reflect the lively, rhythmic quality of his music compared to the more traditional “Jeremiah” spelling.
Jeremih didn’t reveal where exactly the alternate spelling came from or who originally suggested it. But changing up the spelling of names for artistic or branding purposes is quite common in the music industry. Overall, the unique “Jeremih” spelling helped the singer establish his own identity as an R&B artist.
What is Jeremih’s Real Name?
Jeremih’s full name given at birth was Jeremih Felton. He was born on July 17, 1987 in Chicago, Illinois.
Here are some key facts about his background and real name:
- Full name: Jeremih Felton
- Birthday: July 17, 1987
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Birth name: Jeremih Felton
- Also known as: Jeremih
- Ethnicity: African-American
There are no publicly known middle names or alternate versions of Jeremih’s real name. His legal name remains Jeremih Felton as shown on his birth certificate and other identifying documents.
Jeremih has never formally changed his name for legal purposes. The mononym “Jeremih” used for his music career is simply a stage name and not an official legal change of identity.
His Early Life and Upbringing in Chicago
Jeremih Felton was born in the year 1987 in Chicago, Illinois. He was raised on the city’s North Side, where he lived with his mother and family.
From an early age, Jeremih showed a passion and talent for music. He learned to play instruments including the saxophone, drums and piano while still in grade school. Jeremih was encouraged by his mother, a musician herself, who exposed him to the sounds of jazz legends like Quincy Jones and Nat King Cole.
During his teens, Jeremih attended Morgan Park High School. It was here that he continued honing his musical skills by participating in the school’s marching band as well as taking music lessons on piano and percussion.
After high school, Jeremih enrolled at Parkland College. However, he would soon transfer to Columbia College Chicago to pursue a music business degree. It was at Columbia College that Jeremih networked and performed at local venues before ultimately getting discovered.
Early Musical Experiences
From a young age, Jeremih gained experience with musical instruments and production:
- Played saxophone, drums and piano as a child
- Sang in school choirs and performed in talent shows
- Joined high school marching band playing percussion
- Learned music production using FL Studio and Logic Pro software during teens
- Beatboxed and freestyled rap on the side
- Recorded mixtapes with friends and performed at small venues
This early training paved the way for Jeremih’s future career as a singer, songwriter and producer.
Discovered at Columbia College Chicago
While studying music business at Columbia College, Jeremih networked around the Chicago urban music scene. He frequently performed at local venues hoping to get noticed.
The big break came when he was discovered singing at an open mic event at the Transistor music studio by talent scout Mikkey Halsted. Halsted introduced 19-year-old Jeremih to his manager, Def Jam CEO Antonio “L.A.” Reid, who was impressed by the young artist’s vocal style and production skills.
Jeremih was soon signed to a recording contract with Def Jam Records in 2007. This launched his professional music career leading to his debut album Jeremih in 2009.
Jeremih’s Music Career After Signing to Def Jam
After getting signed to Def Jam Records, Jeremih quickly rose to fame with the release of his first single “Birthday Sex” in 2009. His self-titled debut album Jeremih soon followed, led by the success of “Birthday Sex” reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Here’s an overview of Jeremih’s major releases over his music career:
| Album | Release Date | Top Songs |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremih | June 2009 | “Birthday Sex”, “Imma Star” |
| All About You | September 2010 | “Down on Me”, “All About You” |
| Late Nights | December 2015 | “Oui”, “Pass Dat” |
| Later That Night | September 2017 | “The Light” |
He has released a total of 4 studio albums so far along with several mixtapes and EPs. Jeremih’s biggest charting singles are “Down on Me” feat. 50 Cent (#6 Billboard Hot 100), “Birthday Sex” (#4), and “Don’t Tell ‘Em” feat. YG (#6).
In addition to his own recordings, Jeremih has frequently collaborated with other artists as a featured guest vocalist and producer. He has appeared on songs with Kanye West, J. Cole, Ty Dolla Sign and many more.
After over 15 years in the industry, Jeremih remains actively engaged in writing, recording and performing music across hip hop and contemporary R&B genres.
Why Jeremih Sometimes Goes by His Real Name
Although Jeremih is his well-known stage name, the artist still occasionally goes by his real name Jeremih Felton in certain professional or personal situations.
A few reasons why he may use his birth name Jeremih Felton rather than the mononym Jeremih:
- Legal documents like contracts require his full legal name
- Avoiding confusion when working with other artists named Jeremih
- Connecting with fans on a more personal level
- Distancing himself from the celebrity persona
- Reminding people of his identity outside music
So in summary, Jeremih tends to use his real full name Jeremih Felton in legal, collaborative and informal contexts. On albums, promotions and public appearances he uses the singular stage name Jeremih for consistency with his brand image.
But the name Jeremih Felton reflects his core identity as an artist and allows him to stay grounded despite fame. For fans, seeing both names reminds them that celebrities are real people too.
How Old is Jeremih and Where is He From?
Here are some key facts about Jeremih’s age and hometown:
- Age: Currently 35 years old
- Date of Birth: July 17, 1987
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
- Hometown: Chicago’s South Side
- Current Residence: Los Angeles, California
Jeremih was born in 1987 in the city of Chicago. He spent his childhood and teen years growing up in the South Side region of Chicago, which heavily influenced his music.
Now at 35 years old, Jeremih currently lives in Los Angeles for his music career. But he still returns regularly to Chicago which he considers his true hometown.
The Chicago background has always been a big part of Jeremih’s image and musical identity. He even named his debut album Jeremih as an homage to his hometown roots.
Key Events in Jeremih’s 35 Years:
- Born in Chicago, Illinois on July 17, 1987
- Studied music from childhood through high school
- Enrolled at Parkland College in 2005
- Transferred to Columbia College Chicago in 2006
- Signed recording contract with Def Jam in 2007
- Released debut single “Birthday Sex” in 2009 (age 21)
- Dropped first album Jeremih in 2009 (age 22)
- Moved to Los Angeles in early 2010s to pursue music career
- Continued releasing albums and singles through 2020s
- Now aged 35 living between Chicago and LA
So in summary, Jeremih was born and raised in Chicago but now lives bi-coastally to aid his music career while staying connected to his Midwest roots.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jeremih’s real name is Jeremih Felton. He was born Jeremih Felton on July 17, 1987 in Chicago, Illinois. The R&B singer chose the stage name “Jeremih” as a distinctive mononym for his music releases.
But Jeremih’s identity remains strongly tied to his hometown of Chicago where he was raised and first discovered as an artist. At now 35 years old, his illustrious career includes multiple hit albums and singles along with collaborations with top artists in pop, rap and R&B genres.
So in essence, behind the famous singular name Jeremih is the man Jeremih Felton – a talented musician proudly representing the city of Chicago for over 15 years and counting.
