Danielle Leigh Curiel, better known as DaniLeigh, was born on December 20, 1994. She is a gifted American singer and songwriter who initially rose to fame as a backup dancer.
DaniLeigh began sharing cover songs on YouTube and later moved to Los Angeles, California, where she choreographed for various artists and displayed her dancing talent.
Her major breakthrough occurred when she worked with Prince on the music video for his popular song “Breakfast Can Wait.”
In 2017, she signed with Def Jam Recordings and began releasing mixtapes and singles through the label.
FACTS ABOUT DANILEIGH
- FULL NAME: Danielle Leigh Curiel
- DATE OF BIRTH: December 20, 1994
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Miami, Florida, U.S
- NATIONALITY: American
- OCCUPATIONS: Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Dancer
- LABELs: Def Jam
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Danielle Leigh Curiel, born on December 20, 1994, in Miami, Florida, comes from a Dominican background.
Her passion for music ignited early in life, influenced by artists such as Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Drake, and Rihanna.
DaniLeigh began taking dance lessons at the age of 12 and started to explore her singing talent at 14, although she initially kept her vocal skills to herself due to her shyness.
It was only after receiving encouraging feedback that she began to build her confidence.
She showcased her early artistry by posting covers on YouTube, including Musiq Soulchild’s “SoBeautiful.”
CAREER
Her career took off when she moved to Los Angeles, California, where she worked as a backup dancer for popular artists like Pharrell Williams and Nelly Furtado, which helped her establish important industry connections.
She also pursued music with her sister in the pop duo Curly Fryz.
At just 18, DaniLeigh received a personal invitation from the legendary Prince to direct the music video for his popular song “Breakfast Can Wait.”
This collaboration initiated a mentorship that lasted until Prince’s death in 2016.
DaniLeigh’s music career began to flourish with the release of her empowering single “Play” in 2017, featuring the well-known Mexican-American rapper Kap G.
Shortly after, she signed with Def Jam Recordings and released her EP “Summer with Friends” the same year, followed by “The Plan” in 2018, which included collaborations with prominent rappers such as YG, Lil Yachty, and Lil Baby.
Among her other significant singles are “Lil Bebe,” featuring Lil Baby, and “Easy,” featuring Chris Brown.
She also made a guest appearance in Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hot Girl Summer” music video and contributed choreography to DaBaby’s “BOP on Broadway” video.
In January 2021, DaniLeigh issued an apology for a social media post showcasing a snippet of her song “Yellow Bone,” which received criticism for allegedly promoting colorism.
PERSONAL LIFE
In November 2021, her relationship with rapper DaBaby ended.
This news came shortly after she shared an emotional Instagram post on July 17, announcing her pregnancy with their child.
The couple welcomed their daughter, Velour, on August 11, 2021.
Unfortunately, on May 30, 2023, DaniLeigh encountered legal issues when she was arrested in Miami Beach.
The charges were related to a serious incident in which she was accused of driving under the influence and causing a hit-and-run incident involving a moped rider.