Elle Varner

Gabrielle Shellise Varner (born February 12, 1989), simply known as Elle Varner is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, model and actress. Her parents, Mikelyn Roderick and Jimmy Varner were publishers and songwriters. Elle signed a recording agreement with Sony Music in 2009. Her debut album Perfectly Imperfect was released on August 7, 2012. Two singles from the album were released: "Only Wanna Give It to You" and "Refill". The singles reached the top twenty on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 1989-2010: Early life and career beginnings 
Elle is of Cape Verdean descent. She is the daughter of Mikelyn Roderick and Jimmy Varner. They are publishers and songwriters.Introducing Elle Varner. Mbkentertainment.com. Retrieved on May 24, 2012. Roderick was a backing vocalist for Barry White and has written and recorded with Tevin Campbell and Rahsaan Patterson.Itunes Elle Varner Bio. itunes.com Retrieved on July 30, 2012 Jimmy Varner has done collaborations with Gerald Alston, Kool & the Gang, and Will Downing.

Elle began playing the flute at age 6 and the piano at age 9.  She grew up around recording studios because of her parents jobs. She attended Alexander Hamilton High School's Academy of Music's Vocal Jazz Group. She wrote songs while being there. One of which "Thankful" won the top prize at their talent show. Because of this, she was accepted in NYU's Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music.Biography . ellevarner.com. Retrieved on July 26, 2012. She graduated there in 2008. In October 2009, she signed a recording agreement with MBK/J-RCA Records along with an agreement with Sony Music. She became the first artist to be featured on BET's Music Matters campaign that same year.10 Things You Should Know About Elle Varner. Bet.com. Retrieved on May 24, 2012.

 2011–present: Perfectly Imperfect 
Elle's debut single "Only Wanna Give It to You" was released on August 6, 2011, from her debut album Perfectly Imperfect (2012). It features American rapper J. Cole. It got to number 20 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In October 2011, Elle was listed as one of TheBoomBox's "15 Artists to Watch".Elle Varner & J. Cole 'Settle Down' in New Video. Theboombox.com (October 4, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-05-24. On October 7, 2011, Elle was moved to RCA Records.

Elle released a mixtape Conversational Lush on January 23, 2012, as a promotion of her new album. The song "Refill" was released as the second single on January 31, 2012, on iTunes. It debuted at number 78 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Elle's debut album was released on August 7, 2012 and got to number three on the US Billboard 200 albums chart.

 Discography 

Studio albums
 Perfectly Imperfect (2012)

Mixtapes
 Conversational Lush (2012)

 References 

 Other websites 

 Elle Varner at last.fm
 Elle Varner Discography 

Category:1989 births

Category:Living people
Category:Singer-songwriters from Los Angeles
Category:Musicians from Los Angeles