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Jacob Lee-Nicholas Sullenger (born December 23, 1995), known professionally as Jawny (stylized in all caps; formerly Johnny Utah), is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He first received recognition after the release of his 2019 single "Honeypie" and was signed to Interscope Records in January 2020. He made his major-label debut with the mixtape For Abby.

Early life and education

Sullenger was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He first learned how to play guitar at the age of 6 and began composing songs in his early teens. He briefly attended college where he studied nursing but dropped out to pursue music. He also managed a pizzeria in New Jersey to pay bills.

Career

At the age of 20 in 2016, Sullenger moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he began making music under the alias Johnny Utah. The pseudonym was a reference to Keanu Reeves' character in the 1991 film Point Break.

In January 2018, he released a self-titled EP via Z Tapes Records. He released several more singles that year, including "Folding Like Honey", "Patty", and "Crazy for Your Love". His songs also appeared on Spotify's "Bedroom Pop" playlist. In November 2018, the tracks were compiled by Z Tapes Records into a second EP entitled Big Dogs.

In April 2019, he released the single "Honeypie", which was later featured on Spotify's "Fresh Finds" and "Ultimate Indie" playlists. That exposure led to the song accruing millions of streams on the platform.

Sullenger was signed to Interscope Records in January 2020 and around that time changed his stage name to Jawny, a reference to a Philadelphia slang term. He also relocated to Los Angeles, California.

In February 2020, he released the single "Anything You Want". He released his Interscope debut project, For Abby, in October 2020. Jawny described the 10-track project as a mixtape rather than an EP. One of the collection's singles, "Sabotage", premiered at number 34 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart in January 2021.

Personal life

Sullenger was in a romantic relationship with rapper and singer Doja Cat from August 2019 to February 2020.

Discography

Albums

Mixtapes

Extended plays

Singles

References

1. ^ "Jawny – 'For Abby' review: one of lockdown's most innovative and colourful bedroom pop projects". NME. October 28, 2020.
2. "Jacob Leenicholas Sullenger, Born 12/23/1995 in California". California Birth Index. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
3. "Fort Mill High School to award 419 diplomas". Herald Online. Fort Mill Times. June 6, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
4. ^ Ginsberg, Gab (February 14, 2020). "New Interscope Signee Jawny on Why He Won't Just Be Another 'Viral' Moment". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
5. Sullenger, Jacob (interviewee) (April 5, 2020). Jawny - Love Boy Pop Music From Los Angeles (Portrait) (Video). Diffus. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
6. Titelbaum, Benny (November 6, 2019). "Indie rockstars Goth Babe and Johnny Utah kickoff CU's Homecoming week". CU Independent. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
7. London, Dianca (February 1, 2018). "The Deli Philly's February Record of the Month: Johnny Utah – Johnny Utah". The Deli Magazine. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
8. "New Track: "Folding Like Honey" - Johnny Utah". The Deli Magazine. May 1, 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
9. Wetmore, Brendan (November 20, 2018). "Johnny Utah Will Never Stop Clowning Around". Paper. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
10. "New Johnny Utah EP Available for Streaming & Purchase". The Deli Magazine. November 28, 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
11. La, Michelle (April 25, 2019). "Johnny Utah is breaking out of his bedroom in "Honeypie"". EarMilk. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
12. Wang, Amy X. (February 27, 2020). "How Do You Get a Hit Song? Spotify Says to Pitch It". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
13. ^ La, Michelle (March 2, 2020). "Jawny will do "Anything You Want" and we love him for it". Earmilk. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
14. Scott, Ruby (October 27, 2020). "JAWNY Delivers a High-Spirited Mixtape in Major Label Debut 'For Abby'". Ones to Watch. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
15. Aubrey, Elizabeth (October 28, 2020). "Jawny – 'For Abby' review: one of lockdown's most innovative and colourful bedroom pop projects". NME. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
16. ^ "JAWNY SHARES NEW TRACK 'SABOTAGE'". DIY Magazine. August 7, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
17. ^ "Alternative Airplay". Billboard. January 23, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
18. Wetmote, Brendan (December 10, 2020). "JAWNY Opens Up About How His Split From Doja Cat Changed His Album". Elite Daily. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
19. "Interview: Jawny tells the other side of 'For Abby' with 'The Story of Hugo'". RIFF Magazine. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
20. Young, Martyn (July 19, 2021). "Jawny: "I don't want to be the hottest flavour of the month" | Dork". readdork.com. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
21. "American certifications – Jawny". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
22. Wetmore, Brendan (December 12, 2019). "Watch Johnny Utah Pivot to Bodybuilding in '4Tounce'". Paper. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
23. Legittino, Joey (September 21, 2020). "JAWNY's "Super Bad Mantra" Is a Masterpiece Years in the Making". Ones to Watch. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
24. "JAWNY taps Beck for new version of "take it back": Stream". Consequence. June 17, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.

External links

• Official website

• 1995 births
• Living people
• Interscope Records artists
• Singers from Pennsylvania
• Singers from California
• Record producers from Los Angeles
• Record producers from Pennsylvania
• Songwriters from California
• Songwriters from Pennsylvania
• American indie pop musicians
• Musicians from Philadelphia
• 21st-century American singers
• Bedroom pop musicians
• American alternative rock singers
• American alternative rock musicians
• American male pop singers