Raymond A. Dalton[1] (born May 10, 1991) is an American singer and songwriter based in Seattle, Washington. He began his career as a gospel and R&B singer.[2] Dalton gained prominence as the featured singer on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' 2011 hit song "Can't Hold Us", which gained popularity when it was re-released as a single in early 2013.[2] The song was certified platinum in the U.S. in April 2013.[3] He has won two MTV Video Music Awards.[4]
Ray Dalton | |
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![]() Ray Dalton in 2010 | |
Background information | |
Born | (1991-05-10) May 10, 1991 (age 31) Seattle, Washington |
Genres |
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Occupation(s) |
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Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Years active | 2011–present |
Website | www |
Dalton's mother is Mexican American and his father is African American.[3] He began singing at the age of 6 on the advice of his music teacher, joining the Seattle Children's Choir. He continued to sing through high school. He has described himself as a fan of Fleetwood Mac.[3] Dalton spent his senior year in high school listening to Missy Elliott, Amy Winehouse, and Kanye West, according to an interview with MTV News.[3]
Aside from music, Dalton is a tennis player who has worked as a tennis instructor.[2] He gave up teaching tennis following the success of "Can't Hold Us" to pursue a full-time career as a musician.[2] Dalton sings in the Total Experience Gospel Choir of Seattle, as of 2013.[2]
Dalton's work drew the attention of producer Ryan Lewis, who had heard Dalton's singing on a song for another artist.[2] Lewis reached out to Dalton via Facebook.[2] Dalton soon began collaborating with Lewis and Macklemore in the studio.[2] The first song the trio worked on together was Macklemore's and Lewis' 2011 single, "Wings".[2]
In June 2012, Dalton released his first single, So Emotional,[5] which was mixed by Ryan Lewis. He also announced he was working on his 'own project' to be called The Dalton Show.[6]
Dalton, Lewis and Macklemore created the hook for "Can't Hold Us" in one day.[2] Dalton shot his scenes for the single's music video while on tour in New Zealand in March 2013.
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AUT [7] |
BEL (Fl) [8] |
BEL (Wa) [9] |
CRO [10] |
CZE [11] |
FRA [12] |
GER [13] |
POL [14] |
SVK [15] |
SWI [16] | ||||
"So Emotional" | 2012 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | |
"If You Fall" | 2017 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Bass Down" | 2018 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"In My Bones" | 2020 | — | 13 | 44 | 26 | 2 | 83 | — | 2 | 2 | — | ||
"Good Times Hard Times" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"If You're Tired" (with Connor Duermit) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Don't Make Me Miss You" | 2021 | — | —[upper-alpha 1] | —[upper-alpha 2] | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | ||
"Melody" (with Vinai) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Manila" (with Álvaro Soler) |
15 | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | 37 | 1 | 19 | |||
"The Best Is Yet to Come" | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Call It Love" (with Felix Jaehn)[23] |
53 | — | — | — | — | — | 38 | 16 | — | 29 | |||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [24] |
AUS [25] |
BEL (Fl) [8] |
BEL (Wa) [9] |
DEN [26] |
FRA [12] |
NOR [27] |
NZ [28] |
SWE [29] |
SWI [16] |
UK [30] | ||||
"Kingdom Come" (Dyno Jamz featuring Ray Dalton) |
2010 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Dyno Jamz | |
"Can't Hold Us" (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton) |
2011 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 3 | The Heist | |
"Whisper" (Camila Recchio featuring Ray Dalton)[37] |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
"Need Your Love" (Sol featuring Ray Dalton) |
2012 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Visceral" (John Mark McMillan featuring Ray Dalton) |
2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | The Borderland Sessions | |
"Don't Worry" (Madcon featuring Ray Dalton) |
2015 | — | 82 | 10 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 28 | 14 | 8 | 54 | Non-album singles | |
"Stronger" (Arty featuring Ray Dalton) |
2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Glorious | |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |
Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
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"Believe" | 2018 | Alex Aldea, Camila Recchio | The First Mrs. Claus |
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Singles | |
Featured singles |
Authority control ![]() |
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