Jeremih is an American R&B singer-songwriter, rapper and producer from Chicago, United States. Born Jeremy Phillip Felton in 1987, he begins playing drums at the age of three and also plays saxophone, piano and keyboards, as well as several percussion instruments including congas and timbales.

Early life and education

Jeremih attends Morgan Park High School, where he performs in both the marching band and a Latin jazz band. He earns academic honours there and graduates a year early. He then studies at the University of Illinois and Parkland College in Urbana-Champaign, spending a semester on engineering before turning towards music. In 2007 he transfers to Columbia College Chicago to study music business.

While at Columbia College Chicago, he performs a Ray Charles tribute at a talent show and receives positive feedback, which leads him to realise his vocal ability. He also works with guidance from his cousin Willie Taylor of Day26 and producer Mick Schultz, whom he meets at college.

Recording career

Jeremih releases his debut single, “Birthday Sex”, in 2009. The song reaches number four on the Billboard Hot 100. His self-titled debut album follows in 2009 and debuts at number six on the Billboard 200. His second studio album, All About You, arrives in 2010 and includes guest appearances from Ludacris and 50 Cent.

He later confirms work on a third album originally titled Thumpy Johnson and releases his first mixtape, Late Nights with Jeremih, in 2012. After the collaborative EP No More with producer Shlohmo, he changes the album title to Late Nights: The Album and also issues the EP N.O.M.A [Not on My Album] in the same period. Late Nights: The Album is eventually released in 2015 and features J. Cole, YG, Ty Dolla $ign, Migos, Future, Big Sean, Feather, Juicy J, Twista and Jhené Aiko.

Later releases and collaborations

In 2016, Jeremih confirms a fourth album title, Later That Night, as part of the Late Nights series. That year he also releases Late Nights: Europe and tours with PARTYNEXTDOOR, although he is later removed from the tour amid issues between them. By the end of the year, he collaborates with Chance the Rapper on the Christmas project Merry Christmas Lil Mama, which is reissued with new tracks in 2017 and 2020.

In 2017, he releases “I Think of You” featuring Chris Brown and Big Sean. He follows this with the EP Cinco De MihYo and then The Chocolate Box in 2018. Later in 2018, he releases the collaborative album MihTy with Ty Dolla $ign.

Health

In 2020, Jeremih is hospitalised in Chicago after testing positive for COVID-19. He is reported to be on a ventilator in intensive care, later comes off the ventilator, moves out of intensive care and is released from hospital in December.

Style and genre

His work is associated with alternative R&B, contemporary R&B, pop rap, soul and wonky, and he is also described as an American R&B singer.