BoyWithUke

Charley Yang[2] known professionally as BoyWithUke, is a Korean-American singer, musician and internet personality. Yang first gained popularity on the online platform TikTok with his single "Two Moons" and later releases "Toxic" and "Understand". He kept his face hidden until October 10, 2023. He is currently signed to Mercury Records, a subdivision of UMG.[1]

BoyWithUke
BoyWithUke in 2023
Background information
Birth nameCharley Yang
OriginDaegu, South Korea
GenresAlt-pop
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
Instrument(s)
  • Ukulele
  • guitar
  • electric guitar
  • piano
  • vocals
  • cello
Years active2020–present
LabelsMercury[1]
Websiteboywithukemusic.com

Career

2020–2021: Beginnings on TikTok and early albums

BoyWithUke began uploading to TikTok in 2020[3] after being introduced to the platform by his brother. His content did not attract much attention on the platform until 2021, when several of his videos (including a series of videos entitled "Minute-Long Songs") started to gain popularity.[4]

In September 2021, BoyWithUke released his extended play Faded, which features the single "Toxic". It went viral on TikTok and was featured in over sixty-nine thousand videos on the platform. It was streamed around half a billion times.[5][6] The single reached No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay charts after being on the charts for thirty-one consecutive weeks, which was the sixth-longest rise to No. 1 in Alternative Airplay's history.[5] "Toxic" was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[7][8]

In 2021, BoyWithUke released his first and second studio albums, Melatonin Dreams and Fever Dreams respectively.

2021–2022: Signing with Republic Records and Serotonin Dreams

In late 2021, BoyWithUke signed a deal with record label Republic Records.[9] In 2022, he released the single "IDGAF", featuring Blackbear.[10] He released his debut major-label album, Serotonin Dreams, under Republic Records.[9] It debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay and Billboard 200 charts and features "Toxic" as its lead single.[5][11] After the album's release, BoyWithUke was listed as one of the top ten Billboard Emerging Artists.[11] On September 30, 2022, he released the single "Sick of U" featuring Oliver Tree.[12]

Throughout 2022, BoyWithUke opened for the indie-pop trio AJR on their tour for their fourth studio album OK Orchestra.

As of October 2023, he has almost eight million followers on TikTok and well over two billion Spotify streams[13] and 870 million views on YouTube[14].

2023–present: Lucid Dreams and face reveal

BoyWithUke released his extended play Antisocial on February 24, 2023. It contains three songs, including the single "Rockstar", which was released on February 10, as well as two songs that had previously been teased on his TikTok, "IDTWCBF (Friends)" and "Nosedive". On April 7, 2023, BoyWithUke released another single, "Out of Reach", which is the full version of one of his minute-long songs on TikTok. He also debuted the single in a Roblox concert which also featured "Toxic", and "IDGAF".

BoyWithUke later released "Trauma" as a single on August 4, 2023.

BoyWithUke's fourth album, Lucid Dreams, was released on October 6, 2023. It was preceded by the singles "Rockstar", "Trauma" and "Migraine", with "Problematic" being released as a single on the album's release day. BoyWithUke has claimed that Lucid Dreams will be the last album of the "dreams" saga.

On October 10, 2023, BoyWithUke publicly revealed his face and first name, Charley, along with a message. He stated that moving forward, he would no longer cover his face with the LED mask he had used previously in his career. He found that the mask gave him confidence in the past, but was now affecting his mental and physical health negatively. BoyWithUke also stated his plans to begin a new chapter of his music, maskless. [15]

Artistry

Until October 2023, BoyWithUke wore an opaque face shield with two large LED lights to ensure his anonymity.[4] His music is centered around the ukulele but also incorporates other instruments such as the piano.[6] He self-composes his music on GarageBand from his iPad, a free digital audio workstation for Apple devices.[9]

BoyWithUke's music has been described as "alternative" and "alt-pop".[4]

All of BoyWithUke's four albums contain the word "dreams" in their titles. Melatonin Dreams talked heavily about depression and suicidal thoughts. Fever Dreams focuses on low self-esteem and generally melancholic and depressed themes. Serotonin Dreams is supposedly him "waking up" and the "Magnum Opus" of the saga as overall unlike its antecedent, Serotonin Dreams focuses on realization and generally more positive values, while still having occasional references to the importance of its predecessors. His newest album, Lucid Dreams, is intended to symbolize his "desires, his fear, his past, and his dreams."[16]

Personal life

BoyWithUke keeps most of his personal life private. During his performance in Seoul Jazz Festival, he claimed that he was born in Daegu.[17] He has also said that he lives in Boston, Massachusetts. BoyWithUke stated that he was forced into classical music from the age of four, but later dropped it. This was followed by him resuming music through writing music in high school.[4][18] BoyWithUke also said that he kept his identity hidden because he wanted people to pay attention to the music and talent and not his looks.[4]

Discography

Albums
List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[19]		 AUS
[20]		 AUT
[21]		 CAN
[22]		 IRE
[23]		 NLD
[24]		 NOR
[25]		 NZ
[26]		 SWI
[27]		 UK
[28]
Melatonin Dreams
  • Released: January 22, 2021
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 ——————————
Fever Dreams
  • Released: June 4, 2021
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 ——————————
Serotonin Dreams
  • Released: May 6, 2022
  • Label: Republic
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
 72644833517221356143
Lucid Dreams
  • Released: October 6, 2023
  • Label: Republic
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming, vinyl
 ——————————

EPs
List of extended plays
Title Details
Trouvaille
  • Released: March 5, 2021
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Faded
  • Released: September 10, 2021
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Antisocial
  • Released: February 24, 2023
  • Label: Republic
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[29]		 AUS
[30]		 AUT
[21]		 CAN
[31]		 GER
[32]		 IRE
[23]		 NOR
[25]		 SWI
[33]		 UK
[28]		 WW
[34]
"Two Moons" 2021 ——41————66—— Fever Dreams
"Toxic"[6] —[upper-alpha 1]982071297232256260 Serotonin Dreams
"Long Drives" 2022 ——————————
"IDGAF"
(featuring Blackbear)[39]		 99956961—52——48117
"Sick of U"
(featuring Oliver Tree)[12]		 —————————— Non-album single
"Rockstar" 2023 —————————— Lucid Dreams
"Out of Reach" —————————— Non-album single
"Trauma" —————————— Lucid Dreams
"Migraine" ——————————
"Problematic" ——————————

Awards and nominations
Award Year Nominee Category Result Ref.
iHeartRadio Music Awards 2023 Himself Best New Artist (Alternative & Rock) Nominated [40]

Notes
  1. "Toxic" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 18 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[35]

References
  1. Robinson, Kristin (June 27, 2023). "ZAYN Signs With Mercury Records Ahead of New Music". Billboard. Mercury Records relaunched in April 2022 as a U.S. imprint of Republic Records, Other signees at Mercury's launch included BoyWithUke
  2. "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  3. "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  4. Olivier, Bobby (February 18, 2022). "Meet BoyWithUke, TikTok's Masked Singer Waking Up to Alt-Pop Stardom". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  5. Rutherford, Kevin (June 28, 2022). "BoyWithUke Notches First No. 1 on a Billboard Songs Chart With 'Toxic'". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  6. Driever, Natalie (November 26, 2021). "BOYWITHUKE - "TOXIC"". 1LIVE (in German). Westdeutscher Rundfunk. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  7. "British single certifications – Boywithuke – Toxic". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  8. "American single certifications – BoyWithUke – Toxic". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  9. Billboard Staff (May 13, 2022). "21 UNDER 21: SEE WHO MADE THE 2022 LIST". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  10. Mier, Tomás (March 30, 2022). "Machine Gun Kelly Sings From a Cat Lady's Bedroom in 'Makeup Sex' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 23, 2022. Meanwhile, Blackbear recently joined BoyWithUke on "IDGAF" earlier this year.
  11. Zellner, Xander (May 17, 2022). "Nate Smith Rules Emerging Artists Chart, Thanks to 'Whiskey on You' Single". Billboard. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  12. Paul, Larisha (September 30, 2022). "BoyWithUke And Oliver Tree Learn To Move On With New Single 'Sick Of U'". UDiscoverMusic. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  13. "BoyWithUke - Spotify Top Songs". kworb.net. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  14. "Social Blade BoyWithUke's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile)". October 22, 2023.
  15. "BoyWithUke Maskless". October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  16. admin (August 8, 2023). "BOYWITHUKE ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM "LUCID DREAMS" OUT OCTOBER 6". SCOOPE. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  17. "🚨출생의 비밀🚨 Feat. 대구펄슨 #shorts". 유니버설 뮤직 코리아 Universal Music Korea. YouTube. June 1, 2023.
  18. "Ones To Watch". Ones to Watch. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  19. "Billboard 200: Week of May 21, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  20. "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 16 May 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1680. Australian Recording Industry Association. May 16, 2022. p. 6.
  21. "Discographie BoyWithUke". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  22. "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of May 21, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  23. "Discography BoyWithUke". irish-charts.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  24. "Discografie BoyWithUke". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  25. "Discography BoyWithUke". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  26. "DISCOGRAPHY BOYWITHUKE". charts.org.nz. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  27. "BoyWithUke – Serotonin Dreams". Hitparade.ch. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  28. "BoyWithUke | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  29. "Blackbear Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  30. "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 28 March 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1673. Australian Recording Industry Association. March 28, 2022. p. 2.
  31. Peaks on the Canadian Hot 100:
  32. "Discographie von BoyWithUke". offiziellecharts.de (in German). Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  33. "BoyWithUke – Toxic". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  34. Peaks on the Global 200:
  35. "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of April 30, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  36. "American single certifications – BoyWithUke". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  37. "British single certifications – BoyWithUke – Toxic". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  38. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (BoyWithUke)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  39. "Ones To Watch". Ones to Watch. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  40. Centeno, Tony (March 28, 2023). "iHeartRadio Music Awards 2023: See The Entire List Of Winners". iHeart.
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