Candice Pillay (born June 10, 1981) is a South African singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles. She is best known for writing songs for artists including Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Calvin Harris, Christina Aguilera, Dr. Dre, Eminem, ScHoolboy Q, Why Don't We, Rita Ora, Sevyn Streeter, Logan Paul and Tinie Tempah.Hale, Andreas (August 11, 2015) "Meet Candice Pillay, the Singer/Songwriter Dr. Dre Says Reminds Him of Kendrick Lamar" Complex (Interview) Retrieved August 25, 2015
Career Pillay was born and raised in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in an Indian family. She released her first mixtape in December 2014. The mixtape, titled The Mood Kill, is a 15-song compilation written by Pillay and collaborators such as Alex da Kid and Dem Jointz.Michael, Scott (February 18, 2015) Candice Pillay "The Mood Kill", (Blog) Retrieved August 27, 2015 In August 2015, Pillay's vocals were featured on two songs from Dr. Dre's album "Compton"; "Medicine Man" (ft. Eminem and Anderson .Paak). In an interview with MTV, Pillay spoke about working with Dr. Dre stating, "He really made an impression on me from the moment I met him. Of course, he's a legendary guy. We all look up to him. You never know what to expect when you meet someone of his caliber. But, from the first meeting, he was one of the most humble guys I've met."Tardio, Andres (August 7, 2015) "MTV: Here's What It's Like To Work With Eminem, Dr. Dre And Kendrick Lamar - Candice Pillay breaks it all down". MTV (Interview) - Retrieved August 8, 2015.
In 2015, Pillay co-wrote Rihanna's American Oxygen in a collaborative effort with Alex Da Kid and her KIDinaKORNER label-mates X Ambassadors.Lewis, Corner (April 15, 2015). "Rihanna to release new song 'American Oxygen' on iTunes". Digital Spy. Retrieved April 15, 2015. Pillay told reporters the song hit close to home for herself, Alex Da Kid and Rihanna who all moved to America to further their careers in the music industry."Toronto Paradise (April 20, 2015) - "Candice Pillay: African Air To American Oxygen". TorontoParadise.com (Interview). Retrieved August 8, 2015. In September 2020, Pillay released Stand Silent ft. Jon Connor in the midst of protests following the murder of George Floyd. In April 2021, Pillay announced her upcoming EP, The Rise.
Influences In an interview with Toronto Paradise, Pillay spoke about her musical influences. "I have African and Indian heritage, and mixing the African and Indian rhythms and drums together is very close to RnB and hip hop," she said. "A lot of my melodies are very Indian and you wouldn't think that because they're under a heavy 808, but I try to access all those cultures that I grew up on."
Discography
Singles
As a featured artist Title Year Artist Album Notes "Bang Ya Head Harder" (ft. Lloyd Banks, Dr. Dre & Candice Pillay) 2010 50 Cent The Reconstruction Mixtape "Don't Sell Out" (ft. Candice Pillay) 2013 Tinie Tempah Demonstration"iTunes - Music - Demonstration - Album by Tinie Tempah" ft. Candice Pillay - iTunes.apple.com. Retrieved August 8, 2015. "Witch Doctor" (ft. Candice Pillay) 2013 Tinie Tempah Demonstration "We Receive You" (ft. Carnage & Candice Pillay) 2014 Morgan Page DC To Light "Genocide" (ft. Kendrick Lamar, Marsha Ambrosius & Candice Pillay) 2015 Dr. Dre Compton "Medicine Man" (ft. Eminem, Candice Pillay & Anderson .Paak) 2015 Dr. Dre Compton #40 US R&B "WHateva U Want" (ft. Candice Pillay) 2016 Schoolboy Q Blank Face LP "F-VR" (ft. Candice Pillay & No Riddim) 2016 Far East Movement Identity
As lead artist
Title Year Artist Album "Bombz Away" 2009 Candice Pillay - "Loveless" 2010 Candice Pillay - "Stand Silent feat. Jon Connor" 2020 Candice Pillay - "Hotel Avenir (Saw It Coming)" 2021 Candice Pillay The Rise EP "Honey Boy" 2021 Candice Pillay The Rise EP "Song Of Solomon" 2021 Candice Pillay The Rise EP "Saint Tropez" 2021 Candice Pillay The Rise EP
As a songwriter Song Artist Writer (s) Album Year "Lotus" Christina Aguilera Christina Aguilera, Candice Pillay, Alexander Grant, Dem Jointz Anthony Gonzalez, Morgan Kibby, Justin Meldal-Johnsen Lotus 2012 "Make The World Move" (ft. Cee Lo Green) Christina Aguilera Alexander Grant, Mike Del Rio, Candice Pillay, Jayson DeZuzio, Dwayne Abernathy, Armando Trovajoli, Thomas DeCarlo Callaway Lotus 2012"Audio Korner - Candice Pillay : Songwriter on Christina Aguilera's Make The World Move featuring on The Voice" . AudioKorner.com. Retrieved August 8, 2015. "Cease Fire" Christina Aguilera Christina Aguilera, Candice Pillay, Alexander Grant Lotus 2012 "Circles" Christina Aguilera Christina Aguilera, Candice Pillay, Alexander Grant, Dwayne Abernathy Lotus 2012 "Best of Me" Christina Aguilera Candice Pillay, Alexander Grant, Dwayne Abernathy, Mike del Rio, Nate Campany Lotus 2012 "Shut Up" Christina Aguilera Christina Aguilera, Candice Pillay, Alexander Grant, Dwayne Abernathy, Jayson DeZuzio Lotus 2012 "Light Up the Sky" Christina Aguilera Christina Aguilera, Candice Pillay, Alexander Grant Lotus 2012 "Cockiness (Love It)" Rihanna Candice Pillay, Robyn Fenty, D. Abernathy, Shondrae Crawford Talk That Talk 2011"ASCAP - Candice Pillay : Rihanna's Talk That Talk ASCAP Credits". ASCAP.com . Retrieved August 8, 2015. "Don't Sell Out" (ft. Candice Pillay) Tinie Tempah Okogwu, Ryan Nile Sutherland, Andrew Stewart-Jones, Candice Pillay, Dwayne Abernathy, Vaali, S. S. Thaman Demonstration 2013 "Witch Doctor" (ft. Candice Pillay) Tinie Tempah Okogwu, Candice Pillay, Alexander Grant, Abernathy Demonstration 2013 "Consistent" Sevyn Streeter Sevyn Streeter, Candice Pillay, Dem Jointz, Justin Robinson, Askia Fountain Shoulda Been There Part 1 2015 "American Oxygen" Rihanna Alexander Grant, Sam Harris, Candice Pillay, Robyn Fenty - 2015 "Genocide" (ft. Kendrick Lamar, Marsha Ambrosius & Candice Pillay) Dr. Dre Candice Pillay, Young, Kendrick Duckworth, Ricks II, Marsha Ambrosius, Sly Jordan, Dwayne "Dem Jointz" Abernathy, Jr. Compton 2015 "One Shot One Kill" (performed by Jon Connor ft. Snoop Dogg) Dr. Dre Young, Jon Freeman Jr, Candice Pillay, Edwards Jr, Lawrence Jr. Compton 2015 "Medicine Man" (ft. Eminem, Candice Pillay & Anderson .Paak) Dr. Dre Candice Pillay, Young, Marshall Mathers, Mohrle, Anderson, Ricks II, Abernathy Jr, Edwards Jr, C. Chambers Compton 2015 "White Lightning", Candice Pillay & Anderson .Paak) Dr. Dre Candice Pillay, Young, Marshall Mathers, Mohrle, Anderson, Ricks II, Abernathy Jr, Edwards Jr, C. Chambers Compton 2015 "Medicine Man" (ft. Eminem, Candice Pillay & Anderson .Paak) Dr. Dre Candice Pillay, Young, Marshall Mathers, Mohrle, Anderson, Ricks II, Abernathy Jr, Edwards Jr, C. Chambers Compton 2015 "Blank Face" (ft. Anderson .Paak) Schoolboy Q Candice Pillay, Quincy Hanley, Tony Russell, Sounwave Blank Face LP 2016 "Cash Out" (ft. ScHoolboy Q, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Shelley FKA DRAM & Funk Wav) Calvin Harris Brittany Hazzard, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Roget Chahayed, Adam Wiles, Quincey Hanley, Shelley Massenburg-Smith, Candice Pillay Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 2017 "Help Me Help You" (ft. Why Don't We) Logan Paul Candice Pillay, Troy "R8dio" Johnson Help Me Help You" (ft. Why Don't We) - Single 2017
"All Music - Candice Pillay : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved August 8, 2015. "World Music Candice Pillay" Retrieved August 25, 2015.
References