Blood Orange
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About Blood Orange
Producer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, director and vocalist, London born polymath Devonté Hynes is among the most influential voices in music today. Raised in England by Guyanese and Sierra Leonean immigrant parents, Hynes started out as a teenage punk in the UK band Test Icicles before releasing two orchestral acoustic pop records as Lightspeed Champion. In 2011, he released Coastal Grooves, the first so far of five solo albums under the moniker Blood Orange. His 2016 album, Freetown Sound, was released to critical acclaim, and saw Hynes defined as one of the foremost musical voices of his time, receiving comparisons to the likes of Kendrick Lamar and D’Angelo for his own searing and soothing personal document of life as a black man in America. His 2018 album, Negro Swan, was released to equally rapturous response, exploring elements of black depression and identity. His most recent release, the 2019 mixtape Angel's Pulse, described by Hynes as an epilogue to Negro Swan, further explores and builds upon those themes. He has collaborated with Solange Knowles, fka twigs, A$AP Rocky, Puff Daddy, Mariah Carey Janet Mock, and many more, and was recently one of four artists invited to the Kennedy Center to perform alongside Philip Glass. In addition to his production work, he has sold out headlining tours around the world, directed and edited 7 Blood Orange music videos as well as one for Beck's 2019 "Uneventful Days", and composed the scores for the films “Palo Alto,” directed by Gia Coppola, and "Queen & Slim", directed by Melina Matsoukas.
Blood Orange
Blood Orange is the musical project of Devonté Hynes, a British-born songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is known for a unique sound that blends R&B, pop, funk, electronic music, and experimental soul.
His songs are emotionally direct and often reflect on identity, displacement, race, and personal experiences. Instead of sticking to a single persona, Blood Orange serves as a creative outlet that changes with Hynes’s life and perspective.¹
Get Blood Orange Tickets on AXS to experience a live performance rooted in atmosphere, intimacy, and expressive freedom.
Blood Orange’s Background
Devonté Hynes was born in Britain and grew up in Essex, near London, before moving to New York City. This mixture of cultural experiences became important to his creative growth. Before starting his music career in his late teens, he explored other creative outlets, including classical music and dance. He first gained attention with the dance-punk band Test Icicles, then released two albums as Lightspeed Champion, a solo project with a folk influence.¹
Hynes launched Blood Orange as a new artistic project in 2011 with the album Coastal Grooves. This shift marked a move toward R&B-inspired songwriting and a more independent approach to making music. Blood Orange became a turning point, giving him more freedom for personal exploration and creation.¹
Blood Orange’s Awards
Over the years, Blood Orange has been recognized by music and cultural groups for work that goes beyond typical genres. These honors highlight a career that includes solo albums, collaborations, and composition projects, all connected by a clear artistic vision.¹
- Latin Grammy Award – Best Alternative Song (2024): Hynes received this award for his songwriting contribution to El Día Que Perdí Mi Juventud, performed by Nathy Peluso.²
- GLAAD Media Award – Outstanding Music Artist (2017, Nominee): This nomination acknowledged Freetown Sound for its cultural impact and representation.²
- Grammy Award – Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance (2021, Nominee): He earned a nomination for Hynes: Fields, created in collaboration with Third Coast Percussion.²
Blood Orange’s Biggest Hits
Throughout its albums, Blood Orange emphasizes emotional depth and an open style, choosing authenticity over commercial trends. The music weaves personal stories, cultural references, and experimental sounds into thoughtful, personal work.¹
- Coastal Grooves (2011): The debut Blood Orange album introduced a sound grounded in R&B and synth-driven pop, much of it developed through solo, home-based recording.¹
- Freetown Sound (2016): This release explored themes of Black identity, memory, and community, weaving spoken word and archival elements into expansive arrangements.¹
- Negro Swan (2018): Written and produced by Hynes, the album examined Black depression, anxiety, and resilience through a broad and textured musical palette.¹
See Blood Orange Live
Blood Orange live shows are immersive and focus on mood, movement, and emotion rather than big theatrics. Performances often feature layered vocals, guitar, and electronic sounds, creating a space that encourages personal interpretation instead of flashy spectacle.¹
Browse Blood Orange Tickets on AXS to discover opportunities to experience the project live.