{{Short description|Dutch singer-songwriter}} {{Infobox person | name = Naomi Sharon | image = Naomi Sharon.png | caption = Sharon performing in 2024 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|3|04}} | birth_place = Rotterdam, Netherlands | alma_mater = Academy of Theatre and Dance | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}} | years_active = 2019-present | partner = Unknown | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | genre = {{flatlist| *R&B *neo soul *downtempo *sophisti-pop }} | instrument = Vocals | label = OVO Sound | website = {{URL|naomisharonmusic.com}} }} }} '''Naomi Sharon Webster''' (born March 4, 1995) is a Dutch singer-songwriter. In early 2023, Sharon became the first female signee to Drake's record label, OVO Sound.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Joe |date=January 20, 2023 |title=Drake Introduces OVO Sound's First Female Artist: 'Been Waiting For This Day' |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/drake-naomi-sharon-ovo-sound |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240722183917/https://hiphopdx.com/news/drake-naomi-sharon-ovo-sound |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |access-date=July 22, 2024 |website=HiphopDX}}</ref> Her debut album, ''Obsidian'', was released later that year in October, being lauded by critics for its emotional depth and diverse range of influences.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Zapatero |first=Jesse |date=October 20, 2023 |title=ALBUM REVIEW: NAOMI SHARON'S DEBUT ALBUM "OBSIDIAN" |url=https://www.abookof.us/music-notes/naomisharonobsidian-albumreview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530023104/https://www.abookof.us/music-notes/naomisharonobsidian-albumreview |archive-date=May 30, 2024 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=A Book of Us}}</ref>
== Early life == Naomi Sharon Webster was born to an Aruban father and a Dutch mother in Rotterdam, Netherlands.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 20, 2020|title=Hoe de scheiding van haar ouders Naomi Sharon kwetsbaar, maar ook sterker heeft gemaakt|url=https://www.ad.nl/rotterdam/hoe-de-scheiding-van-haar-ouders-naomi-sharon-kwetsbaar-maar-ook-sterker-heeft-gemaakt~abcf8a6d/#:~:text=Hoe%20kunnen%20mijn%20ouders%20die,en%20mijn%20ouders%20als%20betrokken.|website=AD.nl|language=Dutch}}</ref> Sharon grew up in a vastly musically inclined family, her father working as a DJ and her mother being a singer. Sharon's aunt also sang, while her uncle played in an instrumental ensemble. She formed her artistic sound around a variety of musicians she admired in her youth, including Sade, Eva Cassidy, Marcus Miller, Stevie Wonder and Sting.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chambers |first=Brittany |date=March 22, 2024 |title=Naomi Sharon On ‘Obsidian’ & Debut Tour: Opportunity For Collective Healing |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brittanychambers/2024/03/22/naomi-sharon-on-obsidian--debut-tour-opportunity-for-collective-healing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327192137/https://www.forbes.com/sites/brittanychambers/2024/03/22/naomi-sharon-on-obsidian--debut-tour-opportunity-for-collective-healing/ |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |access-date=July 22, 2024 |website=Forbes}}</ref> She attended the Academy of Theatre and Dance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NAOMI SHARON |url=https://www.marynhaertel.com/naomi-sharon |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=MARYN HAERTEL}}</ref> Upon leaving in the third year, Sharon would perform in musical theater, appearing in ''The Lion King'' and ''Dream Girls.'' During the early 2010s, she would do cover songs.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=Steven |date=March 15, 2024 |title=Artists You Should Know: Naomi Sharon |url=https://www.grimygoods.com/2024/03/15/artists-you-should-know-naomi-sharon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722221253/https://www.grimygoods.com/2024/03/15/artists-you-should-know-naomi-sharon/ |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |access-date=July 22, 2024 |website=Grimy Goods}}</ref> Sharon also participated in the sixth season of ''The Voice of Holland'' in 2016.
== Career ==
=== 2019–present === Sharon released her debut single, "The Moon" in 2019. That same year, she gave a TED Talk for TEDxAmsterdamWomen about self-love, where she performed the song. Her second single, "Breeze" caught the attention of Drake, who signed her to his OVO Sound record label in 2023, making her the first female act on its roster. She released two singles entitled "Definition of Love" and "Hills" in anticipation of her debut album, ''Obsidian''. The 12-track album was released on October 20, 2023 to moderate critical success. Steven Ward of Grimy Goods described the project as, "an immense emotional gravitas, created to tap into or articulate the mercurial realms that exist inside of you."<ref name=":1" /> Sharon went on to perform in her debut tour, Obsidian Tour, with three dates in North America and four in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Nicola |date=April 4, 2024 |title=Intentional Simplicity Relays Intricate Emotion: Naomi Sharon Interviewed |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/intentional-simplicity-relays-intricate-emotion-naomi-sharon-interviewed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518030405/https://www.clashmusic.com/features/intentional-simplicity-relays-intricate-emotion-naomi-sharon-interviewed/ |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |access-date=July 22, 2024 |website=Clash Music}}</ref> She released a single, "Nothing Sweeter" on January 18, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horvath |first=Zachary |date=January 20, 2024 |title=Naomi Sharon Is Madly In Love On "Nothing Sweeter" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/755060-naomi-sharon-nothing-sweeter-hip-hop-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120223901/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/755060-naomi-sharon-nothing-sweeter-hip-hop-news |archive-date=January 20, 2024 |access-date=July 22, 2024 |website=Hot New Hiphop}}</ref>
== Artistry ==
=== Musical style === Sharon's sound has been described as, "genre-defying." Her songs have been noted to fuse alternative R&B and ambient house as well as including foreign influences from Afrobeats and Spanish music. Sharon's songs mainly deal with themes of love, heartbreak, and healing.<ref name=":0" /> Her low register vocals have been described as reminiscent to Sade's.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Wickes |first=Jade |date=January 19, 2024 |title=How Naomi Sharon went from theatre kid to Drake protégée |url=https://theface.com/music/naomi-sharon-interview-drake-ovo-nothing-sweeter-new-ep |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226081804/https://theface.com/music/naomi-sharon-interview-drake-ovo-nothing-sweeter-new-ep |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |access-date=July 22, 2024 |website=The Face}}</ref>
== Personal life == Unknown
<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zidel |first=Alex |date=September 26, 2022 |title=Drake Accused Of Breaking Up Singer's Relationship During "Certified Lover Boy" Sessions |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/327657-drake-accused-of-breaking-up-naomi-sharons-8-year-engagement-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706231010/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/327657-drake-accused-of-breaking-up-naomi-sharons-8-year-engagement-news |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |access-date=July 22, 2024 |website=Hot New Hiphop}}</ref>
== Discography ==
=== Albums === * ''Obsidian'' (2023) === EPs === * ''The Only Love We Know'' (2025)
== Tours == ''Supporting'' * Born in the Wild Tour by Tems * ''Ma Vie Tour'' by Doja Cat (Europe leg)
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website}} *{{AllMusic}} *[https://findlyrics.uk/naomi-sharon Naomi Sharon] on FindLyrics UK
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharon, Naomi}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century Dutch women singers Category:Dutch people of Aruban descent Category:OVO Sound artists Category:The Voice of Holland contestants