{{short description|American singer-songwriter}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Wallpaper. | image = | image_size = | landscape = | caption = | origin = Oakland, California, U.S. | genre = Hip hop, electronic, pop | years_active = 2005–2014 | label = Boardwalk Records/Epic | website = | current_members = Ricky Reed<br />Novena Carmel<br />Arjun Singh<br />Derek Taylor<br />Tom Peyton }} '''Wallpaper''' (stylized as '''Wallpaper.''') was an American hip hop and pop music project, fronted by producer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter Eric Frederic (better known as Ricky Reed) based in Oakland, California. The group also featured Novena Carmel, Arjun Singh, Derek Taylor, and Tom Peyton. Wallpaper was signed to Boardwalk Records/Epic Records<ref name="sony">{{cite web|url=https://www.sony.com/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-music-entertainment/2013/wallpaper-to-release-new-single-good-4-it-on-itunes-today.html |title=Wallpaper. To Release New Single "Good 4 It" On iTunes Today |publisher=Sony |access-date=2021-05-19}}</ref> and notably played at SXSW.<ref name="SXSW">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/video/wallpaper-interview-sxsw-2012-465819 |title=Wallpaper Interview @ SXSW 2012 |publisher=Billboard |access-date=2021-05-19}}</ref> The band, founded in 2005, was known for their lyrics, which Frederic has characterized as satire of pop music and consumer culture, as well as for their early use of exaggerated auto-tune.<ref name="kansan 2010">{{cite web|last=Hafner |first=Josh |url=https://www.kansan.com/news/qanda-eric-frederic-of-wallpaper/article_d6ed8b2a-c006-53d6-b8ec-0069114bbacd.html |title=QandA: Eric Frederic of Wallpaper. |publisher=The University Daily Kansan |date=2010-12-02 |access-date=2021-05-19}}</ref>
During their run, the group released two studio albums, four extended plays, five singles and three promotional singles. Their second studio album, ''Ricky Reed Is Real'' (2013), became their most successful record, peaking within the top 10 of the US ''Billboard'' Heatseekers Chart. The group was also credited for producing for Far East Movement's 2013 single, "The Illest" (featuring Riff Raff or Schoolboy Q). Two of their own singles also charted. In 2014, the group disbanded, and Frederic would later continue working with the progressive indie group Facing New York.
==Background==
=== 2005–2012: Formation, early releases, and ''DooDoo Face'' === [[File:Ricky Reed 2015 BMI Pop Awards.png|thumb|209x209px|Wallpaper founder Ricky Reed (pictured at the 2015 BMI Pop Awards)]] In 2005, Eric Frederic began experimenting with music that emphasized the effects of auto-tune, an approach which was, at the time, still relatively uncommon.<ref name="kansan 2010" /> Frederic named this solo project Wallpaper and was joined by Arjun Singh on drums. Frederic performed as "Ricky Reed" an alter-ego he had created to be the bands frontman; Reed was described as rude, reckless, and irresponsible, and was intended to personify everything Frederic disliked about the contemporary pop music industry.<ref name="kansan 2010" /> The band released their self-titled debut extended play (EP) on the 1st of April, 2006, through Five One, Inc. Over two years later, on the 29th of April, 2008, the band released their second EP, ''T Rex'', through Eenie Meenie Records. The EP was accompanied with a remix EP on the 23rd of December that same year, titled ''T REX RMXd''.
As exaggerated auto-tune became more prevalent in the mainstream, Wallpaper's songs gained popularity, and their debut studio album, ''DooDoo Face'', was released on the 8th of September, 2009.<ref name="kansan 2010" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eeniemeenie.com/wallpaper |title=Wallpaper |publisher=eenie meenie records |access-date=2021-05-19}}</ref> The album was accompanied by Wallpaper's debut single, "I Got Soul, I'm So Wasted", released that same year. Almost two years later, on the 2nd of August, 2011, the duo released the EP ''#STUPiDFACEDD'', co-distributed by MTV's Hype Music and Boardwalk Records,<ref name="sony" /> alongside Epic Records. This was followed by a music video for the lead single of the same name, described as "a brash, stupid party anthem to mock all brash, stupid party anthems."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfweekly.com/music/wallpapers-sleazily-funny-stupidfacedd-video-premieres-on-mtv/ |title=Wallpaper's Sleazily Funny '#STUPiDFACEDD' Video Premieres on MTV |publisher=SF Weekly |date=2011-03-02 |access-date=2019-05-19}}</ref>
In 2011, Wallpaper toured with K.Flay and Too Short,<ref name="thebaybridged._2011-06-30">{{cite web|url=https://thebaybridged.com/2011/06/30/wallpaper-stupidfacedd-ep-out-july-26-tourdates/ |title=Wallpaper. – #STUPiDFACEDD EP out July 26, tour dates announced |publisher=The Bay Bridged |date=2011-06-30 |access-date=2021-05-19}}</ref> and appeared at the MTV Video Music Awards.<ref name="kansan 2011">{{cite web|last=Imafidon |first=Nadia |url=https://www.kansan.com/news/qanda-wallpapers-ricky-reed/article_f24c8e54-9f88-5f85-a5be-15ed59852a99.html |title=QandA: Wallpaper's Ricky Reed |publisher=The University Daily Kansan |date=2011-11-10 |access-date=2021-05-19}}</ref> Later that year, the band toured with Awolnation, then with Gym Class Heroes and Dirty Heads, closing the tour at The Grove in Anaheim, California.<ref name="thebaybridged._2011-06-30" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://shepherdexpress.com/music/today-milwaukee/gym-class-heroes-w-dirty-heads-wallpaper/ |title=Gym Class Heroes w/ The Dirty Heads and Wallpaper |date=4 November 2011 |publisher=Shepherd Express |access-date=2021-05-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/gym-class-heroes?page=4 |title=Gym Class Heroes's Concert History |publisher=concertarchives.org |access-date=2021-05-19}}</ref> By this time, Frederic had fully adopted the name Ricky Reed in a professional capacity, and was no longer referred to by his real name in interviews<ref name="kansan 2010" /><ref name="kansan 2011" /> and press releases.<ref name="sony" /> Despite this, he had long since abandoned the idea of staying "in character" as Reed outside of Wallpaper's lyrics.<ref name="kansan 2010" /> One year later, Wallpaper signed to Epic Records in 2012 and expanded their lineup once more, this time to include vocalist Novena Carmel and percussionists Derek Taylor and Tom Peyton.<ref name="sony" />
Their performance at Coachella in April received acclaim, with critics comparing it favorably to "boa constrictor-era" Britney Spears.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://buzzbands.la/2012/04/14/coachella-2012-wallpapers-noon-hour-dance-party/ |title=Coachella 2012: Wallpaper's noon-hour dance party |publisher=Buzzbands.la |date=2012-04-14 |access-date=2012-09-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2012/04/coachella-2012-kendrick-lamar-wallpaper-and-5-more-acts-we-missed-last-friday/ |title=Coachella 2012: Kendrick Lamar, Wallpaper., and 5 More Acts We Missed Last Friday | SPIN | Coachella | Festival Coverage |publisher=SPIN |date=2012-04-21 |access-date=2012-09-07}}</ref> Following an appearance at South by Southwest,<ref name="SXSW" /> Wallpaper appeared on ''Jimmy Kimmel Live!'' and ''Last Call with Carson Daly Tonight'' to perform #''STUPiDFACEDD''<nowiki/>'s title track, as well as its second and final single, "Fucking Best Song Everrr".<ref>{{cite web|last=Port |first=Ian S. |url=http://blogs.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2012/03/here_is_video_of_wallpaper_jimmy_kimmel.php |title=Here Is Video of Wallpaper. Performing "Best Song Everrr" on Jimmy Kimmel Live - San Francisco - Music - All Shook Down |publisher=Blogs.sfweekly.com |date=2012-03-01 |access-date=2012-09-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mlynar |first=Phillip |url=http://blogs.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2012/02/sf_band_the_park_on_drinking_b.php |title=The Park on Drinking Baileys with Wallpaper., Appearing on Carson Daly's TV Show, and What Song They'd Play for Mitt Romney - San Francisco - Music - All Shook Down |publisher=Blogs.sfweekly.com |date=2012-02-10 |access-date=2012-09-07}}</ref> The latter track charted at number 36 on the US ''Billboard'' Pop Airplay chart and peaked at number 8 on the US ''Billboard'' Dance Club Songs chart.
=== 2013–2014: ''Ricky Reed Is Real'' and dissolution === In 2012, the band covered the theme song to the television series ''21 Jump Street'' for the film adaptation of the same name,<ref>{{cite web |last=Jagernauth |first=Kevin |date=2012-03-13 |title=All The Songs From The '21 Jump Street' Soundtrack Including Eminem, The Clash, N.W.A., Foster The People & More |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2012/03/all-the-songs-from-the-21-jump-street-soundtrack-including-eminem-the-clash-n-w-a-foster-the-people-more-112340/ |access-date=2021-05-19 |publisher=IndieWire}}</ref> The following year, in 2013, Wallpaper released their second full-length album, entitled ''Ricky Reed Is Real'', to mostly positive reviews from fans and critics.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ham |first=Robert |url=https://www.altpress.com/reviews/wallpaper_ricky_reed_is_real/ |title=Wallpaper. – Ricky Reed Is Real |website=Alternative Press |date=2013-07-24 |access-date=2021-05-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Saturday |first=Samantha |url=https://www.theowlmag.com/album-reviews/ricky-reed-is-real-by-wallpaper/ |title="Ricky Reed Is Real" by Wallpaper |publisher=The Owl Mag |date=2013-07-23 |access-date=2021-05-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Veronin |first=Nick |url=https://www.sfweekly.com/music/ricky-reed-gets-real-on-the-room/ |title=Ricky Reed Gets Real on 'The Room' |publisher=SF Weekly |date=2020-09-02 |access-date=2021-05-19}}</ref> Commercially, the album charted at number 10 on the US ''Billboard'' Heatseekers Chart. Its lead single, "Good 4 It", charted at number 18 on the US ''Billboard'' Dance Club Songs chart. A promotional single, "Drunken Hearts", was also released that same year. They later released the second and final single from ''Ricky Reed Is Real'', "Hesher", in 2014, before dissolving that same year. Around this time, Frederic occasionally produced music for other artists (such as "Anyway" by Cee-Lo Green<ref name="sony" />) and Wallpaper collectively shares a producer credit on Far East Movement's 2013 single "The Illest" (featuring Riff Raff or Schoolboy Q).
As of 2021, all social media accounts for Wallpaper have been removed or deleted excluding their YouTube account, which has not received an update since 2014. Frederic appears to be focusing his efforts on producing for other artists and his progressive indie rock band, Facing New York.
==Discography== ===Albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of albums, with selected chart positions |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US Heat<ref name="andykellman">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/wallpaper-mn0001633504/awards|title=Wallpaper.|author=Andy Kellman|work=AllMusic}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''DooDoo Face'' | *Released: September 8, 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/doodoo-face/324960318|title=Doodoo Face|work=iTunes}}</ref> *Label: eenie meenie *Format: CD, digital download | — |- ! scope="row"| ''Ricky Reed Is Real'' | *Released: July 23, 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/ricky-reed-is-real/659738602|title=Ricky Reed Is Real|work=iTunes}}</ref> *Label: Epic, Boardwalk *Format: CD, digital download | 10 |}
===Extended plays=== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| EP details |- ! scope="row" | ''Wallpaper.'' | * Released: April 1, 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wallpaper-ep/id136039381|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212210541/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wallpaper-ep/id136039381|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 12, 2015|title=Wallpaper - EP|work=iTunes}}</ref> * Label: Five One, Inc. * Formats: Digital download |- ! scope="row" | ''T Rex'' | * Released: April 29, 2008<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/t-rex-ep/278155594|title=T Rex - EP|work=iTunes}}</ref> * Label: eenie meenie * Formats: Digital download |- ! scope="row" | ''T REX RMXd'' | * Released: December 23, 2008<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/t-rex-rmxd-ep/299028604|title=T REX RMXd - EP|work=iTunes}}</ref> * Label: eenie meenie * Formats: Digital download |- ! scope="row" | ''#STUPiDFACEDD'' | * Released: August 2, 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/stupidfacedd-single/512642516|title=#STUPiDFACEDD - Single|work=iTunes}}</ref> * Label: Epic * Formats: CD, Digital download |- |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of singles by title, year and peak chart positions, and album ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Dance<br><ref name="andykellman"/> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Pop<br><ref name="andykellman"/> |- ! scope="row"| "I Got Soul, I'm So Wasted" | 2009 | — || — || — | ''Doodoo Face'' |- ! scope="row"| "#STUPiDFACEDD" | 2011 | — || — || — | rowspan="2"|''#STUPiDFACEDD'' |- ! scope="row"| "Fucking Best Song Everrr" | 2012 | — || 8 || 36 |- ! scope="row"| "Good 4 It" | 2013 | — || 18 || — | rowspan="2"|''Ricky Reed Is Real'' |- ! scope="row"| "Hesher" | 2014 | — || — || — |- |colspan="14" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. |}
===Promotional singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Album |- ! scope="row"| "Valentine" | 2010 | Non-album single |- ! scope="row"| "21 Jump Street" (Main Theme) | 2012 | Non-album single |- ! scope="row"| "Drunken Hearts" | 2013 | ''Ricky Reed Is Real'' |- |}
== References == {{Reflist|30em}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:American record producers Category:Singers from Oakland, California Category:Singer-songwriters from California