Daniel Caesar is a Canadian singer and songwriter known for his soulful R&B sound and Grammy-winning collaborations. He gained public attention for his debut album Freudian (2017) and later for featuring on Justin Bieber’s chart-topping single “Peaches.”
Quick Facts
Full Name: Ashton Dumar Norwill Simmonds
Age: 30 (born April 5, 1995)
Nationality: Canadian
Occupation: Singer, Songwriter
Known For: R&B music, “Best Part” with H.E.R., “Peaches” with Justin Bieber
Marital Status: Not publicly confirmed
Children: Not publicly confirmed
Early Life and Background
Daniel Caesar was born in the Scarborough district of Toronto, Ontario, and raised in Oshawa, Ontario . He is the second eldest of four children to parents Hollace Burnett-Simmonds and Norwill Simmonds, a pastor and gospel singer . Growing up in a religious household, Caesar sang before his father’s congregation and was raised listening to soul and gospel music.
Career and Achievements
Caesar began his career after being kicked out of his home at 17 following a dispute with his father, leaving him briefly homeless . He independently released his debut EP Praise Break in 2014, which Rolling Stone ranked among the 20 Best R&B Albums of that ye
.ar . His second EP, Pilgrim’s Paradise (2015), brought him further critical recognition.
His debut studio album, Freudian (2017), was a breakthrough success, earning three Grammy nominations. At the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, Caesar won Best R&B Performance for “Best Part” with H.E.R. . He released his second album, Case Study 01, in 2019.
In 2021, Caesar featured on Justin Bieber’s “Peaches” alongside Giveon, marking his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 . His third album, Never Enough, followed in 2023 under Republic Records.
On October 24, 2025, Caesar released his fourth studio album, Son of Spergy, which became his highest-charting album to date, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. The album draws inspiration from reconciliation with his parents, with “Spergy” being his father’s nickname. The track “Who Knows” recently earned him Juno Awards for Best Contemporary R&B Recording and Songwriter of the Year.
Major Event or Controversy
In March 2019, Caesar faced significant backlash after defending his friend Julieanna Goddard (YesJulz), who had been criticized for racially insensitive comments . During an Instagram Live stream, Caesar questioned why Black people were “being so mean” to white people. He later apologized for his comments and, in a 2026 interview on The Breakfast Club, reflected that his critics were “100 percent right” and acknowledged that the incident “forever changed the trajectory of my whole life” .
Why He Is in the News
Caesar announced his 2026 Son of Spergy Tour on March 31, 2026, marking his first-ever headline arena tour . The 30-date international tour spans Asia and North America from May through August, featuring support acts Faye Webster and 070 Shake on select dates . Tickets go on sale to the public on April 3, 2026 .
Conclusion
Daniel Caesar has established himself as one of Canada’s most successful R&B artists, earning Grammy awards, multiple Junos, and chart-topping collaborations. His latest album and accompanying arena tour represent a new career peak, demonstrating his evolution from independent artist to mainstream headliner.
