Guy Sebastian

Australia’s Guy Sebastian is a passionate pop and R&B-influenced vocalist and winner of the first season of Australian Idol. Born in 1981 in Klang, Malaysia, to Malaysian and English parents, Sebastian moved at a young age with his family to Adelaide, Australia. His singing career began at the age of 14. In addition to attending a Baptist private school, he attended Paradise Community Church, one of Australia’s largest megachurches. His involvement with the youth choir as a soloist led to national and international performance opportunities. After graduation, Sebastian found work as an audio engineer and vocal teacher. It was his participation in the first season of Australian Idol that brought his talent to public attention. The breakthrough show’s first winner, Sebastian signed with BMG. The artist’s first single, “Angels Brought Me Here,” debuted at number one. Released on December 3, 2003, Just as I Am became an Australian best-seller, a six-time platinum record. The October release of Beautiful Life debuted to similar success, but without the sustained sales of its predecessor. Sebastian experienced the pitfall of many of the decade’s television-made recording stars; instant success came at the price of insecurity and writer’s block, causing the artist to consider abandoning a life making music between his second and third records. He returned home to write his next project among friends, jamming and creating a truly organic product. Closer to the Sun hit shelves in September 2006, peaking at number four on Australian charts and selling more than 70,000 copies. A year later Sebastian delivered The Memphis Album, a collection of ’60s Southern soul cover tunes recorded at the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis. Sebastian returned with Like It Like That in 2010. The same year, he also was named as a judge on The X Factor Australia, and released his first compilation album, Twenty Ten: Greatest Hits. In 2012 Sebastian released his sixth studio album, Armageddon, featuring the singles “Gold” and “Battle Scars” with Lupe Fiasco. The album peaked at number one in Australia, and earned the singer three ARIA Award nominations. Following the album’s release, Sebastian took time off from his duties on The X Factor and began work on new material. He returned in 2014 with Madness, which featured the single “Like a Drum” as well as “Mama Ain’t Proud” featuring 2 Chainz and “Linger” with Lupe Fiasco. Also well received, the album reached number two on the Australian album charts and garnered two ARIA Award nominations. On the heels of the album’s success, he also returned to working as a judge on The X Factor. In 2017 Sebastian delivered an eighth studio album, Conscious, which peaked at number four in Australia. Included on the album were the singles “High on Me” and “Bloodstone.” ~ Evan C. Gutierrez