Hardcore Shows in New Jersey: Halsey’s Surprising Past

Halsey‘s journey to becoming a chart-topping sensation originated from an unexpected environment: the vibrant New Jersey hardcore music scene. This unique background has shaped her artistic identity and musical versatility, allowing her to blend genres in ways that resonate with diverse audiences. Halsey’s early experiences in this scene not only honed her promotional skills but also provided a strong foundation for her later success in the mainstream music industry.

In a recently shared TikTok video, the Grammy-nominated artist, known by her birth name Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, reminisced about her formative years spent organizing shows for hardcore and metal bands, a testament to her deep-rooted passion for music. The clip, filmed during a meet-and-greet event at Ulta for her About-Face beauty line, reveals Halsey’s connection to her past and her rise to fame. “I used to promote hardcore shows in Jersey before I started making music,” she stated, reflecting on her beginnings and the rich experiences that shaped her career.

“I did a lot of hardcore but then also some of the more commercial hardcore,” Halsey explained in the engaging clip. She highlighted a significant milestone from her youth, recalling, “The biggest show I ever booked, I was 16, was like August Burns Red and The Devil Wears Prada.” This experience not only showcases her early involvement in the music industry but also emphasizes her ability to recognize and promote talent, setting the stage for her own future as a successful artist.

Halsey also shared a personal anecdote regarding her senior yearbook quote, revealing that it was influenced by the hardcore band Defeater. She humorously added, “I’ve said before that I might have quoted Hundredth, too, so who knows.” This reflection illustrates her deep connection to the hardcore genre, showcasing how it has permeated her life and work, ultimately influencing her artistic expression and lyrical themes in her music.

While Halsey’s roots in hardcore music may seem distant from her present-day pop stardom, they undoubtedly provide essential context to the genre-blending approach that characterizes her career. Her highly acclaimed debut album, Badlands, launched in 2015, debuted at an impressive No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. This success was replicated with her subsequent albums, Manic in 2020 and If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power in 2021, both of which similarly secured high chart positions. Halsey made history by achieving her first solo Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 with the 2018 hit “Without Me,” solidifying her status as a formidable force in the music industry.

With the release of The Great Impersonator in 2024, Halsey continued her streak of success, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album not only excelled on the mainstream charts but also topped the Top Rock & Alternative Albums and Top Alternative Albums charts. It achieved remarkable sales figures, moving 93,000 equivalent album units in its first week, which included 81,000 in traditional album sales, a testament to her enduring popularity and the strength of her fan base, according to data from Luminate.

The release of The Great Impersonator marked Halsey’s third consecutive album to lead the Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart, following her previous successes with If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power (2021) and Badlands (2015). Additionally, the album made a significant impact on the Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart, debuting at No. 2, a feat propelled by robust vinyl sales that accounted for 26,000 of the total units sold. This trend highlights the growing appreciation for physical media among her fan base and the resurgence of vinyl records in the music industry.

Featuring tracks like “Panic Attack” and “Ego,” The Great Impersonator showcased Halsey’s ability to craft engaging rock anthems, with both songs making their debut on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart at No. 25 and No. 30, respectively. “Ego” made considerable strides on radio, peaking at No. 25 on Adult Pop Airplay and reaching No. 28 on Pop Airplay, further emphasizing Halsey’s impact on multiple music genres and her versatility as an artist.

Halsey’s exploration into rock and metal genres began long before her rise to fame. Her 2021 album, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, produced by the renowned Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, featured collaborations with legendary rock musicians such as Dave Grohl and Lindsey Buckingham. With the release of The Great Impersonator, Halsey continued her journey of rock-inspired exploration, even embracing iconic aesthetics by recreating looks of celebrated artists like David Bowie, Cher, and Bruce Springsteen leading up to the album’s anticipated release in October 2024.