Derik John Baker,known asVirginia To Vegas,is an American-Born Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter. He is based inToronto,Ontario. He is best known for his gold and platinum-certified singles, "We Are Stars","Lights Out","Selfish "," Just Friends "and" Betterman ", released through Wax Records andUltra Records.

Virginia To Vegas
Background information
Birth nameDerik John Baker
BornRichmond, Virginia,United States
OriginGuelph,Ontario, Canada
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer-songwriter
  • producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • bass
Years active2013–present
Labels
Websitewww.virginiatovegasEdit this at Wikidata

Early life and education

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Although Derik John Baker[1]was born in theRichmond,Virginia, United States[2],he was raised inGuelphandToronto,inOntario,Canada[3][4],as well asCharlestoninWest Virginia,United States.[3]

He attended high school atGuelph Collegiate Vocational Instituteand Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School.[5]After high school, Derik attendedSheridan Collegefor studies in travel and tourism.[6]

Career

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2013–2014: Career beginnings andVol. I

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Virginia To Vegas was signed to an independent full service 100% Canadian music company Wax Records in July 2013, after label executive, Jamie Appleby, discovered him on YouTube. The first single "We Are Stars"was released on January 7, 2014, and entered the Canadian Singles Top 100 chart at 94 on week 5, February 1, 2014, peaked at 14 and stayed for one week.[7]On November 10, 2014, Virginia to Vegas released his debut EPVol. I,which includes his Platinum-certified debut single "We Are Stars".[8][9]

2015–2016:Utopian

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Virginia to Vegas released a new single, "Our Story",on May 4, 2015.[10]On September 2, 2016, he released a new single, "Lights Out",which samplesRockwell's 1984 single, "Somebody's Watching Me".[11]That fall, he announced that his debut studio album would be released by the end of 2016.[12]Utopianwas released on December 2, 2016 and features all four of his singles released through that date.[13]This was when he first got signed to a U.S record company ofUltra Records.

2017–2019:Hartland St.

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On February 24, 2017, Virginia To Vegas released a new single called "Selfish".[14]On November 8, he released another single called "Emotions".[15]His next single "Yesterday" was released on October 12, 2018.[16]Finally, he released "Just Friends" on May 24, 2019.[17]All these songs are featured on his second EPHartland St.,which was released on June 14, 2019.[18]Hartland Street is the name of the actual street he lives on in real life. This was when he moved to, was living in, and was leaving Los Angeles at a time.

2020–2022:A Constant State of ImprovementandDon't Wake Me, I'm Dreaming

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Only months after the release ofHartland St.,Virginia To Vegas released the single "Betterman" on February 14, 2020, followed by an EP titledA Constant State of Improvementon February 28, 2020, which includes the song "Betterman". On October 30, 2020, he released another EP,Don't Wake Me, I'm Dreaming,[19]which includes the lead single "Palm Springs (The Way You Made Me Feel)", released on September 18.[20]In September 2021, he collaborated withMacKenzie Porteron the single "This Sucks.".[21]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details
Utopian
Life Gets Interesting...
  • Released: February 17, 2023
  • Label: Wax
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing[22]
  • 1. "Intro"
  • 2. "Casamigos"
  • 3. "Amnesia"
  • 4. "Outerspace"
  • 5. "No Excuses"
  • 6. "Break Up with That Guy."
  • 7. "Over You"
  • 8. "R.I.P."
  • 9. "You Don't Know"
  • 10. "Drunk"

Compilation albums

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Title Album details
The Greatest Hits
  • Released: March 8, 2024
  • Label: Wax
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing[23]
  • 1. "We Are Stars"(featuringAlyssa Reid)
  • 2. "Lights Out"
  • 3. "Selfish"
  • 4. "Just Friends"
  • 5. "Betterman"
  • 6. "No Excusus"
  • 7. "Don't Fight the Music"
  • 8. "What Are We"
  • 9. "Better with You"
  • 10. "Palm Springs (The Way You Made Me Feel)"
  • 11. "Malibu"(withNOTD)
  • 12. "Time!"

Extended plays

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Title EP details
Vol. I
  • Released: November 10, 2014
  • Label: Wax
  • Format: Digital download
Track listing[24]
  • 1. "Last of the Fighters"
  • 2. "We Are Stars"(featuring Alyssa Reid)
  • 3. "Make It Last"
  • 4. "Colourful"
  • 5. "Don't Fight the Music"
  • 6. "Beautiful"
Hartland St.
  • Released: June 14, 2019
  • Label: Wax
  • Format: Digital download
Track listing[18]
  • 1. "Just Friends"
  • 2. "Internet"
  • 3. "Selfish"
  • 4. "Yesterday"
  • 5. "Emotions"
  • 6. "Losing Touch"
A Constant State of Improvement
  • Released: February 28, 2020
  • Label: Wax
  • Format: Digital download
Track listing[25]
  • 1. "Intro"
  • 2. "What Are We"
  • 3. "Betterman"
  • 4. "One on One"
  • 5. "Better with You"
Don't Wake Me, I'm Dreaming
  • Released: October 30, 2020
  • Label: Wax
  • Format: Digital download
Track listing[19]
  • 1. "Intro"
  • 2. "Palm Springs (The Way You Made Me Feel)"
  • 3. "Flyby."(with Mokita)
  • 4. "Told You So"
  • 5. "Cry"
  • 6. "Sunny Days"
It's a Little Complicated, But I'm Okay.
  • Released: February 4, 2022
  • Label: Wax
  • Format: Digital download
Track listing[26]
  • 1. "Amnesia"
  • 2. "No Excuses"
  • 3. "Outerspace"

Compilation extended plays

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Title EP details
L.A. in the Rear View
Track listing[27]
  • 1. "Just Friends"
  • 2. "Betterman"
  • 3. "What Are We"
  • 4. "Told You So"
  • 5. "Better with You"
  • 6. "Sunny Days"
Remember That Time We
  • Released: May 20, 2022
  • Label: Wax, FP
  • Format: Digital download
Track listing[28]

Singles

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As lead artist

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Single Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
CAN
[29]
CAN
AC

[30]
CAN CHR
[31]
CAN
Hot AC

[32]
"We Are Stars"
(featuringAlyssa Reid)
2014 14 13 11 14 Utopian
"Don't Fight the Music" 97 30 33 36
"Our Story" 2015 47 32
"Lights Out" 2016 40 12 10 14
"Selfish" 2017 72 11 9 12 Hartland St.
"Emotions" 34 39
"Yesterday" 2018 30
"Just Friends" 2019 50 5 8 3
"Betterman" 2020 48 8 15 6 A Constant State of Improvement
"Palm Springs (The Way You Made Me Feel)"[20] 27 41 Don't Wake Me, I'm Dreaming
"Malibu"[34]
(withNOTD)
2021 24 29 Remember That Time We
"This Sucks."[35]
(withMacKenzie Porter)
26 42
"No Excuses" 2022 61 7 12 11 Life Gets Interesting...
"Daydreaming"[36]
(with Noelle)
99 14 20 29 Non-album singles
"Last Christmas"
(featuringTyler Shaw,Lolo,New Friends, Noelle,Shawn Hook)
2023
"Time!" 2024 10 10 The Greatest Hits
"More Often Than Not" Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.
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Single Year Peak chart positions Album
CAN
[37]
CAN
AC

[38]
CAN CHR
[39]
CAN
Hot AC

[40]
"Just as Much"
(Delaney Janefeaturing Virginia to Vegas)
2021 71 15 11 21 Somewhere Else

Promotional singles

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Single Year Album
"Colourful" 2014 Vol. I
"Amnesia"[41] 2021 Life Gets Interesting...
"You Don't Know"[42] 2022
"Break Up with That Guy."[43]

Awards

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Virginia to Vegas performed at the 2014Canadian Radio Music Awardswhere he was nominated for the Heartseeker Award. His radio success with his first three singles "We Are Stars", "Don't Fight the Music", and "Our Story" contributed to him being nominated for Pop Artist or Group of the Year at the 2015Sirius XMIndie Awards.[44]

"We Are Stars", "Lights Out" and "Selfish" all earned Virginia to VegasSocanawards for pop recordings of the year.

In 2015 Virginia to Vegas was awarded at the Canadian Radio Music Awards for the Factor Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

He received aJuno Awardnomination forBreakthrough Artist of the Yearat theJuno Awards of 2018.[45]

References

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  1. ^"Virginia to Vegas in Studio".CHFI.Archived fromthe originalon 24 August 2014.Retrieved17 February2015.
  2. ^Pelletier, Jeff (23 September 2019)."Q&A: Virginia to Vegas's Derik Baker".The Charlatan, Carleton's independent newspaper.Retrieved25 October2024.
  3. ^ab"Virginia to Vegas Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio..."AllMusic.Retrieved25 October2024.
  4. ^"trcs.eslvideo - Betterman".trcs.eslvideo.Retrieved25 October2024.
  5. ^"Virginia To Vegas honors his past with 'the greatest hits' » // MELODIC Magazine".melodicmag.8 March 2024.Retrieved25 October2024.
  6. ^"Virginia To Vegas | Wax Records".waxrecords.Retrieved25 October2024.
  7. ^"Virginia to Vegas and Alyssa Reid – We Are Stars".ACharts.us.Retrieved17 February2015.
  8. ^"Virginia to Vegas".The Feldman Agency.Retrieved17 February2015.
  9. ^Pham, Vivian."Listen—Virginia To Vegas Releases New Single 'Colourful'".Pop Dust.Retrieved17 February2015.
  10. ^"Don't Fight the Music – Virginia to Vegas | Release Info".AllMusic.All Media Network.Retrieved3 December2016.
  11. ^Kennedy, John R (8 November 2016)."Virginia to Vegas Channels Rockwell In 'Lights Out'".iHeartRadio.iHeartMedia.Retrieved3 December2016.
  12. ^Doole, Kerry (25 November 2016)."Virginia To Vegas: Lights Out".FYI Music News.Retrieved3 December2016.
  13. ^"Utopian by Virginia to Vegas".iTunes Store(Canada).Apple Inc.2 December 2016.Retrieved3 December2016.
  14. ^"Selfish – Single by Virginia to Vegas on Apple Music",iTunes Store(Canada),retrieved6 July2019
  15. ^"Emotions – Single by Virginia to Vegas on Apple Music",iTunes Store(Canada),retrieved6 July2019
  16. ^"Yesterday – Single by Virginia to Vegas on Apple Music",iTunes Store(Canada),retrieved6 July2019
  17. ^"Just Friends – Single by Virginia to Vegas on Apple Music",iTunes Store,retrieved6 July2019
  18. ^ab"Hartland St. – EP by Virginia to Vegas".iTunes Store(Canada).Apple Inc.Retrieved20 June2019.
  19. ^ab"don't wake me, i'm dreaming – EP by Virginia to Vegas".Apple Music(Canada).Apple Inc.Retrieved3 March2020.
  20. ^ab"Palm Springs (the way you made me feel) – Single by Virginia to Vegas".Apple Music(Canada).Apple Inc.Retrieved18 September2020.
  21. ^Doole, Kerry (19 September 2021)."Virginia To Vegas ft MacKenzie Porter – this sucks".FYI Music News.
  22. ^"life gets interesting... by Virginia To Vegas".iTunes Store(Canada).Apple Inc.17 February 2023.Retrieved18 February2023.
  23. ^"the greatest hits by Virginia To Vegas".iTunes Store(Canada).Apple Inc.8 March 2024.Retrieved15 March2024.
  24. ^"Vol. I – EP by Virginia to Vegas".iTunes Store(Canada).Apple Inc.10 November 2014.Retrieved7 November2015.
  25. ^"a constant state of improvement. – EP by Virginia to Vegas".Apple Music(Canada).Apple Inc.Retrieved3 March2020.
  26. ^"it's a little complicated, but i'm okay. – Single by Virginia to Vegas".Apple Music(Canada).Apple Inc.Retrieved4 February2022.
  27. ^"l.a. in the rear view – EP by Virginia to Vegas".Apple Music(Canada).Apple Inc.Retrieved27 March2021.
  28. ^"Remember That Time We – EP by Virginia to Vegas".Apple Music(Canada).Apple Inc.Retrieved22 May2022.
  29. ^"Virginia To Vegas Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)".Billboard.Archived fromthe originalon 13 May 2018.Retrieved28 February2018.
  30. ^"Virginia To Vegas Chart History (Canada AC)".Billboard.Archived fromthe originalon 19 May 2018.Retrieved28 February2018.
  31. ^"Virginia To Vegas Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)".Billboard.Archived fromthe originalon 19 May 2018.Retrieved28 February2018.
  32. ^"Virginia To Vegas Chart History (Canada Hot AC)".Billboard.Archived fromthe originalon 19 May 2018.Retrieved28 February2018.
  33. ^abcde"Canadian certifications – Virginia to Vegas".Music Canada.Retrieved17 November2021.
  34. ^"Malibu – Single by Virginia to Vegas & NOTD".Apple Music(Canada).Apple Inc.Retrieved27 March2021.
  35. ^"Virginia To Vegas & MacKenzie Porter Earn Strong Radio Support".FYI Music News.19 September 2021.
  36. ^"Daydreaming – Single by Noelle & Virginia to Vegas".Apple Music.Apple Inc.Retrieved2 December2022.
  37. ^"Delaney Jane Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)".Billboard.Retrieved30 March2021.
  38. ^"Delaney Jane Chart History (Canada AC)".Billboard.Retrieved30 March2021.
  39. ^"Delaney Jane Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)".Billboard.Retrieved30 March2021.
  40. ^"Delaney Jane Chart History (Canada Hot AC)".Billboard.Retrieved30 March2021.
  41. ^"amnesia – Single by Virginia to Vegas".Apple Music(Canada).Apple Inc.Retrieved4 February2022.
  42. ^"you don't know – Single by Virginia to Vegas".Apple Music(Canada).Apple Inc.Retrieved27 June2022.
  43. ^"break up with that guy. – Single by Virginia to Vegas".Apple Music.Apple Inc.Retrieved5 January2023.
  44. ^Delmar, Sari (8 April 2015)."2015 INDIE AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED".INDIES.Sirius XM.Retrieved3 December2016.
  45. ^"Arcade Fire and Daniel Caesar lead 2018 Juno Award nominations".CBC Music,February 6, 2018.
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