Del Rey initially began performing in clubs in New York City at age 18, and signed her first recording contract when she was 21 years old with 5 Points Records, releasing her first digital album Lana Del Ray A.K.A.
Source : Lana Del Rey Facebook Page
Del Rey bought herself out of her contract with 5 Points Records in April 2010 and signed to Stranger Records to release her debut single "Video Games" in June 2011.A music video created by Del Rey for the song was posted on YouTube in August 2011 and became a viral internet hit.
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The singer has described herself as a "self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra". Del Rey is also signed to NEXT Model Management.
Source : Lana Del Rey Tumblr Blog
After uploading a few of her tracks to her YouTube channel, Del Rey was discovered and was signed by Stranger Records to release her debut single "Video Games".
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She told The Observer, "I just put that song online a few months ago because it was my favourite. To be honest, it wasn't going to be the single but people have really responded to it.
Source : Lana Del Rey Facebook Page
The song earned her a Q award for "Next Big Thing" in October 2011.
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She signed a joint deal with Interscope Records and Polydor to work on her second studio album Born to Die.
Source : Lana Del Rey Facebook Page
Del Rey built anticipation to the album by doing a number of live appearances, such as promotional concerts at the Bowery Ballroom and at the Chateau Marmont, and with performances at television shows such as De Wereld Draait Door, and Later... with Jools Holland.
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Del Rey also performed two songs from the album on Saturday Night Live on January 14, 2012 and received a negative response from critics and the general public.Del Rey's performance was defended by the evening's program guest host, actor Daniel Radcliffe, despite not having seen her performance.
Source : Lana Del Rey Facebook Page
Del Rey then signed a joint deal with Interscope and Polydor in collaboration with Stranger Records in July 2011, and released her second studio album Born to Die in January 2012.The album sold over 2.8 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of 2012.
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Charting across Europe, the album spawned numerous top ten hits, including "Blue Jeans", "National Anthem", "Born to Die", and "Summertime Sadness". Her third EP, Paradise, is slated for a 2012 release as a solitary album and part of a two-box collection with the deluxe edition of Born to Die.
Source : Lana Del Rey Facebook Page
Born to Die reached number one in eleven countries, though critical reaction was divided.
Source : Lana Del Rey Facebook Page
On January 4, 2012, it was reported she had signed a deal with NEXT Model Management agency.
Source : Lana Del Rey Facebook Page
To date, her discography includes two full-length studio albums, three EPs, six singles, and seven music videos.
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In May 2012, British pop star Cheryl Cole confirmed that Del Rey would write for her new album A Million Lights.On September 13, 2012, the lead single for the Paradise Edition of Born to Die was confirmed to be called "Ride".
Source : Lana Del Rey Facebook Fan Page
Del Rey stated that she has suffered from alcohol dependence. At the age of fourteen, she was sent to Kent School, a boarding school in Connecticut, to get sober.
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Del Rey's left hand is tattooed with the letter "M", referencing her grandmother, Madeleine and the word "paradise." Her right hand is tattooed with the phrase "trust no one." She also has the phrase "die young" tattooed on her right ring finger.
Source : Lana Del Rey Facebook Page
On numerous occasions, Del Rey has been accused of having had rhinoplasty and lip augmentation, which she denies.
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She has been in a relationship with Kassidy frontman Barrie-James O'Neill since August 2011.
