Son Little
Son Little | |
|---|---|
in Davenport, Iowa, 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Aaron Earl Livingston |
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Genres | Rhythm & blues, blues, soul |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, record producer |
| Years active | 2014-present |
| Label | Anti- Records |
| Formerly of | Icebird |
| Website | Son Little on Facebook |
Aaron Earl Livingston,[1] also known by his stage name Son Little, is an American rhythm & blues[2] musician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.[3]
Career
On November 10, 2014, Livingston released his debut EP as Son Little titled Things I Forgot via Anti- Records.[4][5][6]
On October 16, 2015, Livingston released his first studio album, Son Little, with Anti- Records.[7][8][9][10]
Son Little has collaborated with The Roots, RJD2, and Mavis Staples, whom he spoke highly of. In an interview with Sound of Boston he named Mavis Staples as one of his favorite singers; "She's one of my favorite people, let alone favorite singer."[11][12]
On June 6, 2017, he released "Blue Magic (Waikiki)" as the first single off his next studio album, New Magic, which he announced would be released on September 15, 2017, via Anti- Records.[13] On August 1, 2017, he released "Demon To The Dark" as the second single off New Magic.[14]
During this period, Son Little’s performances at major festivals and venues helped expand his audience, including appearances at Bonnaroo, Pickathon, Electric Forest, and the Montreal Jazz Festival.[15][16] He also performed on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and conducted multiple headline tours across North America and Europe, while supporting artists such as Leon Bridges and Kelis.[17]
Following a tour through the UK and Europe supporting Larkin Poe, Son Little announced a new album, Cityfolk, scheduled for release in March 2026. He has released singles from the album, including “In Orbit” and “Be Better,” ahead of the full release.[18][19][20]
Influences
In an interview with Sound of Boston, Livingston cited Paul McCartney's Ram, Kendrick Lamar's Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, Grizzly Bear's Shields and Little Dragon's Ritual Union as inspirations for his debut album.[12]
Personal life
Livingston is a son of a preacher.[21]
Discography
Studio albums
- The Abandoned Lullaby (2011) (with RJD2, as Icebird)
- Son Little (2015)
- New Magic (2017)
- Aloha (2020)[22]
- Like Neptune (2022)[23]
- Cityfolk (2026)
EPs
- Things I Forgot (2014)
Guest appearances
- The Roots – "Guns Are Drawn" from The Tipping Point (2004)
- Hezekiah – "Right On" from Hurry Up & Wait (2005)
- Hezekiah – "Moments in Sometime" from I Predict a Riot (2007)
- Hezekiah – "Here's to the World" from Conscious Porn (2010)
- RJD2 – "Crumbs Off the Table" from The Colossus (2010)
- The Roots – "Sleep" from Undun (2011)
- MHz Legacy – "Tero Smith" from MHz Legacy (2012)
- Hot Sugar – "Honeycomb Hideout" from Midi Murder (2013)
- RJD2 – "Love and Go" from More Is Than Isn't (2013)
- RJD2 – "We Come Alive" from Dame Fortune (2016)
- Portugal. The Man – "Number One" from Woodstock (2017)
- Che Noir – "New Beginning" from The Color Chocolate 2 (2025)[24]
References
- ^ "William Patrick Corgan; Joey Purp; Lucy Fry; Son Little". Last Call with Carson Daly (Television program). December 2, 2017. 24 minutes in.
I'm Aaron Earl Livingston, better known as Son Little.
- ^ Pareles, Jon. "CMJ 2014: Son Little and Sons of an Illustrious Father Offer Roots Variations". ArtsBeat (The New York Times). Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ^ "Philly Scene Blog (emerging artists only)". The Deli Magazine. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ^ "Stream Son Little's 'Things I Forgot' EP". Okay Player. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ^ "SON LITTLE TO RELEASE NEW EP "THINGS I FORGOT"". Blues Magazine. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ^ "Son Little – Things I Forgot EP". Amazon.com. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
- ^ Tanners, Jon. "PREMIERE: SON LITTLE – "LAY DOWN"". Pigeons and Planes. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ^ "Son Little Details Self-Titled Debut LP". Street Music Charts. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ^ Adams, Gregory. "Son Little Details Self-Titled Debut LP". Exclaim. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ^ "Son Little – Son Little". Amazon.com. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
- ^ Scott, Damien. "Meet Son Little, the Former Roots and RJD2 Collaborator Who Is Setting Out on His Own". Complex Magazine. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
- ^ a b Bedian, Knar. "Futurist Talking Drum Machine: Interview with Son Little". Sound of Boston. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
- ^ "Son Little announces new album New Magic, streams lead single". The Key. June 6, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
- ^ "Son Little Summons A Gospel Singer's Spirit In 'Demon To The Dark'". NPR.org. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
- ^ Wake, Matt (June 2, 2015). "Bonnaroo 2015: Don't Speak Hipster". AL.com. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ Huntington, Tom (June 29, 2023). "Jam Packed With Gems: Montreal Jazz Fest Lineup Reflects Refreshing Change in Ever‑Evolving Genre". Rutland Herald. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ "Son Little – Millennium Stage (June 28, 2023)". John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ "Son Little Announces New Album And Shares 'Be Better'". antiMusic.com. January 14, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ Walsh, Dominic (October 18, 2025). "Larkin Poe w/ Son Little – Manchester Academy: Live Review". At The Barrier. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ "Son Little Returns With First New Music In Three Years • Listen To New Track "In Orbit"". ANTI-. November 12, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ Allen, Jim. "Review: Son Little, 'Son Little'". NPR. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
- ^ "Son Little – aloha – Feature Albums". Double J. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ "Like Neptune". Bandcamp. September 9, 2022. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
- ^ "Che Noir Drops 'New Beginning' (ft. Son Little) – Video / 'The Color Chocolate 2' (EP)". Insomniac Magazine. June 20, 2025. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
External links
- Son Little on SoundCloud
- Son Little discography at Discogs
- Aaron Livingston discography at Discogs