Biography

American singer/songwriter Coleridge Gardner Tillman (aka Sebastian Kole) spent his early career writing hit songs for others before becoming a vocalist in his own right. Tillman was born in 1989 into a religious family in Birmingham, Alabama. During his early years he attended church regularly, where he joined the choir and learned the piano from his grandmother, who played the organ during services. While attending elementary school he also picked up the tuba; shortly afterward -- at age 13 -- he began rapping and writing songs. By the time he was attending the University of Alabama, his style shifted toward singing. His big break came in 2012 when he co-wrote "Goin' In," which found its way to Jennifer Lopez and became a hit. In 2015, Tillman used the money from the single to move to L.A., quickly landing himself a deal with EP Entertainment and Motown. Later the same year, Tillman began working with EP labelmate Alessia Cara, going on to co-write her debut album; around the same time television program Grey's Anatomy licensed a handful of his tracks to use on the show. Both events brought Tillman into the public eye. By 2016 he had begun writing music for himself, blending elements of gospel, soul, R&B, and pop. His eponymous debut EP arrived in May, followed by his debut full-length album, Soup, in October of the same year. ~ Liam Martin, Rovi