Magnus Ferrell
Magnus Ferrell | |
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| Born | Magnus Paulin Ferrell March 7, 2004 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Website | www |
Magnus Paulin Ferrell[1] (/ˈfɛrəl/; born March 7, 2004) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. After releasing music independently while studying at the University of Southern California, he signed with Visva Records and Republic Records. His 2026 single "Asleep Talking" became his first entry on a Billboard chart, debuting at number 24 on the Digital Song Sales chart.[2] Later that year, he was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.[3]
Ferrell is the eldest son of actor and comedian Will Ferrell and Viveca Paulin.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Ferrell was born on March 7, 2004, in Los Angeles, California, to Will Ferrell and Viveca Paulin.[1][4] He began studying piano as a child and became interested in jazz as a teenager, playing in school jazz ensembles.[5][2] His paternal grandfather, Roy Lee Ferrell Jr., was a musician who played saxophone and keyboards with the Righteous Brothers.[2] Ferrell speaks Swedish, having learned it through his mother, and grew up spending summers in Gnesta.[6]
Ferrell attended the University of Southern California, where he studied acting.[7] During his time at USC, he increasingly pursued music and later left school to focus on his recording career.[4]
Career
[edit]2023–2025: Early releases and record deal
[edit]In March 2023, Ferrell performed at the Troubadour in West Hollywood as part of a concert organized by USC students. Annenberg Media reported that he had also performed at the Mayan Theater and Hotel Ziggy in Los Angeles and had opened for the Psychedelic Furs at the Music Box in San Diego.[8]
Ferrell released the six-track EP Hasn't Even Started in 2024. The project included the singles "Life or Death", "Missed Your Chance" and "Don't Talk to Me Like That".[7]
He subsequently signed with Visva Records and Republic Records.[2][9] In 2025, his song "Slow Down", recorded with Deacon Phillippe, was featured in the film You're Cordially Invited.[10] He also released singles including "Miss Me Vendetta", "Ain't the Feeling" and "New Sensation".[5][4]
2026: "Asleep Talking" and wider recognition
[edit]Ferrell released "Asleep Talking" on April 24, 2026 through Visva and Republic Records.[11] The song received increased attention after Will Ferrell played an excerpt during an appearance on Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson's IMO podcast. It subsequently became Magnus Ferrell's first Billboard chart entry, debuting at number 24 on the Digital Song Sales chart.[2]
Ferrell made his first festival appearance at Outside Lands in San Francisco in August 2026.[12] V described him that month as a multi-instrumentalist whose growing audience followed the success of "Asleep Talking", his Republic Records deal and a developing festival schedule.[13]
In August, Ferrell was announced as a nominee for Best New Artist at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.[3] He was also announced as a supporting act on select dates of the Jonas Brothers' 2026 The Burning Up Tour All Over Again.[14]
Musical style
[edit]Ferrell's music has been described as incorporating pop, R&B, soul, funk and jazz influences.[4][2] He has cited his early study of jazz piano as influential to his songwriting and musicianship.[5] Ferrell has frequently collaborated with songwriter and producer Gabe Yaron.[5]
Discography
[edit]Extended plays
[edit]- Hasn't Even Started (2024)[7]
- Groove Therapy (2026)
Selected singles
[edit]- "Life or Death" (2024)
- "Miss Me Vendetta" (2025)
- "Ain't the Feeling" (2025)
- "New Sensation" (2025)
- "Asleep Talking" (2026)
- "Waste Your Heart" (2026)
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Organization | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best New Artist | Nominated | [3] |
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Will Ferrell's son Magnus says mom going into labor with him halted production on one of his dad's classic movies". Entertainment Weekly. August 2026. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Moss, Marissa R. (August 19, 2026). "Who Is VMA Best New Artist Nominee Magnus Ferrell? (Hint: More Cowbell)". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "VMA nominations 2026: List of nominees, led by Madonna". Los Angeles Times. August 18, 2026. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Collar, Matt. "Magnus Ferrell Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Bagdady, Mariam (August 13, 2025). "Interview: Magnus Ferrell Is Fun, Young, and Unafraid of His Shadows". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- ↑ Muntau, Michelle (August 3, 2025). "Magnus Ferrell om uppväxten med Hollywoodstjärnan som pappa" (in Swedish). TV4. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Snyder, Taryn (April 16, 2024). "SC Unplugged: Artist Magnus Ferrell dissects 'Life or Death' from his recent EP 'Hasn't Even Started'". Annenberg Media. University of Southern California. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- ↑ Motwane, Alea (March 1, 2023). "USC music students take over the Troubadour". Annenberg Media. University of Southern California. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Republic Records". Republic Records. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Will Ferrell's Son Magnus Jumps on 'My Emergency Contact' Trend with Hilarious Video of His Dad". People. 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Asleep Talking - Single by Magnus Ferrell". Apple Music. April 24, 2026. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- ↑ "The nepo babies who took over Outside Lands 2026". San Francisco Chronicle. August 2026. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- ↑ Feldman, Evelyn (August 12, 2026). "Getting Ready: Magnus Ferrell Performs at Outside Lands". V. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Jonas Brothers Are 'Burning Up' Again With New 45-City Tour". Billboard Canada. August 2026. Retrieved September 16, 2026.