D4vd
D4vd, pronounced 'David,' emerged onto the music scene not from a burning desire for stardom, but from a practical need to avoid copyright strikes on his gaming videos. This unlikely beginning sparked a meteoric rise, turning a casual hobby into a global phenomenon with viral hits and millions of streams. His story is a fascinating blend of digital savvy and raw artistic talent, proving that inspiration can strike from the most unexpected places. D4vd initially created music to soundtrack his gaming content, an unconventional path that unexpectedly launched his career. His unique sound, often developed using simple freemium software, quickly garnered massive attention on TikTok, leading to major label deals. From gospel to indie rock, his diverse early musical journey profoundly shaped a distinctive style that resonates with a global audience.
AI Summary
D4vd, pronounced 'David,' emerged onto the music scene not from a burning desire for stardom, but from a practical need to avoid copyright strikes on his gaming videos. This unlikely beginning sparked a meteoric rise, turning a casual hobby into a global phenomenon with viral hits and millions of streams. His story is a fascinating blend of digital savvy and raw artistic talent, proving that inspiration can strike from the most unexpected places.
- D4vd initially created music to soundtrack his gaming content, an unconventional path that unexpectedly launched his career.
- His unique sound, often developed using simple freemium software, quickly garnered massive attention on TikTok, leading to major label deals.
- From gospel to indie rock, his diverse early musical journey profoundly shaped a distinctive style that resonates with a global audience.
Meet D4vd: The Gamer Turned Global Artist
Born David Anthony Burke in Queens, New York City, the artist known as d4vd—pronounced 'David'—began his musical journey under truly unusual circumstances. It wasn't about ambition at first, but a simple solution to a digital problem: copyright.
From Queens to Houston: An Eclectic Musical Upbringing
Burke's early life saw him move from the bustling streets of Queens to Houston, Texas. Until he was 13, his musical world was strictly gospel — a stark contrast to what would come next. It was a foundational sound that offered structure and melody.
His musical landscape exploded after he heard Lil Pump's 'Gucci Gang.' This opened doors to artists like XXXTentacion and later, through the unexpected avenue of Fortnite montages, the entire indie music genre. He was homeschooled after seventh grade, giving him more freedom to explore these new sounds.
The Accidental Musician: Avoiding Copyright Strikes
The genesis of d4vd's music career is one for the history books. As an avid creator of Fortnite montage videos, he faced the looming threat of YouTube copyright strikes for using popular music. His ingenious solution? Make his own soundtracks.
Before hitting the mainstream, Burke honed his craft by releasing original tracks to SoundCloud, including early gems like 'You and I' and 'Take Me To the Sun.' Remarkably, many of these initial creations were produced using BandLab, a freemium digital audio workstation—proving you don't need a fancy studio to make an impact.
The TikTok Takeover: 'Romantic Homicide'
Everything changed in 2022. Snippets of his haunting track, 'Romantic Homicide,' began to spread like wildfire across TikTok. The raw emotion and unique sound resonated deeply, compelling him to officially release the song on July 20, 2022.
'Romantic Homicide' wasn't just a viral moment; it became a genuine hit, climbing to No. 3 on the Hot Alternative Songs chart. Its undeniable success caught the attention of major labels, leading to his signing with Darkroom and Interscope Records in September 2022.
Hot on its heels, his next single, 'Here with Me,' also found massive success after an official release in September 2022. Like its predecessor, 'Here with Me' exploded on TikTok, pushing it onto multiple charts, most notably reaching No. 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and a top ten spot in Singapore.
Expanding Horizons: EPs and Collaborations
Building on his breakthrough, d4vd released his debut EP, 'Petals to Thorns,' in May 2023 through Darkroom and Interscope. This collection quickly found international acclaim, charting in five regions, showcasing his growing global reach.
He continued to expand his creative output with a second EP, 'The Lost Petals,' in September, a continuation of his earlier work. Beyond his solo efforts, 2023 also saw him featured on Holly Humberstone's 'Superbloodmoon' and performing as a supporting act for SZA's acclaimed SOS tour, cementing his place in the broader music scene.
The momentum carried into 2024 with a stream of new music. February brought the double single 'Withering,' featuring 'Leave Her' and '2016.' In March, he surprised fans by joining the gaming and lifestyle brand 100 Thieves as a content creator, bridging his two passions.
His music also made its way to the screen, with 'Feel It' featuring on the soundtrack for Amazon Prime Video's 'Invincible.' More singles, 'There Goes My Baby' and 'Where'd It Go Wrong?', followed, along with 'Remember Me' for the 'Arcane' Season 2 soundtrack, showcasing his versatility.
The Debut Album: 'Withered' Arrives
The culmination of his early career arrived on April 25, 2025, with the release of his much-anticipated debut album, 'Withered.' Leading up to this, he dropped several singles, including 'One More Dance,' 'Crashing' with Kali Uchis, and 'What Are You Waiting For,' each offering a taste of the album's depth.
The album was celebrated with a special showcase in the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, Philippines, highlighting his significant Asian fanbase. A memorable moment at his Coachella debut performance saw him faceplant during an attempted backflip — a relatable human touch amidst his rising fame. The 'Withered' World Tour is set to captivate audiences from August to December 2025.
Beyond the Sound: Anime as a Core Influence
D4vd's artistic influences extend far beyond just music. In an interview while in Japan for Fuji Rock, he revealed that anime, particularly high-energy shonen genres like 'Dragon Ball Z,' 'Naruto,' and 'My Hero Academia,' deeply inspires him. He finds the 'fluid, fast-paced movement' and combat in these shows to be 'poetic,' infusing his music with a similar dynamic spirit.
Accolades and Recognition
His rapid ascent hasn't gone unnoticed. D4vd has garnered several significant nominations and awards, including a BMI Pop Award win in 2024 for 'Here with Me,' recognizing its impact. He's also been nominated for Streamy Awards, Hollywood Music in Media Awards, and the Guild of Music Supervisors Awards, solidifying his place as a rising star.
Article
D4vd
David Anthony Burke (born March 28, 2005), known professionally as D4vd, is an American singer-songwriter. Born in Queens, New York City, and raised in Houston, Texas, Burke began composing music in 2021 for his Fortnite gameplay montages. He first achieved commercial success with his 2022 singles "Romantic Homicide" and "Here with Me", both of which earned multiple platinum certifications. In 2023, he released the EPs Petals to Thorns and The Lost Petals; the former charted in six territories. In 2025, he released his only studio album, Withered, which peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard 200.
In September 2025, police discovered the dismembered body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez inside a vehicle registered to Burke. Following her identification, his ongoing tour and a planned deluxe reissue of Withered were canceled. He was arrested on April 16, 2026, on suspicion of murdering Rivas and is being held without bail. On April 20, Burke was charged with first-degree murder of Rivas with special circumstances, lewd and lascivious acts with an individual under 14, and mutilating a body. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Early life
D4vd
David Anthony Burke was born on March 28, 2005, in Queens, New York City, the son of Colleen and Dawud Burke. His family later moved to Houston, Texas. After seventh grade, he was homeschooled. As a child, he played the piano, sang in a church choir, and listened exclusively to gospel music until age 13. He is a Christian, stating in an interview with Astrophe Magazine, "I get my personal power from God for sure. Heavy believer in the Christian faith."
Career
2021–2022: Early career and rise to prominence
Burke began his music career by uploading Fortnite gaming montages. To avoid copyright issues, he started creating original music that blended lo-fi pop, R&B, and indie rock. He released his music to SoundCloud, including songs such as "You and I", "Take Me to the Sun", and "Runaway". He chose the stage name "d4vd" partly to improve his search engine optimization. He released the single "Romantic Homicide" on July 20, 2022, following TikTok snippets of it going viral.
"Romantic Homicide" charted at No. 3 on the Hot Alternative Songs chart and appeared at No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking his first entry on the chart. The music video, inspired by film noir, was nominated for Music Video (Independent) during the 14th Hollywood Music in Media Awards. After observing others reuse his music, he decided to keep making songs.
The song's success prompted Darkroom and Interscope Records to sign Burke in September 2022. First released on SoundCloud before "Romantic Homicide", Burke's next single, "Here with Me", was released to streaming platforms in September 2022. The song entered multiple charts after gaining traction on TikTok, most notably at No. 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and reached the top ten in Singapore. Most of these songs were produced using a freemium DAW called BandLab.
2023–2024: Extended plays
Burke performing at The Fonda Theatre in 2024
Burke released his debut EP, Petals to Thorns, through Darkroom and Interscope Records on May 26, 2023. His second EP, The Lost Petals, was released on September 8 as an extension of the former. "Here with Me", released in 2022, reached the top 40 in 2023.
In July 2023, he was featured on "Superbloodmoon", a single from Holly Humberstone's debut album. That same year, Burke performed as an opening act on SZA's SOS Tour.
On February 9, 2024, Burke released his third EP, Withering, which consists of the two songs "Leave Her" and "2016". The release was characterized in music media as a double single, in line with the artist's established style. In March, Burke released the single "Feel It" for the soundtrack of Amazon Prime Video's television series Invincible. On December 19, 2024, he released the single "Where'd It Go Wrong?". He also performed "Remember Me", featured on the soundtrack for the second season of the steampunk action-adventure television series Arcane.
2025: Withered
On February 7, 2025, he released the single "One More Dance". On February 28, he released the single "Crashing" with Kali Uchis, followed by "What Are You Waiting For" on March 28. He held a showcase for his debut studio album, Withered, at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay, Philippines. During his Coachella debut, he face-planted while attempting a backflip. By November 2025, Burke had accumulated 3.6 million TikTok followers.
Burke also featured on Jasontheween's song "Summer Uptown", released on July 9, 2025.
The Withered tour began in August 2025. However, the tour and all public appearances were suspended on September 19, following the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez and suspicions around Burke's involvement in her death. The deluxe edition of Withered, subtitled Marcescence, was also shelved. Interscope Records suspended all Burke-related promotions, while Crocs and Hollister Co. removed him from their promotional campaigns.
In the following days, the tour's European and Australian shows and Burke's planned performance at Spilt Milk in December were canceled. Kali Uchis sought removal of their collaboration song "Crashing" from streaming platforms. During the investigation, Burke's music streams on Spotify doubled from the previous week. In 2025, Burke became the top-searched musician and overall person on Google.
Artistry
D4vd
Homeschooled as a teen, Burke described living "vicariously" through his online friends, often referencing their experiences in his music. During a trip to the Fuji Rock festival, Burke cited anime as "one of my biggest influences", including series such as Dragon Ball Z. He has named SZA as a major influence on his work. He said that touring with her and building real-world connections allowed him to infuse more personal, "evolved" maturity into his work. Burke's singing voice has been described as a soft tenor with a vibrating falsetto.
Burke has spoken about an alter ego named Itami (or IT4MI). He described the persona as "the evil version of me" who "can manifest in different people, cause them to be chaotic, influence their bad decisions, and fuel their flame to do bad things," even suggesting Itami had written some of his songs.
Killing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
Discovery and investigation
On September 8, 2025, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) discovered heavily decomposed human remains inside the front trunk of an impounded car registered to Burke, after a tow yard worker reported a foul odor.
On September 16, 2025, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the body as that of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, from Lake Elsinore in Riverside County. Her body was discovered one day after what would have been her 15th birthday. Two days later, LAPD investigators executed a search warrant at Burke's Hollywood Hills rental property, seizing electronic materials including a computer. Shortly afterward, Burke's manager terminated the lease, and Burke moved out. Electronic materials, including a computer, were seized, Court documents unsealed in February 2026 revealed that Burke was the subject of a Los Angeles grand jury investigation into the death.
Arrest
Mugshot of Burke taken after his arrest, April 20, 2026
On April 16, 2026, Burke was arrested by the LAPD at a house on Marmont Avenue on suspicion of the murder of Rivas. Burke's lawyer denied the charges, stating, "Let us be clear – the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death."
On April 20, LAPD and the District Attorney's Office announced that Burke would be charged with first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14, and mutilation of a body. Prosecutor Nathan Hochman stated the case includes special circumstances of lying in wait and financial gain, alleging Burke killed Rivas to protect his music career. He is also accused of murdering a witness; prosecutors expect evidence to show the victim was involved in an investigation into alleged sexual acts committed by Burke while she was under 14. Prosecutors indicated they will consider seeking the death penalty. Burke appeared in court that same day, and pleaded not guilty to all charges. As of April 2026, he was incarcerated at the Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles. Prosecutors said that they found a "significant amount of child pornography" on Burke's iCloud storage account. Burke allegedly has eight terabytes of data on an iCloud storage account; at the time of the hearing, prosecutors had downloaded one terabyte.
In June 2026, Burke and his legal team received a postponement of his preliminary hearing. Initially scheduled for May 1, then May 26, then June 29, the hearing was delayed for a third time to July 21. On July 21–24 and July 27 when the hearing took place, Burke was committed to stand trial on all counts. He was formally charged on August 31 and the trial is scheduled to start within 90 days of charges being brought.
Industry and collaborator reactions
Following the discovery of Rivas's body in September 2025, singer-songwriter Kali Uchis pulled their collaboration, "Crashing", from streaming services, stating Burke was "not [her] friend." Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey pulled the song "This Is How It Feels" from streaming services. Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu announced she would be changing her routine, which included the Laufey song. Burke's song "What Are You Waiting For" was removed from the soundtrack for Madden NFL 26 without a statement from the publisher, EA Sports. He was also removed from the Spilt Milk 2025 festival lineup. Epic Games issued refunds to players who purchased in-game items featuring Burke's music in their game Fortnite, stating the refunds were the first step in a plan of changes to the items. Damiano David reissued his album Funny Little Fears, replacing the song "Tangerine", originally featuring Burke, with a solo version without his verse. Darkroom and Interscope Records ended its relationship with Burke in 2025. In April 2026, YouTube demonetized Burke's account, and Universal Music Group helped some of its artists remove their collaborations with him from streaming platforms. Spotify and Apple Music also faced calls to remove his music. "Remember Me", a contribution by Burke to the soundtrack of the second season of the Netflix animated series Arcane, was delisted from streaming services by Riot Games in May 2026.
Tours
Headlining
• Petals to Thorns Tour (2023) • My House Is Not a Home Tour (2024) • Withered World Tour (2025)
Supporting
• SZA – SOS Tour (2023)
Awards and nominations
D4vd
<table><thead><tr><th>Award</th><th>Year</th><th>Category</th><th>Nominated Work</th><th>Result</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Streamy Awards</td><td rowspan="2">2023</td><td>Rolling Stone Sound of the Year</td><td>"Here with Me"</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>14th Hollywood Music in Media Awards</td><td>Music Video (Independent)</td><td>"Romantic Homicide"</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">BMI Pop Awards</td><td rowspan="2">2024</td><td rowspan="2">Award-Winning Songs</td><td>"Here with Me"</td><td rowspan="2">Won</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td>"Romantic Homicide"</td></tr><tr><td>Guild of Music Supervisors Awards</td><td>2025</td><td>Best Song Written and/or Recorded for Television</td><td>"Feel It"</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2025</td><td>2025</td><td>Favorite Male Breakout Artist</td><td>D4vd</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>