Self-Styled Gangsta

Lana Del Rey, born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, has surely come a long way from her days growing up in Lake Placid, N.Y. At 18 she moved to New York City and initially got her start performing in clubs all over the city. She signed her first recording contract when she was 20 years old with 5 Points Records, releasing her first digital album  Lana Del Ray a.k.a. Lizzy Grant in January 2010.

Del Rey’s music has been noted for its cinematic sound and its references to various aspects of pop culture, particularily that of the 1950s and 60s Americana. The singer has described herself as a “self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra”.

New Face of H&M

Following the all­-conquering “Video Games” and her number one debut album Born To Die, Del Rey signed to NEXT models, wrote the best song on Cheryl Cole’s last album, teamed up with ASAP Rocky and has acted as a muse and model to Mulberry and Jaguar. On July 17, it was confirmed by H&M that Del Rey would be modeling and recording a cover version of “Blue Velvet” for their 2012 Autumn Campaign.

PHOTO: Lana Del Rey’s British GQ cover. The issue is currently available on newsstands.

Nude For ‘GQ’ Photo Shoot

Del Rey claimed the title of British GQ’s “Woman of the Year” and got naked for the cover of the risque issue. Wearing nothing but diamond and sapphire jewelry and bright red lipstick, Del Rey poses nude for the cover of British GQ’s “15th Annual Men of the Year Awards Special Issue.”