Brittany Howard
A powerhouse vocalist and songwriter who channels raw Southern soul through a fiercely modern lens, forging a sound that is both timeless and explosively new.
Born 1988 (age 38)·American musician·Birthday: October 2·Millennials
Biography
Brittany Amber Howard didn't burst from a music scene; she built one from the ground up in Athens, Alabama, working at the post office and jamming with friends in a shed. That group became Alabama Shakes, and Howard's volcanic voice—a instrument of grit, gospel fervor, and startling tenderness—catapulted them from obscurity to Grammy stages. Her songwriting on albums like 'Sound & Color' blended swampy blues, psychedelic rock, and vulnerable R&B, refusing easy categorization. After the Shakes' hiatus, Howard's solo debut 'Jaime' (named for her late sister) was a revelation: a deeply personal, genre-obliterating work that tackled faith, sexuality, and family with fearless sonic experimentation. She commands the stage with an unadorned, powerful presence, her guitar playing as muscular and expressive as her singing. Howard operates as a complete auteur, proving that the most potent new American music often springs from deep roots and a radically individual vision.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Brittany was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Brittany Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Brittany's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won four Grammy Awards with Alabama Shakes, including Best Alternative Music Album for 'Sound & Color'.
- Her debut solo album 'Jaime' earned her a Grammy for Best Rock Song for 'Stay High'.
- Received a nomination for the Mercury Prize for 'Sound & Color'.
- Founded a independent label, Franklinton Records, to support her solo work and other artists.
Did You Know?
She wrote many early Alabama Shakes songs on a PlayStation 2 video game called 'MTV Music Generator'.
Howard is colorblind.
She is an avid visual artist and has designed album artwork for her projects.
Before music took off, she drove a mail truck for the U.S. Postal Service.
“I'm not trying to make a hit. I'm trying to tell the truth, and the truth is complicated.”
