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Biography
Brought up in a religious household where secular music was discouraged, Estelle found herself surrounded by gospel music and her parent’s collection of reggae and traditional African music. While they were out of the house, she would sneakily listen to hip-hip and R&B on the radio, with early influences lying in Ella Fitzgerald, Mary J Blige and Jill Scott.
In her early 20’s, while working in a hip-hop record shop Estelle’s colleagues encouraged her to partake in an open mic night. It seems her inherent love for the stage began there as she began regularly performing in small clubs around London as she performed alongside Roots Manuva and Rodney P.
On a trip to Los Angeles, US in the early 2000’s, with a stroke of luck Estelle happened to be in the same restaurant as US rapper Kanye West. Getting acquainted with West, she asked for an introduction to soul star John Legend and working her British charm she got her wish. Legend went proceeded to help produce two tracks on her 2004 debut album “The 18th Day”. Although the album only peaked at number 35 on the UK charts, the album produced the breakthrough track “1980” which peaked at number 14 in the singles chart as critics praised Estelle’s ability to fuse her influences while adding a fresh twist. With the singles “Free” and “Go Gone” the album earned Estelle the 2004 MOBO Award for Best Newcomer.
In 2007 John Legend announced Estelle would become the first signing on his new label HomeSchool in conjunction with Atlantic Records. The following year Estelle made her major label debut with the album “Shine” produced by John Legend as she collaborated with Will.i.Am., Mark Ronson and Cee-lo Green. The lead single “American Boy” featuring Kanye West saw Estelle clinch her first UK number one as it went international invading top chart spots in Australia, US, France and Sweden. Later that year Estelle was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize Award. In 2009 “American Boy” won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
Estelle’s third album “All of Me” released in 2010 featured collaborations with Rick Ross on the lead single “Break My Heart” and Nas on “Fall in Love”. In 2013 through BMG, Estelle was able to set up her own label, New London Records which allowed her more creative control and a platform to release the “Love and Happiness” EP’s.
Having collaborated with artists from: Faithless, Busta Rhymes, Gym Class Heroes and Chris Brown, Estelle has truly blossomed into a world class star in her own right.
Live reviews
In a world of big personality divas, Estelle is the most under-appreciated R&B artist. It’s a breath of fresh air to have an artist who spills out talent left and right but maintains a high level of humble-ness. That being said, the reason I saw Estelle live was because she was the headlining act for my University’s annual “start of term” concert, which meant it was a free show for me. I really only knew her single “American Boy,” but definitely became a bigger fan as her set went on. The best thing about her live sets are that they take on a different sound than when you hear her studio sessions; important in terms of keeping a unique sound that you can only get from her songs when you see her live. Because there is a live band backing her, they take on more of a rock pop sound than just your standard R&B pop. One thing that really stood out was her genuine love of her music and her fans. In between songs she kept thanking the crowd, and as the band would set for the next song, she would also have a small chat with the audience.
Closing with her single “American Boy,” which was right at the peak of its popularity, she thanked the audience and the university once again, and then encouraged the audience to sing a long. Everyone in the audience did know the song, so she would occasionally let the audience take over for the chorus of the song while she danced along. Definitely one of the most fun performances in all the four years I was at university.
Ellinoinsta
Estelle Fanta Swaray is easily one of the UK's most under appreciated R & B singer/songwriters. The international success of her breakout hit 'American Boy' acted as something of a double edged sword as fair-weather fans believed her music had more of a pop leniency. However those who stuck by her through the following albums were treated to intelligent, considered R & B with one hell of a lot of soul.
Passion is something that is at the forefront of everything Estelle does music wise so as you imagine her live shows have quite an emotive atmosphere. She really emphasises the pained lyrics of 'Thank You' and visibly moves the audience whilst there is still an upbeat nature to her cover of 'Blame It On The Boogie' by the Jackson 5 as well as the expected 'American Boy'.What the crowd takes away from this evening is that Estelle is an artist of morals and character who has never substituted what it is about her that makes her sound just so unique. The final vocal flourish of 'Fall In Love' is a pretty good personification that credibility is something that can not be bought.
sean-ward
