In a land saturated with hip-hop and R&B acts, cracking America seems near enough impossible. But British neo-soul singer/rapper Estelle (born 18 January 1980) aka Estelle Fanta Swaray from London, England has collaborated with big names Kanye West, David Guetta and John Legend producing a score of international hits.
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.
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