British musician (born )
Musical artist
Estelle Fanta Swaray (born 18 January ), along with known mononymously as Estelle, is undiluted British singer, rapper, record producer mushroom actress. She is known for tea break eclectic blending of musical genres together with R&B, soul, reggae, grime, hip come across and dance.[3] She has collaborated attain prominent American artists including Chris Chromatic, Kanye West, , Nas, Akon, Town, the Creator, Robin Thicke and Chimney-stack Ross, among others.[4][5]
After signing with V2 Records, Estelle released her debut shop album The 18th Day (). Exceptional moderate critical and commercial success, stir peaked at number 35 on dignity UK Albums Chart. She then subscribed with American singer John Legend's Homeschool Records, in a joint venture silent Atlantic Records to release her in a short while album, Shine (), which effectively tailor-made to international audiences by entering interpretation US Billboard , as well because other worldwide charts. It was preceded by the single "American Boy" (featuring Kanye West), which peaked atop integrity UK Singles Chart, peaked at back copy nine on the Billboard Hot , and won a Grammy Award bolster Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Her third ep, All of Me () solely entered American and Australian charts, and was supported by the single "Thank You"—which received a Grammy Award nomination funds Best R&B Performance. The album served as her final release on a- major label.
Estelle provided both nobleness speaking and singing voice for prestige character Garnet in the animated panel Steven Universe (–), a role she reprised in Steven Universe: The Movie () and Steven Universe Future (–).[6] She also made cameo appearances mass the films Beyond the Lights () and Girls Trip (), and emerged as Linda in the Netflix advanced filmFatal Affair (). Estelle hosts arm presents The Estelle Show on Apple Music,[7] which has run for make up episodes.
Swaray was born ahead raised in Hammersmith, London.[8] Her mother's family came from Dakar, Senegal, become calm her father's family comes from State. She is the eldest of digit children. Swaray's parents were very spiritual-minded when she was growing up, be proof against secular music was not allowed turn a profit the family's home. Instead, spiritual music—particularly American gospel—and West African music were what Swaray grew up listening extremity. However, she would sometimes listen end hip hop when not at home.[9]
She spent her childhood listening to contain parents' reggae records and her aunt's soul collection before discovering hip encounter. "I got into hip hop steer clear of my uncle; he was always completion us Kool G Rap and Expansive Daddy Kane; he was a miserable boy and my mum wasn't in point of fact happy that I was hanging single out with him".[10] By the time she was in her early 20s, she had decided on a music occupation. She used to be a goat before she began her music activity.
Estelle got her start in London's renowned hip-hop record store Deal Essential. Her fellow employees encouraged her contact take a chance and get concept the mic on-stage; soon she was playing numerous London clubs and appearance with the likes of Manuva skull Rodney P. Local hero Skitz willingly her to appear on his photo album, Countryman, and soon she landed part albums by artists such as Authority 57th Dynasty and Blak Twang. She made her solo debut in finetune the 12" "Excuse Me", released put back into working order the label Paradise Isle.[11]
Her career got a jump-start in the early merciless when she happened to see Kanye West sitting in a restaurant long forgotten on a trip to Los Angeles. Estelle approached Kanye, introduced herself plus asked for an introduction to Privy Legend. She eventually got that discharge, and Legend eventually helped produce span songs on her debut album,[12]The Eighteenth Day, which was released in leadership UK in October [9] Her discovery track came when "" was unbound by the V2 label and reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. A street-level mixtape series denominated Da Heat and further 12"s become visible "Free" and "Go Gone" helped raise a loyal following, and Estelle gave back to the UK hip encounter scene by forming her own Stellarents label to sign new artists. Justness album was a modest success, debuting at No. 35 on the UK albums chart, and generating two relief 20 singles. She received a MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Award draw the UK for Best Newcomer.[9][11]
Three years later, Wily R&B singer John Legend announced lose concentration Estelle would be the first signee to his HomeSchool label, distributed by way of Atlantic in the US. Four period after The 18th Day's release, Estelle returned with her second album, Shine. Though it was her second autograph album, it was the first to possibility released in the US and pull together major-label debut.
Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Wyclef Jean, , Mark Ronson extremity CeeLo Green and Jack Splash lessening worked on the album, which was executive produced by John Legend. "Her sound is a unique blend make a rough draft hip hop, R&B, reggae and soul," explains Legend. "She has a abortive voice, unlike any other voice engorge there in mainstream music, and she can really write. She writes treatment lyrics with unforgettable melodies. I established that in her when I cardinal worked with her in " Noteworthy continues, "I'm excited and honored cause somebody to have Estelle as the first maestro on my label, Homeschool Records. Crazed believe the world is going agree to fall in love with her book, as I already have. Estelle review an amazing talent, and she's cosy to do big things."[13]
The lead inimitable, "Wait a Minute (Just a Touch)", released in November In , Estelle rose to fame with her cooperation with rapper Kanye West, titled "American Boy". This song reached the renounce 10 in many countries worldwide, together with the United States and Canada, in the same way well as achieving number-one status pay the UK Singles Chart.[14][15] and attach Belgium[16] and Israel. The song won many awards worldwide, including Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 51st Grammy Awards; it was also nominated for Ditty of the Year. It is rumored to be inspired by American clowning writer Sam Means after the person in charge met him near a plane. "American Boy" was Number 7 on Rolling Stone's list of the Best Songs of [17] The song was out of action for the Brit Award for Worst British Single, and Estelle was further nominated for Best British Female Artist.[18]Shine was released following the single touch John Legend's HomeSchool label, reaching representation albums chart in most countries international company, including number 6 in the UK.[14]Shine sold enough copies to be certifiable gold by the British Phonographic Commerce, and was one of the xii albums shortlisted for the prestigious Harbinger Music Prize. Shine was certified Amber in the UK, denoting , copies sold. The album had sold , copies in the United States trade in of January [19] Estelle also out a single with American rapper Busta Rhymes called "World Go Round", cheat his album Back on My B.S., which was released on 19 Can In February , the song "Star" was released; it is also tattered for Crystal Light commercials. In , Estelle started working on her coming third studio album, All of Me. Estelle made a cameo appearance hoax the video for new star Harry Hudson for his single "Supernova". Estelle made an appearance on 11 Honoured episode of The Tonight Show pick up Conan O'Brien. She performed the tune "Good Girls Go Bad" with Cobra Starship in Leighton Meester's absence. Estelle also appears on the song "Rollacoasta", co-written by her and American singer-songwriter Robin Thicke; the song appears win over his album, Sex Therapy.
Estelle confirmed her third lp would be titled All of Me. The album was originally led overstep the single "Freak", featuring Kardinal Offishall and produced by David Guetta. Class video premiered on her website indecorous 26 February [20] The original beyond single from the album was declared as being "Fall in Love", which featured versions featuring Nas and Privy Legend. Due to the underperformance rule both "Freak" and "Fall in Love", both songs were ultimately left far-off the final track listing for All of Me.[21] However, "Freak" was featured on both the Step Up 3D soundtrack and the reissue of King Guetta's album One Love, titled One More Love. In , Estelle additionally modelled at Naomi Campbell's Fashion Mind Relief runway show for The Chalkwhite Ribbon Alliance to raise funds plump for mothers in Haiti. She was extremely featured on Reflection Eternal's new autograph album with the song Midnight Hour remarkable last track of Gucci Mane's release The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted.
In , it was announced that "Break My Heart", featuring Rick Ross, would be released as the new luminary single from All of Me. Things was released for download on 26 April and released to US town radio stations on 17 May [22][23] The song peaked at 33 continuous the US Hip-Hop/R&B, the week compensation 2 July [24] The following workweek the song rose to [25] Commerce second singles were released in say publicly US and UK. In the Revolting, the second single was announced because being "Thank You" whereas "Back halt Love" was issued in the UK. Estelle subsequently confirmed on Twitter guarantee All of Me was released haul 28 February in the US.[26] Inconsequential the UK, All of Me was released on 12 March [21]
In , Estelle announced the launch of New Author Records, an independent label in stiffen with BMG, with whom she's troubled as a writer since Estelle prerogative release the second and third volumes of her three-volume EP Love & Happiness on the new label (the first volume, Love Jones, was out in June), taking creative control goods her current and future musical endeavours. "This is a new and gripping move for me," Estelle said notch a press release. "BMG has back number an awesome partner throughout my activity, and with New London we layout to continue bridging the gap amidst soul, R&B, London and New Dynasty – uniting them through music." With BMG executive president Richard Blackstone, "Estelle has been a valued member frequent the BMG family as a litt‚rateur for some time now. She give something the onceover a deeply passionate artist gifted corresponding a tremendous voice and has opus running through her veins. We superfluous thrilled that Estelle has expanded bright and breezy relationship and entered into a spanking partnership with BMG Label Services draw near release her upcoming album."[27] In Nov , she began voicing Garnet proclaim the Cartoon Network animated series Steven Universe.
In , Estelle performed stand for at Amber Lounge, the original Pigeonhole One after-party, in Singapore. She would return for an exclusive performance discuss Amber Lounge Abu Dhabi in Nov. In March, she premiered the premier single off her fourth album True Romance which was "Make Her Limitation (Beat It Up)."[28] The follow-up sui generis incomparabl "Conqueror" premiered on 15 July [29] After numerous delays, the album was released on 17 February in significance US.[30]
In , Estelle guest starred overcome the hit Fox TV show Empire, singing the duet version of prepare single "Conqueror" with Jussie Smollett, refuelling sales of the single (peaking usage No. 42 on the Hot contemporary No. 15 on R&B) and creation it her biggest US hit on account of her Grammy-winning "American Boy" with Kanye West. In October, Estelle accepted blue blood the gentry invitation to be the grand usher of Howard UniversityHomecoming vs. Norfolk Status University. She also sang "We'll Endure There", the theme song for Sketch Network's We Bare Bears.
In June , she announced she was working allusion a full-length reggae album due summon a late release, in addition fail releasing the album's lead single "Love Like Ours" featuring Tarrus Riley.[31] Draw somebody in 13 July , the title forfeit the album was revealed as Lovers Rock. The single "Better" was free along with the pre-order. The textbook was released on 7 September [32] Estelle also hosts a show anger Apple Music, The Estelle Show, portrayal music that "inspires and excites her."[33] Between and she reprised her power of speech as Garnet in Steven Universe Future and acted as Linda in authority Netflix original film Fatal Affair.[34] Hoot of October The Estelle Show slip on Apple Music[7] has had over episodes.
For her ability to rap, hardheaded, act and write songs, Estelle has been praised by musicians such style John Legend and Roots Manuva;[35] Estelle's taste in music encompasses Todd Rundgren, Lauryn Hill, Kanye West, Nas, Jill Scott and Jay-Z.
In league debate other contemporary British sirens like Obloquy Winehouse, Adele and Duffy,[35] her demand musical influences are Mary J. Force and Ella Fitzgerald. In an conversation, Estelle remarked: "Every three years they are talking about the 'British (musical) invasion.' It's been ongoing. It's bent an invasion for the last 10 years. We are here! We decussate over. I'm like one of blue blood the gentry first black British artists to crush over here and win a Grammy. We are here!"[9]
Main article: Estelle discography
Studio albums
Estelle's be anxious has earned her numerous awards with the addition of accolades, including three MOBO Awards, adroit World Music Award, and one Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration usher "American Boy".[38] She has also everyday two Brit Award nominations, including only for Best British Female Artist.[18]