Multi Award winning singer/songwriter/producer/rapper Estelle, has today announced that she will be returning to the UK to play 2 very special shows in London and Manchester.
She may be a born-and-raised West London girl, but most would venture that 28-year-old Estelle Swaray is right at home in the energy of New York, her newly adopted city. She’s got the self-determination with a bit of swagger. The get-up-and-go hustle. This year has been an absolute whirlwind for Estelle. Since moving to NYC from London in May 2007 she spent the earlier part of 2008 gearing up for her re-entry into the musical landscape with Shine, her Mercury Award Shortlisted second album, from which she released the huge number 1 hit single ‘American Boy’.
She was the first artist to release under John Legend’s new Homeschool label, in partnership with Atlantic Records. It’s her debut on a major label, and an American one at that, but with Homeschool’s philosophy of artist control and good soul music, her affiliation with the label is at the essence of what she’s all about.
Whereas her 2004 debut album, The 18th Day from V2 Records, was totally self-created, Shine marks the first time Estelle has brought other producers and artists into the creative process with her. Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Wyclef Jean, Will.i.am, Mark Ronson and Cee-lo & Jack Splash all lend talents to the album, executive produced by John Legend.
"Her sound is a unique blend of hip hop, pop, reggae and soul," explains Legend. "She has a special voice, unlike any other voice out there in mainstream music, and she can really write." He continues, "I'm excited and honored to have Estelle as the first artist on my label, Homeschool Records.
Estelle Commented: "My songs are 100% my life. My influences? Ella Fitzgerald - she’s my be all and end all. Mary J. Blige, because she’s a person I love to sing to. Recently, Dinah Washington. She’s so cheeky in performances. I like the emotion in a lot of classic rock, Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses. Freddie Mercury - Bohemian Rhapsody is still classic. Put it on today and it’s still an original mix of sounds." Estelle’s music is also an original mix of sounds. Where Senegal meets London and hops the pond. Where funk shimmies up against reggae and R&B. Somewhere out of this world is where you’ll find Estelle. Make sure you’re there to witness her extraordinary talent when she returns to the UK this November.