estelle - her time is now
 |
photo by steed media service
|
Recording Artist
With all of the buzz surrounding her upcoming release, Shine, it might seem like British MC/songstress Estelle is another fresh-faced newcomer being hyped as ‘the next big thing.’ The artist born Fanta Estelle Swaray is actually an industry veteran in her native U.K., and one listen to her music, and you know that she is no industry hype machine creation. “My first forays into the studio were actually 10 years ago when I was 18-years-old,” she explains. “I basically was just doing what I did not really thinking about other people’s opinion.”
Since her 2004 UK debut, Estelle has quietly built a strong following in the U.K., and after teaming up with superstars like Kanye West and John Legend, her stateside debut is on everybody’s “Most Anticipated …” lists. “You’re doing things at [a certain] level and you’re succeeding at that level, then you meet these guys and it’s like ‘let me start from the beginning,’ ” she says, chuckling. “Those guys have sold a few million records, so maybe I could sell a few.”
Collaborating with multiplatinum stars has given Estelle a rejuvenated sense of purpose. Legend has also introduced Estelle to great music of the past to provide inspiration. The Grammy-winning singer turned the 28-year-old MC/vocalist on to late singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley. “He [was] so real. I’m so mad [that] one album [is] all we get — he would’ve been ridiculous,” she says of Buckley. “I feel the same way about Biggie.” Her genuine love for music and willingness to grow puts her ahead of the pack, and soon enough, the rest of the country will be clamoring for Britain’s latest hot export.
-todd williams
|
Send this Article to a Friend
