Estelle Biography

When the record companies inevitably came calling Estelle sensibly held out for the right deal.

"I waited on the right deal because labels are concerned with what's best for them, not you. You can't just take any deal a label might offer you. If you're going to put your heart and soul into it you better make sure you get yours. Go in there and demand what you're worth, and let them know what you're capable of. V2 and J-Did know what they're dealing with and will push me like a popular artist because that's what I am."

Estelle's own tastes range from Kanye West, Nas, Jay Z, Redman and Rah Digga to Mos Def, Jill Scott, Common and Teddy Riley. But her main influences lie firmly with two of the most important female figures in hip hop soul - Missy Elliot and Mary J. Blige "I like female artists who show that women don't have to strip off or compromise themselves to be recognised as musicians. I can match men head to toe."

Born of a Senegalese mother and father from Grenada, Estelle grew up in West London in a large family of eight brothers and sisters and an extended family of cousins. Her mother was a massive reggae fan and her dad built home made speaker cabinets that shook the whole house. She spent her childhood listening to her parent's reggae records and her aunt's soul collection. Then she discovered hip hop. "I got into hip hop from my uncle, he was always playing us Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane; he was a bad boy and my mum wasn't really happy that I was hanging out with him. "

Little did she know that in a few years she would not only be hanging out but performing with the likes of Chuck D and Flava Flav, Talib Kweli and The Roots, Floetry and Terri Walker, and touring with Justin Timberlake. As her own stage beckons, Estelle is set to take up the challenge with the same kind of positivity and determination that has got her this far.

"I think this album is going to surpass all expectations of me. But those who know me won't be surprised. Its good and it's real."page << 1 2 3 4 5 6 >>