Shola Ama
b. March 1979, London, England. A rising star of the UK R&B scene, Shola Ama grew up listening to her mother's Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight records while still at school. She was first spotted by Kwame of the UK jazz-funk group D-Influence when she was just 15 years old. Kwame overheard her humming a tune on the westbound Piccadilly line platform at Hammersmith, and invited her to audition for him right there and then. Two songs, one by Mariah Carey and one by Mary J. Blige, convinced him of her potential. He signed her to his London independent label FreakStreet, who released Ama's debut single, "Celebrate", in 1995. Although there were encouraging reviews, particularly for her mature, strident voice, the single faltered through lack of distribution. Kwame addressed this impasse by securing an agreement with WEA Records that would ensure more widespread distribution. Ama enjoyed two UK Top 5 hit singles in 1997 with "You Might Need Somebody" and "You're The One I Love". She also co-wrote several songs on her debut album, in collaboration with members of D-Influence, songwriter Paul Waller, and some of America's top-flight producers. In February 1998, she was voted Best Female Artist at the BRIT Awards. She also collaborated with Craig Armstrong on "Someday I'll Find You', her contribution to the Nol Coward tribute album, Twentieth Century Blues. Ama was less successful in reproducing the winning urban R&B formula of her debut on 1999"s In Return.
DISCOGRAPHY: Much Love (FreakStreet 1997)***, In Return (FreakStreet 1999)***.
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Copyright 2008 by Muze Inc.; all rights reserved.
DISCOGRAPHY: Much Love (FreakStreet 1997)***, In Return (FreakStreet 1999)***.
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Copyright 2008 by Muze Inc.; all rights reserved.
You might also enjoy ringtones from these artists!
