Bellah (singer)
Bellah | |
---|---|
Birth name | Isobel Akpobire |
Born | Enfield, North London |
Genres | R&B |
Years active | 2019–present |
Website | www |
Isobel Akpobire, known professionally as Bellah, is a British singer and songwriter.
Early life and career beginnings[edit]
Akpobire was born in Enfield, North London. She grew up as an only child to a single mother and lived with her uncles who influenced her musical tastes by playing 1990s R&B, such as Destiny's Child and SWV.[1][2]
After participating in musical theatre from the age of four, she undertook her first studio session at age 10, recording a cover of Be Without You by Mary J. Blige.[1]
She found a management team after being spotted at a local festival that she performed at after having sung Beyoncé's Flawless at a school talent show.[2]
Career[edit]
After five years of artist development, Akpobire released her debut EP called Last Train Home in 2019.[2] The debut single released from the EP was Never Loved and this was made Track of the Week by BBC Radio 1Xtra.[3]
This was followed by the release of In the Meantime and The Art of Conversation in 2020, the second of which was released by London-based independent record label Marathon Artists.[4]
Akpobire's music reached a wider audience in 2021 when she performed her single Evil Eye on the ColorsxStudios platform.[1]
In 2022, Akpobire made her debut performance at Wireless Festival. In the same year she released her third EP Adultsville, which was executive produced by Grammy Award winner Ari PenSmith.[5]
In 2023, Akpobire was nominated for Best R&B/Soul Act at the MOBO Awards.[6]
Personal life[edit]
Akpobire suffers from sickle cell disease and used her single Cause U Can to help raise awareness of the disease.[2][7][3]
Discography[edit]
EPs[edit]
Title | Artist | Year | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Last Train Home | Bellah | 2019 | AWAL |
In the Meantime | Bellah | 2020 | AWAL |
The Art of Conversation | Bellah | 2020 | Marathon Artists |
Adultsville | Bellah | 2022 | Marathon Artists |
Singles as Artist[edit]
Title | Artist | Year | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Never Loved | Bellah | 2019 | AWAL |
Peanut Butter Hazel | Bellah | 2019 | AWAL |
Drip | Bellah | 2019 | AWAL |
Something U Like | Bellah | 2020 | Marathon Artists |
If I Were U | Bellah | 2020 | Marathon Artists |
Evil Eye - A COLORS SHOW | Bellah | 2021 | ColorsxStudios |
External links[edit]
- Bellah at AllMusic
- Bellah at MusicBrainz
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Chaudhry, Aliya (2023-07-24). "Bellah is bringing British R&B to the global stage: "There's going to be an invasion!"". NME. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ a b c d Ihejirika, Uzoma (2022-10-26). "For The Girls: Bellah Finds Strength In Vulnerability On New Album, 'Adultsville'". The NATIVE. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ a b Chevonne, Chloe (2020-10-26). "Bellah... "Black girl making music I think is cool"". The Blues Project. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ "Bellah". COLORSxSTUDIOS. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ "Bellah: Born To Sing". GAFFER. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ "MOBO AWARDS ANNOUNCE NOMINATIONS FOR 26TH EDITION IN SHEFFIELD | MOBO Organisation". mobo.com. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ Wynter, Courtney (2020-11-20). "Bellah Delivers Visuals For Smooth Single "Cause U Can" From Her Brand-New EP 'The Art Of Conversation'". GRM Daily. Retrieved 2024-05-01.