EMELI SANDE-HEAVEN – FEATURED ARTIST

Emeli Sande was born to a Zambian father and English mother, on March 10, 1967.  Sande was raised in Alford Alberdeenshire Scotland.  While studying medicine at the University of Glasgow, Emeli stopped in her fourth year of studies to pursue a career in music.

2011–present: Our Version of Events, international success and songwriting

“I have just finished a song with Cher Lloyd, called Lifetime, for her new album. I have another on Leona Lewis’s next album and one that has been recorded by Susan Boyle. That’s probably my proudest moment. Susan recorded my song, called This Will Be The Year, last week, for her next album. There is another called River, which I am hoping she’s going to record.”—Emeli Sandé^[13]

On 26 November, Sandé performed at the LG ARENA in Birmingham for BRMB 2011. On 15 December 2011, she was named as the Brit Awards Critics’ Choice for 2012.^[2][22][23] Sandé`s debut album includes songs written by her and has been reviewed as having “richly melodic, classically powerful, retro-futurist soul-pop songs.”^[7] ^[24] She draws on influences for her music from Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell and Lauryn Hill.^[7]Sandé said that all her songs were about World peace and political issues.^[7] Sandé said that the key to a good song when songwritingis using “honesty” and “raw emotion” as the best way to write. She said that if she attempts to write something which is “too smart” the creative process will not work for her.

“Kill the Boy” was one of the first ideas that came to Sandé’s head. She said if she has to work on a song longer than a day, she will not go back to it, as she said it won’t work. She went onto say if it was to work, it the idea for the song would be almost instant.^[7] It was announced that she was up for another BRIT Award in 2012, for British Breakthrough Act.^[25]Sandé is currently writing material for the original lineup of Sugababes. On 24 January 2012, Sandé performed a one off gig for Q Magzine at XOYO, London. She was supported by British soul singer Michael Kiwanuka. She recorded a version of David Guetta‘s “Titanium” and the pair performed the song atNRJ Music Awards in France.^[26][27] Sandé has penned a track for Naughty Boy’s upcoming LP entitled “Hollywood” which features soul singer Gabrielle. It is about fame coming and going and will be released in November.^[28]