The debut album from London native Estelle, 2004's The 18th Day, stalled at number 40 on the U.K. chart. Uneven and tentative but not without a handful of major standouts -- like the wistful and animated "1980," where she displayed her MC'ing chops, and the Mary J. Blige-worthy slow groove "Dance with Me" -- it wasn't enough to further her label's support. Estelle proposed a John Legend-produced follow-up, which V2 did not approve, so she relocated to the U.S. and secured a deal with Atlantic through Legend's Homeschool boutique label. Capping a cunningly punitive turn of events orchestrated by a once-shunned artist (i.e., "How ya like them apples?"), "American Boy" -- a flirty disco-funk track featuring Kanye West and production from will.i.am, who re-heated the beat from his own "Impatient" -- took a swift route the top of the U.K. pop chart. When Shine was released, just after the chart feat, the song had yet to make as much of a splash in the States; regardless of how the single or the album fares from a commercial standpoint, Estelle can at least be proud of having made a second full-length that builds upon and far outstrips her first. Wyclef Jean and will.i.am produce two songs each, while the remainder is divided between a wide-ranging cast including Mark Ronson, Jack Splash, and Swizz Beats, all of whom produce one track. Through it all, Estelle is the main attraction and is never upstaged or out of her depth, whether she is trading lines with Cee-Lo or Kanye West, switching between singing and rapping on "More Than Friends," or swapping out blissful ocksteady eggae for nerved-up glitz-pop. Most impressive is "So Much Out the Way," where she does the work of at least three vocalists of varying modes, all over a Wyclef concoction that alternates between tautly snapping jazz-funk (courtesy of Louis Johnson's bass from Grover Washington, Jr.'s "Hydra") and Wall of Sound soul (transformed from Bob Marley's "So Much Things to Say"). Not many vocalists could possibly navigate all this terrain without losing a beat, but Estelle has no trouble pulling it off with her versatility and easy-to-like personality. Her second act is ceaselessly enjoyable, one of the finer R&B albums to be released in 2008.
Estelle seems like she's always been on the pulse of what's hot in UK music. Her debut album, The 18th Day (released in 2004), was simple, old-skool hip hop. Almost immediately her music picked up the pace and sounded like a precursor to grime ("Free"). Professionally, though, Estelle felt her career wasn't advancing fast enough. She's been outspoken about her feelings toward the UK music i...
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The Hood Internet mashes up songs like Girl Talk would if he had a little more focus. The standard procedure seems to involve two songs, one usually a mainstream giant and the other an indie gem, and putting them in a blender. Here are some highlights from the recently released Volume 3. Estelle ft. Kanye West vs. The Ting Tings - Shut Up, American Boy Shawty Lo vs. Trans Am - Dey Know O...
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Estelle's single "American Boy," which features Kanye West, can be tagged as the unofficial Labor Day hit of 2008. It's getting massive radio play. I've had two people call me up, sing me the song, and ask who sings it within the last two weeks. The next step for these people would be to go to iTunes and purchase the track, but it's not going to be so easy...In an unprecedented move, Estelle's ...
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Estelle seems like she's always been on the pulse of what's hot in UK music. Her debut album, The 18th Day (released in 2004), was simple, old-skool hip hop. Almost immediately her music picked up the pace and sounded like a precursor to grime ("Free"). Professionally, though, Estelle felt her career wasn't advancing fast enough. She's been outspoken about her feelings toward the UK music i...
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I love any day that includes a new video from Estelle. But a day with a new video from Estelle and Cee-Lo is a GREAT day indeed! And that's what today is - a great day, featuring the new vid for "Pretty Please" off Estelle's fabulous album, Shine. (If any ads pop up at the beginning, I apologize. I got the vid from Estelle's own Tube channel, but you know how these things are nowadays...)It'...
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Estelle uploaded her brand new video for "No Substitute Love" off of Shine and added a new installment to her vlog as well. First up, the new video: Estelle - "No Substitute Love" Oooh - looks like somebody is busted! Well, just to let you know that Estelle is doin' fine and in good spirits these days, the lovely lady also posted a new episode of her vlog to her youtube channel: Check out mor...
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UK singer/rapper, Estelle, is the first artist to be signed to John Legend's new Homeschool imprint which will release her sophomore album Shine in February 2008. Meanwhile, she's lined up tours with Amy Winehouse and Kanye West (probably Amy in the UK and Kanye in the US) and the first single from Shine, "Wait A Minute (Just A Touch)" will be released on November 19th. Her music and songwrit...
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How fast did tickets sell out for Estelle's show in SF? Seriously. I found out about the SF show 2 weeks ago, but tix were already sold out. Estelle performs at The Independent tomorrow night, but, alas... I won't be there, nor my camera. Did you score tickets in time? Who's going? (I promise not to drool on your tickets or ask to lick your hand stamp.) Well, at least I have memories of ...
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(The genre of music known as Urban in the UK - grime, RnB, dancehall, rap, etc.)I scooped up the new Estelle album Shine over the weekend and I've had it on repeat since. It's sooo good! I'd heard "American Boy" and "Just A Touch" a bunch of times already and decided that Estelle is the reigning Empress of Soul. So I was completely surprised when this smooth and sexy woman started chatting l...
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Yesterday when I reported that Estelle would perform on David Letterman's show, it hadn't occurred to me that this would be her first network tv appearance. She's so smooth and confident, you would never know it, just watch:Wow, she really impressed Dave! He's gushing like a school boy!Estelle makes me care even less about that basketcase who thought she was a soul diva. (Amy whatsherhouse)
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I just found out that Estelle will perform "American Boy" live tonight (Thursday) on The Late Show with David Letterman. The show starts at 11:30 PST on CBS, so tune in. Or, catch it on youTube tomorrow I suppose...
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This is a very cool track off Estelle's soon to be released album, "Shine." Just try not to like it.
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The UK's finest, multiple award-winning artist Estelle is back with 'Shine' - her stunning new album, set for release in February 2008. The first artist signed by US soul sensation John Legend, to his new Homeschool Records label, Estelle's new album features collaborations with Wyclef Jean, will.i.am, Swizz Beats, Mark Ronson and Kanye West, as well as a beautiful duet with John Legend. 'Shine...
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This Shine Album is going to land in the US like a 50 megaton H-bomb. This artist is so hot by the start of May she is going to be all over the place Leno, Oprah, Conan, Carson, GMA, Ellen. I heard you Mollifire Dave got ahead of the crowd. I hope the others have alert bookers because this girl is going to have no free time for months after 4/29/08 when her album hits stores. Did she shout out ...
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This girl is going to have the effect of an in coming artillery round in Iraq. Everybody get your heads down (Amy, Rhianna etc). This tribut to Tina Turner is terrific.
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Wait a Minute (Just a Touch) |
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| 2 No Substitute Love |
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| 3 American Boy |
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| 4 More Than Friends |
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| 5 Magnificent |
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| 6 Come Over |
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| 7 So Much Out the Way |
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| 8 In the Rain |
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| 9 Back in Love |
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| 10 You Are |
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| 11 Pretty Please (Love Me) |
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| 12 Shine |
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Click to purchase…
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 "Shine")
