Emeli Sandé

Influenced by Nina Simone, Massive Attack, and Joni Mitchell, jazz-soul artist Emeli Sandé regularly provided guest vocals for several of the U.K.'s most successful grime artists before eventually embarking on her own solo career in 2010. Born Adele Sandé in Aberdeen, she was encouraged to hone her musical talents, which included playing the clarinet and piano, and writing and performing her own songs, by her Zambian choirmaster father. While studying medicine at Glasgow University, she signed a publishing deal with EMI and, following a meeting with producer Naughty Boy, the pair began working together on a number of songs, including Chipmunk's Top Ten hit "Diamond Rings," which she also featured on, and "Boys," which was later recorded by Cheryl Cole as the B-side to "3 Words." After signing a solo contract with EMI, she moved to London and appeared on albums by Tinie Tempah, Professor Green, and Devlin, supported Solange Knowles on her U.K. tour, and scored a second Top Ten hit with Naughty Boy and Wiley on a cover version of White Town's "Your Woman." Her first solo single, "Daddy" was released in 2010, with her second single, "Kill the Boy," and debut album expected at the beginning of 2011. ~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi