Bellah (singer)

Last updated
Bellah
Birth nameIsobel Akpobire
Born Enfield, North London
Genres R&B
Years active2019–present
Website www.ibebellah.com

Isobel Akpobire, known professionally as Bellah, is a British singer, songwriter, and actress.

Contents

Early life and career beginnings

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

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]

Akpobire was nominated for Best R&B/Soul Act at the MOBO Awards in 2023 and she was nominated for Best New International Act at the BET Awards in 2024. [6] [7]

In 2024, Akpobire starred as the character Kyazike Mayagenda in the British television series Queenie. [8] The show aired on Channel 4 and Hulu in June 2024. [9]

Personal life

Akpobire suffers from sickle cell disease and used her single Cause U Can to help raise awareness of the disease. [2] [10] [3]

Discography

EPs

TitleArtistYearLabel
Last Train HomeBellah2019 AWAL
In the MeantimeBellah2020 AWAL
The Art of ConversationBellah2020 Marathon Artists
AdultsvilleBellah2022 Marathon Artists

Singles as Artist

TitleArtistYearLabel
Never LovedBellah2019 AWAL
Peanut Butter HazelBellah2019 AWAL
DripBellah2019 AWAL
Something U LikeBellah2020 Marathon Artists
If I Were UBellah2020 Marathon Artists
Evil Eye - A COLORS SHOWBellah2021 ColorsxStudios

References

  1. 1 2 3 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.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Ihejirika, Uzoma (2022-10-26). "For The Girls: Bellah Finds Strength In Vulnerability On New Album, 'Adultsville'". The NATIVE. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  3. 1 2 Chevonne, Chloe (2020-10-26). "Bellah... "Black girl making music I think is cool"". The Blues Project. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  4. ↑ "Bellah". COLORSxSTUDIOS. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  5. ↑ "Bellah: Born To Sing". GAFFER. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  6. ↑ "MOBO AWARDS ANNOUNCE NOMINATIONS FOR 26TH EDITION IN SHEFFIELD | MOBO Organisation". mobo.com. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  7. ↑ Grein, Paul (2024-05-16). "Drake Leads Nominations for 2024 BET Awards: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  8. ↑ "Bellah | Actor". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  9. ↑ Queenie (TV Series 2024– ) - Release info - IMDb . Retrieved 2024-06-05– via www.imdb.com.
  10. ↑ 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.
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