Izzy Bizu

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Izzy Bizu
Izzy Bizu performing at London Fields Brewery, September 2015 (cropped).png
Bizu performing in September 2015
Background information
Birth nameIsobel Bizu Beardshaw
Born (1994-04-28) 28 April 1994 (age 30)
Origin London, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2009–present
Labels Epic Records, Hi-Tea Records (current)
Website izzybizu.com

Isobel Bizu Beardshaw [1] (born 28 April 1994), better known as Izzy Bizu, is a British-Ethiopian singer-songwriter [2] [3] previously signed with Epic Records. [4] Bizu has garnered mainstream radio support from BBC Radio 1's Annie Mac and Phil Taggart [5] and BBC Radio 1Xtra's Trevor Nelson. [6] She has supported Coldplay, Sam Smith, [2] Rudimental, [7] and Foxes. [8] In November 2015, Bizu was shortlisted for a Brit Critics' Choice award [9] and longlisted for BBC's Sound of... 2016. [10] She won the BBC Music Introducing Award at the 2016 ceremony. On 25 June 2016, Bizu performed on the Park Stage at the Glastonbury Festival.

Contents

Biography

Izzy Bizu is from southwest London, [11] and attended Stamford High School, Lincolnshire. [12] Her mother is Ethiopian and her father is English. She grew up between Ethiopia and Bahrain, where her father worked, before moving to London as a teen. [1] She studied music tech in college, but dropped out shortly afterwards. [1]

Career

Izzy Bizu performing at the Victorious Festival, 2016 Izzy Bizu at the Victorious Festival 2016.jpg
Izzy Bizu performing at the Victorious Festival, 2016

2013: Coolbeanz

After the girl group SoundGirl split, Bizu won an open mic night competition in February 2013 winning over the crowd, which included Emeli Sande and Naughty Boy, who were in attendance. [2] She released her first independent EP, Coolbeanz, in September 2013, which debuted at number 3 on the iTunes Soul and RnB Chart and has sold 50,000 copies. [13] The EP's lead single, "White Tiger", was also chosen as Zane Lowe's 'Next Hype'. [14] In October 2013, she supported Sam Smith on their UK tour, [15] and in November Jamie Cullum handpicked her to open for him at The Roundhouse in London. [16]

2014–2016: A Moment of Madness

In January 2014, Bizu entered Glastonbury Festival's Emerging Talent Competition and made it to the final 8 of the competition, [17] performing at the live finals of the event at Pilton Working Men's Club in April 2014. Bizu was named runner-up, winning £2,500 from the PRS Foundation and a slot at that year's Glastonbury Festival. [18]

In June 2014, Bizu was also selected by BBC Introducing [15] to perform at the Glastonbury Festival. [19] In July 2014, she signed to Epic Records UK. [4] A year later, she released the first singles from her debut album, "Adam & Eve" and "Diamond", which enjoyed support from BBC Radio 1, [20] Radio 2 [21] and 1Xtra, [6] and performed at Glastonbury for the second time. [22]

In September 2015, following the release of her single "Give Me Love", she also made her TV debut on Later... with Jools Holland . [23] Bizu supported both Rudimental [7] and Foxes [8] on their UK headline tours. In November 2015, Bizu was shortlisted for a Brit Critics' Choice award. [9] In January 2016 Bizu's song 'White Tiger' featured on the advert for National Citizen Service (NCS) and in March 2016 she performed at NCS Yes Live alongside Tinie Tempah and Jess Glynne. Her debut album, A Moment of Madness , was released on 2 September 2016. [24] In April 2016, Bizu recorded (with the BBC Concert Orchestra) an uptempo, updated version of the Edith Piaf 1957 hit "La Foule" as the theme music for the BBC's coverage of the Euro 2016 Football Tournament.

Izzy Bizu was featured as a vocalist on Milky Chance's track "Bad Things" on their 2017 album Blossom , and on Kungs and David Guetta's 2024 single "All Night Long."

2016–present

Bizu is UK ambassador for Studio Samuel, a non-profit that empowers girls in Ethiopia through education and job-based training. [25]

Bizu is currently signed with Hi-Tea records, a division of the UK-based Logan Media Entertainment music label, where she is also a music producer. [26]

In the United States, Bizu is represented by Sony's RED MUSIC label. [27]

Personal life

Bizu once wanted to be a veterinarian but began pursuing music after being discovered during an audition for a teenage-girl band at the age of 15. [27]

Bizu is a skateboarder, having picked up the practice from her former ex-boyfriend and guitarist Mika Barroux. [28]

She regularly visits her mother's birthplace of Ethiopia with family to volunteer. [27]

She's not a fan of rollercoaster rides, saying in a 2016 interview that she freaked out and had to leave a Thorpe Park ride before it started. [29]

Artistry

Bizu has described herself as a fan of jazz-fusion mixes and a lover of squat parties and warehouse raves. She grew up listening to Whitney Houston, Ella Fitzgerald, Bettye Swann and James Brown [11] and draws on these influences alongside newer influences such as Amy Winehouse and Adele to create a fusion of soul, funk, jazz and pop. [30]

She lists The Black Keys, Diana Ross, Grammatics and Sam Cooke among her other influences. [31]

Her Ethiopian heritage is also an influence in her music. [27]

Bizu hopes to one day collaborate with Anderson .Paak and Kendrick Lamar. [32]

Discography

Albums and EPs

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
UK
[33] 		AUS
[34] 		BEL
(FL)
[35] 		JPN
[36] 		NLD
[37] 		SCO
[38]
A Moment of Madness
  • Released: September 2, 2016
  • Label: Epic Records
  • Formats: Digital download, CD, Vinyl
238694969520
Faded
  • Released: 14 May 2020 [39]
  • Label: Hi-Tea Records
------
TitleDetails
Coolbeanz
  • Released: 1 September 2013
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download
Glita
  • Released: 3 May 2019
  • Label: Sony Music Entertainment
  • Formats: Digital download
Don't Have to Say
  • Released: 8 December 2023
  • Label: Hi-Tea Records
  • Formats: Digital download

Singles

As lead artist

YearTitlePeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
UK
[33] 		AUT
[40] 		BEL
(FL)
[35] 		BEL
(WA)
[41] 		FRA
[42] 		GER
[43] 		JPN
[44] 		SCO
[45]
2015"Diamond" [46] ————————A Moment of Madness
"Adam & Eve" [47] ————————
"Give Me Love" [48] ————————
"White Tiger" [49] 9065— [A] 4557
[50] 		541951
2016"Mad Behaviour" [51] ————————
"Sweat (A La La La La Long)"————————Non-album single
"Lost Paradise"————————A Moment of Madness
"Talking to You"56——————17
2019"Lights On"————————Glita
2020"Tough Pill"————————The Things We Do For Love
(unreleased)
"Faded"————————
2022"Dumb"————————Don't Have to Say
2023"Walk Away"
(featuring Joe Devlin)		————————
"Flower Power"————————
"Goodbye Hello"————————
2024"All Night Long" [52]
(with Kungs and David Guetta)		————————Non-album singles
"Only Way Is Up"
(with Robin Schulz)		——36—————
YearTitlePeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
UK
[33]
2020"Stop Crying Your Heart Out"
(as BBC Radio 2's Allstars) [53] 		7Non-album singles
2021"Old School Flex [54] "
(Jords featuring D Double E and Izzy Bizu)		__
"Sad Boy"
(Raaban and Wankelmut featuring Izzy Bizu)		__
2022"Wind Blows"
(Blinkie featuring Izzy Bizu)		__
"Nine To Five"
(Tom Enzy featuring Izzy Bizu)		__
"Life"
(Ferreck Dawn featuring Izzy Bizu)		__
"Forgive Me"
(ODESZA featuring Izzy Bizu)		 The Last Goodbye
2023"If I Live Forever"
(Vintage Culture featuring Izzy Bizu)		__Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Notes

  1. ↑ "White Tiger" did not enter the Flemish Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 3 on the Ultratip chart. [35]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Gibsone, Harriet (21 July 2016). "Izzy Bizu: 'It's OK to be a space chicken'". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "Introducing... Izzy Bizu". bbc.co.uk. 22 September 2015.
  3. ↑ "How Ethiopia Influenced British-Ethiopian Singer Izzy Bizu's Music at Tadias Magazine". Tadias.com. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Izzy Bizu signs to Epic Records". bimm.co.uk.
  5. ↑ "Izzy Bizu unveils new single 'Give Me Love'". thefourohfive.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Izzy Bizu in the Live Lounge". bbc.co.uk.
  7. 1 2 "Rudimental live at Alexandra Palace". rudimental.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 July 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  8. 1 2 "Foxes UK Tour 2015 with Izzy Bizu". livenation.co.uk.
  9. 1 2 Gibsone, Harriet (24 November 2015). "Izzy Bizu, Jack Garratt and Frances: meet the Brits critics' choice shortlist". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  10. ↑ "BBC Sound Poll 2016". bbc.co.uk.
  11. 1 2 "Introducing: South London based Izzy Bizu". livenation.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 July 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  12. ↑ "Izzy Bizu- 'It first started here'". Girls' Schools Association. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  13. ↑ "Izzy Bizu – Coolbeanz EP". dmpgroup.com. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  14. ↑ "BBC Radio 1 Zane Lowe's Next Hype (27.08.13)". soundcloud.com.
  15. 1 2 "Izzy Bizu at Glastonbury 2014". bbc.co.uk.
  16. ↑ "Izzy Bizu and Jamie Cullum at Glastonbury 2014". bbc.co.uk.
  17. ↑ "Glastonbury Festival - 2014 Emerging Talent Competition finalists announced". Glastonburyfestivals.co.uk.
  18. ↑ "Glastonbury Festival - M+A win 2014 Emerging Talent Competition". Glastonburyfestivals.co.uk.
  19. ↑ "Izzy Bizu performs at Glastonbury 2014". mtv.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  20. ↑ "The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw 15/06/2015". bbc.co.uk.
  21. ↑ "BBC Radio 2 – Jo Whiley, 16/06/2015". bbc.co.uk.
  22. ↑ "The Noisey Glastonbury Portfolio by Jillian Edelstein". noisey.vice.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  23. ↑ "Later... with Jools Holland – Series 47, Episode 2". bbc.co.uk.
  24. ↑ "Izzy Bizu – A Moment of Madness". itunes.apple.com.
  25. ↑ "Studio Samuel Celebrates International Day of The Girl 2020". PRNewswire.com.
  26. ↑ "'DUMB' is the new single from Izzy Bizu". Niji Magazine. 2 November 2022.
  27. 1 2 3 4 Ju, Shirley (8 March 2018). "How Ethiopia Influenced Izzy Bizu's Viral Pop Hits | OkayAfrica". okayafrica. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  28. ↑ Valenti, Lauren (10 November 2017). "Meet Izzy Bizu, the Jazzy Pop Singer With Big, Golden Curls". Vogue.
  29. ↑ "The Student Pocket Guide National Freshers 2016 Edition by Student Pocket Guide - Issuu". issuu.com. 27 September 2016.
  30. ↑ "Izzy Bizu – Singer-Songwriter". WIRED. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  31. ↑ "About Izzy Bizu". codaagency.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  32. ↑ "The Student Pocket Guide National Freshers 2016 Edition by Student Pocket Guide - Issuu". issuu.com. 27 September 2016.
  33. 1 2 3 "Izzy Bizu". Officialcharts.com/. Official Charts Company . Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  34. ↑ "ARIA CHART WATCH #413". auspOp. 25 March 2017. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  35. 1 2 3 "Discografie Izzy Bizu". Belgium (Flanders) Charts Portal (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  36. ↑ "イジー・ビズ".
  37. ↑ "Discografie Izzy Bizu". Dutch Charts Portal (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  38. ↑ Peak positions for albums in Scotland:
  39. ↑ "Izzy Bizu | Music". Izzy Bizu | Music. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  40. ↑ "Izzy Bizu - White Tiger".
  41. ↑ "Izzy Bizu - White Tiger". Ultratop .
  42. ↑ "lescharts.com - Izzy Bizu - White Tiger".
  43. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts".
  44. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 - Charts - Billboard JAPAN". Archived from the original on 19 February 2014.
  45. ↑ Izzy Bizu peaks in Scotland:
  46. ↑ "Diamond – Single". iTunes.
  47. ↑ "Adam & Eve (Remixes) – Single". iTunes. 19 June 2015.
  48. ↑ "Give Me Love (Remixes) – Single". iTunes. 11 September 2015.
  49. ↑ "White Tiger – Single". iTunes.
  50. ↑ "Le Top de la semaine: Top Singles Téléchargés - SNEP (Week 36, 2016)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  51. ↑ "Mad Behaviour – Single". iTunes.
  52. ↑ "Kungs, David Guetta & Izzy Bizu release new anthem 'All Night Long': Listen". We Rave You. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  53. ↑ "All-star BBC Children in Need charity single announced". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  54. ↑ "Jords Drops 'Old School Flex' Video". Clash Music . 17 September 2021.
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