Shaznay Lewis | |
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Born | Tricia Marie Lewis 14 October 1975 Islington, London, England |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1993–present |
Spouse | Christian Horsfall (m. 2004) |
Children | 2 |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instrument |
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Labels |
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Member of | All Saints |
Tricia Marie "Shaznay" Lewis [1] (born 14 October 1975) is an English singer and songwriter. Lewis rose to fame as a member of the girl group All Saints which she formed with Melanie Blatt in 1993. As a member of All Saints, Lewis won two Brit Awards and an Ivor Novello Award, and co-wrote three of the group's five UK number-one singles: "Never Ever", "Bootie Call" and "Pure Shores". In 2002, Lewis starred in the film Bend It Like Beckham .
Lewis launched her solo career with the release of her debut album Open in 2004. It entered the UK Albums Chart at number 22 and spawned the UK top 10 single "Never Felt Like This Before". Lewis' second album, Pages , was released on 17 May 2024.
At a party, Lewis was introduced by friends to Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot of Curiosity Killed the Cat, who took her to the Metamorphosis recording studios on All Saints Road, London, where she started doing backing vocals. [2] It was at the Metamorphosis recording studios where she met Melanie Blatt in 1993 and they proceeded to record together. Together with Simone Rainford they formed the group All Saints 1.9.7.5., which was later renamed All Saints. Soon after, Rainford left the group and Nicole and Natalie Appleton joined.
In 1997, All Saints experienced international success with BRIT Award-winning single "Never Ever", which is co-written by Lewis and topped the charts in the United Kingdom and Australia. The single sold over 1.2 million copies in the United Kingdom, being certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. The same year, the group released their debut album All Saints . Most of the songs were co-written by Lewis and the album reached number two in the United Kingdom. It was eventually certified platinum five times for sales of 1.5 million copies. In 2000 the group released their fourth number one single "Pure Shores", written by Lewis and William Orbit; the single was certified platinum by the BPI for sales of 600,000 copies. The group released their fifth number one single "Black Coffee", which was certified silver for sales of 200,000 copies.
In early 2001, All Saints broke up and Lewis began work on her solo career. The same year she won the Ivor Novello Award for best songwriting.
In 2004, it was reported that Lewis would release her debut solo single "Never Felt Like This Before" on 5 July, which would precede her untitled debut solo album on which she'd worked with numerous writers and producers including: Basement Jaxx, Biz Markie, K-Gee, Bacon and Quarmby and Trevor Jackson. [3] The single reached no. 8 in the United Kingdom. [4] On 19 July she released her debut album Open , and it reached no. 22 in the United Kingdom. [5] Later that year she released new single "You", which peaked at no. 56 in the United Kingdom. [6]
Lewis has also appeared in several films including a role as Mel in the BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated Bend It Like Beckham (2002). She also played a role in Hideous Man (2002). On 14 November 2004 Lewis was involved in the Band Aid 20 re-recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas". [7]
On 24 January 2006, it was announced that All Saints had reformed with a new recording contract and would release a new album, Studio 1 on 13 November 2006. [8] She performed with All Saints on live television for the first time since reforming on the British light entertainment program Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway on 21 October 2006. All Saints' comeback began well, with their single, "Rock Steady", reaching no. 3 in the UK Singles Chart. They followed this with the release of their comeback album Studio 1 . It peaked at no. 40 in the UK Albums Chart. Parlophone Records then released their second single "Chick Fit", but this failed to reach the chart. All Saints then parted company with their record label.
In January 2008, Lewis featured on the Wideboys track, "Daddy-O". [9] The single was released on 5 May 2008 and peaked at No. 32 in the UK. As a songwriter, Lewis is credited in Westlife's track "Reach Out", which was featured on their 2009 album Where We Are , the CocknBullKid track "Distractions" from her 2011 album Adulthood and the Stooshe single "Black Heart", released as a single in 2012. [10] In August 2012, it was reported Lewis was in the studio with original Sugababes line-up Mutya Keisha Siobhan, writing new material for their debut album. [11]
In 2014, All Saints reformed to support the Backstreet Boys for five dates across the UK and Ireland in 2014. [12] On 27 January 2016, it was confirmed that All Saints will release their fourth studio album Red Flag on 8 April 2016. The lead single from the album, "One Strike", preceded the album on 26 February 2016. [13] All Saints more recently released the 2018 album Testament saw the band reunite with producer William Orbit and was preceded by the singles Love Lasts Forever and After All. Both albums were written by Lewis and a string of collaborators including Fred Ball, Invisible Men, Futurecut & many more. To support both album releases, All Saints embarked on two UK tours, headlined festivals across the world and appeared as special guests on Take That's Wonderland Live arena and stadium tour.
In 2019, Lewis co-wrote the theme music for the Netflix original series 'Turn Up Charlie' with Idris Elba.
On 14 November 2023 it was confirmed that Lewis would be performing at Mighty Hoopla in June 2024. [14] On 12 January 2024, she released the single "Miracle", her first solo single in twenty years. [15] [16] [17] In an interview with Entertainment Focus, Lewis said that the song came from "a relentless writing process between Emily Phillips and me. We pushed each other, we changed it a lot until, and when I finally listened to it I realised it was a love song to myself, about the person I’ve been for the past 25 years and where I am now. It’s a message of encouragement to return to my love of writing with self-esteem, and confidence in the way that made me happy." [18]
It was announced on 29 January 2024 that Lewis would release her second studio album, Pages , on 17 May 2024 through 1.9.7.5. Recordings. [19] Further singles, "Kiss of Life", [20] "Good Mourning" (which featured Shola Ama and General Levy) [21] [22] [23] and "Got to Let Go", preceded the album. Official music videos for "Kiss of Life" [24] and "Good Mourning" were released. [25]
Lewis was born in Islington to a Barbadian father and a Jamaican mother.
Despite growing up in a Spurs supporting household, Lewis made three appearances for Arsenal L.F.C. when she was a teenager. [26] On 21 August 2004, Lewis married dancer Christian "Storm" Horsfall. [27] They had their first child, a son named Tyler-Xaine, in February 2006. In November 2009, Lewis and her husband had their second child, a daughter named Tigerlily. [28] [29] [30]
Title | Details | Peak chart positions | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
UK [31] | UK R&B [31] | SCO [31] | ||
Open |
| 22 | 12 | 23 |
Pages | — [lower-alpha 1] | — | 23 | |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |
Single | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UK [33] | GER [34] | IRL [35] | NZ [36] | SCO [37] | ||||||||||
"Never Felt Like This Before" | 2004 | 8 | 82 | 35 | 19 | 7 | Open | |||||||
"You" | 56 | — | — | — | 62 | |||||||||
"Miracle" [38] | 2024 | — [lower-alpha 2] | — | — | — | — | Pages | |||||||
"Kiss of Life" [40] | — [lower-alpha 3] | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
"Good Mourning" [42] (with Shola Ama and General Levy) | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
"Got to Let Go" [43] | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |
Single | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UK [44] | SCO [37] | |||||||||||||
"I Wanna Be Your Lady" (Hinda Hicks featuring Shaznay Lewis) | 1997 | 14 | — | Hinda | ||||||||||
"Daddy-O" (Wideboys featuring Shaznay Lewis) | 2008 | 32 | 37 | non-album single | ||||||||||
"Ice Cream" (Anthony Asher featuring Shaznay Lewis) | — | — | ||||||||||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |
Title | Year | Album |
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"Dream the Dream" | 2002 | Bend It Like Beckham |
Title | Year | Director | Notes |
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"Never Felt Like This Before" | 2004 | Amy Holms | |
"You" | |||
"Kiss of Life" | 2024 | Oscar J Ryan | |
Guest appearance | |||
"I Don't Really Care" | 2000 | — | K-Gee's music video |
"Free" | 2004 | Estelle's music video | |
"Lifeless" | 2005 | N-Dubz's music video | |
Year | Title | Role |
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2002 | Hideous Man | Regina |
Bend It Like Beckham | Mel | |
Melanie Ruth Blatt is an English singer. She rose to fame in 1997 as a member of the girl group All Saints. The group have gained five UK number-one singles, two multi-platinum albums and two BRIT Awards, and have sold over 10 million records worldwide.
"Never Ever" is a song by English girl group All Saints. Written by All Saints member Shaznay Lewis along with co-writers Robert Jazayeri and Sean Mather and produced by Cameron McVey and Magnus Fiennes, it was released on 10 November 1997 as the second single from their debut album, All Saints (1997).
All Saints is the debut studio album by English girl group All Saints. It was released on 24 November 1997 by London Records. All Saints worked with many producers on the album: Cameron McVey, John Benson, Johnny Douglas, Karl "K-Gee" Gordon, Magnus Fiennes, Nellee Hooper, Karen Gibbs and Neville Henry.
Open is the debut solo studio album by the English singer Shaznay Lewis, released by London Records on 19 July 2004. It was preceded by the single "Never Felt Like This Before" which entered the UK Singles Chart at number eight. The album received mixed reviews from critics and peaked at number 22 on the UK Albums Chart.
Saints & Sinners is the second studio album by English girl group All Saints. It was released three years after their debut album, All Saints. The album reached number one in the UK, their only album to do so. Three tracks on the album were produced by William Orbit, best known for his work with Madonna on her Ray of Light album. The album received mixed reviews from music critics, praising the singles and the new direction of music, while some felt it was too similar to the Spice Girls and Madonna's album Ray of Light.
"Pure Shores" is a song by English girl group All Saints from their second studio album, Saints & Sinners (2000). Group member Shaznay Lewis and producer William Orbit wrote the song for a scene in the 2000 adventure drama film, The Beach. Eschewing the R&B sound of All Saints' previous releases, "Pure Shores" is a dream pop song with ambient and electronic production, and a syncopation of synth delays, arpeggiated guitar and ethereal sound effects. It was released by London Records on 14 February 2000 as the lead single from the film's soundtrack and Saints & Sinners.
"Bootie Call" is a song by English girl group All Saints from their debut album, All Saints (1998). The song was written by group member Shaznay Lewis and its producer Karl Gordon. "Bootie Call" was released on 31 August 1998 by London Records as the fourth single from the album. "Bootie Call" achieved chart success, topping the UK Singles Chart on 6 September 1998 and becoming the group's third consecutive number-one single. Internationally, it charted in the top 10 in Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and on the Eurochart Hot 100.
"War of Nerves" is a song by English girl group All Saints, released by London Records on 23 November 1998 as the fifth and final single from their debut album, All Saints. Group members Shaznay Lewis, Natalie Appleton and Nicole Appleton wrote the song with producers Cameron McVey and Magnus Fiennes. It is a ballad concerning mortality, inspired by the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. "War of Nerves" debuted at number seven on the UK Singles Chart, making it the group's fifth consecutive single to chart in the top 10.
"You" is a song by English singer Shaznay Lewis. Written by Lewis and Rick Nowels for her debut solo album Open (2004), it was released as the album's second and final single in 2004. The song peaked at number 56 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Never Felt Like This Before" is the debut solo single by English singer Shaznay Lewis, released in July 2004. Written by Lewis and Rick Nowels, the song is from Lewis's first solo album Open (2004). The single peaked at number 8 on the UK Singles Chart and reached the top twenty in New Zealand.
"Silver Shadow" is a song by American R&B group Atlantic Starr, released as the third single from their successful 1985 album As the Band Turns. Lead vocals were performed by Barbara Weathers.
Karl Clive Gordon, known by the stage name K-Gee, is a British DJ, producer, rapper and songwriter and former member of the Outlaw Posse.
"Rock Steady" is a song performed by English-Canadian recording girl group All Saints from their third studio album, Studio 1 (2006). It was co-written by group member Shaznay Lewis in collaboration with the track's producer Greg Kurstin. The song was released by Parlophone on 6 November 2006. All Saints collaborated with Kurstin on a number of songs; six were chosen for the album. "Rock Steady" was released as the first single from it. The song contains prominent 2 tone, dance-pop, reggae fusion, rocksteady and ska musical characteristics. It is lyrically influenced by the personalities of the group members themselves.
Studio 1 is the third studio album by English girl group All Saints, released on 10 November 2006, by Parlophone. It was released following a five-year hiatus during which the bandmembers had pursued solo careers.
The discography of the English girl group All Saints consists of five studio albums, two compilation albums, one remix album, two video albums and 18 singles between London Records and Parlophone Records.
All Saints were a British girl group formed in London in 1993. They were founded as All Saints 1.9.7.5 by music manager Ron Tom. with members Melanie Blatt, Shaznay Lewis, and Simone Rainford. The group struggled to find commercial success upon being signed to ZTT Records and were dropped by the label shortly after Rainford left the group. In 1996, the group were joined by sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton and signed to London Records under their shortened name.
"Love Lasts Forever" is a song by English girl group All Saints from their fifth studio album, Testament (2018). Written by group member Shaznay Lewis and producer K-Gee, it premiered as the album's lead single on BBC Radio 2's The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on 31 May 2018.
The discography of British singer-songwriter Raye consists of one studio album, two live albums, six extended plays (EPs), thirty-six singles, ten promotional singles and twelve guest appearances. In addition to her own releases, Raye has also been a songwriter for other artists including Beyoncé, Little Mix, Mabel, Zara Larsson, Ellie Goulding and Hailee Steinfeld.
Pages is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Shaznay Lewis, released through her independent record label 1.9.7.5 Recordings on 17 May 2024. It is Lewis' first album in 20 years and features collaborations with Self Esteem, Shola Ama and General Levy. Lewis launched the album with her first solo headlining show at The Jazz Cafe on 14 May 2024.