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,". In 2011, Sandé won a whole raft of awards; including Best Breakthrough Act at the Brits and at the MOBO awards. After appearing on Professor Greens smash hit Read All About It towards the end of October 2011, she released her debut album Our Version of Events in February 2012. Released to critically and commercial acclaim, the singles "Heaven" and "Next to Me" received heavy radio airplay and achieved respectable chart positions across Europe and the UK. Sandés profile was given a further boost in the summer when she sang Henry Francis Lytes Christian hymn Abide with Me at the opening ceremony of the Londons 2012 Olympics. Subsequently, an equally prestigious performance of Read All About It at the closing ceremony of the games, led to Our Version of Events making a return to the top of the UK album charts that August. ~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi
