12 Things you don’t know about Estelle

1.  Estelle Fanta Swaray professionally known as Estelle

2.  Estelle was born 18 January 1980 in Hammersmith, London, England. Born of a Senegalese mother and a Grenadian father

3.  Estelle grew up in West London in a large family of eight brothers and sisters and an extended family of cousins.

4.  Estelle’s mother was a huge reggae fan and her father built home-made speaker cabinets. She spent her childhood listening to her parent’s reggae records and her aunt’s soul collection

5.  Estelle’s mother had a near death experience, which influenced Estelle’s choice for her first album title, The 18th Day.

6.  Estelle’s parents were very religious when she was growing up and secular music was not allowed in the family’s home. Instead, spiritual music—particularly American gospel and traditional African music—were what Estelle grew up listening to

7.  Estelle’s song “American Boy” was Number 7 on Rolling Stone‘s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.

8.  In 2010, Estelle also modelled at Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief runway show for The White Ribbon Alliance to raise funds for mothers in Haiti.

9.  In 2013, Estelle announced the launch of New London Records, an independent label in partnership with BMG, with whom she’s worked as a writer since 2003

10.  Estelle is currently voicing Garnet in the animated series Steven Universe.

11.  Estelle’s tastes in music encompass Kanye West, Nas, Jill Scott and Jay-Z. Her main female musical influences are Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott

12.  In 2013 Estelle Voice The Character Splettar The African Robot female in Real Steel