Rhian Benson
Rhian Benson | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Rhiannon Afua Benson |
Born | Accra, Ghana |
10 January 1977
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | |
Instruments | |
Years active | 2003–present |
Website | RhianBenson.com |
Rhiannon Afua "Rhian" Benson (born 10 January 1977 in Accra, Ghana) is a Ghanaian-British soul and jazz singer and songwriter.
Early life
Benson was born in Accra, Ghana to a British (Welsh) mother, who was a singer, and an Ashanti father, who was a guitarist,[1] and she has a younger sister and a brother.[2] She was raised in Ghana, India (where her family moved following a diplomatic posting of her father),[3] and her mother's native United Kingdom, where she eventually settled. Benson began playing piano and guitar and writing songs and poetry at an early age. Before pursuing a career in music, she attended the London School of Economics and gained a degree in econometrics. She continued her education at Harvard University, before working at an investment bank.[4]
Career
Once back in the UK, she performed in small London clubs and was discovered by the Los Angeles-based record label, DKG Music. Benson moved to Los Angeles, California to record her debut album, Gold Coast, which was released in October 2003.[5][6] She wrote all the songs on the album, having composed the music on guitar and keyboards, and co-produced it with producers Bob Power and James Poyser.
Benson won a Mobo Award in 2005.[7]
With the help of Denmark's production duo, Jonas Rendbo and Daniel Fridell, Benson released her second album, Hands Clean on 14 February 2011.[8] The album redefined modern soul as Benson[9][10] sang with soulful electronic backing. The confessional tales of love, loss and life represented a bold, new direction for her.[11] "Better Without You"[12] was the first single to be released in February 2011.
Discography
Albums
- 2003: Gold Coast
- 2011: Hands Clean [13]
Singles
References
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External links
- Rhian Benson official site
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- Use dmy dates from June 2014
- Articles with hCards
- British female singers
- Ghanaian jazz musicians
- Alumni of the London School of Economics
- Harvard University alumni
- Musicians from Accra
- Neo soul singers
- British people of Ghanaian descent
- Living people
- Black British musicians
- British soul singers
- British rhythm and blues singers
- British contraltos