Imaani

Imaani Saleem (born Melonie Crosdale[1] in 1972) is an English singer, best known for representing the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 1998 in Birmingham with the song "Where Are You". The song placed second in the contest, and became a top 20 hit in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

Imaani Saleem
Imaani performing at the Dalston Festival Vortex in September 2008
Background information
Birth name	Melonie Crosdale
Also known as	Imaani
Born	1972 (age 48–49) Nottingham, England
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1998–present
Labels	EMI (1998–99)
Associated acts	Tru Faith & Dub Conspiracy, Incognito, The AllStars Collective, Copyright Project

Although "Where Are You?" remains her sole solo chart entry, in 2000 she re-entered the top 20 of the UK Singles chart alongside Tru Faith & Dub Conspiracy's "Freak Like Me". Later, she recorded many songs with jazz-dance group Incognito, and in 2014 released her debut studio album, Standing Tall.

Career

Eurovision 1998

In 1998, Saleem entered The Great British Song Contest competition to find the UK's song for the Eurovision Song Contest that year. Her track "Where Are You" was a runaway winner with the British public and was selected to represent the UK. Saleem finished a mere seven points behind the winner Dana International, in second place in the Eurovision Song Contest 1998.[2] The UK has never been so close to winning ever since.

After its success in the contest, "Where Are You" entered the UK Singles Chart in May 1998, peaking at number 15 and spending 15 non-consecutive weeks in the top 100.[1][3] The track sold over 250,000 copies. Despite this success, her record label EMI decided to cancel the release of her follow-up single "You Got a Way" in 1999 and parted company with Saleem.

After Eurovision

In 2000, she supplied the lead vocals on Tru Faith & Dub Conspiracy's UK garage cover of Adina Howard's "Freak Like Me". The song reached No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.[4] Saleem went on to record with the jazz-funk band Incognito,[5] providing vocals for more than 10 of their records.[6]

Since 2005, Saleem has performed as part of UK session organisation The AllStars Collective.[7] The following year, in 2006, she sang on a house track, "Bring Me Love", by the Copyright Project on Defected Records. The track received a limited release in the UK, but reached the Top 3 in the club chart.

In 2014, Saleem released her debut album, Standing Tall.[6] One of its songs, "Struggling" featured on the 2015 soul compilation album Luxury Soul 2015.[8]

Discography

Albums

• Standing Tall (2014)

Singles

Title	Year	Peak positions					Album
		UK	BEL (Fl) [9]	NED Single Top 100 [10]	NED Top 40 [11]	SCO [12]
"Where Are You"	1998	15	12	14	8	16	Non-album single

References

1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 267. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
2. "Precious song for Europe". BBC. 12 March 1999. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
3. "Imaani: Full Chart History". Official Charts. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
4. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 568. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
5. "Reference to Imaani work with Incognito on Discogs". Retrieved 20 June 2013.
6. "Overview: Imaani – Standing Tall". Jazz FM. Aiir. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
7. "Imaani Saleem profile on The AllStars Collective website". Retrieved 20 June 2013.
8. "Overview: Luxury Soul 2015". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
9. "Imaani discography". ultratop.be. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
10. "Imaani discography". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
11. "Imaani – "Where Are You" page". top40.nl. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
12. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 – 17 May 1998 – 23 May 1998". officialcharts.com/. Retrieved 12 December 2019.

External links

• Imaani discography at Discogs