Rhian Benson

Rhiannon Afua "Rhian" Benson (born 10 January 1977 in Accra, Ghana) is a Ghanaian-British soul and jazz singer and songwriter.

Rhian Benson
Background information
Birth nameRhiannon Afua Benson
Born (1977-01-10) 10 January 1977
Accra, Ghana
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • piano
  • keyboards
Years active2003–present
WebsiteRhianBenson.com

Early life

Benson was born in Accra, Ghana, to a 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 studying Economics through Harvard's extension certificate program, which she did not complete due to the illness of her mother.[4] Benson later worked at an investment bank.[5]

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.[6][7] 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.[8]

With the help of Denmark's production duo, Jonas Rendbo and Daniel Fridell, Benson released her second album, Hands Clean, on 14 February 2011.[9] The album redefined modern soul as Benson[10][11] sang with soulful electronic backing. The confessional tales of love, loss and life represented a bold, new direction for her.[12] "Better Without You"[13] was the first single to be released in February 2011.

Discography

Albums
  • 2003: Gold Coast
  • 2011: Hands Clean[14]

Singles
  • 2003: "Say How I Feel" – UK No. 27[15]
  • 2003: "Stealing My Piece Of Mind"
  • 2011: "Better Without You"

References
  1. "Rhian Benson". Ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  2. Jacks, Camille (July 2004). "Introducing Rhian Benson and her debut album Gold Coast". The Interview. Whudat. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  3. Modessa, Keya. "Featuring Rhian Benson". Interview Archive. The Situation. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  4. "The Next Sade Banks On Her Singing Skills | Arts | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  5. "Rhian Benson Returns to the LSE: Music, Conversation, African Inspiration – LSE Arts and World Bank event". Public Events. London School of Economics. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  6. "Rhian Benson". Thesituation.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  7. Kergan, Wade. "Rhian Benson: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  8. "MOBO Awards 2005". MOBO Awards. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  9. William Frank at XYLO. "The Official Site". Rhian Benson. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  10. "MOBO winners revealed". NME. 23 September 2005. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  11. Lindvall, Helienne (2 June 2011). "Behind the music: the singer with her sights on the World Bank". The Guardian – Music Blog. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  12. "iTunes Music – Gold Coast by Rhian Benson". iTunes Store. 7 October 2003. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  13. "AWAL UK Ltd – Music Distribution, Licensing and Marketing". Awal.com. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  14. MIMI Magazine (21 January 2010). "The MIMI Magazine Blog: Rhian Benson Poised To Return In 2010 With "Hands Clean"". Mimimagazine.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  15. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 54. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.