equality factor: afro-tastically feminine
last album: Compilation 1.1
music heroins: Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin
our favorite song: "Coco Blood"
based in: England
If you’re looking for a new favorite artist, look no further than Celeste. She is often compared to artists like Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and Amy Winehouse (you'll agree after watching the clip to "Lately").
Celeste Epiphany Waite was born in Los Angeles in 1994, but at the age of three, she moved to England with her parents. She grew up in a house of predominately jazz and soul music, and her family played a very important role in the development of her musical influences. Artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Otis Redding, Billie Holiday, and even Aretha Franklin characterized the sound of her life. However, the first song she ever remembers singing, when she was 15 or 16 years old, was "Your Song" by Elton John.
Celeste became the winner of the prestigious BBC Sound Of 2020.
Today 25-year-old woman rose from humble beginnings, spending her teenage years in Saltdean, working on the side in pubs and charity shops. Like many artists, she played her first concert in a Brighton subway station. She continued her musical journey underground for many years, until recently, when she was elected winner of the prestigious BBC Sound Of 2020. The award recognizes artists preparing for success in the coming year, previously honoring big artists of today, like Adele, Haim, and Ellie Goulding. The BBC said her "fascinating voice and jazz-infused songs" made her "the undisputed winner" after the votes of 170 music critics, broadcasters, and previous nominees were counted, including Englishman Lewis Capaldi and Grammy-winning Billie Eilish.
Celeste remembers writing her first song, "Sirens" when she was 17, as a tribute to her deceased father. The song was posted on YouTube and instantly caught the attention of her current manager. It was this track that eventually opened the door to the infamous Sarm West studios in Notting Hill, London to Celeste, where once-legendary artists such as Led Zeppelin, The Clash, and Paul McCartney recorded.
In 2016, she signed with Lily Allen's label Bank Holiday Records, and released her debut EP, "Milk And Honey".
In October of 2016, she released her first single "Daydreaming" under singer Lily Allen's label, Bank Holiday Records, a song she wrote while working in a pub in Brighton.
Among Celeste's most current inspirations are artists such as Frank Ocean, Solange, Kanye West, a.o.
Her voice is a volcano continuously erupting with talent, her music a blend of poetry with soul and R&B.
Once the music begins, her vocals effortlessly become the center of EVERYTHING. The result is a sound that blends our favorite artist's best qualities - as if Macy Gray sung a song by Alicia Keys, or as if Amy Winehouse made a collaboration with Adele. Songs like "Lately", "Father" or "Coco Blood", are strong examples of this analogy. However, Celeste's vocal similarity to these artists is not by chance, since all these singers have been a great influence in her development.
Among her most current inspirations, Celeste has mentioned artists such as Frank Ocean, Solange, Kanye West, Tyler The Creator, and Rosalía.
In 2019, Celeste supported Michael Kiwanuka, Janelle Monáe, and Neneh Cherry on tour.
Although Celeste is only in the early stages of her career, she already made big waves in the music industry.
On May 8th, she will be performing in Berlin at the Pitchfork Music Festival.
