In Celebration of Emeli Sandé
From medical student to chart-topping star, Hattie Collins celebrates the work of Emeli Sandé
A Studio Microphone (2021) by Rdne Stock ProjectTRENCH
The path to success is unpredictable. There are no maps, no rules, no paths to follow. It requires agility, bravery, chance, a certain amount of luck. And talent, of course. You definitely need talent.
An Artist Playing A Piano (2021) by Caleb OquendoTRENCH
Adele Emily Sandé has all the above, and more, but perhaps part of the success of Sandé is her ability to pivot, whether from brunette to platinum blond, medical student to behind-the-scenes songwriter, behind-the-scenes to chart-topping pop star.
Roker Park Football Ground, Roker, Sunderland (1936-07) by Aerofilms LtdHistoric England
Born in Sunderland to a Zambian father and English mother, the Sandé's moved to Aberdeenshire when she was four. As well as being academically gifted, Sandé's singing abilities also quickly became apparent.
An Artist Playing A Piano (2021) by Any LaneTRENCH
She wrote her first song at the age of eleven and by the time she was fifteen, word had spread about the gifted teenager with the big voice from the little town.
The College, from High Street. (1871) by Thomas AnnanThe J. Paul Getty Museum
Record deals flooded in after she won Trevor Nelson’s BBC Urban Music competition, but Sandé wasn’t ready for that yet; she wanted to complete her Medical degree at Glasgow University so she had something to fall back on. Just in case.
Fate intervened a couple of years later when Sandé’s mum sent a CD to Ras Kwame’s influential 1Xtra Homegrown show and she was invited to perform at a Soho showcase. It was here she met upcoming producer Shahid “Naughty Boy” Khan.
A spark was lit and the pair began writing songs for other artists, including Chipmunk's "Oopsy Daisy" and Wiley’s "Never Be Your Woman".
A Classic Electronic Piano (2021) by Hendrik BTRENCH
Sandé signed a deal as a solo artist with Virgin Records in 2011, but with another young singer called Adele becoming increasingly popular, she decided to swap her middle name for her first and the ‘y’ for an ‘i’: Emeli Sandé was born.
That August, with her brown curls sculpted into a blond quiff, Emeli released singles "Heaven", "Daddy" and "Read All About It", the latter of which went to No. 1.
Her debut album, Our Version Of Events, also went to the top of the charts, becoming the biggest-selling album of 2012, smashing The Beatles’ previous record by spending 63 consecutive weeks in the Top 10 and selling four million copies worldwide.
An Abstract Image of Soundwaves by Maria OrlovaTRENCH
She went on to win four Brits, two Ivor Novellos, three MOBOs and a Silver Clef, with further writing credits for Alicia Keys, Rihanna and Katy Perry.
An Artist Playing A Piano (2021) by Caleb OquendoTRENCH
Changes keep coming for Emeli and she keeps on embracing them—earlier this year, she released a new album, 'Let’s Say For Instance', that celebrates her new relationship with classical pianist Yoana Karemova.
Aerial Shot Of London During A Sunset by Pierre BlachéTRENCH
Who knows what the future holds for this bright and talented woman, but she’ll be ready for it, either way.
This digital work has been produced in collaboration with PRS Foundation and POWER UP. The article first featured in TRENCH x Union Black's Chapter One: Game Changers zine.
Words by Hattie Collins
Videos by BBC 1Xtra, Emeli Sandé and iKazzyUrban.
Commissioned by TRENCH
