Rhian Benson
Rhian Benson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Rhiannon Afua Benson |
| Born | 10 January 1977 Accra, Ghana |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| 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
[edit]Benson was born in Accra, Ghana, to a Welsh mother, a singer, and an Ashanti father, a guitarist.[1] 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 early. Before pursuing a music career, she attended the London School of Economics and gained a degree in econometrics.She continued her education by 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
[edit]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, 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 released in February 2011.
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- 2003: Gold Coast
- 2011: Hands Clean[14]
Singles
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Rhian Benson". Ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
- ^ Jacks, Camille (July 2004). "Introducing Rhian Benson and her debut album Gold Coast". The Interview. Whudat. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ Modessa, Keya. "Featuring Rhian Benson". Interview Archive. The Situation. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ "The Next Sade Banks On Her Singing Skills | Arts | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Rhian Benson". Thesituation.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
- ^ Kergan, Wade. "Rhian Benson: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ "MOBO Awards 2005". MOBO Awards. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ William Frank at XYLO. "The Official Site". Rhian Benson. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
- ^ "MOBO winners revealed". NME. 23 September 2005. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "iTunes Music – Gold Coast by Rhian Benson". iTunes Store. 7 October 2003. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
- ^ "AWAL UK Ltd – Music Distribution, Licensing and Marketing". Awal.com. Retrieved 2 January 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ 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.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 54. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Rhian Benson at Wikimedia Commons- Official website
| Authority control databases: Artists |
|---|
