Estelle, The 18th Day Full Album Zip
Gifford Brickley
Estelle released her debut studio album The 18th Day on 18 October 2004 through V2 Records, followed by a re-release 4 April 2005. The album peaked at number 35 on the UK Albums chart. It Includes the hit singles "1980", "Free" and "Go Gone", all of which reached the Top 40 on the UK Singles Chart.
Her second studio album Shine was released on 31 March 2008 through Atlantic Records and was preceded by the lead single "Wait a Minute (Just a Touch)" in November 2007. The album's second single, "American Boy", became a number one hit in the UK, as well as reaching the top 10 and receiving platinum status in many countries. It also earned Estelle her first three Grammy Award nominations (including Song of the Year) and won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. "American Boy" was followed by her last song to reach the Top 40 in the UK to date, "No Substitute Love, and the singles "Pretty Please (Love Me)" and "Come Over" Shine has been certified Gold in the UK, as well peaking at number 6 in the UK and becoming her first and only album to chart internationally.
Her fourth studio album True Romance was released on 17 November 2015 through her own record label 1980 Recordings, as well as BMG. Her song "Conqueror" (originally a duet with Jussie Smollett from the American television show Empire) peaked at number 42 in the United States.
Her fifth studio album Lovers Rock was released on 7 September 2018 through 1980 Records and VP Records, making it her first album as an independent artist. The album also marked a shift in Estelle's musical style from pop, R&B, and hip hop to reggae.
The album is almost split into two distinct styles: one half funky, UK R&B hip-hop, with the other more downbeat and soulful. Opening track "1980", the first single, contains a Wall of Sound and lyrics reminiscing about growing up. "Dance Bitch" resembles US hip hop stylings similar to Missy Elliott, while "Go Gone" has a Northern soul sound; "Free" is a bouncy funk number and also served as the second single.
After signing with V2 Records, Estelle released her debut album The 18th Day (2004), which reached number 35 on the UK Albums Chart. Her next album, Shine (2008), which was released through the Atlantic Record Label, charted internationally and helped her significant mainstream success. The album included the single "American Boy" featuring West, which reached number 1 in the United Kingdom and earned her several accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Her last album released with the Atlantic label would be All of Me (2012); the single "Thank You" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Performance.
Estelle got her start in London's renowned hip-hop record store Deal Real. Her fellow employees encouraged her to take a chance and get on the mic on-stage; soon she was playing numerous London clubs and appearing with the likes of Manuva and Rodney P. Local hero Skitz asked her to appear on his 2001 album, Countryman, and soon she landed on albums by artists such as The 57th Dynasty and Blak Twang. She made her solo debut in 2003 with the 12" "Excuse Me", released on the label Paradise Isle.[11]
Her career got a jump-start in the early 2000s when she happened to see Kanye West sitting in a restaurant while on a trip to Los Angeles. Estelle approached Kanye, introduced herself and asked for an introduction to John Legend. She eventually got that introduction, and Legend eventually helped produce two songs on her debut album,[12] The 18th Day, which was released in the UK in October 2004.[9] Her breakthrough track came when "1980" was released by the V2 label and reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. A street-level mixtape series called Da Heat and further 12"s like "Free" and "Go Gone" helped build a loyal following, and Estelle gave back to the UK hip hop scene by forming her own Stellarents label to sign new artists. The album was a modest success, debuting at No. 35 on the UK albums chart, and generating two top 20 singles. She received a MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Award in the UK for Best Newcomer.[9][11]
Three years later, US R&B singer John Legend announced that Estelle would be the first signee to his HomeSchool label, distributed by Atlantic in the US. Four years after The 18th Day's release, Estelle returned with her second album, Shine. Though it was her second album, it was the first to be released in the US and her major-label debut.
Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Wyclef Jean, Will.i.am, Mark Ronson and Cee-Lo Green and Jack Splash all worked on the album, which was executive produced by John Legend. "Her sound is a unique blend of hip hop, R&B, reggae and soul," explains Legend. "She has a special voice, unlike any other voice out there in mainstream music, and she can really write. She writes hip lyrics with unforgettable melodies. I recognised that in her when I first worked with her in 2004." He continues, "I'm excited and honored to have Estelle as the first artist on my label, Homeschool Records. I believe the world is going to fall in love with her album, as I already have. Estelle is an amazing talent, and she's going to do big things."[13]
The lead single, "Wait a Minute (Just a Touch)", released in November 2007. In 2008, Estelle rose to fame with her collaboration with rapper Kanye West, titled "American Boy". This song reached the top 10 in many countries worldwide, including the United States and Canada, as well as achieving number-one status on the UK Singles Chart.[14][15] and in Belgium[16] and Israel. The song won many awards worldwide, including Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 51st Grammy Awards; it was also nominated for Song of the Year. It is rumored to be inspired by American comedy writer Sam Means after the artist met him near a plane. "American Boy" was Number 7 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.[17] The song was nominated for the 2009 Brit Award for Best British Single, and Estelle was also nominated for Best British Female Artist.[18] Shine was released following the single on John Legend's HomeSchool label, reaching the albums chart in most countries worldwide, including number 6 in the UK.[14] Shine sold enough copies to be certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry, and was one of the twelve albums shortlisted for the prestigious 2008 Mercury Music Prize. Shine has been certified Gold in the UK, denoting 100,000 copies sold. The album has sold 233,000 copies in the United States as of January 2012.[19]Estelle has also released a single with American rapper Busta Rhymes called "World Go Round", from his album Back on My B.S., which was released on 19 May 2009. In February 2009, the song "Star" was released; it is also used for Crystal Light commercials. In 2009, Estelle started working on her upcoming third studio album, All of Me. Estelle made a cameo appearance in the video for new star Mr Hudson for his single "Supernova". Estelle made an appearance on 11 August 2009 episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. She performed the song "Good Girls Go Bad" with Cobra Starship in Leighton Meester's absence. Estelle also appears on the song "Rollacoasta", co-written by her and American singer-songwriter Robin Thicke; the song appears on his album, Sex Therapy.
Estelle confirmed her third album would be titled All of Me. The album was originally led by the single "Freak", featuring Kardinal Offishall and produced by David Guetta. The video premiered on her website on 26 February 2010.[20] The original second single from the album was announced as being "Fall in Love", which featured versions featuring Nas and John Legend. Due to the underperformance of both "Freak" and "Fall in Love", both songs were ultimately left off the final track listing for All of Me.[21] However, "Freak" was featured on both the Step Up 3D soundtrack and the reissue of David Guetta's album One Love, titled One More Love. In 2010, Estelle also modelled at Naomi Campbell's Fashion For Relief runway show for The White Ribbon Alliance to raise funds for mothers in Haiti. She was also featured on Reflection Eternal's new album with the song Midnight Hour and last track of Gucci Mane's album The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted.
In 2014, Estelle performed live at Amber Lounge, the original Formula One after-party, in Singapore. She would return for an exclusive performance at Amber Lounge Abu Dhabi in November. In March, she premiered the first single off her fourth album True Romance which was "Make Her Say (Beat It Up)."[28] The follow-up single "Conqueror" premiered on 15 July 2014.[29] After numerous delays, the album was released on 17 February 2015 in the US.[30]
In June 2017, she announced she was working on a full-length reggae album due for a late 2017 release, in addition to releasing the album's lead single "Love Like Ours" featuring Tarrus Riley.[31] On 13 July 2018, the title of the album was revealed as Lovers Rock. The single "Better" was released along with the pre-order. The album was released on 7 September 2018.[32] Estelle also hosts a show on Apple Music, The Estelle Show, playing music that "inspires and excites her."[33] Between 2019 and 2020 she gave voice to Garnet in Steven Universe Future and acted as Linda for Netflix's new film Fatal Affair.[34] As of October 2020 The Estelle Show on Apple Music[7] has had over 500 episodes.
In 2004, two of Estelle's singles made it into the charts. These were "1980" and "Free". She also won a MOBO Award for "Best Newcomer".[4] The videos to both of her songs were directed by Andy Hylton.[5] "Free" was written by Estelle. It was produced by Jimmy Hogarth. Her first album,The 18th Day, reached number 35 in the UK Albums Chart.[6]
In 2008, Estelle worked with rapper/producer Kanye West on her song "American Boy". This song reached the top 10 in many countries. It was number one on the UK Singles Chart[6][7] and in Belgium[8] and Israel. The song won many awards. These included a Grammy Award for best Rap / collaboration. The song was also nominated for the Grammy for "Song of the Year". "American Boy" reached number 7 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.[9] Her album Shine was released after the single. It was on the albums chart in most countries. It was number 6 in the UK.[6] Estelle also released a new single with rapper Busta Rhymes. It is called "World Go Round". The single was on Rhymes' album Back on My B.S., which was released on 19 May 2009.
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