Estelle’s sound is a unique blend of hip-hop, pop, reggae and soul–throw in her special voice and swagger, and it kills. “Freak,” the single from her new CD “All of Me,” is a sign of even more hotness to come. Just check out the song’s chorus:
“Every single girl should embrace their inner freaky freak/Don’t be scared, don’t be shy/Yes you gotta let it breathe.”
Honestly, I was blown away the first time I heard it…and not only by the song! The images from the video are so impressive, I asked my dear friend Alvaro, the genius illustrator, to create a sketch drawn from the look of the video. Meanwhile, I recently caught up with Estelle, herself, to chat about everything from her move to New York City to the inspiration behind her hot new look and sound:
IMAN: When you moved to New York in 2007, did it inspire the sound of your new music?
ESTELLE: A little bit. I’m really more of a world music artist…I pick up a little bit of everything because I travel everywhere. My sound is always inspired by the music I listen to at whatever stage I’m at.
IMAN: Everybody sees New York in their own way. How would you describe Estelle’s New York?
ESTELLE: Just like London, except twenty-four hours! Also, it really is like Jay Z and Alicia’s song “Empire State of Mind.” You can do exactly what you want to do here. CONTINUED AT ESSENCE.COM
The Black Ball 2008 with David and singer Adele
Just like the past 3 years, Alicia Keys and I co-hosted our annual fundraiser for Keep a Child Alive. Globally, 33 million live with HIV, 67% of them live in Africa Globally there are 2 million children under age infected and 90% live in Africa. Africa has 12 million AIDS orphans Congratulations to all this year’s recipients: Jackie Branfield.. founder/Director of Opration Bobbi Bear, Simon Fuller, creator of American Idol, and Queen Latifah. You can make an immediate $5 donation to KCA by text-messaging “ALIVE” to 90999. Do your part. Spread the love.
At Black Girls Rock in a Rachel Roy dress
This nonprofit, youth empowerment mentoring organization established for young women of color as a reaction to the often seen negative images consistently imprinted upon Black women expressly in mass media. BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc.’s mission is to promote the arts and to encourage positive life-changing activity, critical thinking, and dialogue about the images of women in our present day culture. This year’s third annual award hosted by actress Regina King was a wonderful, fun, glamorous and ass kicking event. I was deeply touched that i was honored as Humanitarian of the Year for the work I do with Keep a Child Alive. Other great women recipients were Pam Grier, Erykah Badu, Estelle and Nicole Paultre Bell. Visit www.blackgirlsrock.org for more info.
