Rhian Benson
| Rhian Benson | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Rhiannon Afua Benson |
| Born | 10 January 1977 Accra, Ghana |
| Genres | Soul, jazz, R&B, neo soul |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, record producer |
| Instruments | Guitar, piano, keyboards |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Website | RhianBenson.com |
Rhiannon Afua "Rhian" Benson (born 10 January 1977) is a Ghanaian soul and jazz singer and songwriter.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Benson was born in Accra, Ghana to a Welsh mother, who was a singer, and an Ashanti father, who was a guitarist,[1] and she has a younger sister.[2] She was raised in Ghana, India, where her family moved following a diplomatic posting of her father,[3] and the United Kingdom, where she eventually settled. Benson began playing piano and guitar and writing songs and poetry at an early age. Before pursuing a career in music, she attended the London School of Economics and gained a degree in econometrics. She continued her education at Harvard University, before working at an investment bank.[4]
[edit] Career
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, which was released in October 2003.[5][6] 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.[7]
With the help of Denmark's production duo, Jonas Rendbo and Daniel Fridell, Benson released her second album, Hands Clean on 14 February 2011.[8] The album redefined modern soul as Benson[9][10] sang with soulful electronic backing. The confessional tales of love, loss and life represented a bold, new direction for her.[11] "Better Without You"[12] was the first single to be released in February 2011.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- 2003: Gold Coast
- 2011: Hands Clean [13]
[edit] Singles
[edit] References
- ^ "Rhian Benson". Ghanaweb.com. http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/people/pop-up.php?ID=212. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
- ^ Jacks, Camille (July 2004). "Introducing Rhian Benson and her debut album Gold Coast". The Interview. Whudat. http://www.whudat.com/interview/pages/rhianbenson.html. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ Modessa, Keya. "Featuring Rhian Benson". Interview Archive. The Situation. http://www.thesituation.co.uk/ukartists/rhian_benson/rhian.html. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ "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. http://www2.lse.ac.uk/publicEvents/events/2011/20110606t1900vSL.aspx. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ "Rhian Benson". Thesituation.co.uk. http://www.thesituation.co.uk/ukartists/rhian_benson/rhian.html. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
- ^ Kergan, Wade. "Rhian Benson: Biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rhian-benson-p543574. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ "MOBO Awards 2005". MOBO Awards. http://www.mobo.com/2005%20Royal%20Albert%20Hall. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ William Frank at XYLO. "The Official Site". Rhian Benson. http://www.rhianbenson.com. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
- ^ "MOBO winners revealed | News". Nme.Com. 2005-09-23. http://www.nme.com/news/public-enemy/21068. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
- ^ Lindvall, Helienne (2 June 2011). "Behind the music: the singer with her sights on the World Bank". The Guardian - Music Blog. Guardian News and Media. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2011/jun/02/behind-music-rhian-benson. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Gold Coast by Rhian Benson". Itunes.apple.com. 2003-10-07. http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/gold-coast/id250928046. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
- ^ "AWAL UK Ltd — Music Distribution, Licensing and Marketing". Awal.com. http://www.awal.com/album/better-without-you-single. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
- ^ MIMI Magazine (2010-01-21). "The MIMI Magazine Blog: Rhian Benson Poised To Return In 2010 With "Hands Clean"". Mimimagazine.blogspot.com. http://mimimagazine.blogspot.com/2010/01/rhian-benson-poised-to-return-in-2010.html. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 54. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
[edit] External links
- Rhian Benson official site
