Corinne Bailey Rae

Corinne Jacqueline Bailey Rae is a British singer and songwriter born on February 26, 1979, in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. She began her musical journey at a young age, initially studying classical violin before shifting her focus to singing. Her early vocal performances took place in a Plymouth Brethren church, and she later joined a Baptist church where she was exposed to a wider range of music. A pivotal moment came when a local youth leader lent her money to buy her first guitar. In her mid-teens, she was influenced by artists like Lenny Kravitz, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin. She formed an all-female indie group called Helen, inspired by bands like L7 and Veruca Salt. After the group disbanded, Bailey Rae attended the University of Leeds, graduating with a degree in English Language and Literature in 2000.

Breakthrough and Debut Album

In 2006, Corinne Bailey Rae rose to prominence with her self-titled debut album. The album debuted at number one in the UK and reached number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. It featured the hit singles "Put Your Records On" and "Like a Star". "Put Your Records On" became her biggest hit, reaching number two in the UK. The album sold over four million copies worldwide and earned her multiple award nominations. In 2007, she was nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist. She won two MOBO Awards and in 2008, she won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year for her work as a featured artist on Herbie Hancock's "River: The Joni Letters".

The Sea and The Heart Speaks in Whispers

The Sea (2010)

Following a hiatus after the death of her husband Jason Rae in 2008, she released her second album, "The Sea," in January 2010. The album, which dealt with themes of grief and love, was critically acclaimed and nominated for the Mercury Prize. It debuted at number five on the UK Albums Chart and number seven on the Billboard 200 in the US. In 2012, her cover of Bob Marley's "Is This Love" from her EP "The Love EP" won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance.

The Heart Speaks in Whispers (2016)

Her third studio album, "The Heart Speaks in Whispers," was released in May 2016. The album was co-produced with Steve Brown and featured collaborations with artists like Esperanza Spalding and Marcus Miller. It debuted at number two on Billboard's R&B chart. The single "Green Aphrodisiac" was named one of the best R&B songs of 2016 by Billboard and was included on President Barack Obama's summer playlist.

Black Rainbows (2023)

Bailey Rae's fourth studio album, "Black Rainbows," released in 2023, marked a significant departure from her previous work. Inspired by objects and archives at the Stony Island Arts Bank in Chicago, the album explores themes of Black history, femininity, and transcendence. The sound is more experimental, drawing from punk, indie rock, and jazz influences. The album was nominated for a Mercury Prize.