Famous British Soul Singers

Amy Winehouse was an English singer and songwriter known for her distinctive contralto vocals and blend of musical genres, including soul, rhythm and blues, reggae, and jazz. She gained early recognition as a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra before signing with record labels and releasing her debut album "Frank" in 2003. Her second album, "Back to Black," achieved international success and earned her multiple awards, including five Grammy wins in 2008. Winehouse's career was marked by critical acclaim, accolades, and a lasting impact on the music industry.

Adele, an English singer-songwriter, rose to fame with her debut album "19" in 2008, showcasing her mezzo-soprano vocals and sentimental songwriting. She gained international recognition with her second album "21," which became the best-selling album of the 21st century. Adele continued her success with albums "25" and "30", earning numerous Grammy Awards and setting sales records. With over 120 million records sold worldwide, she is one of the best-selling music artists, known for chart-topping singles and acclaimed performances.

Sade Adu, known as the lead vocalist of her band Sade, is a Nigerian-born British singer and a successful figure in the music industry. She gained recognition as a performer and fashion designer before forming the band Sade in the early 1980s. The band achieved commercial success with their debut album Diamond Life in 1984. Over the years, Sade released several albums, went on hiatus, and made a comeback with new music, showcasing a range of musical styles and influences.

Seal is a British musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who has achieved global success, selling over 20 million records worldwide. He is known for hit songs such as "Crazy," "Killer," and "Kiss from a Rose." Throughout his career, Seal has won multiple prestigious awards, including three Brit Awards, four Grammy Awards, and an MTV Video Music Award. He has also received recognition for his songwriting talents, winning two Ivor Novello Awards. Additionally, Seal has served as a coach on The Voice Australia.

Billy Ocean is a Trinidadian-born British singer and songwriter known for his series of hit songs between 1976 and 1988. He achieved breakthrough success with the 1976 single "Love Really Hurts Without You." Over the years, he released several top 20 singles in the UK, including "Red Light Spells Danger" in 1977 and "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)" in 1984. Ocean won a Grammy Award in 1985 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. He continued to produce international hit singles like "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" and "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car." In recognition of his success, he has received prestigious awards, including an honorary doctorate of music and a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rag'n'Bone Man, known for his deep baritone voice, is an English singer who gained recognition with his hit single "Human" in 2016. His debut album, also titled "Human," was released in 2017 and became the fastest-selling debut album by a male for the decade. He won multiple Brit Awards, including British Breakthrough Act and Best British Single. Following his debut album's success, he collaborated with artists from various genres and released his second studio album, "Life by Misadventure," which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart in 2021.

Dusty Springfield was an iconic English singer known for her distinctive mezzo-soprano sound and diverse musical repertoire. In the 1960s, she became one of the most successful British female performers on both sides of the Atlantic. Springfield started her career in professional groups before transitioning to a successful solo career with numerous chart-topping hits. She was recognized for her unique style and vocal talent, earning accolades from various music halls of fame and international polls as one of the finest female popular singers of all time.

Corinne Bailey Rae is an English singer and songwriter known for her hit single "Put Your Records On". She made her debut with a self-titled album in 2006, becoming the fourth female British act to have a debut album top the charts. Rae has received numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards and Brit Awards. Her second album, "The Sea", was released in 2010, followed by "The Heart Speaks in Whispers" in 2016. Rae's music has resonated with audiences and critics alike, showcasing her talent and versatility as an artist.

Paloma Faith Blomfield is a talented English singer, songwriter, and actress with a successful career in the music industry. She has released several studio albums, including "Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful?", "Fall to Grace", "A Perfect Contradiction", and "The Architect", all of which achieved critical and commercial success. Faith has also collaborated with other artists, such as Sigma and DJ Sigala, on chart-topping singles. In addition to her music career, Faith has appeared in various films and TV shows and has served as a coach on popular talent shows. She also released a bestselling memoir titled "MILF".

Ella Henderson is an English singer and songwriter known for her success on The X Factor UK in 2012. She signed with Syco Music and released her debut album, Chapter One, in 2014, which topped the UK charts. Henderson took a hiatus in 2015 before returning with her second album, Everything I Didn't Say, in 2022. Alongside her solo work, she has collaborated with various artists on hit singles, showcasing her versatility and talent in the music industry.

Alex Clare is a British singer and songwriter known for his debut album, The Lateness of the Hour, released in 2011. The album, produced by Mike Spencer and Major Lazer, showcased his talent and received critical acclaim. One of his most successful songs, "Too Close," reached high positions on both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100. The track was recognized with a Brit Award nomination for Best British Single at the 2013 Brit Awards, solidifying Clare's presence in the music industry.

Joss Stone is an accomplished English singer, songwriter, and actress who gained fame in 2003 with her debut album, The Soul Sessions. She has released several successful albums, including Mind Body & Soul and Introducing Joss Stone, which have achieved gold and platinum status. Stone has sold over 15 million records worldwide, establishing herself as one of the best-selling soul artists of the 2000s. She has earned multiple awards, including two Brit Awards and a Grammy Award. Stone has also ventured into acting, appearing in films and television series.

Elkie Brooks is an English rock, blues, and jazz singer known for her versatile vocal abilities. She started her career as a member of bands Dada and Vinegar Joe before embarking on a successful solo career. With numerous UK Top 75 singles, she achieved significant commercial success in the late 1970s and 1980s. Brooks has been recognized for her talents with nominations for the Brit Awards and is a recipient of the prestigious Gold Badge Award of Merit from BASCA. She is widely regarded as the "British Queen of Blues."

Robin Gibb was a British singer and songwriter who gained worldwide fame as a member of the Bee Gees and had a successful solo career. The Bee Gees achieved global success in the music industry, with record sales exceeding 200 million. Gibb was known for his distinctive soulful voice and was considered one of the major figures in the history of British music. He was also involved in charitable work, supporting injured British servicemen. Gibb passed away in 2012 after battling health issues, leaving behind a lasting musical legacy.

Sampha Lahai Sisay is a British singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer known for his collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Frank Ocean, Kanye West, and more. He has released two solo EPs, "Sundanza" and "Dual," showcasing his unique sound and talent. Sampha gained critical acclaim with his debut album, "Process," which won the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2017. His highly anticipated second album, "Lahai," further solidifies his position as a versatile and influential figure in the music industry.

Gabrielle is a British singer and songwriter known for her soulful voice and hit singles. She rose to fame with her debut single "Dreams," which topped the UK Singles Chart in 1993. Other successful singles include "Going Nowhere," "Give Me a Little More Time," "Walk On By," and "If You Ever" with East 17. After a brief hiatus, she made a comeback with "Rise" in 2000, which also reached number one on the UK charts. Her album of the same name enjoyed a successful run at the top spot. Gabrielle's song "Out of Reach" from the Bridget Jones's Diary soundtrack also achieved commercial success. She released a compilation album titled Dreams Can Come True, Greatest Hits Vol. 1 in 2001.

Fleur East is a versatile English artist with a successful career in music, presenting, and reality TV. She first gained recognition on The X Factor, later achieving chart success with hits like "Sax" and her debut album "Love, Sax and Flashbacks". Fleur's talent led to her becoming the first X Factor contestant to top the UK iTunes chart. Alongside her music career, she has delved into presenting, appearing on various shows and radio programs. Fleur continues to evolve as an artist, showcasing her talents across different entertainment platforms.

John Newman is a versatile English artist known for his roles as a singer, songwriter, musician, DJ, composer, and record producer. He gained widespread recognition with his hit track "Love Me Again," reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart and featured in FIFA 14. Newman has also collaborated on successful singles like Rudimental's "Feel the Love" and "Not Giving In," and Calvin Harris's "Blame," all of which achieved top chart positions. With multiple Brit Awards nominations and millions of records sold, Newman continues to make a significant impact in the music industry.

Labi Siffre is a British singer, songwriter, and poet known for releasing a total of ten albums between 1970 and 1998. His notable compositions include "It Must Be Love," "Crying Laughing Loving Lying," and "(Something Inside) So Strong." The latter, an anti-apartheid anthem, earned Siffre the prestigious Ivor Novello Award. Apart from his music career, Siffre has also ventured into writing, with published essays, a play titled Deathwrite, and three volumes of poetry. His life and work were further highlighted in the documentary series Imagine.

Celeste Epiphany Waite is a British singer and songwriter who began her career in 2014 by providing vocals for electronic producers. She made her solo debut with the EP "The Milk & the Honey" in 2017 and released her second EP "Lately" in 2019 after signing with Polydor Records. In 2019, she topped the BBC's Sound of... poll and won the Rising Star Award at the Brit Awards. Her debut album "Not Your Muse" was released in 2021 and debuted atop the UK Albums Chart. Celeste has received multiple award nominations for her music, including the Brit Awards and the Mercury Prize.

Beverley Knight MBE is an English singer, songwriter, actress, and radio personality known for her soulful voice and powerful performances. With influences from American soul icons, she has released nine studio albums and achieved chart success with hit singles like "Greatest Day" and "Shoulda Woulda Coulda." Knight has also ventured into mainstream media, starring in TV series, hosting radio shows, and making appearances at prestigious events. She has been recognized for her contributions to British music and theatre, receiving awards and nominations for her work in musicals and live performances.

Marsha Ambrosius-Billups is an English singer and songwriter who started her career as part of the R&B duo Floetry. She later embarked on a successful solo career, releasing multiple albums including Late Nights & Early Mornings in 2011, Friends & Lovers in 2014, Nyla in 2018, and Casablanco in 2024. Ambrosius has garnered acclaim for her soulful voice and heartfelt songwriting, establishing herself as a prominent figure in the music industry with a dedicated fan base.

Jim Diamond was a Scottish singer-songwriter known for his successful music career. He achieved fame as the lead singer of the band PhD, with the hit song "I Won't Let You Down". As a solo artist, he reached the top of the UK Singles Chart with "I Should Have Known Better" in 1984. Additionally, his performance of "Hi Ho Silver", the theme song from the TV show Boon, also gained popularity and reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart in 1986.