Ten years ago, British hip-hop soul siren Estelle would’ve been Lauryn Hill‘s biggest competition. Today, she’s a rare gem–cosmopolitan, street-smart, and unapologetically outspoken. Featuring collaborations with everyone from Mark Ronson and will.i.am to Kanye West and Cee-Lo, her outstanding U.S. debut CD, Shine–the first release on John Legend‘s Homeschool Records imprint–is a galvanizing blend of hip-hop, R&B, reggae, and dancehall. Why it didn’t blow up like Hill’s 1998 classic, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, remains a mystery to me. But at least her single "American Boy" scored a well-deserved Song of the Year Grammy nod. That’s gotta count for something, right?
Dec 25
2008
05:26 PM ET
Estelle's 'Shine': Best debut CD of the year
- Comments +
- Add comment
Latest News
- 'Two and a Half Men' moving to Thursday
- 'Walking Dead': Big plans for Comic-Con
- 'Grey's': Watch six minutes of the finale
- 'NCIS' tops Tuesday ratings; 'Talent' dips
- Tom Cruise: 'Playboy' interview highlights
- 'Dictator' sent Seacrest a new jacket
- '90210' season finale shocker: Really?!
- 'Anchorman II': Teaser poster art revealed
No comments yet.