Izzy Bizu

Izzy Bizu

Izzy Bizu performing at London Fields Brewery in September 2015
Background information
Birth name Isobel Beardshaw
Born (1994-04-28) 28 April 1994
Origin London, England, United Kingdom
Genres
Occupation(s)
Years active 2013–present
Labels Epic Records
Associated acts SoundGirl
Website izzybizu.com

Izzy Bizu (born Isobel Beardshaw; 28 April 1994) is a British singer-songwriter,[1] of partial Ethiopian descent, signed to Epic Records.[2] Bizu has garnered mainstream radio support from BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac and Phil Taggart[3] and BBC Radio 1Xtra's Trevor Nelson.[4] She has supported Sam Smith,[1] Rudimental,[5] and Foxes on their latest UK tours.[6] In November 2015, Bizu was shortlisted for a Brit Critics' Choice award[7] and longlisted for BBC's Sound of... 2016.[8]

Biography

Bizu is from South West London.[9] Born to an Ethiopian mother and English father, she grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Bettye Swann and James Brown[10] and draws on these influences alongside newer influences such as Amy Winehouse and Adele to create a fusion of soul, funk, jazz and pop.[11]

Career

2013: Coolbeanz

Bizu won an open mic night competition in February 2013 winning over the crowd, which included Emeli Sande and Naughty Boy, who were in attendance.[1] She released her first independent EP Coolbeanz in September 2013 debuting at number 3 on the iTunes Soul and RnB Chart and selling 50,000 copies.[12] The EP’s lead single "White Tiger" was also chosen as Zane Lowe’s ‘Next Hype’.[13] In October 2013 she supported Sam Smith on his UK tour[14] and in November Jamie Cullum handpicked her to open for him at The Roundhouse in London.[15]

2014–16: A Moment of Madness

In June 2014, Bizu was selected by BBC Introducing[14] to perform at Glastonbury Festival.[16] In July 2014, she signed to Epic Records UK.[2]A year later, she released the first singles from her debut album, Adam & Eve and Diamond which enjoyed support from BBC Radio 1,[17] Radio 2[18] and 1Xtra.[4] and performed at Glastonbury for the second time.[19] In September 2015, following the release of her single Give Me Love, she also made her TV debut on Later with Jools Holland.[20] Bizu supported both Rudimental[5] and Foxes[6] on their UK headline tours. In November 2015, Bizu was shortlisted for a Brit Critics' Choice award.[7] Her debut album A Moment of Madness is due for release on 22 July 2016.[21]

Artistry

Bizu has described herself as a fan of jazz-fusion mixes and a lover of squat parties and warehouse raves. She grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Bettye Swann and James Brown[9] and draws on these influences alongside newer influences such as Amy Winehouse and Adele to create a fusion of soul, funk, jazz and pop.[22] She lists The Black Keys, Diana Ross, Grammatics and Sam Cooke among her other influences.[23]

Discography

Albums

Title Details
A Moment of Madness
  • Released: 22 July 2016
  • Label: Epic Records
  • Formats: Digital download, CD

Extended plays

Title Details
Coolbeanz
  • Released: September 2013
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download

Singles

Year Title Album
2015 "Diamond"[24] A Moment of Madness
"Adam & Eve"[25]
"Give Me Love"[26]
"White Tiger"[27]
2016 "Mad Behaviour"[28]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Introducing... Izzy Bizu". bbc.co.uk.
  2. 1 2 "Izzy Bizu signs to Epic Records". bimm.co.uk.
  3. ↑ "Izzy Bizu unveils new single 'Give Me Love'". thefourohfive.com.
  4. 1 2 "Izzy Bizu in the Live Lounge". bbc.co.uk.
  5. 1 2 "Rudimental live at Alexandra Palace". rudimental.co.uk.
  6. 1 2 "Foxes UK Tour 2015 with Izzy Bizu". livenation.co.uk.
  7. 1 2 Gibsone, Harriet. "Izzy Bizu, Jack Garratt and Frances: meet the Brits critics' choice shortlist". the Guardian. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  8. ↑ "BBC Sound Poll 2016". bbc.co.uk.
  9. 1 2 "Introducing: South London based Izzy Bizu". livenation.co.uk.
  10. ↑ "Izzy Bizu gets summer started right with Adam & Eve". rwdmag.com.
  11. ↑ "Izzy Bizu - Biography". paradigmagency.com.
  12. ↑ "Izzy Bizu - Coolbeanz EP". dmpgroup.com.
  13. ↑ "BBC Radio 1 Zane Lowe's Next Hype (27.08.13)". soundcloud.com.
  14. 1 2 "Izzy Bizu at Glastonbury 2014". bbc.co.uk.
  15. ↑ "Izzy Bizu and Jamie Cullum at Glastonbury 2014". bbc.co.uk.
  16. ↑ "Izzy Bizu performs at Glastonbury 2014". mtv.co.uk.
  17. ↑ "The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw 15/06/2015". bbc.co.uk.
  18. ↑ "BBC Radio 2 - Jo Whiley, 16/06/2015". bbc.co.uk.
  19. ↑ "The Noisey Glastonbury Portfolio by Jillian Edelstein". noisey.vice.com.
  20. ↑ "Later... with Jools Holland - Series 47, Episode 2". bbc.co.uk.
  21. ↑ "Izzy Bizu - A Moment of Madness". itunes.apple.com.
  22. ↑ "Izzy Bizu - Singer-Songwriter". WIRED.
  23. ↑ "About Izzy Bizu". codaagency.com.
  24. ↑ "Diamond - Single". iTunes.
  25. ↑ "Adam & Eve (Remixes) - Single". iTunes.
  26. ↑ "Give Me Love (Remixes) - Single". iTunes.
  27. ↑ "White Tiger - Single". iTunes.
  28. ↑ "Mad Behaviour - Single". iTunes.

External links

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