Rhian Benson

Rhian Benson
Background information
Birth name Rhiannon Afua Benson
Born (1977-01-10) 10 January 1977
Accra, Ghana
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments
Years active 2003–present
Website RhianBenson.com

Rhiannon Afua "Rhian" Benson (born 10 January 1977 in Accra, Ghana) is a Ghanaian-British soul and jazz singer and songwriter.

Early life

Benson was born in Accra, Ghana to a British (Welsh) mother, who was a singer, and an Ashanti father, who was a guitarist,[1] and she has a younger sister and a brother.[2] She was raised in Ghana, India (where her family moved following a diplomatic posting of her father),[3] and her mother's native 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]

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.

Discography

Albums

Singles

References

  1. ↑ "Rhian Benson". Ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  2. ↑ Jacks, Camille (July 2004). "Introducing Rhian Benson and her debut album Gold Coast". The Interview. Whudat. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  3. ↑ Modessa, Keya. "Featuring Rhian Benson". Interview Archive. The Situation. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  4. ↑ "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. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  5. ↑ "Rhian Benson". Thesituation.co.uk. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  6. ↑ Kergan, Wade. "Rhian Benson: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  7. ↑ "MOBO Awards 2005". MOBO Awards. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  8. ↑ William Frank at XYLO. "The Official Site". Rhian Benson. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  9. ↑ "MOBO winners revealed | News". Nme.Com. 23 September 2005. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  10. ↑ 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. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  11. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Gold Coast by Rhian Benson". Itunes.apple.com. 7 October 2003. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  12. ↑ "AWAL UK Ltd — Music Distribution, Licensing and Marketing". Awal.com. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  13. ↑ MIMI Magazine (21 January 2010). "The MIMI Magazine Blog: Rhian Benson Poised To Return In 2010 With "Hands Clean"". Mimimagazine.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  14. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 54. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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