BEST SOUL ACT
NOMINEES
Cleo Sol
United Kingdom, London
Cleo Sol, a British singer-songwriter, has been nominated for Best Soul Act. Born Cleopatra Zvezdana Nikolic on March 24, 1990, in Ladbroke Grove, London, she draws from her diverse heritage—Serbian-Spanish mother and Jamaican father—to create a unique musical style. Her upbringing in a household filled with diverse sounds, from reggae rhythms to soulful melodies, laid the groundwork for her later musical exploration and expression.
Cleo Sol's discography includes five solo studio albums: Winter Songs (2018), Rose in the Dark (2020), Mother (2021), Heaven (2023), and Gold (2023). Her work has been critically acclaimed, with Rose in the Dark featured in end-of-year lists by Complex and Clash.
She is also a member of the UK-based musical collective SAULT, known for their soulful and genre-blending music.
Teè Leonie
United Kingdom, Wolverhampton
Teè Leonie, a radiant talent from Wolverhampton, UK, is the epitome of a rising star in the Neo-soul/RnB genre. As the second child in her family, she grew up surrounded by music, with influences ranging from Michael Jackson to Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu, thanks to her mother and her well-known cousin, Janet Kay. These early experiences in a home filled with legendary artists' music were pivotal in sparking her passion for music.Teè Leonie's career has seen her collaborate with emerging talents like Reggae artist High Tempo, contributing backing vocals and appearing in the music video for 'Who Say I'. Her growing reputation in the music world has also led to opportunities to work with renowned Reggae producer Noel Browne, known for his work with celebrated artists like Sugar Minnott and Freddie McGregor.
Lizzie Berchie
United Kingdom, London
Lizzie Berchie, a London-based singer-songwriter, has been nominated for Best Soul Act. Her music blends neo-soul, R&B, and jazz, drawing inspiration from artists like Minnie Riperton and Erykah Badu. Her debut EP, Under the Sun (2022), features tracks like "Pass Time" and "Nsala," showcasing her thoughtful songwriting and emotive vocals.
Her sophomore EP, Am I An Adult Yet? (2023), further establishes her as a significant voice in the UK soul and R&B scene.
Lizzie has supported artists like Loyle Carner, Pip Millett, and Noname, demonstrating her growth from an extremely shy child into a seasoned performer.
Her authentic and raw sound, combined with her thoughtful lyricism, has earned her recognition as a rising talent in the UK music scene. Her nomination for Best Soul Act highlights her growing influence and the anticipation surrounding her future contributions to music.
Amaria
United States, Florida
Amaria, a Tampa, Florida native, has been nominated for Best Soul Act. Her music seamlessly blends neo-soul and R&B, drawing inspiration from artists like Erykah Badu and Amel Larrieux. Amaria made her commercial debut on New Year's Day 2020 with the self-written, self-produced "Morning," a confident first step from the then-teenaged singer.
Her 2021 EP, Bittersweet, features tracks like "Lose Control" and "Think About It," showcasing her thoughtful songwriting and emotive vocals. er recent album, Free Fallin', released in October 2024, further establishes her as a significant voice in the soul and R&B scene. Amaria's authentic and raw sound, combined with her thoughtful lyricism, has earned her recognition as a rising talent in the music scene. Her nomination for Best Soul Act highlights her growing influence and the anticipation surrounding her future contributions to music.
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Keziasoul
United Kingdom, Birmingham
Keziasoul, hailing from the vibrant area of Moseley in Birmingham, stands as an exceptional nominee for the Best Soul Act. As a singer-songwriter deeply influenced by soul legends like Jill Scott, Mary Wells, and Billie Holiday, her music reflects a rich tapestry of sounds. Growing up in a culturally diverse and musically rich environment, Keziasoul was exposed to an eclectic mix of genres, including reggae, afrobeat, jazz, and rhythm & blues, all of which have seamlessly blended into her own unique style.
Her voice is a standout feature, soulful and alluring, captivating audiences and leaving them yearning for more. Keziasoul's journey took a significant leap forward with her appearance on The Voice 2021, as part of Team Will.I.Am, propelling her into the spotlight.
BEST SOUL ACT
NOMINEES 2023
Keziasoul
United Kingdom, Birmingham
Keziasoul, hailing from the vibrant area of Moseley in Birmingham, stands as an exceptional nominee for the Best Soul Act. As a singer-songwriter deeply influenced by soul legends like Jill Scott, Mary Wells, and Billie Holiday, her music reflects a rich tapestry of sounds. Growing up in a culturally diverse and musically rich environment, Keziasoul was exposed to an eclectic mix of genres, including reggae, afrobeat, jazz, and rhythm & blues, all of which have seamlessly blended into her own unique style.
Her voice is a standout feature, soulful and alluring, captivating audiences and leaving them yearning for more. Keziasoul's journey took a significant leap forward with her appearance on The Voice 2021, as part of Team Will.I.Am, propelling her into the spotlight.
Teè Leonie
United Kingdom, Wolverhampton
Teè Leonie, a radiant talent from Wolverhampton, UK, is the epitome of a rising star in the Neo-soul/RnB genre. As the second child in her family, she grew up surrounded by music, with influences ranging from Michael Jackson to Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu, thanks to her mother and her well-known cousin, Janet Kay. These early experiences in a home filled with legendary artists' music were pivotal in sparking her passion for music.Teè Leonie's career has seen her collaborate with emerging talents like Reggae artist High Tempo, contributing backing vocals and appearing in the music video for 'Who Say I'. Her growing reputation in the music world has also led to opportunities to work with renowned Reggae producer Noel Browne, known for his work with celebrated artists like Sugar Minnott and Freddie McGregor.
SÏAN ABLE
Belgium, Brussels
Belgian artist Sïan Able is a pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer who has crafted a unique and melancholic universe in the realm of pop-soul and neo-soul. Her music is an organic expression of unspoken emotions, a reflection of her passion for both the wildness of nature and the complexities of human experience. Sïan's approach to music is holistic and instinctive, marked by a magnetic presence and vibrant energy.
Her musical style is as robust as her personality, characterized by a voice that is as forthright as her lyrics. Sïan’s songs, sung in both English and French, offer an immersive experience, with the piano and vocal harmonies taking center stage. The fusion of pop/soul with neo-soul elements in her tracks creates a sound that is both dynamic and deeply emotional.
SKYBRIDGE
Global
SkyBridge, a global project band led by the multi-awarded songwriter and vocalist Utako Toyama, is an ensemble that transcends traditional musical boundaries. Established in Boston in the spring of 2013, SkyBridge is not just a band; it's a collective with a profound mission to promote diversity, equity, and world peace through music. Their latest release, "Businessman," featuring the acclaimed Kenyan singer-songwriter Njoki Karu, exemplifies this mission.
The band members of SkyBridge are as diverse as their music, hailing from various corners of the globe. This includes Harshitha Krishnan (India) on backing vocals, Dina Rizvic (Croatia) on organ and keyboard, Antonio Gecek (Croatia) on trumpet, Oliver Eres (Croatia) on saxophone, Luka Zuzic (Croatia) on trombone, Clavin Limuel (Indonesia) on guitar, Yuma Hara (Japan) also on guitar, Min Jae Yim (South Korea) on bass, and Teruki Kameyama (Japan) on drums.
TAYDEM SHOESMITH
United States, Carroll, IA
Shoesmith, a multifaceted artist with a deep-rooted passion for music, has crafted a distinct place for herself in the industry with her versatile musical style. Her sound, which navigates the realms of singer-songwriter, pop, and alternative genres, draws inspiration from a diverse array of artists including Michael Jackson, Rascal Flatts, and Billie Holiday. Her single "Are You Clapping?" released in January, has notably garnered over 89K streams on Spotify and achieved a top 5 position on the UK iTunes charts.Beyond her musical endeavors, Shoesmith has also ventured into the world of acting. Making her debut in 2020, she has quickly made a name for herself, securing lead roles in multiple films. Her artistic versatility extends to composing music for film, including creating a theme song for a short series.
