Isobel Akpobire, known professionally as Bellah, is a British singer, songwriter, and actress.

Bellah
Birth nameIsobel Akpobire
BornEnfield, North London
GenresR&B
Years active2019–present
Websitewww.ibebellah.com

Early life and career beginnings

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Akpobire was born in Enfield, North London. She grew up as an only child to a single mother and lived with her uncles who influenced her musical tastes by playing 1990s R&B, such as Destiny's Child and SWV.[1][2]

After participating in musical theatre from the age of four, she undertook her first studio session at age 10, recording a cover of Be Without You by Mary J. Blige.[1]

She found a management team after being spotted at a local festival that she performed at after having sung Beyoncé's Flawless at a school talent show.[2]

Career

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After five years of artist development, Akpobire released her debut EP called Last Train Home in 2019.[2] The debut single released from the EP was Never Loved and this was made Track of the Week by BBC Radio 1Xtra.[3]

This was followed by the release of In the Meantime and The Art of Conversation in 2020, the second of which was released by London-based independent record label Marathon Artists.[4]

Akpobire's music reached a wider audience in 2021 when she performed her single Evil Eye on the ColorsxStudios platform.[1]

In 2022, Akpobire made her debut performance at Wireless Festival. In the same year she released her third EP Adultsville, which was executive produced by Grammy Award winner Ari PenSmith.[5]

Akpobire was nominated for Best R&B/Soul Act at the MOBO Awards in 2023 and she was nominated for Best New International Act at the BET Awards in 2024.[6][7]

In 2024, Akpobire starred as the character Kyazike Mayagenda in the British television series Queenie.[8] The show aired on Channel 4 and Hulu in June 2024.[9]

Personal life

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Akpobire suffers from sickle cell disease and used her single Cause U Can to help raise awareness of the disease.[2][10][3]

Discography

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Title Artist Year Label
Last Train Home Bellah 2019 AWAL
In the Meantime Bellah 2020 AWAL
The Art of Conversation Bellah 2020 Marathon Artists
Adultsville Bellah 2022 Marathon Artists

Singles as Artist

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Title Artist Year Label
Never Loved Bellah 2019 AWAL
Peanut Butter Hazel Bellah 2019 AWAL
Drip Bellah 2019 AWAL
Something U Like Bellah 2020 Marathon Artists
If I Were U Bellah 2020 Marathon Artists
Evil Eye - A COLORS SHOW Bellah 2021 ColorsxStudios
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References

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  1. ^ a b c Chaudhry, Aliya (2023-07-24). "Bellah is bringing British R&B to the global stage: "There's going to be an invasion!"". NME. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  2. ^ a b c d Ihejirika, Uzoma (2022-10-26). "For The Girls: Bellah Finds Strength In Vulnerability On New Album, 'Adultsville'". The NATIVE. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  3. ^ a b Chevonne, Chloe (2020-10-26). "Bellah... "Black girl making music I think is cool"". The Blues Project. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  4. ^ "Bellah". COLORSxSTUDIOS. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  5. ^ "Bellah: Born To Sing". GAFFER. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  6. ^ "MOBO AWARDS ANNOUNCE NOMINATIONS FOR 26TH EDITION IN SHEFFIELD | MOBO Organisation". mobo.com. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  7. ^ Grein, Paul (2024-05-16). "Drake Leads Nominations for 2024 BET Awards: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  8. ^ "Bellah | Actor". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  9. ^ Queenie (TV Series 2024– ) - Release info - IMDb. Retrieved 2024-06-05 – via www.imdb.com.
  10. ^ Wynter, Courtney (2020-11-20). "Bellah Delivers Visuals For Smooth Single "Cause U Can" From Her Brand-New EP 'The Art Of Conversation'". GRM Daily. Retrieved 2024-05-01.