| Intro | Ghanaian soul and jazz singer, songwriter, and composer |
| A.K.A. | Rhiannon Afua Benson |
| Is |
Singer Jazz musician |
| From |
Ghana |
| Type |
Music |
| Gender | female |
| Birth | 10 January 1977, Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana |
| Age: | 43 years |
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, and she has a younger sister and a brother. She was raised in Ghana, India (where her family moved following a diplomatic posting of her father), 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.
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. 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.
With the help of Denmark’s production duo, Jonas Rendbo and Daniel Fridell, Benson released her second album, Hands Clean on 14 February 2011. The album redefined modern soul as Benson sang with soulful electronic backing. The confessional tales of love, loss and life represented a bold, new direction for her. “Better Without You” was the first single to be released in February 2011.
Discography
Albums
- 2003: Gold Coast
- 2011: Hands Clean
Singles
- 2003: “Say How I Feel” – UK #27
- 2003: “Stealing My Piece Of Mind”
- 2011: “Better Without You”