Benjamin Clementine
Tracks
Benjamin Sainte-Clementine (born 7 December 1988) is an English singer and songwriter. He grew up in North London before moving to France and subsequently had a breakthrough performance on the British television programme Later With Jools Holland. He has been particularly praised for his powerful vocal skills and charisma on-stage.
Clementine was born to Ghanaian parents in Crystal Palace, London, but grew up in Edmonton, in the north of the city. He claimed his musical influences were Antony Hegarty, Luciano Pavarotti and Erik Satie. In 2008, at the age of 20, he had a conflict with a flatmate, and, looking for somewhere else to live, decided to move to Paris, where he spent a number of years homeless and busking to earn a living. He was discovered by an agent for the record label Behind when he was busking in the Parisian Metro. He became popular on the music scene, where he was described as "la révélation anglais des Francos" ("the French's English revelation").
Clementine's first EP 'Cornerstone' was released in June 2013. It was re-issued in October with extra acoustic tracks on the online service Deezer. In the same month, he appeared on the BBC television show Later With Jools Holland performing the EP's title track. The appearance drew strong critical praise, with Paul McCartney encouraging Clementine to continue his musical career. The London Evening Standard′s David Smyth, reviewing a gig at the South Bank Centre, said that Clementine's performance reminded him of Nina Simone, particularly as he had covered her hit Ain't Got No, I Got Life in a radically different style.
Clementine announced further tours, both solo and supporting Woodkid with The BBC Concert Orchestra, including an appearance at the O2 Academy in Brixton and at the Transmusical de Rennes festival in Rennes, France. An album is scheduled to be released in 2014.
