One of the most intelligent and likable UK urban artists, Estelle first burst
into the charts in 2004 with the colourful 1980 and the largely autobiographical
album The 18th Day. It found her being tagged as Britain's answer to the Fugees'
Lauryn Hill but, after a lull following her initial breakthrough, Estelle showed
her quality, versatility and strength of character in 2008 collaborating with
rapper Kanye West on the international hit American Boy - which established her
as a big star in the US. Released on John Legend's label Homeschool, the
subsequent album Shine confirmed h...