Delilah (musician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Delilah
Delilah performing in late 2011
Background information
Birth name	Paloma Ayana Stoecker
Also known as	Delilah
Born	(1991-09-23) 23 September 1991 (age 33) Paris, France
Origin	Camden, London, England
Genres	Pop electronica trip hop PBR&B ambient soul
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, piano
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Atlantic, Warner Music Group
Associated acts	Chase & Status, Wretch 32, Skream

Paloma Ayana Stoecker (born 23 September 1991), known as Delilah, is an English singer and songwriter. She was born in Paris, France. Delilah moved to Camden, London, England, when she was very young. She later went to City and Islington College.

Delilah sent her demo songs to Island Records. Soon, important people in the music industry noticed her talent. She signed with Atlantic Records when she was seventeen. In 2011, she worked with the group Chase & Status on their song "Time". Her first solo song, "Go", came out on 25 September 2011. Her first album, From the Roots Up, was released on 30 July 2012. It became very popular, reaching number 5 on the UK Albums Chart.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Delilah studied at City and Islington College.

Delilah was born Paloma Ayana Stoecker on 23 September 1991 in Paris, France. Her parents separated when she was young. She then moved to Camden, London, with her mother. Delilah grew up there. She has a diverse background, with Nigerian, Jamaican, Cuban, and English family roots.

Her mother was involved with the MOBO awards in the 1990s. Delilah's late step-father, Jesse Stoecker, was a DJ. He also owned a record label called Shakedown Sounds. This label helped British bands and had a nightclub for live music. Delilah started taking singing seriously after her step-father passed away in 2002. She wrote her first song on the piano at age 12. She also has a sister named Tabitha.

Delilah went to different schools, including Portland Place School. She then studied music at City and Islington College. However, she left after a few months. She explained that she did not want to go to a very strict music school like the BRIT School. She preferred a less structured way to learn.

Music Career Journey

Starting Out and First Successes (2008–2011)

In 2008, Delilah used a studio in Tottenham for a college project. She worked with a local producer and recorded four songs. A friend who worked at Choice FM heard these songs. The friend sent them to Island Records. Soon, important people from big record labels were interested in Delilah. She had many meetings and eventually signed with Atlantic Records. She was 17 years old.

Delilah spent three years building up a large collection of songs before her first album came out. She toured with the British music group Chase & Status for two years. This tour ended in 2011. Delilah sang as a support vocalist, performing their songs "Time" and "Heartbeat". Chase & Status said they thought Delilah sounded "fantastic" after hearing her music.

Delilah helped write the song "Time". She wrote it with Chase & Status and Plan B. She also sang on the track. "Time" was released on 21 April 2011. It reached number 21 on the UK Singles Chart. Delilah also helped write the song "Don't Be Afraid". This song was on Wretch 32's album Black and White.

After touring with Chase & Status, Delilah also joined Maverick Sabre on his UK and Ireland tour in 2011. She was also one of many artists on the BBC 1Xtra live tour.

Debut Album From the Roots Up (2012–Present)

Delilah's first full album, From the Roots Up, was released on 30 July 2012. Producers like Syience, Balistiq, and LV worked on the album. Delilah also helped produce her own songs. In the United Kingdom, the album reached number five on the UK Albums Chart. It also reached number seventeen on the Scottish Albums Chart.

The first song from the album, "Go", came out digitally on 6 September 2011. It reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart. The song uses a part of Chaka Khan's 1983 hit "Ain't Nobody". Chaka Khan herself heard Delilah's song and called it "genius".

Her next song, "Love You So", was released on 19 December 2011. Delilah released her fourth song, "Inside My Love", on 16 July 2012. This was a cover of a song by Minnie Riperton. She filmed the music video for "Inside My Love" with Jake Nave. He is a famous video director who has worked with Beyoncé and Kanye West.

In February 2012, Delilah released her first mixtape called 2-4am. It was a free download from her website. This mixtape had 8 songs, including a new version of "Love You So". Her third single, "Breathe", was released on 14 May 2012.

Delilah sang with Emeli Sandé at London's KOKO. This was part of MTV's Brand New for 2012 event. In spring 2012, Delilah went on her first headline tour. It started on 14 April 2012 in Glasgow. The tour ended on 24 April 2012 with a sold-out show at London's KOKO. In October 2012, Delilah went on her second UK tour. It ended with a sold-out show in London, with support from rapper Wiley. Delilah also opened for the famous artist Prince on his Australian tour in May 2012.

Delilah has been working on her second album for a few years. This album is her first since she became an independent artist. She supported it with her #NoFilter tour in August 2014. This tour visited London, Manchester, Brighton, Bristol, and Birmingham. She showed off new songs from her upcoming album. She also plans to release a free mixtape soon. Delilah has talked about spending time in the US to record with Prince. She was featured on two songs, "Way Back Home" and "Affirmation III," from Prince's album Art Official Age. She also released a song with Etta Bond called 'Bubble'.

Musical Style and Influences

Delilah says her first album, From the Roots Up, was inspired by modern music. It includes styles like dub, dubstep, acoustic, and drum & bass. She describes her own music as dark, soulful, and melodic pop.

Some people have said Delilah's music sounds like a mix between Sade and The xx. She has also been compared to the Canadian singer Alanis Morissette. In an interview, Delilah mentioned many artists who influenced her. These include Buena Vista Social Club, Portishead, Ella Fitzgerald, Metalheadz, Nine Inch Nails, Chaka Khan, Roy Ayers, Aaliyah, and Sade. These artists played a big part in her musical journey. Their music influences the songs she writes and helps produce.

Discography

Albums

Mixtape

Singles

As featured artist

Guest appearances