Eska (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eska
Background information
Birth name	Eska Mtungwazi
Born	1971 (age 53–54)
Origin	Lewisham, London, England
Genres	Folk, soul, jazz, dance
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, record producer, session musician
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, violin, piano
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Earthling Recordings
Associated acts	Stephen Emmanuel, Zero 7, Nitin Sawhney

Eska Mtungwazi, born in 1971, is a talented British singer, songwriter, and musician. She is known professionally as Eska. She was born in London. She plays many instruments. Her first solo music was the Gatekeeper EP in 2013. Her first album, ESKA, came out on April 27, 2015.

Growing Up and Music Beginnings

Eska Mtungwazi grew up in South-East London. Her parents were from Zimbabwe. They moved to London with Eska and her siblings when she was two years old.

She listened to all kinds of music when she was young. She says it was a "crazy mixture." She was especially inspired by the famous musician Quincy Jones. Eska started learning the violin with help from her teachers. She even won a scholarship to The Conservatoire in Blackheath. She also loved exploring other music, like the songs of Bob Marley. Eska also learned a lot at Tomorrow's Warriors, a group that helps young musicians.

Eska's Music Career Journey

After studying Mathematics at the London School of Economics, Eska became a teacher. She taught both Maths and Music. During this time, she sang backup for many other musicians. She became well-known in the UK for working with different British artists. These included famous singers like Grace Jones and Bobby McFerrin.

First Solo Music: Gatekeeper EP

Eska sang on many independent music releases in the 2000s. In 2013, she released her first solo project. It was called Gatekeeper EP. She released it on her own record label, Earthling Recordings. The EP had five original songs. Producers Matthew Herbert and David Okumu helped her make it.

This EP received great reviews from around the world. BBC Radio 6 DJ Gilles Peterson said she was "one of the most important singers in the UK." Musician Jamie Cullum called the song "Gatekeeper" an "unbelievable track." He said it would be hard to beat that year. Gilles Peterson also chose the title song for his Brownswood Bubblers 10 music collection.

In June 2022, Eska performed as the opening act for Grace Jones. This was at the Meltdown festival in London's Southbank Centre. Grace Jones chose the artists for that year's festival.

Debut Album: ESKA

Eska released her first full album, ESKA, on April 26, 2015. Critics really liked the album. ESKA was even nominated for the 2015 Mercury Music Prize. This is a very important music award in the UK.

New Album: The Ordinary Life of a Magic Woman

Almost 10 years after her first album, Eska released her second album. It is called "The Ordinary Life of a Magic Woman." It came out in April and May 2025. This album was released differently from most music. It first came out on physical records on April 25. Then, it was released digitally on May 23.

In an interview with Gilles Peterson on BBC 6 Music, Eska explained her choice. She said she wanted the vinyl record to come out first. She compared it to how movies go to cinemas before they are available at home. The album released four digital songs before the full album. These songs were "Down Here," "Magic Woman," "Human," and "Daddy Long Legs." The album mixes alternative rock and electronic sounds.

Singing with Zero 7

In 2007, Eska joined the music group Zero 7 as a singer. This happened after their previous vocalist, Sia, left the group. Eska's singing brought a new pop music style to Zero 7.

Eska's Music Releases

Albums

• ESKA (2015)
• The Ordinary Life of a Magic Woman (2025)

EPs

• Gatekeeper EP (2013)

Singles

As the main artist

• "Rock of Ages" (2015), Earthling Recordings
• "Shades of Blue" (2015), Earthling Recordings
• "Many People of the Songbird" (with Jesse Hackett and Louis Hackett) (2016), Gearbox
• "Down Here" (2025)
• "Magic Woman" (2025)
• "Human" (2025)
• "Daddy Long Legs" (2025)

As a featured artist (singing on other artists' songs)

• "What U Do" (with Colours / Stephen Emmanuel) (1998), Inferno – UK No. 51
• "Coochy Coo" (as En-Core with Stephen Emmanuel) (2000), Ice Cream Records – UK No. 32
• "Home" (with Uschi Classen) (2000), Earth Project
• "Sunset" (with Nitin Sawhney) (2001), V2 Records – UK No. 65
• "Rocc It 2nite" (with Quango) (2004), People
• "The Way We Like It" (with Natalie Williams & Ty) (2006), East Side Records
• "Dirty Basement" (with Elektrons) (2007), Genuine/PIAS Recordings/Wall of Sound
• "Monosabio Blues" (with Gecko Turner) (2007), LoveMonk