Laura Mvula facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Laura Mvula
Mvula at the Glastonbury Festival in 2024
Background information
Birth name	Laura Douglas
Born	(1986-04-23) 23 April 1986 (age 39) Birmingham, England
Genres	R&B soul jazz
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	2012–present
Labels	Atlantic RCA Sony UK

Laura Mvula (born Laura Douglas on April 23, 1986) is a British singer from Birmingham, England. Before becoming a solo artist, she sang in different musical groups, including a cappella (singing without instruments), jazz, and gospel choirs. She also studied classical music. In 2012, she signed a contract with RCA Records and released her first collection of songs, an extended play called She, which was praised by critics.

Mvula's first full album, Sing to the Moon (2013), was also a big success. It won two MOBO awards and was nominated for the famous Mercury Prize. In 2014, she released a new version of the album, recorded with a full orchestra called the Metropole Orkest.

Her second album, The Dreaming Room (2016), also received great reviews. It won an Ivor Novello award and was nominated for another Mercury Prize. In 2017, Mvula wrote the music for a production of the play Antony and Cleopatra by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

In 2018, Mvula received an honorary doctorate degree in music from Birmingham City University, the same university she graduated from. This was a special award to recognize her contributions to music.

Early Life and Education

Laura Mvula grew up in the Selly Park and Kings Heath areas of Birmingham with her two younger siblings. Her mother, Paula, is a professor, and her father, Elford, works with young people for the local government.

She started playing the piano and violin in primary school. As a teenager, she sang with Black Voices, a singing group started by her aunt. In 2008, Mvula created her own jazz and neo-soul band called Judyshouse, where she was the lead singer and songwriter. She also directed community gospel choirs.

Mvula graduated from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2008 with a degree in composition, which means she studied how to write music. For a while, she worked as a substitute music teacher and a receptionist for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. During this time, she started writing her own songs. A composer named Steve Brown and his manager, Kwame Kwaten, noticed her talent and helped her start her career.

Music Career

2012–2015: Sing to the Moon

Mvula performing at the 2014 Montreux Jazz Festival

After being signed by RCA in 2012, Laura Mvula released her first EP, She. The title song was the very first song she ever wrote. Soon after, she was nominated for the Critics' Choice award at the 2013 BRIT Awards and was listed on the BBC's Sound of 2013 poll as a new artist to watch.

Her first album, Sing to the Moon, came out in March 2013. It was a hit with critics and fans, reaching number 9 on the UK Albums Chart. One of the main songs, "Green Garden," was about her home in Kings Heath. For her work, Mvula won Best Female Act and Best R&B or Soul Artist at the 2013 MOBO awards.

In 2014, Mvula re-recorded Sing to the Moon with the Metropole Orkest, a famous orchestra from the Netherlands. This created a new, grander sound for her songs. She performed this orchestral version live at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms, a famous series of classical music concerts.

2016–2020: The Dreaming Room

Mvula performing for Global Citizen's #SheWill campaign at The View from The Shard in 2016

In 2016, Mvula released her second album, The Dreaming Room. It featured collaborations with famous musicians like Nile Rodgers and Wretch 32. This album was more political than her first one. The song "Phenomenal Woman" was inspired by a book of poems by the American writer and activist Maya Angelou.

The Dreaming Room was loved by critics and won an Ivor Novello award for its amazing songwriting. It was also nominated for the Mercury Prize. That same year, Mvula performed on the main stage at the Glastonbury festival for the second time.

In 2017, Mvula composed the music for the Royal Shakespeare Company's play Antony and Cleopatra. The following year, she was invited by the legendary musician Carlos Santana to sing on his band's album, Africa Speaks.

2021: Pink Noise

In 2021, Mvula returned with a new sound. She released an EP called 1/f and then her third album, Pink Noise. This album had a fun, 1980s-inspired pop and soul sound. Critics praised her new musical direction. The album included the singles "Church Girl" and "Got Me." Pink Noise was also nominated for the Mercury Prize, making it her third album in a row to be nominated.

Musical Influences

When she was young, Laura Mvula wanted to be in the R&B girl group Eternal. She has said that listening to them made her think about singing in a new way.

Her other musical heroes include legendary artists like Nina Simone, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Miles Davis, and Diana Ross. Her parents also introduced her to a lot of jazz and gospel music, which shaped her unique sound.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Soundtrack albums

Extended plays

Singles

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Laura Mvula para niños