HIDDEN GEM Written By Julie Morency | Photography By Tariq White

On a cold winter day in New York City, West London-native Estelle Swaray is adjusting to yet another difference between her native country and the States. On the 28th floor of the office, overlooking the city's vast skyscrapers, the 28-year old "hip-hop/soul star" uses her jacket as a temporary blanket. But things are starting to heat up for Swaray with a new and a career that's on the rise. With a passion for music and no one to invest in her artistry, she started her own in the U.K., Stellar Ents, through which she released two self-produced mixtapes. In 2003, while in L.A., a chance run-in with Kanye West outside Roscoe's House of Chicken 'n' Waffles led to an introduction with a then-unknown . Swaray and Legend instantly became friends Legend would eventually make an appearance on her 2004 debut album, The 18th Day, for which she won a MOBO Award. Estelle Swaray is the latest Britsh import to hit the U.S. airwaves. music scene. Last year, America saw the When it came time to record Cee-Lo, Swizz Beatz and Wyclef Jean, to name a relationships over the last three years, including introduction of two breakthrough artists few, ultimately narrowing down the final album to 12 her follow-up, her record one in which her boyfriend cheated on her after from the U.K.–Lilly Allen and Amy company wanted to exert tracks. The album's infectious first single, "Wait A two and a half years together. Winehouse. In 2006, there was Corinne creative control of the project. As Minute (Just A Touch), " produced by will.i.am, quickly When writing for this project she took those Bailey Rae and before that, there was the relationship between her and draws comparison to Lauryn Hill. It's approaching 10 experiences to help build content for the album. Joss Stone. Their , most notably her record label soured, Legend, year since Hill released The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, One of the most important pieces of advice about Winehouse's six-time Grammy now an international, multi- so the fact that she's another mahogany-skinned recording was given to her by Legend. nominated album Back to Black, were like platinum star, brought her out of a breath of fresh air in comparison to a her contract and signed her to lot of the music released by American his new imprint, Homeschool "THEY'RE WAITING FOR ME TO GROW DREADS AND artists over the last few years. Swaray maintains that she's offering something Records, via Atlantic. START SINGING ABOUT ZION," SHE SAYS WITH A different from her U.K. peers. "I'm just LAUGH. "I LOOK AT IT LIKE SHE'S LEGENDARY AND IF happy that they are feeling a black girl from the end (the hood) and they feel it PEOPLE LISTEN TO MY MUSIC LIKE THEY LISTEN TO HERS, enough to listen to the music. I don't THEN I'M HAPPY." think our story has been told, what we've been through. No disrespect, but you got the white girl perspective, you have Shine, Swaray's latest album, will singer/rapper whose songs actually have depth and "Tell a story. Make sure every single line is the Corinne's perspective, which is not be the first release for Legend's substance hits close to home for listeners, but best way you could actually phrase it, the best particularly mine, and my perspective." new label and if the album's lineup Swaray is completely her own individual. "They're way you put it and the most poignant way you So is America ready for Estelle of collaborators is any indication, waiting for me to grow dreads and start singing about could do it. Make it to be the most impactful Swaaray's perspective? Only time will tell. Legend and Swaray mean Zion," she says with a laugh. "I look at it like she's and don't waste words," she says, quoting But regardless of the outcome, she is content and she's happy to be given business. Throughout the legendary and if people listen to my music like they Legend. "He does practice what he preaches. another chance at doing what she loves. recording process, she worked on listen to hers, then I'm happy." That goes for your lyrics, for you as a person, "It's fair easier being you than trying to more than 100 songs with the likes Songs like "More Than Friends," "Substitute Lover," as an artist. If you're going to write a single pretend to be something people want to of will.i.am, Kanye West, Legend, and "In The Rain" touch on Swaray's past line, make that line mean the world. Write hear. I love my looks. I love my hair the Mark Ronson, Jack Splash, things that people want to hear in 10 years." way it is. I don't feel the need to be There has recently been a British invasion of Beyonce' or whoever the freak else is female soul artists taking over the American out there. If more artists look to that with their music. as brands, they'd sell a lot more."