Today’s From The Vault pick is an ode to the US from a super talented British songstress.
This week’s selection comes courtesy of Estelle with little assistance from Kanye West: it’s ‘American Boy.’
Join us after the jump…
‘Boy’ was the second single from Estelle’s sophomore effort ‘Shine.’ The funkified number was produced by the unstoppable will.i.am and is actually a remake of ‘Impatient’ a track from his album ‘Songs About Girls.’ It was written by the Brit belter alongside John Legend.
It features Kanye West who adds Stateside flavor to the already tasty concoction.
Undeniably Estelle’s signature song, it was a worldwide smash. Hitting #1 in the UK, #3 in Australia, peaking at #9 in both the US and Canada, as well as placing inside the Top 10 of many more European countries, it defined breakout smash, and a major one at that. To cap it all, it earned the Londoner and West a Grammy Award for Best Sung/Rap Collaboration.
Featuring a plethora of American boys – John Legend, Ryan Leslie and LL Cool J to name a few – the black and white affair was directed by Syndrome and was nominated for a MTV Video Music Award.
***********
A classic if we ever heard one, this jam helped introduce the amazing and unique Estelle to the world at large.
Ten years on, Ms. Swaray has worked with the biggest names in the industry and remains a critic’s darling.
We hope she’ll be able to move the masses the same way she has with this single in a near future as we feel the climate is ripe for her brand of soft, melodic yet hard-hitting R&B.