Hamzaa

Words: Al Horner

Lauryn Hill and Amy Winehouse are just some of the RnB and soul forebears whose footsteps East Londoner Hamzaa says she hopes to follow in. Pretty solid aspirations then.

From Hackney, the singer and pianist (she began playing aged four) has a stripped-back style that lets her luscious vocals sit centre stage on soulful slices of heart-wrenching pop like You and Breathing. 2018 saw her drop her first EP, the sublime First Signs of Me. You're about to witness even more signs of Hamzaa's greatness in 2019.

Thing to know: Music isn’t the 20-year-old's only talent – she’s also gifted at theatre, and has performed in everything from productions of Macbeth to a musical based on the 2011 London riots.

Must-hear track: You

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