Sophie Delila
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Sophie Delila (born 7 August 1983), is a London-based French recording artist, songwriter, musician and producer currently signed to
Universal Music Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as just Universal Music) is a Dutch–American multinational music corporation under Dutch law. UMG's corporate headquarters are located in Hilversum, Netherlands and it ...
.


Early life

Sophie Delila was born and raised in Paris. Her father is an accomplished piano player and composer and her mother is a singer. Delila began playing the piano at age 5 and spent much of her childhood recording and songwriting in her father's home studio. Growing up, Delila was influenced by soul, blues and pop, particularly by artists such as
Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris ( Judkins; May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, who is credited as a pioneer and influence by musicians across a range of genres that include rhythm and blues, pop, s ...
,
Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin ( ; March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Referred to as the " Queen of Soul", she has twice been placed ninth in '' Rolling Stone''s "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Wit ...
,
Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...
,
Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the " King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Over ...
and the
Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the developm ...
. At age 17 Delila won a scholarship to study at
Berklee College of Music Berklee College of Music is a private music college in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known for the study of jazz and modern American music, it also offers college-level cours ...
in Boston, Massachusetts.


Career

After graduating Delila spent a couple of years songwriting and gigging in New York City. Here she wrote, recorded and produced the album ''All Yours'' which was independently released in 2005. Later that year, Delila moved to London, where she still lives. Working on new material, performing and collaborating with artists, she became the subject of some press attention particularly for a guest performance with Lewis Taylor at the Jazz Cafe in 2006. In 2008 Delila was signed as a solo artist by
Universal Music Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as just Universal Music) is a Dutch–American multinational music corporation under Dutch law. UMG's corporate headquarters are located in Hilversum, Netherlands and it ...
. As a songwriter Delila has worked with artists such as
Jeff Beck Geoffrey Arnold Beck (born 24 June 1944) is an English rock guitarist. He rose to prominence with the Yardbirds and after fronted the Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice. In 1975, he switched to a mainly instrumental style, with a fo ...
, Jack Savoretti, Rumer,
Pixie Lott Victoria Louise Lott (born 12 January 1991), better known by her stage name Pixie Lott, is an English singer and songwriter. Her debut album, '' Turn It Up'', released in September 2009, reached number six on the UK Albums Chart and sold ov ...
,
Duffy Duffy may refer to: People *Duffy (surname), people with the surname Duffy or Duffey * Duffy (nickname) *Duffy (singer) (born 1984), Welsh singer, born Aimee Ann Duffy Places *Duffy, Australian Capital Territory, a suburb of Canberra * Duffy, Ohi ...
,
Phoebe Killdeer Phoebe Killdeer (born 1977) is an Australian musician and the lead singer of the groups Phoebe Killdeer & the Short Straws and Phoebe Killdeer & the Shift. She is best known for her song " The Fade Out Line", which became a major international h ...
(
Nouvelle Vague French New Wave (french: La Nouvelle Vague) is a French art film movement that emerged in the late 1950s. The movement was characterized by its rejection of traditional filmmaking conventions in favor of experimentation and a spirit of iconocla ...
), George Cosby, and Rebecca Ferguson, amongst others.


''Hooked'' European Release (2008)

Delila's first album for Universal is entitled ''Hooked''. Delila co-wrote and co-produced the majority of the album wit
Steve Booker
who experienced extensive success co-writing/producing in 2008 with
Duffy Duffy may refer to: People *Duffy (surname), people with the surname Duffy or Duffey * Duffy (nickname) *Duffy (singer) (born 1984), Welsh singer, born Aimee Ann Duffy Places *Duffy, Australian Capital Territory, a suburb of Canberra * Duffy, Ohi ...
and the
Sugababes Sugababes are a British girl group composed of Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhán Donaghy. The lineup changed three times before returning to the original lineup in 2011. Formed in 1998 by All Saints manager Ron Tom, Sugababes releas ...
and previously with
Natalie Imbruglia Natalie Jane Imbruglia ( , ; born 4 February 1975) is an Australian singer and actress. In the early 1990s, she played Beth Brennan in the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours''. Three years after leaving the programme, she began a singing caree ...
. Other collaborators on the album are Blair MacKichan
Derrick McKenzieJon Kelly
Julien Jabre, Michael Tordjman,
Robert Kirby Robert Kirby (16 April 1948 – 3 October 2009) was a British-born arranger of string sections for rock and folk music. He was best known for his work on the Nick Drake albums, ''Five Leaves Left'' and '' Bryter Layter'', but also worked ...
and
Simon Hale Simon Hale is a British composer, arranger, and keyboardist. Life Hale was born in Birmingham, England in 1964, being dually raised there and in South Manchester before moving to London, where he studied popular music at Goldsmiths College, Uni ...
. ''Hooked'' was released in France in November 2008 and was promoted throughout 2009 in continental Europe. Her first single in the continental European territories was "Nature of the Crime" which was extensively aired in France, Greece, Spain, Belgium, and Switzerland. Although ''Hooked'' was not released in the UK at that time, British publications
Music Week ''Music Week'' is a trade publication for the UK record industry distributed via a website and a monthly print magazine. It is published by Future. History Founded in 1959 as '' Record Retailer'', it relaunched on 18 March 1972 as ''Music W ...
, the
Daily Mirror The ''Daily Mirror'' is a British national daily Tabloid journalism, tabloid. Founded in 1903, it is owned by parent company Reach plc. From 1985 to 1987, and from 1997 to 2002, the title on its Masthead (British publishing), masthead was simpl ...
and the Daily Star all picked up on the album.


''Hooked'' UK Release (2010)

Delila's album was released on 1 June licensed from Universal through Wrasse Records. Delila played sold out dates at
Ronnie Scott's Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club is a jazz club that has operated in Soho, London, since 1959. History The club opened on 30 October 1959 in a basement at 39 Gerrard Street in London's Soho district. It was set up and managed by musicians Ronnie Sco ...
and Soho House as well as appearing at music festivals including Rockness and the Carnaby Street Festival – at the latter she performed exclusively on the inaugural Liberty Music Stage, a new venture for
Liberty Liberty is the ability to do as one pleases, or a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant (i.e. privilege). It is a synonym for the word freedom. In modern politics, liberty is understood as the state of being free within society fr ...
. Lead single, "Can't Keep Loving You" was released concurrently with the album and was selected as iTunes Single of the Week for w/c 21 June. Four different mixes of the track are available, including the Max Desprez remix. The latter is a disco house remix that appeared in the
Music Week ''Music Week'' is a trade publication for the UK record industry distributed via a website and a monthly print magazine. It is published by Future. History Founded in 1959 as '' Record Retailer'', it relaunched on 18 March 1972 as ''Music W ...
Pop Commercial Chart for several weeks throughout May and June, peaking at position #17 with the track also receiving radio airplay.


Collaborations

Delila has written and featured for several artists. In particular in 2009 she featured on 2 tracks entitled "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" and "Such a Shame" on
Nouvelle Vague French New Wave (french: La Nouvelle Vague) is a French art film movement that emerged in the late 1950s. The movement was characterized by its rejection of traditional filmmaking conventions in favor of experimentation and a spirit of iconocla ...
's album 3. The album was released in the UK on 29 June 2009 on
Peacefrog Records Peacefrog Records is a British independent record label based in London, England. The label produces releases in many different styles of electronic music, as well as branching out into folk and indie artists such as José González, Nouvelle ...
. Delila also co-wrote a song featured on
Westlife Westlife is an Irish pop vocal group formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1998. The group currently consists of members Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne. Brian McFadden was a member, until he left in 2004. The group temporar ...
's last album ''
Where We Are ''Where We Are'' is the ninth studio album by Irish boy band Westlife. It was released on 27 November 2009 in Ireland and on 30 November 2009 in the UK through S Records, RCA Records and Sony Music, the band's tenth album under them. ''Where We ...
'' which was released in late 2009. The song is entitled "Another World" and was co-written wit
Steve Booker
In 2010 Delila performed several times with
Plan B Plan B typically refers to a contingency plan, a plan devised for an outcome other than in the expected plan. Plan B may also refer to: * Plan B, a brand name of levonorgestrel, an emergency contraception drug Film and television * Plan B Ent ...
including appearances on Radio 1Xtra's Live Lounge and at the Shepherd's Bush Empire. She most recently collaborated with
Jeff Beck Geoffrey Arnold Beck (born 24 June 1944) is an English rock guitarist. He rose to prominence with the Yardbirds and after fronted the Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice. In 1975, he switched to a mainly instrumental style, with a fo ...
, writing with him and the Sanctuary Music Vault team for his upcoming album. Jeff invited her to perform as a guest vocalist on several European dates of his 2014 World Tour.


Touring

Delila toured all over Europe in 2009 promoting ''Hooked''. In the summer she performed at the Musilac Festival in France and the Kosmos Festival in Greece. She was also featured as one of the lead vocalists on
Nouvelle Vague French New Wave (french: La Nouvelle Vague) is a French art film movement that emerged in the late 1950s. The movement was characterized by its rejection of traditional filmmaking conventions in favor of experimentation and a spirit of iconocla ...
's European tour in late 2009 which included a sold out show at London's Roundhouse. In late 2010 she also appeared as a special guest during their show at the
Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London. One of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity which receives no govern ...
. In April 2009 she supported
Lionel Richie Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. (born June 20, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and television personality. He rose to fame in the 1970s as a songwriter and the co-lead singer of funk band the Commodores; writing and recor ...
on the Parisian leg of his European tour at the
Bercy Stadium Accor Arena (originally known as Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, and previously as AccorHotels Arena; also known as Bercy in competitions where commercial names are prohibited, such as in the Olympic Games) is an indoor sports arena and concert ...
; she revisited the venue in April 2011 to support
Jamiroquai Jamiroquai () are an English funk and acid jazz band from London. Formed in 1992, they are fronted by vocalist Jay Kay, and were prominent in the London-based funk and acid jazz movement of the 1990s. They built on their acid jazz sound in th ...
. Delila has played at venues including
The Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London. One of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity which receives no governm ...
,
Ronnie Scott's Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club is a jazz club that has operated in Soho, London, since 1959. History The club opened on 30 October 1959 in a basement at 39 Gerrard Street in London's Soho district. It was set up and managed by musicians Ronnie Sco ...
, The Round House, the
Jazz Café The Jazz Cafe is a music venue in Camden Town, London. It opened in 1990 on the former premises of a branch of Barclays Bank and has had several owners throughout its history as a music venue. In 2020 the Jazz Cafe celebrates its 30th year, h ...
, Soho Revue Bar, Hoxton Bar and Kitchen,
The Bedford The Bedford, originally named The Bedford Hotel, is a Grade II listed public house at 77 Bedford Hill, Balham, London SW12 9HD. History The original building (then named The Bedford Hotel) was built in the 1870s. In 1876, the pub building hou ...
and The Regal Room in London, L'Elysée Montmartre,
Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy Palais () may refer to: * Dance hall, popularly a ''palais de danse'', in the 1950s and 1960s in the UK * ''Palais'', French for palace ** Grand Palais, the Grand Palais des Champs-Elysées **Petit Palais, an art museum in Paris * Palais River in ...
, Le Bataclan in Paris, and the
Blue Note In jazz and blues, a blue note is a note that—for expressive purposes—is sung or played at a slightly different pitch from standard. Typically the alteration is between a quartertone and a semitone, but this varies depending on the musical co ...
,
Joe's Pub Joe's Pub, one of the six performance spaces within The Public Theater, is a music venue and restaurant that hosts live performances across genres and arts, ranging from cabaret to modern dance to world music. It is located at 425 Lafayette St ...
, S.O.B's and B.B. King's in New York City.


Musical style

Delila describes her music as melodramatic soul pop. Referring to one of the lead singles from ''Hooked'' in early 2009
Music Week ''Music Week'' is a trade publication for the UK record industry distributed via a website and a monthly print magazine. It is published by Future. History Founded in 1959 as '' Record Retailer'', it relaunched on 18 March 1972 as ''Music W ...
wrote ''"Nature of the Crime is an effortless pop song which oozes Motown class."''


Discography


Albums

* ''All Yours'' (2005) * ''Hooked'' (2008) * ''My Life Could Use A Remix'' (2014)


E.P.

* ''What Did I Do'' (UK Release 29 October 2012)


Singles

*2009: ''Nature of the Crime'' *2010: ''Can't Keep Loving You'' *2012: ''What Did I Do'' with
Christophe Willem Christophe Frédéric Durier (; born 3 August 1983), better known by his stage name Christophe Willem (), is a French singer and the winner of the fourth edition of ''Nouvelle Star'' (French version of '' Pop Idol'') in 2006. Early life Christ ...
(France)


Songwriters Credits


References


External links


Sophie Delila's websiteSophie Delila's myspace pageMTV France FeatureAppearance on Virgin Radio FranceAsante Magazine – Interview with Sophie Delila
{{DEFAULTSORT:Delila, Sophie 1983 births Living people Musicians from Paris English-language singers from France Delila, Sophie 21st-century French singers 21st-century French women singers