Estelle Fanta Swaray (born 18 January 1980) commonly known as Estelle, and formerly as Est'elle, is a Grammy Award-winning British R&B singer-songwriter, and producer. She also has received the MOBO for 'Best Newcomer' and received three consecutive 'Best Female Artist' trophies from the UK Hip-Hop Awards.

2004-2007: The 18th Day

In 2004 she broke into the charts with "1980" and "Free" and won a Mobo Award for Best Newcomer. Both of the videos were directed by Andy Hylton (http://www.andyhylton.com) and received much airplay on music channels. Free" was written by Estelle and produced by Jimmy Hogarth. Her first album,The 18th Day charted at number 35 in the UK Albums Chart. The album was poorly received and Estelle was not given the credit she deserved for the singles releasing. Estelle teamed up with short lived pop band 3SL for there single Touch Me Tease Me

2008-2009: Shine and breakthrough

In 2008, Estelle rose to fame with her collaboration with rapper Kanye West, titled "American Boy". This song reached the top 10 in many countries worldwide, including the United States and Canada, as well as achieving number-one status on the UK Singles Chart and in Belgium and Israel. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Song Collaboration, as well as being nominated for Song of the Year and many other awards worldwide. "American Boy" was #7 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008. Shine was released following the single on John Legend's HomeSchool label, reaching the albums chart in most countries worldwide, including number 6 in the UK. Shine sold enough copies to be certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry, and was shortlisted for the prestigious 2008 Mercury Music Prize. Estelle has also released a new single with American rapper Busta Rhymes called "World Go Round", from his "Back on My B.S.", which was released on May 19, 2009.

2009-present: Upcoming new album

In 2009, Estelle started working on her upcoming third studio album. Rumors suggested Ne-Yo, Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Keri Hilson, T-Pain, Lady Gaga, Mary J. Blige, and Trey Songz, among others, would be working on the album. Production is in the works with The-Dream, Will.I.Am. On August 21 it was confirmed that Estelle was working with David Guetta on the upcoming album. Estelle recently made a cameo appearance in the video for new star Mr Hudson for his single "Supernova".

• 2004: The 18th Day
• 2008: Shine
• 2010: "Untitled Third Studio Album"

• Official Website
• Interview with Estelle on Holy Moly
• Interview at britishhiphop.co.uk, June 2008