If you see Izzy Bizu whizzing passed you on her Penny board, her Yorkie Poo dog Teddy for company, know that south London's skateboarding soulstress is no one trick poppin' pony. There's layer to this. Whether Izzy Bizu is annihilating you at table tennis, kicking dust in your face at table football, or out styling you, you'll still like her and that never-fading smile.
A fan of jazz-fusion mixes and a lover of squat parties and warehouse raves, there's never a dull day musically either. Not one to box herself in, she's wise beyond her 22-years, a sentiment that reigns in both her songwriting, vocal and performance, and Izzy is just as likely to be jamming to The Black Keys, The Antlers, Grammatic or C2C as she is drawing influence from Amy Winehouse,
Diana Ross and Sam Cook. Indeed anyone who sees Izzy live - having sold out two UK tours, with her BBC tour this November - will know she's studied the greats, and has every intention of standing with them.
Being this year's Brits Critics Choice finalist and chosen as the voice of the 2016 Euros with her cover of Edith Piaf's La Foule, the South London born singer and songwriter is quickly proving herself as one of the most exciting breakthrough British artists of the year. Garnering early support from 1Xtra and BBC Radio 1 on her independent six-tracker, Coolbeanz EP, since signing to Sony there's been plenty a new fan in the front row thanks to instant classics like 'White Tiger', now with over 27 Million Spotify streams, the heart-wrenching 'Mad Behaviour', and viral Honne collaboration 'Someone That Loves You'. Drawing on her time moving countries, schools and the relationships that have entailed, Izzy is a cultural explorer, memories, experience and feelings evoking the songs we're soon to hear and the thought-provoking conversation she already provides. Wearing her thoughts on her sleeve, you'll be pushed to find many a debut this honest.
Born to an Ethiopian mother and English father, who met on a charity walk, it was his career in civil engineering that saw Izzy and her older brother living in the Middle-East for four years, spending their free days playing rugby and cricket, with frequent visits to her mother's homeland, "I'm really familiar with the culture, it's changed so much over the years. It's a lot better than it used to be. Everyone thinks it's poverty land but it's so much more. It is truly amazing". The family settled in South London, where they still call home.
Izzy flirted with dreams of musical grandeur during a brief stint at Stamford boarding school, where a teacher - on overhearing Izzy singing in her room - invited her to perform a rendition of 'Amazing Grace'. But it was on joining Ravenscout Theatre School as a teenager that her love for poetry and an academic discipline to the arts was applied. Moving onto Tech Music School at 17, and after a brief dalliance with a trio called Soundgirl (a group she founded with her friends), Izzy was discovered at an ILuvLive event, who have provided an early platform for acts including Wretch 32,
Jessie J and
Maverick Sabre among many others. With nothing to lose she rocked up and hit the open mic session, winning the crown and plaudits from the audience who happened to include
Naughty Boy and Emeli Sande.
With the ingredients for a long-lasting career in the mix, her greatest ambition is to perform a stadium show in Ethiopia, along with a tour of the US, Izzy would be equally happy to write with
Mikky Ekko or to have a natter with
Lauryn Hill over a cup of tea. "I like women who are real women, troubled souls - I understand that. But equally, when I supported
Sam Smith - the vocals, his heartbreak, his soul, the energy, it was so inspiring. Being able to get on stage and lay yourself out so openly, ultimately that's what I'm ready for."
Ready she is.
US Tour Dates:
11/14 Gramercy Theatre - New York NY
11/15
Brighton Music Hall - Boston MA
11/17 British Embassy-
Washington DC
11/18
The Foundry - Philadelpia PA
11/20
House Of Blues - Cleveland OH
11/22
The Shelter - Detroit MI
11/23 The
Bottom Lounge -
Chicago IL
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