James Blake - Biography
James Blake is an English electro-soul composer, singer-songwriter, and producer who released his self-titled debut album in March 2011 on Universal Records. Blake started playing piano at six years old, playing mostly Jazz and Classical. He moved into electronic composition after hearing dubstep at a club in London at age 19.
Blake released his first 12" in 2009, "Air & Lack Thereof," on the dubstep label Hemlock Recordings. He released several more 12"s on various dubstep labels including a cover of Feist's "Limit To Your Love." Just prior to the release of his first full-length, Blake was named second in the BBC Sound of 2011 poll. To date, James Blake has sold over 400,000 copies worldwide, and received Mercury, BRIT and Ivor Novello nominations. The album also sent him around the world on tour, and brought him into contact with a wide array of collaborators including Jay-Z, Kanye West, Bon Iver, Bjork, Drake, Brian Eno, and The RZA.
Blake's sophomore album, Overgrown (out April 9, 2013 on Republic/Universal), is musically broad, emotionally deep, and reflects how much the now 24-year-old's life has changed in the past two years since the release of his debut.