Joss Stone
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| Joss Stone | |
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| Name | Joss Stone |
| Background | solo_singer |
| Birth name | Joscelyn Eve Stoker |
| Birth date | 11 April 1987 |
| Birth place | Dover, Kent, England |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, actress, philanthropist |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Genres | Soul music, R&B, Blue-eyed soul, Gospel music, Reggae |
| Instruments | Vocals, Piano, Guitar |
| Labels | EMI, S-Curve Records, Stone'd Records |
Joss Stone Joscelyn Eve Stoker is an English singer, songwriter, and actress known for her powerful soul and R&B vocals. Rising to prominence in the early 2000s, she released breakthrough albums that drew comparisons to classic Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Etta James recordings and collaborated with artists across pop music, rock music, and hip hop. Her career spans studio albums, live performances, acting roles, and philanthropic initiatives in the United Kingdom and internationally.
Early life and education
Born in Dover, Kent, she grew up in Ashill, Norfolk and attended local schools before pursuing music full-time. As a child she appeared in amateur productions and local talent shows influenced by recordings from Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, The Beatles, and Aretha Franklin. Early musical experiences included performing on regional radio and at venues associated with Norfolk community arts, which led to attention from industry figures and subsequent signing to a major record label.
Career
Her debut studio album achieved commercial success in the early 2000s, earning chart positions in the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia and drawing praise from critics such as those at Rolling Stone, NME, and The Guardian. She followed with albums produced by collaborators who had worked with Mark Ronson, Raphael Saadiq, and session musicians from the Muscle Shoals scene. Tours included headline dates and festival appearances at Glastonbury Festival, Coachella, and Montreux Jazz Festival, and she performed with orchestras and on television programs like Later... with Jools Holland and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Collaborations span contributions to records by Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and appearances on soundtracks and charity singles. She founded an independent label to release later projects and explored genres including reggae and blues through both studio and live recordings.
Musical style and influences
Her vocal style combines elements of soul music, gospel music, and R&B, often compared to singers such as Etta James, Patti LaBelle, Donny Hathaway, and Billie Holiday. Instrumentation on recordings references Stax Records session arrangements and the work of producers associated with Philadelphia soul and Motown Records while modern production incorporated techniques used by Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, and Danger Mouse. Songwriting drew on traditional themes present in works by Carole King, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye, and live shows have featured reinterpretations of classics by Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, and Sam Cooke alongside original material.
Philanthropy and activism
She has supported charitable organizations focused on children's welfare, disaster relief, and healthcare, contributing to benefit concerts alongside artists from Live Aid-era initiatives and contemporary campaigns. Participations include events organized by UNICEF, War Child, and Amnesty International, and she has performed at benefit shows with musicians linked to Bob Geldof, Bono, and Sting. Advocacy efforts extended to environmental and animal welfare causes associated with groups such as Greenpeace and PETA, and she has used her platform to raise funds for community arts programs in Norfolk and London boroughs.
Personal life
Her personal life has included residences in London and international homes linked to touring and recording schedules in Los Angeles and Italy. She has acted in film and television projects with directors and producers connected to BBC Television and independent film festival circuits. Public relationships and family matters have been covered by outlets like The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, and The Sun, while she has sought privacy regarding health and legal matters reported in tabloids and music press.
Awards and recognition
She received industry honors early in her career, including awards and nominations from institutions such as the BRIT Awards, the Grammy Awards, and the MTV Europe Music Awards. Critical recognition came from publications including Rolling Stone, Q Magazine, and Billboard, and she has been listed in year-end best-of lists by The New York Times and Los Angeles Times. Lifetime achievement mentions and retrospective appraisals have linked her to the revival of soul music in the 21st century alongside peers like Adele, Amy Winehouse, and Duffy.
Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:English soul singers Category:English women singers