Rhiannon Afua "Rhian" Benson (born 10 January 1977 in

Accra, Ghana Accra (; or ''Gaga''; ; Ewe: Gɛ; ) is the capital and largest city of Ghana, located on the southern coast at the Gulf of Guinea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2021 census, the Accra Metropolitan District, , had a population ...

) is a Ghanaian-British

soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...

and

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

singer and songwriter.

Early life

Benson was born in

Accra Accra (; or ''Gaga''; ; Ewe: Gɛ; ) is the capital and largest city of Ghana, located on the southern coast at the Gulf of Guinea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2021 census, the Accra Metropolitan District, , had a population of ...

Ghana Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It is situated along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and shares borders with Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to t ...

, to a Welsh mother, a singer, and an Ashanti father, a guitarist. She has a younger sister and a brother. She was raised in Ghana,

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

(where her family moved following a diplomatic posting of her father), and her mother's native United Kingdom, where she eventually settled. Benson began playing piano and guitar and writing songs and poetry early. Before pursuing a music career, she attended the

London School of Economics The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), established in 1895, is a public research university in London, England, and a member institution of the University of London. The school specialises in the social sciences. Founded ...

and gained a degree in

econometrics Econometrics is an application of statistical methods to economic data in order to give empirical content to economic relationships. M. Hashem Pesaran (1987). "Econometrics", '' The New Palgrave: A Dictionary of Economics'', v. 2, p. 8 p. 8 ...

.She continued her education by studying Economics through Harvard's extension certificate program, which she did not complete due to the illness of her mother. Benson later worked at an investment bank.

Career

Once back in the UK, she performed in small London clubs and was discovered by the Los Angeles-based record label DKG Music. Benson moved to Los Angeles, California, to record her debut album, ''Gold Coast'', released in October 2003. She wrote all the songs on the album, having composed the music on guitar and keyboards, and co-produced it with producers Bob Power and James Poyser. Benson won a

Mobo Award The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin, also known as the MOBOs) are an annual British music award presentation honouring achievements in " music of black origin", including hip hop, grime, UK Drill, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and Bant ...

in 2005. With the help of

Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...

's production duo, Jonas Rendbo and Daniel Fridell, Benson released her second album, ''Hands Clean'', on 14 February 2011. The album redefined modern soul as Benson sang with soulful

electronic Electronic may refer to: *Electronics, the science of how to control electric energy in semiconductors * ''Electronics'' (magazine), a defunct American trade journal *Electronic storage, the storage of data using an electronic device *Electronic c ...

backing. The confessional tales of love, loss and life represented a bold, new direction for her. "Better Without You" was the first single released in February 2011.

Discography

Albums

* 2003: ''Gold Coast'' * 2011: ''Hands Clean''

Singles

* 2003: "Say How I Feel" – UK No. 27 * 2003: "Stealing My Piece Of Mind" * 2011: "Better Without You"

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Benson, Rhian Alumni of the London School of Economics Harvard Extension School alumni Musicians from Accra Ghanaian jazz musicians Neo soul singers Ghanaian people of Welsh descent English people of Ashanti descent English people of Welsh descent Ghanaian expatriates in England Living people English soul singers British contemporary R&B singers English contraltos 21st-century Black British women singers 21st-century British women singers 1977 births Ballad musicians