The voices behind the hits – spotlighting British backing and featured singers

Musical style: Pop, Funk, Rap, Soul, Acid Jazz

Dee C Lee is a highly successful recording artist who has been at the heart of the British Soul and R&B music scene for more than 30 years. She has performed with chart-topping acts, including Wham!, Animal Nightlife, The Style Council, Guru and Mother Earth, as well as writing her own solo music.

In 2024 Dee released her critically acclaimed solo album Just Something.

Biggest hit single you’ve heard me on: See the Day – Dee C Lee

Musical style: UK Garage/Rhythm & Grime

Katie Pearl's powerhouse vocals have been turning heads since she won the iconic TV series Stars in Their Eyes on 15 April 2000. With collaborations alongside Kano (British rapper, songwriter and actor), Bashy (British actor and rapper) and more, her journey has been one to remember – all leading to the house anthem that still captivates worldwide, In The Air.

Biggest hit single you’ve heard me on: In The Air – Perempay & Dee feat. Katie Pearl

Musical style: UK Garage/Rhythm & Grime

Gemma Fox is a MOBO-nominated and UMA Award-winning UK singer, songwriter and vocal arranger known across UK R&B, Garage, Bassline and Grime. Her hit single Girlfriend’s Story featuring MC Lyte reached number 38 in the UK Top 40 and number 8 in the UK R&B Chart. She has worked with the late Chucky Thompson (record producer), Norwegian songwriting and production duo Stargate and production duo Midi Mafia, and continues creating music internationally.

Biggest hit single you’ve heard me on: Girlfriend’s Story – feat. MC Lyte

Shirley Lewis is a vocalist whose voice has travelled through decades of unforgettable music. Proudest to be known as Linda Lewis’s little sister, Shirley has worked with legends including Elton John, Sting, Eurythmics and Pet Shop Boys, but her 30-year collaboration with George Michael remains her heart and highlight.

Biggest hit single you’ve heard me on: Freedom 90 and Father Figure – George Michael

Musical style: Jazz, Pop, Soul, R&B, Funk, Grime, Dance, Electronica

Over the years, Vula has worked as a singer/songwriter and arranger with various artists, including Sam Smith, Becky Hill, Lalah Hathaway, Adele, Dizzee Rascal, Robert Glasper, Kurt Elling, Incognito, the late great Quincy Jones and recently, Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics. Since 2003, she is known for her work with the legendary British dance duo Basement Jaxx, co-writing a number of their songs, including the 2005 top 10 hit Oh My Gosh!

Biggest hit single you’ve heard me on: Oh My Gosh! – Basement Jaxx

Musical style: Pop, R&B, Soul, Funk, Dance, Electronica

Angie Brown is a British soul, dance, house and pop vocalist whose voice has featured on thousands of recordings across chart, club and live music culture. Best known for I’m Gonna Get You, she has also contributed to major hits, including Return of the Mack, Took My Love, and viral Tomorrowland (electronic dance music festival in Belgium) anthem Move Your Body (Ownboss x Sevek).

Biggest hit single you’ve heard me on: I’m Gonna Get You – Bizarre Inc feat. Angie Brown

Musical style: Pop, R&B, Soul, Funk, Dance, Electronica

Blu James is a British singer, songwriter and performer blending soulful house, UK garage, dance and pop influences. Best known for Red Alert, I Wanna Know (Y-Tribe), and It’s My House (500 Records), she has built a growing reputation through powerful live performances, KISSTORY radio support, and collaborations with leading producers for a new wave of releases.

Biggest hit single you’ve heard me on: Red Alert – Basement Jaxx (featuring vocals by Blu James)

Musical style: Soul, Funk, Disco, House, Neo Soul

"1979 sprawled on my bedroom floor amidst a pile of 7” 45s, 15 years old, swishing them around oblivious to potentially scratching or damaging them in my eagerness to find a fave. Inexpertly placing the needle on my cheap record player, a hand brush for a microphone, singing along full pelt to the B-side of Lost In Music...Thinking of You by Sister Sledge! I loved it more than the A-side. I wanted to be one of their sisters...on Top of The Pops. Dreams do come true… eventually…

"15 years later in the dressing room of Top of The Pops, preparing to sing Ain’t No Love Ain’t No Use, by Sub Sub feat. Melanie Williams, highest new entry at no.9, to 8 million people. Despite being terrified of screwing up, I gave thanks & made a pledge to never complain no matter how many times I had to sing it & I never have!"

Biggest hit single you’ve heard me on: Ain’t No Love Ain’t No Use – Sub Sub feat. Melanie Williams

Musical style: Rock, Pop, Funk, Soul

Dee, the youngest of the legendary Lewis Sisters, signed her first record deal at 17. Her distinguished career spans solo artistry and vocals on landmark recordings. Invited by film composer and music producer, Hans Zimmer, to sing on The Last Samurai, she then launched a celebrated movie vocal career which included blockbusters such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Madagascar and Black Panther.

Biggest hit single you’ve heard me on: Sledgehammer – Peter Gabriel

Musical style: Rock, Pop, Funk, Soul, Jazz

Zalon is a British soul singer, songwriter and performer known for his powerful vocals, sharp style and international live work. Formerly Amy Winehouse’s lead backing vocalist, he has sold out tours internationally as a solo artist. He is also the founder of the Soul Royalty Festival, celebrating soul, R&B, and reggae music and culture.

Biggest hit single you’ve heard me on: Valerie – Amy Winehouse

Musical style: Pop, Rock, Indie, Soul, Funk, R&B

Simone Daley-Richards is a highly accomplished background vocalist and vocal arranger. She began her journey studying dance at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and went on to study Musical Theatre at The Urdang Academy of Ballet and Performing Arts. Over 20 years ago, she began working as a background vocalist, lending her soulful voice to numerous recording sessions and live performances.

Biggest hit single you’ve heard me on: Stay by my side and Big Little Lies (Theme) Cold Little Heart – Micheal Kiwanuka

Musical style: Gospel, Pop, Rock, Soul, R&B, Indie, Dance, Electronica

Janet Ramus, also known as Cookie, started singing from an early age in her mum’s gospel church. A few years later, she was approached to do background vocals and record with stars such as Luther Vandross, Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Grace Jones, and NC&TBS, amongst many more. Janet was signed to Positiva EMI Records and recorded the hit song Lola’s Theme (I’m A Different Person) with the band Shapeshifters.

Biggest hit single you’ve heard me on: Lola's Theme (I'm A Different Person) – Shapeshifters

Musical style: Gospel, Pop, Soul, R&B, Neo Soul, Dance

Paul Johnson is a British singer-songwriter rooted in gospel, soul and jazz, from Paradise and LCGC to CBS Records, Red Wedge, club hits and collaborations with Stevie Wonder, Bryan Ferry, Mica Paris, Soul II Soul and others. His journey includes sell-out shows at Ronnie Scott’s and a lasting creative legacy.

Biggest hit single you’ve heard me on: When Love Come Calling – Paul Johnson

Musical style: Soul, Broken Beat

Face (Face V. Walsh) is a London-based vocalist whose career spans performance, choreography, and some of the most influential projects within the UK’s soul and broken beat scene. Starting out as a professional dancer and choreographer working with artists such as Jamiela, Sugababes, Don-E, Beverley Knight, Spice Girls, Michelle Gayle, Damage, Backstreet Boys, and Robyn, Face has also maintained a longstanding career as a vocalist. She has toured across Europe as a backing singer for Robyn and her vocals feature prominently on MOBO Award winners 4hero’s groundbreaking album Two Pages (1998), including Star Chasers, Escape That, and backing vocals on Loveless, as well as subsequent albums.

Other collaborations include projects with DKD (Dego, Kaidi Tatham, and Daz-I Kue), as well as contributions to the 2000Black catalogue, and tracks with Domu (Save It) and Kyoto Jazz Massive (No Fear).

Biggest hit single you’ve heard me on: Star Chasers – 4hero