Rhian Benson | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | Rhiannon Afua Benson (1977-01-10)10 January 1977 (age 49) Accra, Ghana |
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| Years active | 2003–present |
| Website | RhianBenson.com |
Rhiannon Afua "Rhian" Benson (born 10 January 1977 inAccra, Ghana) is a Ghanaian-Britishsoul andjazz singer and songwriter.
Benson was born inAccra,Ghana, to aWelsh mother, a singer, and anAshanti father, a guitarist.[1] She has a younger sister and a brother.[2] She was raised in Ghana,India (where her family moved following a diplomatic posting of her father),[3] 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 theLondon School of Economics and gained a degree ineconometrics.She continued her education by studying Economics throughHarvard's extension certificate program, which she did not complete due to the illness of her mother.[4] Benson later worked at an investment bank.[5]
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.[6][7] She wrote all the songs on the album, having composed the music on guitar and keyboards, and co-produced it with producers Bob Power andJames Poyser.
Benson won aMobo Award in 2005.[8]
With the help ofDenmark's production duo, Jonas Rendbo and Daniel Fridell, Benson released her second album,Hands Clean, on 14 February 2011.[9] The album redefined modern soul as Benson[10][11] sang with soulfulelectronic backing. The confessional tales of love, loss and life represented a bold, new direction for her.[12] "Better Without You"[13] was the first single released in February 2011.
Media related toRhian Benson at Wikimedia Commons