10 Things You Didn’t Know About Izzy Bizu

The British singer-songwriter, Izzy Bizu was born Isobel Beardshaw on 28 April 1994 in London, United Kingdom. She won an open mic night competition in February 2013 winning over the crowd. She has described herself as a fan of jazz-fusion mixes and a lover of squat parties and warehouse raves. She released her first independent EP, Coolbeanz, in September 2013, which debuted at number 3 on the iTunes Soul and R&B Chart and has sold 50,000 copies. In November 2015, she was shortlisted for a Brit Critics’ Choice Award and longlisted for BBC’s Sound of… 2016. There is no doubt that the 22-years-old British singer-songwriter is definitely an act to look out for in the music industry.

Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about the British singer-songwriter, Izzy Bizu:

1. Izzy Bizu was born Isobel Beardshaw on 28 April 1994 in London, United Kingdom.

2. She is born to an Ethiopian mother and English father.

3. She grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Bettye Swann and James Brown.

4. She mentioned in an interview that she draws influences from artist like Amy Winehouse and Adele to create a fusion of soul, funk, jazz and pop.

5. She won an open mic night competition in February 2013 winning over the crowd, which included Emeli Sande and Naughty Boy, who were in attendance.

6. She released her first independent EP, Coolbeanz, in September 2013, which debuted at number 3 on the iTunes Soul and R&B Chart and has sold 50,000 copies.

7. Her EP’s lead single, “White Tiger”, was also chosen as Zane Lowe’s ‘Next Hype’ and peaked at number 3 on the Ultratip chart.

8. In November 2013, Jamie Cullum handpicked her to open for him at The Roundhouse in London and in June 2014, she was selected by BBC Introducing to perform at the Glastonbury Festival.

9. In November 2015, she was shortlisted for a Brit Critics’ Choice Award and longlisted for BBC’s Sound of… 2016.

10. In April 2016, she recorded with the BBC Concert Orchestra an uptempo, updated version of the Edith Piaf 1957 hit “La Foule” as the theme music for the BBC’s coverage of the Euro 2016 Football Tournament.