Laura Mvula

Laura Mvula, born Laura Douglas in 1986 in Birmingham, England, developed an early passion for music. She was classically trained and gained experience in various vocal groups, including the a cappella group Black Voices in 2005, where she toured the UK and Europe. Mvula further honed her skills by forming the jazz/neo-soul group Judyshouse, for which she wrote material and performed lead vocals. Her early career also involved directing the Lichfield Community Gospel Choir and the Alvechurch Community Choir, demonstrating her leadership and musical direction capabilities. In 2008, Mvula graduated from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with a degree in composition, laying a strong academic foundation for her musical endeavors. She later worked as a supply music teacher and a receptionist for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, during which time she began composing her own songs. These early compositions attracted the attention of composer Steve Brown and manager Kwame Kwaten, leading to her professional breakthrough.

In May 2012, Laura Mvula signed with RCA Records, a Sony subsidiary. Her debut extended play, “She,” released in November 2012, received critical acclaim. This was followed by features on significant industry shortlists, including the Critics’ Choice award at the 2013 BRIT Awards and the BBC’s Sound of 2013 poll, where she placed fourth. Her debut studio album, “Sing to the Moon,” released in March 2013, garnered widespread positive reviews, reaching number 9 on the UK Albums Chart and charting in seven other countries. The album earned her two MOBO awards—Best Female Act and Best R&B or Soul Artist—and a Mercury Prize nomination. This period also saw her record a cover of “Little Girl Blue” for the “12 Years a Slave” soundtrack.

Her second album, “The Dreaming Room,” released in June 2016, continued to receive critical praise, including an Ivor Novello Award and another Mercury Prize nomination. This album showcased a more political stance and incorporated influences from her Jamaican and Caribbean heritage, notably in songs such as the feminist hymn “Phenomenal Woman.” That same year, she performed at the Glastonbury Festival for a second time and collaborated with Global Citizen and Chime For Change for the #SheWill campaign. In 2017, Mvula composed music for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of “Antony and Cleopatra.” She released the “1/f” EP in February 2021, leading up to her third studio album, “Pink Noise,” released in July 2021, on Atlantic Records. In 2018, she received an honorary doctorate of music from Birmingham City University for her contributions to music, highlighting her impact on the industry.