Simone: The Soulful Voice of Modern R&B

Simone is a British R&B singer-songwriter known for her emotive vocals and contemporary production. Hailing from London, she achieved mainstream success with her platinum-certified debut album "Echoes," which peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart.

Early career

Born Simone Williams in 1994, she grew up in South London immersed in a mix of classic soul and UK garage. Her first steps into music were uploading acoustic covers to YouTube, which led to her discovery and signing with independent label Grove Records in 2015.

Her first official release was the 2016 EP "First Light," a low-key project that established her signature blend of smooth R&B and electronic textures. This early work garnered critical attention from online music blogs and set the stage for her major-label move.

Breakthrough

Simone's breakthrough arrived in 2018 following her signing to major label Universal Music. The lead single Midnight Drive became a sleeper hit, climbing to number five on the UK Singles Chart and earning a gold certification.

This success propelled her debut album "Echoes" to platinum status in the UK. The album's fusion of 90s R&B influences with modern minimalist production defined her sound and secured her a nomination for the Mercury Prize.

Key tracks

Midnight Drive — This breakthrough single showcased her atmospheric sound and earned her first major radio play.

Echoes — The title track from her debut album is a fan-favorite ballad highlighting her vocal range and songwriting depth.

Fade Out — A collaboration with producer Kelvin, this track became a streaming hit with over 200 million plays globally.

Hold On — This later single marked a shift towards a more organic, live-band sound and reached the Top 20.

Following "Echoes," Simone focused on high-profile collaborations, featuring on tracks by electronic act Submotion and rapper Jayel. Her sophomore album, "Resonate," released in 2022, debuted at number two on the UK chart and incorporated more jazz and live instrumentation. She has since performed at major festivals like Glastonbury and Wireless, solidifying her reputation as a compelling live performer within the UK R&B scene.

Fans of Simone's brand of sophisticated R&B should also explore Ella Mai. Both artists craft melodic, relationship-focused R&B with strong UK roots. Mahalia shares a similar narrative songwriting style and genre-blending approach. Jorja Smith operates in the same space of vocal-led, introspective UK soul. For a more electronic edge, NAO explores comparable futuristic R&B soundscapes.

Simone's music is a staple on contemporary R&B and urban adult contemporary radio stations featured on this website. Her hits receive regular rotation on stations dedicated to modern soul and are frequently featured on independent music radio stations highlighting new UK talent.

Listeners can discover the soulful R&B of Simone on radio stations available on onairium.com, where her catalog from early releases to latest singles is regularly broadcast.