Ego Ella May

Ella May was born in Croydon.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-08 |title=Neo-soul musician Ego Ella May nominated for jazz awards |url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/neo-soul-musician-ego-ella-may-nominated-for-jazz-awards/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613180006/https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/neo-soul-musician-ego-ella-may-nominated-for-jazz-awards/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=South London News |language=en-GB}} She was named for her Nigerian heritage and after Ella Fitzgerald. She started singing in her late teens. At age 19, she taught herself how to play guitar, make beats, and produce her own music.{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Chris |date=2022-07-18 |title=Ego Ella May makes music that heals the soul |url=https://wdet.org/2022/07/18/ego-ella-may-makes-music-that-heals-the-soul/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613180048/https://wdet.org/2022/07/18/ego-ella-may-makes-music-that-heals-the-soul/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=WDET 101.9 FM |language=en-US}}

In 2014, Ella May released her first EP, Breathing Underwater, which AFROPUNK stated, "gave me goose bumps from start to finish".{{Cite web |date=2014-04-02 |title=free download: london's own future-soul songbird ego ella may's highly anticipated ep "breathing underwater" |url=https://afropunk.com/2014/04/free-download-londons-own-future-soul-songbird-ego-ella-mays-highly-anticipated-ep-breathing-underwater/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613180139/https://afropunk.com/2014/04/free-download-londons-own-future-soul-songbird-ego-ella-mays-highly-anticipated-ep-breathing-underwater/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=AFROPUNK |language=en-US}} Vice described her as "the future sound of neo-soul".{{Cite web |date=5 February 2014 |title=Listen to an Exclusive Stream of Ego Ella May's New EP |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/6w837q/listen-to-ego-ella-mays-debut-ep |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613180225/https://www.vice.com/en/article/6w837q/listen-to-ego-ella-mays-debut-ep |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=www.vice.com |language=en}}

In 2015, she published her EP, Zero, which SPIN dubbed, "an irresistible combination of soul, jazz and electronic".{{Cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Caitlin |date=2015 |title=Ego Ella May Gives Soul A Futuristic Twist On Her New EP, 'Zero' |url=https://www.spin.com/2015/04/ego-ella-may-zero-ep-new/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613184526/https://www.spin.com/2015/04/ego-ella-may-zero-ep-new/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |website=SPIN Magazine}}

In 2018, her track "Table for One", made The New York Times list of most notable new songs.{{Cite news |last1=Pareles |first1=Jon |last2=Caramanica |first2=Jon |last3=Russonello |first3=Giovanni |date=2018-12-14 |title=The Playlist: David Byrne's Paranoid Party, and 10 More New Songs |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/14/arts/music/playlist-david-byrne-avril-lavigne-robin-thicke.html |access-date=2023-04-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613180517/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/14/arts/music/playlist-david-byrne-avril-lavigne-robin-thicke.html |archive-date=2023-06-13 |issn=0362-4331}} It was included in the soundtrack for the third season of Sex Education.{{Cite web |title=Sex Education season 3 soundtrack: All songs from Netflix comedy-drama |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/sex-education-season-3-soundtrack/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613180602/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/sex-education-season-3-soundtrack/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Radio Times |language=en}}

In 2019, Ella May released, "Tea & Sympathy". Earmilk called the track "an absolute feast for the ears".{{Cite web |last=Crandell |first=Evan |date=2019-08-29 |title=Ego Ella May drops stunner "Tea & Sympathy" ahead of upcoming album |url=https://earmilk.com/2019/08/29/ego-ella-may-drops-stunner-tea-sympathy-ahead-of-upcoming-album/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613180700/https://earmilk.com/2019/08/29/ego-ella-may-drops-stunner-tea-sympathy-ahead-of-upcoming-album/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=EARMILK |language=en-US}} Her song "Girls Don’t Always Sing About Boys" was described as stunning by OnSmash.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Joe |date=20 November 2019 |title=Listen to Ego Ella May's New Song "Girls Don't Always Sing About Boys" |url=http://onsmash.com/music/ego-ella-may-girls-dont-always-sing-about-boys-song-stream/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613180826/http://onsmash.com/music/ego-ella-may-girls-dont-always-sing-about-boys-song-stream/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=OnSMASH |language=en}}

In 2020, she released the single "Give A Little", which Clash declared a superb preview and likened to Guru's Jazzmatazz.{{Cite web |date=2020-05-29 |title=Ego Ella May's 'Give A Little' Was Inspired By A Reiki Session |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/ego-ella-mays-give-a-little-was-inspired-by-a-reiki-session/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613180936/https://www.clashmusic.com/news/ego-ella-mays-give-a-little-was-inspired-by-a-reiki-session/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews |language=en-GB}} She released a second single, "How Long Til’ We’re Home?" about feeling, "too African for Britain, too British for Africa."{{Cite web |date=2020-03-06 |title=Ego Ella May Wonders 'How Long 'Til We're Home' On New Single |url=https://soulbounce.com/2020/03/ego-ella-may-wonders-how-long-til-were-home-on-new-single/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613181155/https://soulbounce.com/2020/03/ego-ella-may-wonders-how-long-til-were-home-on-new-single/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=SoulBounce |language=en-US}} Ella May was signed by John Boyega's label, Upper Room Records. Her album, Honey For Wounds was the first to be put out by the label.{{Cite web |last=Novak |first=Kim |date=2020-06-26 |title=John Boyega announces first album release on his record label is by Ego Ella May |url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/06/26/john-boyega-announces-first-album-release-record-label-ego-ella-mays-honey-wounds-12908360/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613181718/https://metro.co.uk/2020/06/26/john-boyega-announces-first-album-release-record-label-ego-ella-mays-honey-wounds-12908360/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Metro |language=en}} Vinyl Chapters gave the album a 4/5 review, writing, "it's a thoughtful and gently soulful album from a fresh talented artist that has a big future ahead of her".{{Cite web |date=2020-07-11 |title=Ego Ella May: Honey For Wounds - Review |url=https://www.vinylchapters.com/ego-ella-may-honey-for-wounds-review/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613181842/https://www.vinylchapters.com/ego-ella-may-honey-for-wounds-review/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Vinyl Chapters |language=en-US}} Ella May waited to release Honey For Wounds, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but decided "there may never be a better time" to release the project.{{Cite web |last=Yates |first=Jonathan |date=2020-06-26 |title=Ego Ella May on her debut album Honey For Wounds |url=https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/ego-ella-may-i-feel-18479523 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613181938/https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/ego-ella-may-i-feel-18479523 |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=MyLondon |language=en}} She won Best Jazz Act at the 2020 MOBO Awards.{{Cite web |title=The MOBO Awards 2020: Full winners list, highlights and more |url=https://www.capitalxtra.com/news/mobo-awards-2020-black-music-winners-list/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613182030/https://www.capitalxtra.com/news/mobo-awards-2020-black-music-winners-list/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Capital XTRA |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-12-10 |title=ICMP alumna Ego-Ella May wins Best Jazz Act at MOBO Awards 2020 |url=https://www.icmp.ac.uk/news/icmp-alumna-ego-ella-may-wins-best-jazz-act-at-mobo-awards-2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613182152/https://www.icmp.ac.uk/news/icmp-alumna-ego-ella-may-wins-best-jazz-act-at-mobo-awards-2020 |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=ICMP |language=en}} She performed her songs on COLORS in July 2020.{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Joel |date=2020-07-14 |title=Ego Ella May performs for COLORS |url=https://www.voice-online.co.uk/entertainment/music/2020/07/14/ego-ella-may-performs-for-colors/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613182302/https://www.voice-online.co.uk/entertainment/music/2020/07/14/ego-ella-may-performs-for-colors/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Voice Online |language=en}}

In 2021, Ella May was shortlisted for Soul Act of the Year and Vocalist of the Year at the Jazz FM awards. She won Vocalist of the Year.{{Cite web |title=Jazz FM Awards 2021: Highlights |work=Jazz FM |url=https://planetradio.co.uk/jazz-fm/news/music-news/jazz-fm-awards-2021-highlights/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613182343/https://planetradio.co.uk/jazz-fm/news/music-news/jazz-fm-awards-2021-highlights/ |archive-date=2023-06-13}} Her song "Breathe" was featured in Billboard's "R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week".{{Cite magazine |last=Lee |first=Cydney |date=2021-10-18 |title=R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Pink Sweat$, Zack Fox, DreamDoll & More |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/rb-hip-hop-fresh-picks-pink-sweat-zack-fox-dreamdoll-9646641/ |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613182506/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/rb-hip-hop-fresh-picks-pink-sweat-zack-fox-dreamdoll-9646641/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29}} Her tracks, "Give A Little" and "Alright", we’re featured in soundtracks for Insecure and Queen Sugar.{{Cite web |title=All of the Music Played During 'Insecure' Season 5 |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/insecure-season-five-songs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613182609/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/insecure-season-five-songs |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Complex |language=en}}Oprah Winfrey Network. (2021). June 1, 2020. Queen Sugar. episode. GRM Daily wrote, "contemporary visionary Ego Ella May continues to showcase the elegance she possesses as one of the top up and coming singers to grace our ears".{{Cite web |last=Forte |first=Luke |date=2021-10-19 |title=Ego Ella May Delivers Soothing Visuals For "YoYo" |url=https://grmdaily.com/ego-ella-may-yoyo/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613182807/https://grmdaily.com/ego-ella-may-yoyo/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=GRM Daily |language=en-GB}} Crash called her single "Introvert Hotline" divine.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-22 |title=Ego Ella May's 'Introvert Hotline' Is Divine |url=https://www.clashmusic.mtcserver.com/news/ego-ella-mays-introvert-hotline-is-divine/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613182853/https://www.clashmusic.com/news/ego-ella-mays-introvert-hotline-is-divine/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews |language=en-GB}} She performed on BBC Four with a 42-piece orchestra for the EFG London Jazz Festival at London's Royal Festival Hall, premiering her track, "For the Both of Us".{{Cite web |title=Ego Ella May - for the both of us (Official Video) |url=https://www.wordplaymagazine.com/blog-1/2021/11/20/ego-ella-may-for-the-both-of-us-official-video?format=amp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613182947/https://www.wordplaymagazine.com/blog-1/2021/11/20/ego-ella-may-for-the-both-of-us-official-video?format=amp |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=Wordplay Magazine}} Ella May also performed at The British Music Embassy, the official UK residency for SXSW.{{Citation |title=Give A Little |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyHHwu2o1Bw |work=SXSW Online 2021 | date=6 April 2021 |access-date=2023-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613183127/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyHHwu2o1Bw |language=en |archive-date=2023-06-13}}

In 2022, she covered "The Morning Side of Love", by Chico Hamilton, from Hamilton's 1975 Blue Note album Peregrinations. The track was featured on Blue Note Re:Imagined II, released by Universal Music Group. Albumism described the song as the "perfect slice of summertime bliss".{{Cite web |date=9 June 2022 |title=NEW MUSIC WE LOVE: Ego Ella May's "The Morning Side Of Love" |url=https://albumism.com/new-music/ego-ella-may-the-morning-side-of-love |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613183331/https://albumism.com/new-music/ego-ella-may-the-morning-side-of-love |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Albumism |language=en-US}} Soul House wrote, "Ella May sprinkles her vocal magic over an understated arrangement."{{Cite web |date=2022-06-08 |title=Ego Ella May - 'The Morning Side of Love' (Review) |url=https://thesoulhouse.net/2022/06/08/ego-ella-may-morning-side-of-love-review/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613183429/https://thesoulhouse.net/2022/06/08/ego-ella-may-morning-side-of-love-review/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=The House That Soul Built |language=en-US}} In reaction to the release of her track, "Miss U", Soul Bounce commented, "Ego Ella May and her unflinching approach to introspective songwriting is one of the best things to happen in music."{{Cite web |last=D-Money |date=2022-06-20 |title=Ego Ella May Gets Candid & Vulnerable On 'Miss U' |url=https://soulbounce.com/2022/06/ego-ella-may-miss-u/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613183524/https://soulbounce.com/2022/06/ego-ella-may-miss-u/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=SoulBounce |language=en-US}} She was featured on Beau Diako's song, "Alone", and Allysha Joy's "Calling You".{{Cite web |date=2022-04-12 |title=Beau Diako & Ego Ella May Embrace Being 'Alone' |url=https://soulbounce.com/2022/04/beau-diako-ego-ella-may-alone-audio/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613183635/https://soulbounce.com/2022/04/beau-diako-ego-ella-may-alone-audio/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=SoulBounce |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-06 |title=New Music Fridays - 6th May 2022 |url=https://www.vinylchapters.com/new-music-fridays-6th-may-2022/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613183729/https://www.vinylchapters.com/new-music-fridays-6th-may-2022/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Vinyl Chapters |language=en-US}}

In 2023, she was featured on Kay Young's track "Woe is Me", which Clash described as, "intoxicating future soul, with the production carrying a Dilla-esque warmth."{{Cite web |date=2023-03-16 |title=Kay Young, Ego Ella May Combine On 'Woe Is Me' {{!}} News |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/kay-young-ego-ella-may-combine-on-woe-is-me/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613183809/https://www.clashmusic.com/news/kay-young-ego-ella-may-combine-on-woe-is-me/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews |language=en-GB}}

WDET-FM has described Ella May as having "a voice that evokes shades of Billie Holiday, Erykah Badu, and Kissey". She is considered by The Guardian to be a "star of the UK soul renaissance".{{Cite news |last=Hutchinson |first=Kate |date=2022-03-27 |title=Summer of soul: meet the stars of the UK soul renaissance |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/27/summer-of-soul-meet-the-stars-of-the-uk-soul-renaissance |access-date=2023-04-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613183915/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/27/summer-of-soul-meet-the-stars-of-the-uk-soul-renaissance |archive-date=2023-06-13 |issn=0261-3077}}

Honey for Wounds (Deluxe), Upper Room Records, 2021{{Cite web |date=30 June 2021 |title=Ego Ella May - Hounds For Wounds (Deluxe Edition) |url=https://www.wordplaymagazine.com/blog-1/2021/6/23/ego-ella-may-hounds-for-wounds-deluxe-edition |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613184019/https://www.wordplaymagazine.com/blog-1/2021/6/23/ego-ella-may-hounds-for-wounds-deluxe-edition |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=WORDPLAY |language=en-US}}

Honey for Wounds, Upper Room Records, 2020{{Cite web |last=Mosk |first=Mitch |date=2020-06-26 |title=Feature: Ego Ella May Pours Her Soul Out on Debut Album 'Honey for Wounds' |url=https://atwoodmagazine.com/emhw-ego-ella-may-honey-for-wounds-album-review-feature/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613184058/https://atwoodmagazine.com/emhw-ego-ella-may-honey-for-wounds-album-review-feature/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Atwood Magazine |language=en-US}}

So Far, Tru Thoughts, 2019{{Cite web |last=Wise |first=Jedd |date=2019-09-18 |title=South London soul musician Ego Ella May announces debut LP, So Far |url=https://thevinylfactory.com/news/ego-ella-may-debut-album-so-far-vinyl/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613184224/https://thevinylfactory.com/news/ego-ella-may-debut-album-so-far-vinyl/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=The Vinyl Factory |language=en-US}}

Fieldnotes Pt III, 2023{{Cite web |last=Welsh |first=April-Claire |date=2023-11-22 |title=Ego Ella May : Fieldnotes Pt. III {{!}} Album release |url=https://djmag.com/news/ego-ella-may-releases-new-ep-fieldnotes-pt-iii-listen |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date= |website=DJ Mag |language=en-US}}

By the Way, Sony Music, 2023{{Cite web |date=2023-01-30 |title=Theo Croker Links With Ego Ella May & D'LEAU To Bring Us What 'THEO SAYS' |url=https://soulbounce.com/2023/01/theo-croker-ego-ella-may-dleau-theo-says/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613184314/https://soulbounce.com/2023/01/theo-croker-ego-ella-may-dleau-theo-says/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=SoulBounce |language=en-US}}

Fieldnotes Pt II, 2022{{Cite web |last=Shiver |first=John-Paul |date=2022-03-21 |title=Ego Ella May : Fieldnotes Pt. II {{!}} Album review |url=https://www.treblezine.com/ego-ella-may-fieldnotes-pt-ii-review/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613175908/https://www.treblezine.com/ego-ella-may-fieldnotes-pt-ii-review/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Treble |language=en-US}}

Fieldnotes, 2021{{Cite web |date=23 October 2021 |title=Ego Ella May - FIELDNOTES (EP) |url=https://www.wordplaymagazine.com/blog-1/2021/10/22/ego-ella-may-fieldnotes-ep |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613184436/https://www.wordplaymagazine.com/blog-1/2021/10/22/ego-ella-may-fieldnotes-ep |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=WORDPLAY |language=en-US}}

Zero, 2015

Breathing Underwater, 2014{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Joe |date=6 February 2014 |title=Ego Ella May - Breathing Underwater [EP] |url=http://onsmash.com/music/ego-ella-may-breathing-underwater-ep/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613184639/http://onsmash.com/music/ego-ella-may-breathing-underwater-ep/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=OnSMASH |language=en}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:May, Ego Ella}}

Category:1992 births

Category:21st-century Nigerian women singers

Category:English people of Nigerian descent

Category:English women pop singers

Category:English women singer-songwriters

Category:English-language singers from Nigeria

Category:British contemporary R&B singers

Category:Living people

Category:Nigerian contemporary R&B singers

Category:Nigerian women singer-songwriters

Category:Yoruba women musicians

Category:21st-century Black British women singers

Category:21st-century British women singers

Category:Singers from the London Borough of Croydon

Category:Musicians from the London Borough of Croydon

Category:People from Croydon