Izzy Bizu
{{short description|British-Ethiopian singer-songwriter (born 1994)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| birth_name = Isobel Bizu Beardshaw
| image = Izzy Bizu performing at London Fields Brewery, September 2015 (cropped).png
| caption = Bizu performing in September 2015
| landscape =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|04|28|df=yes}}
| origin = London, England
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Singer
- songwriter
}}
| years_active = 2009–present
| label = Epic Records, Hi-Tea Records (current)
| associated_acts = SoundGirl
| website = {{URL|izzybizu.com}}
}}
Isobel Bizu Beardshaw{{cite news |last1=Gibsone |first1=Harriet |title=Izzy Bizu: 'It's OK to be a space chicken' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jul/21/izzy-bizu-its-ok-to-be-a-space-chicken |website=The Guardian |date=21 July 2016 |access-date=4 January 2021}} (born 28 April 1994), better known as Izzy Bizu, is a British-Ethiopian singer-songwriter{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34313422/introducing-izzy-bizu|title=Introducing... Izzy Bizu|work=bbc.co.uk|date=22 September 2015 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.tadias.com/03/09/2018/how-ethiopia-influenced-british-ethiopian-singer-izzy-bizus-music/|title=How Ethiopia Influenced British-Ethiopian Singer Izzy Bizu's Music at Tadias Magazine|website=Tadias.com|access-date=22 October 2020}} previously signed with Epic Records.{{cite web|url=http://www.bimm.co.uk/news/izzys-busy-2014-capped-by-epic-record-deal/|title=Izzy Bizu signs to Epic Records|work=bimm.co.uk}} Bizu has garnered mainstream radio support from BBC Radio 1's Annie Mac and Phil Taggart{{cite web|url=http://www.thefourohfive.com/music/article/izzy-bizu-unveils-new-single-give-me-love-143|title=Izzy Bizu unveils new single 'Give Me Love'|work=thefourohfive.com|access-date=12 October 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042404/http://www.thefourohfive.com/music/article/izzy-bizu-unveils-new-single-give-me-love-143}} and BBC Radio 1Xtra's Trevor Nelson.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p030brd0|title=Izzy Bizu in the Live Lounge|work=bbc.co.uk}} She has supported Coldplay, Sam Smith, Rudimental,{{cite web|url=http://rudimental.co.uk/tour|title=Rudimental live at Alexandra Palace|work=rudimental.co.uk|access-date=12 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706064613/http://www.rudimental.co.uk/tour/|archive-date=6 July 2016}} and Foxes.{{cite web|url=http://www.livenation.co.uk/artist/foxes-tickets|title=Foxes UK Tour 2015 with Izzy Bizu|work=livenation.co.uk}} In November 2015, Bizu was shortlisted for a Brit Critics' Choice award{{Cite news|title = Izzy Bizu, Jack Garratt and Frances: meet the Brits critics' choice shortlist|url = https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/nov/24/izzy-bizu-jack-garratt-frances-brits-critics-choice-shortlist|website = The Guardian|access-date = 26 November 2015|first = Harriet|last = Gibsone| date=24 November 2015 }} and longlisted for BBC's Sound of... 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4ztqVqsPP6Mgzt2yxLwHWNs/the-longlist|title=BBC Sound Poll 2016|work=bbc.co.uk}} She won the BBC Music Introducing Award at the 2016 ceremony. On 25 June 2016, Bizu performed on the Park Stage at the Glastonbury Festival.
Biography
Izzy Bizu is from southwest London,{{cite web|url=http://news.livenation.co.uk/news/introducing-south-london-based-izzy-bizu/|title=Introducing: South London based Izzy Bizu|work=livenation.co.uk|access-date=12 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711182202/http://news.livenation.co.uk/news/introducing-south-london-based-izzy-bizu|archive-date=11 July 2016}} and attended Stamford High School, Lincolnshire.{{cite web |title=Izzy Bizu- 'It first started here' |url=https://gsa.uk.com/2016/10/izzy-bizu-first-started/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222151857/https://gsa.uk.com/2016/10/izzy-bizu-first-started/ |archive-date=2020-02-22 |access-date=2020-02-22 |publisher=Girls' Schools Association}} Her mother is Ethiopian and her father is English. She grew up between Ethiopia and Bahrain, where her father worked, before moving to London as a teen. She studied music tech in college, but dropped out shortly afterwards.
Career
=2013: ''Coolbeanz''=
After the girl group SoundGirl split, Bizu won an open mic night competition in February 2013 winning over the crowd, which included Emeli Sande and Naughty Boy, who were in attendance. She released her first independent EP, Coolbeanz, in September 2013, which debuted at number 3 on the iTunes Soul and RnB Chart and has sold 50,000 copies.{{cite web|url=https://www.dmpgroup.com/artist/izzy-bizu/|title=Izzy Bizu – Coolbeanz EP|work=dmpgroup.com|access-date=12 October 2015|archive-date=10 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310111108/https://www.dmpgroup.com/artist/izzy-bizu/}} The EP's lead single, "White Tiger", was also chosen as Zane Lowe's 'Next Hype'.{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/izzybizu/bbc-radio-1-zane-lowes-next|title= BBC Radio 1 Zane Lowe's Next Hype (27.08.13)|work=soundcloud.com}} In October 2013, she supported Sam Smith on their UK tour,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/errnc8/acts/apnxn3|title=Izzy Bizu at Glastonbury 2014|work=bbc.co.uk}} and in November Jamie Cullum handpicked her to open for him at The Roundhouse in London.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p021rl06/p021tp0h|title= Izzy Bizu and Jamie Cullum at Glastonbury 2014|work=bbc.co.uk}}
=2014–2016: ''A Moment of Madness''=
In January 2014, Bizu entered Glastonbury Festival's Emerging Talent Competition and made it to the final 8 of the competition,{{Cite web|url=https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/2014-emerging-talent-competition-finalists-announced/|title=Glastonbury Festival - 2014 Emerging Talent Competition finalists announced|website=Glastonburyfestivals.co.uk}} performing at the live finals of the event at Pilton Working Men's Club in April 2014. Bizu was named runner-up, winning £2,500 from the PRS Foundation and a slot at that year's Glastonbury Festival.{{Cite web|url=https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/ma-win-2014-emerging-talent-competition/|title=Glastonbury Festival - M+A win 2014 Emerging Talent Competition|website=Glastonburyfestivals.co.uk}}
In June 2014, Bizu was also selected by BBC Introducing to perform at the Glastonbury Festival.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/the-wrap-up/blog/watch-izzy-bizu-perform-at-glastonbury-2014|title=Izzy Bizu performs at Glastonbury 2014|work=mtv.co.uk|access-date=12 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126104039/http://www.mtv.co.uk/the-wrap-up/blog/watch-izzy-bizu-perform-at-glastonbury-2014|archive-date=26 November 2015}} In July 2014, she signed to Epic Records UK. A year later, she released the first singles from her debut album, "Adam & Eve" and "Diamond", which enjoyed support from BBC Radio 1,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05xqp3l|title=The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw 15/06/2015|work=bbc.co.uk}} Radio 2{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05y3cqj|title=BBC Radio 2 – Jo Whiley, 16/06/2015|work=bbc.co.uk}} and 1Xtra, and performed at Glastonbury for the second time.{{cite web|url=http://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/read/glastonbury-2015-by-jillian-edelstein |title=The Noisey Glastonbury Portfolio by Jillian Edelstein |work=noisey.vice.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924225633/http://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/read/glastonbury-2015-by-jillian-edelstein |archive-date=24 September 2015 }}
In September 2015, following the release of her single "Give Me Love", she also made her TV debut on Later... with Jools Holland.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06ds08q|title=Later... with Jools Holland – Series 47, Episode 2|work=bbc.co.uk}} Bizu supported both Rudimental and Foxes on their UK headline tours. In November 2015, Bizu was shortlisted for a Brit Critics' Choice award. In January 2016 Bizu's song 'White Tiger' featured on the advert for National Citizen Service (NCS) and in March 2016 she performed at NCS Yes Live alongside Tinie Tempah and Jess Glynne. Her debut album, A Moment of Madness, was released on 2 September 2016.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/a-moment-of-madness-deluxe/id1045652105|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129072414/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/a-moment-of-madness-deluxe/id1045652105|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 November 2015|title=Izzy Bizu – A Moment of Madness|work=iTunes}} In April 2016, Bizu 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.
Izzy Bizu was featured as a vocalist on Milky Chance's track "Bad Things" on their 2017 album Blossom, and on Kungs and David Guetta's 2024 single "All Night Long."
= 2016–present =
Bizu is UK ambassador for Studio Samuel, a non-profit that empowers girls in Ethiopia through education and job-based training.{{cite web |title=Studio Samuel Celebrates International Day of The Girl 2020 |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/studio-samuel-celebrates-international-day-of-the-girl-2020-30114817 |website=PRNewswire.com |language=en}}
Bizu is currently signed with Hi-Tea records, a division of the UK-based Logan Media Entertainment music label, where she is also a music producer.{{cite magazine |magazine=Niji Magazine |title='DUMB' is the new single from Izzy Bizu |url=https://nijimagazine.com/2022/11/singer-songwriter-izzy-bizu-delivers-playful-pop-vibes-on-latest-release-dumb/ |date=2 November 2022}}
In the United States, Bizu is represented by Sony's RED MUSIC label.{{cite web |last1=Ju |first1=Shirley |title=How Ethiopia Influenced Izzy Bizu's Viral Pop Hits {{!}} OkayAfrica |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/izzy-bizu-ethiopia-interview/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |website=okayafrica |date=8 March 2018 |language=en}}
Personal life
Bizu once wanted to be a veterinarian but began pursuing music after being discovered during an audition for a teenage-girl band at the age of 15.
Bizu is a skateboarder, having picked up the practice from her former ex-boyfriend and guitarist Mika Barroux.{{cite news |last1=Valenti |first1=Lauren |title=Meet Izzy Bizu, the Jazzy Pop Singer With Big, Golden Curls |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/izzy-bizu-pop-singer-a-moment-of-madness-gold-curls-hair-natural-london?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0-0HBCyYsEt_v9vcDwr_LYQ6MvCcxU20DGNMa2FqwHv8VwLDnQR3OhoQk_aem_9CSPa-3VWUM77p7qalaHQQ |work=Vogue |date=10 November 2017}}
She regularly visits her mother's birthplace of Ethiopia with family to volunteer.
She's not a fan of rollercoaster rides, saying in a 2016 interview that she freaked out and had to leave a Thorpe Park ride before it started.{{cite news |title=The Student Pocket Guide National Freshers 2016 Edition by Student Pocket Guide - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/thestudentpocketguide/docs/the_student_pocket_guide_national_e_09f3d1466b301c |work=issuu.com |date=27 September 2016 |language=en}}
Artistry
Bizu has described herself as a fan of jazz-fusion mixes and a lover of squat parties and warehouse raves. She grew up listening to Whitney Houston, Ella Fitzgerald, Bettye Swann and James Brown and draws on these influences alongside newer influences such as Amy Winehouse and Adele to create a fusion of soul, funk, jazz and pop.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.wiredevent.co.uk/izzy-bizu|title=Izzy Bizu – Singer-Songwriter|magazine=WIRED|access-date=12 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920063700/http://www.wiredevent.co.uk/izzy-bizu|archive-date=20 September 2015}}
She lists The Black Keys, Diana Ross, Grammatics and Sam Cooke among her other influences.{{cite web|url=http://www.codaagency.com/artist/967-izzy-bizu_121|title=About Izzy Bizu|work=codaagency.com|access-date=12 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305080454/http://www.codaagency.com/artist/967-izzy-bizu_121|archive-date=5 March 2016}}
Her Ethiopian heritage is also an influence in her music.
Bizu hopes to one day collaborate with Anderson .Paak and Kendrick Lamar.{{cite news |title=The Student Pocket Guide National Freshers 2016 Edition by Student Pocket Guide - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/thestudentpocketguide/docs/the_student_pocket_guide_national_e_09f3d1466b301c |work=issuu.com |date=27 September 2016 |language=en}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |
| scope="col" style="width:11em;| Title
! scope="col" style="width:16em;| Details |
|---|
| scope="row"| Coolbeanz
|
|
| scope="row"| Glita
|
|
| scope="row"| Don't Have to Say
|
|
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" colspan="8"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| AUT ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| BEL ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| BEL ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| FRA ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| GER ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| JPN ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SCO
| |||||||
| rowspan="4"| 2015
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —
| | rowspan="5" | A Moment of Madness |
| scope="row"| "Adam & Eve"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/adam-eve-remixes-single/1002327332|title=Adam & Eve (Remixes) – Single|work=iTunes|date=19 June 2015 }}
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | |||||||
| scope="row"| "Give Me Love"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/give-me-love-remixes-single/1032366999|title=Give Me Love (Remixes) – Single|work=iTunes|date=11 September 2015 }}
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | |||||||
| scope="row"| "White Tiger"{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/white-tiger-single/id1044595417|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119171926/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/white-tiger-single/id1044595417|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 January 2016|title=White Tiger – Single|work=iTunes}}
| 90 || 65 || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"White Tiger" did not enter the Flemish Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 3 on the Ultratip chart.}} || 45 || 57 | | |||||||
| rowspan="4" | 2016
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —
| |
| scope="row"| "Sweat (A La La La La Long)"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | {{non-album single}} | |||||||
| scope="row"| "Lost Paradise"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2" | A Moment of Madness | |||||||
| scope="row"| "Talking to You"
| 56 || — || — || — || — || — || — || 17 | | |||||||
| 2019
! scope="row"| "Lights On" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —
| | Glita |
| rowspan="2" | 2020
! scope="row"| "Tough Pill" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —
| | rowspan="2" | The Things We Do For Love |
| scope="row"| "Faded"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | |||||||
| 2022
! scope="row"| "Dumb" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —
| | rowspan="4" | Don't Have to Say |
| rowspan="3" | 2023
! scope="row"| "Walk Away" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —
| |
| scope="row"| "Flower Power"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | |||||||
| scope="row"| "Goodbye Hello"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | |||||||
| rowspan="2"| 2024
! scope="row"| "All Night Long"{{Cite web|url=https://weraveyou.com/2024/01/kungs-david-guetta-izzy-bizu-release-new-anthem-all-night-long-listen/|title=Kungs, David Guetta & Izzy Bizu release new anthem 'All Night Long': Listen|website=We Rave You|date=19 January 2024|access-date=22 January 2024}} | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —
| | rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Only Way Is Up" (with Robin Schulz) | — || — || 36 || — || — || — || — || — | | |||||||
| rowspan="1"| 2025
! scope="row" | "Lifeline" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —
| | {{TBA}} |
==As featured artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK |
| rowspan="1" | 2020
|"Stop Crying Your Heart Out" | 7 | | rowspan="6" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
| rowspan="2" | 2021
|"Old School Flex{{Cite web|title=Jords Drops 'Old School Flex' Video|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/jords-drops-old-school-flex-video|website=Clash Music|date=17 September 2021 }}" |__ | |
| "Sad Boy" (Raaban and Wankelmut featuring Izzy Bizu) |__ | |
| rowspan="4" | 2022
|"Wind Blows" |__ | |
| "Nine To Five" (Tom Enzy featuring Izzy Bizu) |__ | |
| "Life" (Ferreck Dawn featuring Izzy Bizu) |__ | |
| "Forgive Me" (ODESZA featuring Izzy Bizu) | | |
| rowspan="1" | 2023
|"If I Live Forever" |__ | |{{N/A|Non-album single}} |
| colspan="9" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Izzy Bizu}}
- {{Official website|http://izzybizu.com}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bizu, Izzy}}
Category:English people of Ethiopian descent
Category:English soul musicians
Category:English women singer-songwriters
Category:English singer-songwriters
Category:British contemporary R&B singers
Category:21st-century Black British women singers
Category:21st-century British women singers
Category:People educated at Stamford High School, Lincolnshire