Jess Glynne
Jess Glynne exploded onto the music scene, rapidly becoming a defining voice in UK pop and dance. With her powerful, soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, she quickly stacked up an astonishing number of chart-topping hits, breaking records along the way. Her journey from aspiring artist to global sensation is a testament to raw talent and unwavering dedication. Jess Glynne holds the record for the most UK number-one singles by a British female solo artist, a truly remarkable achievement. Her breakthrough came through collaborations, demonstrating her versatility before she launched a hugely successful solo career. Glynne's music is deeply personal, often drawing inspiration from her own experiences and relationships, which resonates profoundly with her audience.
AI Summary
Jess Glynne exploded onto the music scene, rapidly becoming a defining voice in UK pop and dance. With her powerful, soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, she quickly stacked up an astonishing number of chart-topping hits, breaking records along the way. Her journey from aspiring artist to global sensation is a testament to raw talent and unwavering dedication.
- Jess Glynne holds the record for the most UK number-one singles by a British female solo artist, a truly remarkable achievement.
- Her breakthrough came through collaborations, demonstrating her versatility before she launched a hugely successful solo career.
- Glynne's music is deeply personal, often drawing inspiration from her own experiences and relationships, which resonates profoundly with her audience.
The Voice Behind the Hits
Born Jessica Hannah Glynne in North London, this vibrant artist has captured hearts with her distinctive voice. While her family name was once Goldstein, her grandfather changed it to Glynne, setting the stage for the name that would soon dominate the music charts.
Early Aspirations and Detours
Even at 15, Jess had a taste of the music industry, auditioning for The X Factor. However, a disagreement with producers led her to withdraw, choosing a different path to hone her craft. This early experience hinted at her independent spirit and determination.
After completing her A-levels and travelling the world, Jess spent her late teens working for a music management company. This invaluable experience allowed her to network with songwriters and producers, gradually shaping her unique artistry over four dedicated years.
A Crucial Meeting
Her journey truly began to accelerate after a music course in East London, where she met key collaborators like songwriter Jin Jin and producer Bless Beats. Their shared creative spark would soon lead to a pivotal moment in her career.
One of their compositions caught the ear of Black Butter Records, who quickly signed Glynne to a publishing deal. They saw something special—as co-president Joe Gossa put it, her voice had a 'fierceness' that could make 'everyday things... epic.' This led to her signing with Atlantic Records in 2013.
The Breakthrough Year: 2014
Her ascent was meteoric. In 2014, deep house producer Route 94 tapped her to rewrite and sing on 'My Love,' which soared to number one on the UK Singles Chart. The success was instant, earning platinum certification.
Hot on its heels, British band Clean Bandit heard 'My Love' and invited Jess to feature on 'Rather Be.' This collaboration also shot to number one, becoming one of the fastest-selling and most streamed songs of 2014. Her voice, described by band member Jack Patterson as having 'a real subtlety of emotion,' was suddenly everywhere.
The impact of these collaborations was undeniable. 'Rather Be' not only topped charts across Europe and Oceania but also broke into the US Billboard Hot 100 top ten. For her exceptional work, Jess Glynne earned a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
Solo Stardom: I Cry When I Laugh
Jess launched her solo career with 'Right Here' in July 2014, followed by another Clean Bandit collaboration, 'Real Love.' But it was her second solo single, 'Hold My Hand,' released in March 2015, that truly cemented her as a solo powerhouse, debuting at number one for three weeks.
Her debut album, 'I Cry When I Laugh,' dropped in August 2015, featuring hit singles like 'Don't Be So Hard on Yourself' and a fourth number-one with Tinie Tempah, 'Not Letting Go.' The album itself debuted atop the UK Albums Chart and went on to achieve triple Platinum certification.
Despite incredible success, her journey wasn't without challenges. Mid-2015 saw Jess undergo vocal cord surgery, forcing her to cancel several performances, including a highly anticipated Glastonbury appearance. It was a stark reminder of the delicate balance in a performer's life.
Record-Breaking Success: Always In Between
Her second album era began with a bang. In 2018, her feature on Rudimental's 'These Days' became her sixth UK number-one single, making her the first British female solo artist in chart history to achieve this feat. She was truly in a league of her own.
The lead single from her second album, 'I'll Be There,' continued her remarkable streak, becoming her seventh number-one hit in June 2018. The album, 'Always In Between,' followed, reaching number one and solidifying her status as a consistent chart-topper.
Jess embarked on extensive tours, captivating audiences across Europe, the UK, and the United States. A highlight was being announced as a special guest for the iconic Spice Girls' reunion stadium tour in 2019—a true full-circle moment for a childhood fan.
However, 2019 brought controversy when she received a temporary lifetime ban from the Isle of Wight Festival after a last-minute cancellation, which she openly attributed to celebrating the end of the Spice World tour. She later cancelled more gigs on vocal surgeon's advice, highlighting the pressures of touring.
A New Chapter: Jess
In January 2022, after creative disagreements, Jess amicably parted ways with Atlantic Records, seeking a fresh sonic direction. By late 2022, she announced new deals with United Talent Agency and EMI Records, signaling an exciting new phase in her career.
Her third studio album, aptly titled 'Jess,' launched on April 26, 2024. This release marked a significant moment, leading to her being honored with the prestigious BRIT Billion Award for achieving over one billion streams in the UK. A testament to her enduring popularity!
Musical Influences and Artistry
Jess Glynne's artistry is a rich tapestry woven from diverse influences. She looks to legends like Frank Ocean and Amy Winehouse for musical direction, and vocal powerhouses such as Adele, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston for inspiration.
Her songwriting draws from the lyrical prowess of rappers like Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, showcasing a broad appreciation for storytelling across genres. Lauryn Hill's 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' was the album that ultimately inspired her to pick up the pen and begin writing her own songs.
Personal Life and Identity
Jess has openly discussed past relationships, including one with a woman that inspired her debut album. She prefers not to be confined by labels such as 'lesbian' or 'bisexual,' emphasizing that love is simply love.
Since the summer of 2023, she has been in a relationship with sports broadcaster and former England footballer Alex Scott. Jess is also a dedicated supporter of Arsenal F.C.
In 2021, Jess faced criticism for using a transphobic slur during a podcast appearance. She promptly issued an apology, stating she was 'unaware of the potency of the term until now,' demonstrating a commitment to learning and growth.
Discography Highlights
I Cry When I Laugh (2015) Always In Between (2018) Jess (2024)
Notable Tours
Ain't Got Far to Go Tour (2015) Take Me Home Tour (2016-2017) Always In Between Tour (2018-2019) Spice World – 2019 Tour (with Spice Girls)
Awards and Recognition
Year Award Category Recipient Outcome 2015 Grammy Awards Best Dance Recording "Rather Be" Won 2015 Ivor Novello Awards Most Performed Work "Rather Be" Won 2016 Brit Awards British Female Solo Artist Herself Nominated 2016 ASCAP Vanguard Award Vanguard Award Herself Won 2018 NatWest British LGBT Awards Music Artist of the Year Herself Won 2019 Global Awards Most Played Song "These Days" Won 2019 Ivor Novello Awards Most Performed Work "These Days" Won
Article
Jess Glynne
Jessica Hannah Glynne (born 20 October 1989) is an English singer. She rose to prominence in 2014 as a featured artist on the singles "Rather Be" by Clean Bandit and "My Love" by Route 94, both of which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. Glynne signed with Atlantic Records to release her debut studio album, I Cry When I Laugh (2015). Despite mixed critical response, it debuted atop the UK Albums Chart and spawned the successful singles "Hold My Hand" and "Don't Be So Hard on Yourself".
Glynne's second studio album, Always In Between (2018), debuted at number one in the UK and saw continued success with the singles "I'll Be There", "These Days", "All I Am", "Thursday" and "One Touch"; the first of these made Glynne the first British female solo artist to have seven number one singles on the UK Singles Chart. After parting ways with Atlantic Records, she signed with EMI Records to release her third studio album, Jess (2024).
Glynne has achieved multiple accolades throughout her career, including a Grammy Award and nine Brit Award nominations. She was considered one of the "Most Influential People Under 30" by Forbes magazine in 2019.
Early life
Jess Glynne
Jessica Hannah Glynne was born in Hampstead and raised in Muswell Hill, North London, in a Jewish family. Her mother, Alexandra (née Ingram), worked in A&R in the music industry. The family name was originally Goldstein, but her grandfather changed it to Glynne.
She was requested to participate in the second season of the television show The X Factor when she was 15 years old, but dropped out of the audition process following a disagreement with the producers.
She attended Rhodes Avenue Primary School, then attended Fortismere School, where she completed her A-levels in 2008, and took various jobs at a boutique, a fitness centre and a hairdresser's.
After a period spent travelling the world, Glynne worked for a music management company in her late teens and began networking with songwriters and producers, eventually honing her artistry for four years.
Career
2010–2013: Career beginnings
Glynne completed a month long music course at an East London college, Access to Music London, where she met her future collaborators: songwriter Jin Jin and producer Bless Beats. One of Glynne and Jin Jin's compositions caught the attention of Black Butter Records, who signed Glynne to a publishing deal and introduced her to music managers and lawyers. Black Butter co-president Joe Gossa said of Glynne, "her voice just flipped me out, there was a fierceness to it. She can talk about everyday things in this way that's just epic". She signed a contract with Atlantic Records in August 2013, consequently leaving her job at the time in brand management for a drinks company.
2013–2016: I Cry When I Laugh and breakthrough
In 2013, deep house producer Route 94 approached Glynne about rewriting and providing vocals for his song "My Love". It was later released as a single in February 2014 and reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. It was later certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. British band Clean Bandit heard "My Love" and approached Glynne to feature on their song "Rather Be". Band member Jack Patterson spoke of "a real subtlety of emotion in her voice". The collaboration produced the single which also charted atop the UK charts, becoming the third fastest-selling single and most streamed song of 2014. The single attained number one and top five positions on charts across Europe and Oceania, and was a top ten hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. Both "Rather Be" and "My Love" received nominations at the BRIT Awards for Best British Single. For her work on "Rather Be", Glynne won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording and was nominated for Song of the Year at the inaugural BBC Music Awards.
Glynne performing at Shepherd's Bush Empire in 2014
In July 2014, Glynne's debut solo single, the Gorgon City-produced "Right Here", was released. It charted in several countries, including at number six in the UK. Glynne appeared at many British music festivals during mid 2014, including Bestival, Glastonbury, Lovebox, V Festival and Wireless. She toured around the UK from October 2014, beginning in Sheffield and finishing at the Electric Brixton in London. Also during 2014, Glynne collaborated on songwriting projects with Little Mix, MO, Rudimental, and Tinie Tempah. A second collaboration with Clean Bandit, "Real Love", was released in November 2014 and reached number two in the UK.
Glynne's second solo single, "Hold My Hand", was released in March 2015. It debuted at number one in the UK, where it spent three weeks. In June 2015, Glynne was featured on "Not Letting Go", a single by English rapper Tinie Tempah. It also reached number one in the UK, bringing Glynne's total of UK number one singles to four. She underwent surgery on her vocal cords in mid-2015 and consequently cancelled several live performances, including the Glastonbury Festival. Glynne's debut album I Cry When I Laugh was released in the UK in August 2015, following the number one single "Don't Be So Hard on Yourself". It features contributions from Knox Brown, Naughty Boy, Starsmith, Talay Riley, and Switch, as well as her regular collaborators Bless Beats and Jin Jin. I Cry When I Laugh entered the UK Albums Chart at number one and later received a triple Platinum certification.
In October 2015, Glynne appeared on the twelfth series of The X Factor as a guest judge at Cheryl's Judges' Houses segment. The same month, she presented the Vice magazine-produced documentary film The Brit Invasion, which documented the rise of EDM and British dance music in the United States. Glynne's track "Take Me Home" was released as the official Children in Need 2015 charity single in November and peaked at number six in the UK, becoming Glynne's eighth overall top ten single in the country. Glynne embarked on her first UK arena tour in November, titled the Take Me Home Tour.
2016–2021: Always In Between
In October 2016 and later in 2017, it was reported that Glynne was working with some "big" producers for her second album, including Ed Sheeran. One of the songs recorded was "Woman Like Me", which was later given to the band Little Mix for their fifth studio album LM5. In January 2018, Glynne featured on Rudimental's single "These Days" alongside American rapper Macklemore and Dan Caplen. The song was a commercial success, initially charting at number two for seven consecutive weeks behind "God's Plan" by Drake, before claiming the number one position in March. With this achievement, Glynne became the first British female solo artist in UK chart history to have six number-one singles.
In May 2018, Glynne performed at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Swansea. Later that month, the lead single "I'll Be There" from her second album was released. The song later reached number one in June, becoming Glynne's seventh chart-topping single of her career. In August, second single "All I Am" was released and charted at number seven in the UK. The following month, the album Always In Between was released, becoming Glynne's second number one album. Her third single "Thursday" was released in October 2018 and peaked at number three in the UK.
Glynne embarked on her Always In Between Tour from November 2018, covering Europe, the UK and the United States, over 50 dates. Many of the tour dates on the United States leg of the tour included Leon Bridges as a featured Artist. Also in November 2018, Glynne was announced as a special guest on the Spice Girls' reunion stadium tour, held in 2019. Glynne was due to perform at BBC Radio1 Big Weekend in 2019 however dropped out at last minute.
At the 2019 Brit Awards Glynne received five nominations, including Best British Female and Best British Single with both "These Days" and "I'll Be There".
In June 2019, Glynne received a lifetime ban from the Isle of Wight Festival when she cancelled her set, giving only 10 minutes warning. The singer confessed that her reason for cancelling was after a heavy night ("It is true that I went out and celebrated the end of the Spice World tour.") and, later that month, cancelled a number of gigs "on the advice of her vocal surgeon", including a headline performance at the Rochester Castle Concerts. However, the ban was revoked less than a year later.
2022–present: Career break, new label releases
Following a disagreement with her record label about the future direction of her music, Glynne split from Atlantic Records in January 2022. In October 2022, it was confirmed that Glynne has signed to United Talent Agency to represent her worldwide, alongside signing to the management division of Roc Nation. A month later, Glynne confirmed she had signed a new record deal with EMI and would be releasing new music in 2023.
When announcing her first release, "Silly Me", under EMI, she confirmed that the split with Atlantic and her management had been amicable and focussed on Glynne wanting to explore a new sonic direction. "Silly Me" was released 28 April 2023 and was co-written with Knox Brown, P2J Mike Horner. Glynne also confirmed other song titles for an upcoming album, including "Promise Me", "Love Is Not Enough" and "Enough". Much of the album was recorded between 2022 and 2023, while between labels. It included studio sessions with Greg Kurstin, Malay and Boots. A second song, "What Do You Do?" was released on 14 July 2023. On 26 April 2024 Glynne launched Jess, her third studio album, and was then presented with the prestigious BRIT Billion Award for achieving over 1 billion streams in the UK.
Artistry
Jess Glynne
Glynne's music incorporates pop, EDM, and soul, with elements of R&B.
Glynne's musical influences include Frank Ocean and Amy Winehouse. She cites Adele, Sam Cooke, Destiny's Child, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Etta James as inspirations for her vocal style and rappers such as Eminem, Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar for her songwriting. She has also listed India Arie, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Girls Aloud, Spice Girls, Mariah Carey and Mavis Staples as musical inspirations. Glynne said that Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was the album that motivated her to start writing songs.
Personal life
Jess Glynne
Glynne was in a relationship with a woman that ended in 2013. Whilst I Cry When I Laugh was inspired by that particular break-up, Glynne has stated that she does not wish to be labelled as lesbian or bisexual. Glynne is an Arsenal supporter and has been in a relationship with sports broadcaster and former England women's and Arsenal women's footballer Alex Scott since the summer of 2023.
In March 2021, Glynne received criticism for using the word "tranny" during an appearance on The Mo Gilligan Podcast, hosted by comedian Mo Gilligan. She subsequently apologised, stating that she was "unaware of the potency of the term until now."
Filmography
Television
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2019</td><td>Neighbours</td><td>Herself</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>The Voice Australia</td><td>Herself</td></tr></tbody></table>
Discography
Jess Glynne
• I Cry When I Laugh (2015) • Always In Between (2018) • Jess (2024)
Tours
Jess Glynne
• Ain't Got Far to Go Tour (2015) • Take Me Home Tour (2016–2017) • Always In Between Tour (2018–2019) • Summer Live Tour (2024) • JESS: THE US TOUR (2024) • JESS: IN EUROPE TOUR (2024)
• Rudimental (2013) • Beyonce (2015) • Spice Girls – Spice World – 2019 Tour (2019) • Maroon 5 – Love Is Like Tour (2026)
Awards and nominations
Jess Glynne
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Awards</th><th>Category</th><th>Recipient</th><th>Outcome</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2014</td><td>MOBO Awards</td><td>Best Newcomer</td><td>Herself</td><td>Nominated</td></tr><tr><td>BBC Music Awards</td><td>Song of the Year</td><td>"Rather Be"</td></tr><tr><td>LOS40 Music Awards</td><td>Best English Language Song</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>International Dance Music Awards</td><td>Best Featured Vocalist</td></tr><tr><td>Billboard Music Awards</td><td>Top Dance/Electronic Song</td></tr><tr><td>Grammy Awards</td><td>Best Dance Recording</td><td>Won</td></tr><tr><td>Ivor Novello Awards</td><td>Most Performed Work</td></tr><tr><td>Best Contemporary Song</td></tr><tr><td>Brit Awards</td><td>British Single of the Year</td><td>Nominated</td></tr><tr><td>British Single of the Year</td><td>"My Love"</td></tr><tr><td>British Video of the Year</td></tr><tr><td>MOBO Awards</td><td>Best Song</td><td>"Not Letting Go"</td></tr><tr><td>Best Female Act</td><td>Herself</td></tr><tr><td>Q Awards</td><td>Best New Act</td></tr><tr><td>MTV Japan Video Music Awards</td><td>Best New Artist International</td></tr><tr><td>MTV Europe Music Awards</td><td>Best New Act</td></tr><tr><td>Best Push Act</td></tr><tr><td>Best UK & Ireland Act</td></tr><tr><td>BBC Music Awards</td><td>Song of the Year</td><td>"Hold My Hand"</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td>Ivor Novello Awards</td><td>PRS For Music Most Performed Work</td></tr><tr><td>Brit Awards</td><td>British Single of the Year</td></tr><tr><td>British Breakthrough Act</td><td>Herself</td></tr><tr><td>British Female Solo Artist</td></tr><tr><td>Silver Clef Award</td><td>Best Newcomer Award</td><td>Won</td></tr><tr><td>Glamour Awards</td><td>Next Breakthrough</td></tr><tr><td>The A&R Awards</td><td>Breakthrough Artist Award</td></tr><tr><td>ASCAP Vanguard Award</td><td>Vanguard Award</td></tr><tr><td>EDM Song Award</td><td>"Hold My Hand"</td></tr><tr><td>BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards</td><td>Best British Solo artist</td><td>Herself</td><td>Nominated</td></tr><tr><td>MTV Europe Music Awards</td><td>Best World Stage Performance</td></tr><tr><td>BBC Music Awards</td><td>British Artist of the Year</td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td>NatWest British LGBT Awards</td><td>Music Artist of the Year</td><td>Won</td></tr><tr><td>Attitude Awards</td><td>Music Award</td><td>Won</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>Global Awards</td><td>Mass Appeal Award</td><td>Herself</td><td>Nominated</td></tr><tr><td>Best Female</td></tr><tr><td>Best British Artist or Group</td></tr><tr><td>Best Song</td><td>"These Days"</td></tr><tr><td>Most Played Song</td><td>Won</td></tr><tr><td>Brit Awards</td><td>British Video of the Year</td><td>Nominated</td></tr><tr><td>British Single of the Year</td></tr><tr><td>"I'll Be There"</td></tr><tr><td>British Female Solo Artist</td><td>Herself</td></tr><tr><td>Ivor Novello Awards</td><td>Most Performed Work</td><td>"These Days"</td><td>Won</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>Global Awards</td><td>Best Mass Appeal Award</td><td>Herself</td><td>Nominated</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>TikTok UK</td><td>Song of the Year</td><td>"Hold My Hand"</td><td>Won</td></tr></tbody></table>