NOT YOUR MUSE

When the British vocalist, Celeste recently appeared on this year's Academy Awards show to perform her nominated song, "Hear My Voice" she had co-written for the film, "The Trial of the Chicago 7", this was her major appearance on these shores. But she had already made a big impact in her home country and throughout Europe with her first album, "Not Your Muse", debuting at number one in the UK earlier in the year. The twenty-seven old singer received nominations for Best New Artist and Album of the Year at the 2021 Brit Awards.

Born Celeste Epiphany Waite in Culver City, CA. to a British mother working as a make-up artist and a Jamaican father who had recently moved to the US. But after her parents separated when she was three, Celeste moved to the UK with her mother. As she was growing up, Celeste was interested in ballet and music, particularly classic soul and jazz. By the time she was teenager, music had become very important to her, writing songs and performing with several bands. And after graduating from high school, Celeste began her pursuit of a professional music career.

Celeste first gained attention with the song she wrote called "Daydreaming". This ballad was released as a single in 2016 under pop-star, Lily Allen's record label. This lead to an EP, "The Milk and The Honey" the following year. With her vocals being compared to everyone from Billie Holiday to Adele, this made people pay attention and they quickly discovered that Celeste had her own distinctive sound. She signed with Polydor Records, releasing several singles and another EP, "Lately" in 2019. Buzz continued to build around Celeste and when Elton John added two of her songs to his Apple Music playlist, people began to actively seek out the young singer. 

Finally, Celeste's debut was released in January (with most songs written by the singer and musician/producer, Jamie Hartman) and the singles, "Strange", "Stop This Flame", "A Little Love" and "Love Is Back" helped make the album a big success. She has hasn't received much attention in this country yet but I have a feeling Celeste will be a name and voice we will be hearing from here very soon. Here are a few highlights of the music from this dynamic vocalist:

2021 OSCAR NOMINEES FOR BEST ORIGINAL SONG

This year's Oscar nominees for Best Original Song features another group of strong contenders with any one of them being a good choice for the award. The Netflix musical-comedy of the annual Eurovision Song contest, "The Story of Fire Saga" has their only nomination with the pop-power ballad, "Húsavík (My Hometown)" which actress, Rachel McAdams lip syncs in the film to the vocals of Swedish pop singer, Molly Sandén. "Hear My Voice", from "The Trial of the Chicago 7", was written by composer, Daniel Pemberton and rising British soul singer, Celeste who also performs the tune. Actor Leslie Odom, Jr. does double duty; playing soul legend, Sam Cooke in the film, "One Night in Miami..." and co-writing (with Sam Ashworth) and performing the nominated song, "Speak Now". R&B vocalist, H.E.R. delivers a powerful anthem, "Fight For You" for the bio-drama, "Judas and the Black Messiah" which involves the tragic betrayal of Black Panther chairman, Fred Hampton by an FBI informant. And there is "Io Si (Seen)" from the feature film "The Life Ahead" which is highlighted by the return of screen legend, Sophia Loren. This ballad was co-written by Italian pop star, Laura Pausini (who also performs the song) and Diane Warren, making this her twelfth Oscar nomination yet she still hasn't taken home the prize.

My prediction is that the award will go to the sentimental favorite, Diane Warren for her well-admired work over her lengthy career. But who knows? Here are the five nominated songs to hear and judge for yourself:

"Fight for You" from "Judas and the Black Messiah" (Music by H.E.R. and Dernst Emile II; Lyric by H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas)



"Hear My Voice" from "The Trial of the Chicago 7" (Music by Daniel Pemberton; Lyric by Daniel Pemberton and Celeste Waite)



"Húsavík" from "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga" (Music and Lyric by Savan Kotecha, Fat Max Gsus and Rickard Göransson)



"Io Si (Seen)" from "The Life Ahead" (Music by Diane Warren; Lyric by Diane Warren and Laura Pausini)



"Speak Now" from "One Night in Miami..." (Music and Lyric by Leslie Odom, Jr. and Sam Ashworth)