Daley

Daley is a UK soul artist from London, born in 1989, whose work sits across alternative R&B, contemporary R&B, neo soul, pop, R&B and soul. He is known for a sound he describes as “future throwback soul”, combining older soul influences with a more forward-looking production style.

Background

He grows up in Manchester, where he develops his style by studying soul singers from different eras and making bedroom recordings as a teenager. He says the Manchester scene is heavily focused on guitar and dance music, leaving little space for the urban scene, and that those home recordings become an important training ground for him.

Early releases and breakthrough

Daley first reaches a wider audience through his appearance on Gorillaz’s 2010 chart hit “Doncamatic”, after a mutual friend introduces the group to his music at one of his London shows. He follows this with the 2011 single “Smoking Gun”, which receives strong radio play and brings him notice on BBC Radio 1Xtra, where he is named among the station’s “Sound of 2011” honourable mentions.

He also co-writes Wretch 32’s “Long Way Home”. After difficulties with his label and personal investment in promotion, he completes the EP Those Who Wait, which becomes an early online success in 2012. He then releases the EP Alone Together later the same year. Its title track, featuring Marsha Ambrosius, becomes his first US single and receives early support from WBLS in New York.

Albums, collaborations and recognition

Daley’s debut album, Days & Nights, brings together UK and US influences with sparse electro-ambient production. The record includes “Be”, which uses 1980s-style percussion and piano chords, “Blame The World”, which adds boom-bap brass and orchestral backing, “Broken”, a ballad, and “Look Up”, which is co-produced by Pharrell and recalls the spirit of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”.

He works with Jessie J on “Remember Me”, a duet whose video draws more than 5 million views on YouTube/VEVO. He also features on Nelly’s single “Heaven”.

His growing profile brings two Soul Train Award nominations and first MOBO nominations in 2013, for Best Newcomer and Best R&B Artist. He also supports Miguel, Emeli Sandé and Jessie J on tour, and is noted as a favourite of George Michael and Bobby Womack.

Profile

Daley’s image is marked by his black frames and mohawk, and his singing is noted for its falsetto and blend of vulnerability and strength. He is active online, where his “#ASKDALEY” hashtag trends globally, and he is described as one of BBC 1Xtra Live’s most shared acts.