Harleighblu is a UK soul and neo-soul singer-songwriter from Nottingham, born in 1991. She starts writing songs at the age of seven at a community recording studio, and develops an early interest in music through her mother’s record collection, which includes soul and rare groove records.

As a child, she performs informally for school friends and enters local talent competitions, winning a number of them and using the prizes to buy music equipment. From the age of 12, she works with several producers, and her musical path develops further after meeting Birmingham-based Dino Nisbett and co-producer Andre Bassing. Through them, she meets Dennis Seaton of Musical Youth, a Grammy-nominated band, and gets the opportunity to sing backing vocals for the reunited group.

She also forms her own live band and begins performing locally, while working on collaborative material, songwriting and live shows. After the death of her grandfather, she reconsiders her musical direction and later works with producer Joe Buhdha, with whom she creates a large body of new songs. She then returns to the live circuit, playing local venues and festivals and supporting Liam Bailey and Natalie Duncan.

Harleighblu receives early backing from Rodney P, MistaJam and BBC Introducing, and signs to Tru Thoughts in late 2012. Her debut album follows in 2013.