Misha B

Misha B is the stage name of Misha Bryan, a British singer-songwriter, rapper and recording artist from Manchester, England. Born in 1992, she is associated with pop, R&B, soul, funk and grime, and is also described in relation to her work as an X Factor finalist.

Early life and background

Born in Manchester, Misha Bryan is raised by her aunt in the city’s Moss Side and Longsight districts. She is of Jamaican descent. Before appearing on television talent shows, she performs on the Manchester open mic circuit and begins busking to help overcome stage fright. She also draws on the music and culture around her upbringing, including reggae, soca, dancehall, pop and bashment, and says her household is strongly shaped by soul music.

Television breakthrough

Misha B comes to national attention in the 2011 series of The X Factor UK, where she auditions with Aretha Franklin’s Respect and includes a rap break. She is one of The X Factor Finalists 2011 and later appears on the programme’s tour in 2012. Her performances are noted for combining singing and rapping, and for a style that stands apart from a traditional X Factor contestant.

Recordings and releases

After leaving the show, Misha B releases a freestyle performance for SB.TV in late 2011 and signs a record deal with Relentless Records in 2012. Her first mixtape, Why Hello World, is mixed by Manchester DJ Stylus and includes original songs as well as reinterpretations and covers. It features tracks such as “Big Dreaming” and “Last Forever”, alongside versions of songs including “Rolling in the Deep”, “Mirror” and “Climax”. The mixtape gains radio support and is released for free download.

Her debut single, “Home Run”, is co-written and produced by MNEK and is released through Relentless Records. It reaches No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 2 on the UK R&B Chart. Remixes of the single include versions by Kat Krazy, Zed Bias and Taiki & Nulight. Her second single, “Do You Think of Me”, is co-written by Misha B, Ayak Thiik and TMS, and co-produced by TMS and Misha B; it reaches No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart. A remix by Benny Page gives the track a dubstep and drum and bass direction. Her third single, “Here’s to Everything (Ooh La La)”, follows in 2013. She also releases a second mixtape, Knock Knock, which contains original snippets and covers of Otis Redding’s “Respect” and SWV’s “Weak”.

For her planned debut album, Misha B works with writers and producers including MNEK, TMS and Naughty Boy. The album title SixtyNine Degrees is mentioned in connection with a style that spans rock, indie, blues, pop, hip-hop, soul and R&B, with some rapping.

Live performances and touring

Misha B appears in a range of live settings soon after The X Factor, including the live SB.TV F64, acoustic sessions for media outlets, and the 2012 X Factor Tour. She supports Nicki Minaj on the UK dates of the Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour, performing in cities including Nottingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham, London and Cardiff, with DJ Manny Norté on stage. She also headlines Manchester Pride in 2012 and performs at 1Xtra Live at the Manchester Apollo, where she sings her singles, covers Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and performs new material. In 2013 she headlines a halftime performance at an NBA game at London’s O2 Arena, where she performs “Home Run” and “Runway”.

Style, influences and recognition

Misha B is known for soulful vocals and rap delivery, often bringing an urban twist to well-known songs. Her stated influences include Missy Elliott, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson, and she also names James Brown, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Grace Jones, Lauryn Hill, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé and Labrinth. She is also compared by commentators to artists such as Chaka Khan, Nicki Minaj, Grace Jones and Eartha Kitt.

She is nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2012 MOBO Awards and performs at both the nomination event and the awards ceremony. She also takes part in a series of short films for 4Music with the charity vInspired.