U.K. pop singer John Newman crafts soulful performances that fuse his affinity for vintage R&B with contemporary pop, hip-hop, and electronic dance elements. Born in Settle, North Yorkshire, England, in 1990, he absorbed Motown and Northern soul influences from his mother during childhood. In his teenage years he experimented with hip-hop and house, later refining those interests through frequent gigs across a three-year period at Leeds College of Music. Following his elder brother’s example of leaving home to chase a music career, Newman relocated to London. There he partnered with drum’n’bass act Rudimental, yielding two 2012 Top 20 hits: the powerful and upbeat chart-topper “Feel the Love” and the anthemic “Not Giving In,” which also featured London-born singer/songwriter Alex Clare.
The breakthrough of “Feel the Love” sparked an intense stretch of songwriting and recording throughout 2012, during which Newman secured high-profile support slots alongside Plan B. Rudimental’s debut album reached number one on the U.K. album charts in May 2013, positioning his already acclaimed guest vocals next to contributions from artists such as Emeli Sandé and Angel Haze. By then his first solo material had surfaced online, among them the piano-driven track “Love Me Again,” which climbed to number one in the U.K. that July. Several months later he issued his debut album, Tribute, which debuted at the summit of the British album charts.
Newman topped the U.K. pop chart—and entered the Top 20 of the U.S. Hot 100—in 2015 as the featured vocalist on Calvin Harris’ “Blame,” before unveiling his sophomore album Revolve. Cut in Los Angeles with producers that included Greg Kurstin (Sia, Beyoncé), the record also showcased joint work with Harris and the Gap Band’s Charlie Wilson, ultimately peaking at number two in Britain. After completing promotional duties, Newman received radiopathy treatment for a brain tumor; he had previously undergone surgery in 2012 to excise a comparable non-cancerous growth that resurfaced by 2016, prompting an extended hiatus for recovery. He reemerged gradually, first releasing the 2018 single “Fire in Me” and then “Feelings” in 2019. Output accelerated through the year with a trio of acoustic singles and the EP A.N.i.M.A.L.
