Shaun Escoffery

Elton John’s endorsement marked Shaun Escoffery as one of Britain’s most promising voices when he entered the R&B arena in 2002. East London-born, he was raised by a singer mother and a DJ father in a household filled with music. His parents urged him toward an academic path, wary of the risks tied to a music career. An offer to supply backing vocals for his aunt, herself a vocalist, sparked his lasting commitment to performing. While still in college he began composing and tracking material, which led to a role in the Chaka Khan-fronted musical Mum I Wanna Sing. Oyster Music took notice of his independent 2001 release “Space Rider,” signed him, and reissued the track in 2002, drawing attention from key broadcasters Trevor Nelson and the Dreem Team.

His self-titled debut, an eclectic set featuring 4hero, MJ Cole, and Ed Case, arrived soon afterward and was later reissued in remix form as Soulonica; despite widespread praise it did not reach the U.K. charts. Recognition followed in the United States, where Lennox Lewis personally asked him to perform the National Anthem at his Memphis title bout against Mike Tyson, and both Erykah Badu and Angie Stone sought his contributions. In 2007 he joined longtime collaborator Geoffrey Williams for Move Into Soul, a set of classic soul covers that included “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “A Change Is Gonna Come.” That same year he appeared at the Donmar Warehouse in Parade, earning a Laurence Olivier nomination for his multiple roles, and in 2008 he took the part of Mufasa in the West End production of The Lion King. Following his West End run he issued three further albums: In the Red Room in 2014, Evergreen in 2016, and Strong Enough in 2020.