CHASING AMY WINEHOUSE

BY: Alexis Eichelberger

It’s been nearly ten years since Amy Winehouse tragically passed, but her impact on music will last for many years to come.

Winehouse, her genre-bending and groundbreaking musical style, and her heartbreakingly beautiful legacy are continuing to inspire artists today. Many have tried to imitate her. Only some will hope to compare.

Here are five rising stars who unmistakably emanate Amy Winehouse vibes. Each has her style, but they all have that same sensual charm that Amy did. They let us reminisce about a beloved artist gone too soon while also making their individualistic mark on the music world.

CELESTE

Celeste is a British-American R&B powerhouse who hails from California. She’s been pursuing music since she was a teenager, recording songs on Apple’s GarageBand app and publishing her creations on SoundCloud. She released her debut single in 2016 and has been steadily climbing to the top ever since.

Celeste’s voice often draws comparisons to Winehouse, as well as Adele and Billie Holiday. Suppose that’s not enough to fascinate you. In that case, she’s been nominated for a few dozen prestigious awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song for her track “Hear My Voice.” The song was featured in Netflix’s The Trial of the Chicago 7.

CHARLOTTE CARDIN

Charlotte Cardin is a 26-year-old singer-songwriter from Canada. She first entered the arts and entertainment world as a model when she was just 15 years old. But her powerful vocals soon caught the world’s attention when she competed on the French-Canadian version of the competition TV show The Voice.

Cardin’s blend of pop and jazz styles echoes Amy Winehouse. But Cardin sets herself apart from the crowd by crooning in English and French to create a romantic bilingual blend of songs. A hint of electronic production takes her sound to the next level.

CLOVES

Like Cardin, the Australian artist CLOVES also started as a professional artist on her country’s version of The Voice. But CLOVES, or Kaity Dunstan, started singing with her sister in local bars and pubs long before then. Her passion has always been music, and since 2015, she’s been sharing that with the world.

We can hear Amy Winehouse every time we listen to CLOVES’ deep, soulful voice. Her most popular tracks are slow, stripped-down songs that let her stunning vocals shine. Her 10-track debut album Nightmare on Elmfield Road dropped earlier this year and is a true sonic treat.

MAHALIA

This young artist is one of the UK’s hottest rising stars. Mahalia is a Jamaican-British singer-songwriter who penned her first song at age 8. She was only a few years older –– just 13 –– when she scored her first record deal. It seems she was always meant to do great things.

Her sensual style of singing has caught the attention of several global R&B superstars. Mahalia has collaborated with artists like Ella Mai, Russ, Ty Dolla $ign, and more. We can’t wait to see her next move.

GEEJAY

GeeJay (pronounced GJ) is a Nigerian-born artist who traveled across the globe to pursue music. After growing up and kicking off her career in the southern part of Nigeria, she relocated to Europe and began recording and releasing music with fellow African artists. Her soulful blend of African beats and language with modern production methods makes for a multicultural musical treat, and her strong vocals remind us of Winehouse through and through.