Born and brought up in Plaistow, East London to a Jamaican mother and British/ Sicilian father, Jade's upbringing has been, unusual, to say the least. Her dad is blind and her mum is partially blind and deaf. Being a carer to her parents and two younger siblings has given Jade a pragmatic outlook on life. Since a three year-old singing in her grandma's garden, she's set her sights on making music, and pursued her dreams relentlessly. "My parent's disabilities have given me a lot of drive, because my mum always said she didn't want to see us struggling like her," says Jade. "Since I was young, I knew what I wanted to do, and their support and advice has given me the ambition to go out and get what I want."

With both parents unable to work and existing on disability benefits, money was far from flowing in the Ewen household. Approached by the renowned Sylvia Young theater school, but unable to pay the astronomical fees, Jade set her mind to winning one of the precious few scholarships on offer. She was successful, and as a teenage attendee of the school Jade appeared on The Bill, Casualty and Mr Harvey Lights A Candle, before cutting her vocal skills performing onstage as the female lead 'Nala' in The Lion King. After leaving school, Jade set out with steely determination to get signed.

Grabbing her dad, his guide dog and her demo, the three traveled west by tube to SonyBMG, where she impressed Hugh Goldsmith. Within weeks, the renowned A&R (Blue, Natalie Imbruglia, Newton Faulkner) gave her a deal on his RCA distributed Brightside label and set her to work. Citing Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield and Ashford & Simpson as inspiration, Jade and producer Kwame (Christina Aquilera, Usher, Pussy Cat Dolls, Fantasia) have been busy crafting tracks that explore life, love and growing up. Due for release this autumn, the songs were recorded live with a full band; they're truly a breath of fresh air in this age of digital mimicry.

"I think the energy is really there," she explains of the nine tracks so far mixed and mastered. "I'm young, I don't want to sound depressing and boring. But I think some of the second half of the album will look at my relationship with my family. I want to allow this record to be intimate and personal at times."

So stop. Take another look at Jade Ewen. What you see isn't all you get. Instead, recognize Jade Ewen for what she truly is; one of a kind. "I don't want to be like everyone else, and I'm not like anyone else either," concludes Jade simply. "I'm trying to have integrity and be honest in what I do, as that's what I respect and admire in the artists that I love."

Jade Ewen--"I Got U"

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Jade Ewen--"Stolen Love"

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Jade Ewen--"Ruthless"

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