Shaznay Lewis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shaznay Lewis
Lewis performing in concert
Born
Tricia Marie Lewis

(1975-10-14) 14 October 1975 (age 48)
Islington, London, England
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • rapper
  • actress
Years active1993–present
Spouse
Christian Horsfall
(m. 2004)
Children2
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
LabelsLondon
Member ofAll Saints

Tricia Marie "Shaznay" Lewis[1] (born 14 October 1975) is a British singer. She is a member of the girl group All Saints. She has co-written most of the group's songs, including number one singles: "Bootie Call", "Pure Shores" and international hit single "Never Ever".

Lewis launched a solo career in 2004 with her debut solo album, Open, and singles "Never Felt Like This Before" and "You". She has written for other artists such as Stooshe, co-writing their Brit Award nominated hit single "Black Heart" and Little Mix, co-writing their hit single "How Ya Doin'?". She made three appearances for Arsenal Women Football Club when she was a teenager,[2] and played the team captain in Bend It Like Beckham (2002).[3]

Career[edit]

1993–2001: All Saints[edit]

At a party, Lewis was introduced by friends to Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot of Curiosity Killed the Cat, who took her to the Metamorphosis recording studios on All Saints Road, London, where she started doing backing vocals.[4] It was at the Metamorphosis recording studios where she met Melanie Blatt in 1993 and they proceeded to record together. Together with Simone Rainford they formed the group All Saints 1.9.7.5., which was later renamed All Saints. Soon after, Rainford left the group and Nicole and Natalie Appleton joined.

In 1997, All Saints experienced international success with BRIT Award-winning single "Never Ever", which is co-written by Lewis and topped the charts in the United Kingdom and Australia. The single sold over 1.2 million copies in the United Kingdom, being certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. The same year, the group released their debut album All Saints. Most of the songs were co-written by Lewis and the album reached number two in the United Kingdom. It was eventually certified platinum five times for sales of 1.5 million copies. In 2000 the group released their fourth number one single "Pure Shores", written by Lewis and William Orbit; the single was certified platinum by the BPI for sales of 600,000 copies. The group released their fifth number one single "Black Coffee", which was certified silver for sales of 200,000 copies.

In early 2001, All Saints broke up and Lewis began work on her solo career. The same year she won the Ivor Novello Award for best songwriting.

2002–2004: Open[edit]

In 2004, it was reported that Lewis would release her debut solo single "Never Felt Like This Before" on 5 July, which would precede her untitled debut solo album on which she'd worked with numerous writers and producers including: Basement Jaxx, Biz Markie, K-Gee, Bacon and Quarmby and Trevor Jackson.[5] The single reached no. 8 in the United Kingdom.[6] On 19 July she released her debut album Open, and it reached no. 22 in the United Kingdom.[7] Later that year she released new single "You", which peaked at no. 56 in the United Kingdom.[8]

Lewis has also appeared in several films including a role as Mel in the BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated Bend It Like Beckham (2002). She also played a role in Hideous Man (2002). On 14 November 2004 Lewis was involved in the Band Aid 20 re-recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas".[9]

2006–2019: All Saints reunion and songwriting[edit]

Lewis in 2007

On 24 January 2006, it was announced that All Saints had reformed with a new recording contract and would release a new album, Studio 1 on 13 November 2006.[10] She performed with All Saints on live television for the first time since reforming on the British light entertainment program Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway on 21 October 2006. All Saints' comeback began well, with their single, "Rock Steady", reaching no. 3 in the UK Singles Chart. They followed this with the release of their comeback album Studio 1. It peaked at no. 40 in the UK Albums Chart. Parlophone Records then released their second single "Chick Fit", but this failed to reach the chart. All Saints then parted company with their record label.

In January 2008, Lewis featured on the Wideboys track, "Daddy-O".[11] The single was released on 5 May 2008 and peaked at No. 32 in the UK. As a songwriter, Lewis is credited in Westlife's track "Reach Out", which was featured on their 2009 album Where We Are, the CocknBullKid track "Distractions" from her 2011 album Adulthood and the Stooshe single "Black Heart", released as a single in 2012.[12] In August 2012, it was reported Lewis was in the studio with original Sugababes line-up Mutya Keisha Siobhan, writing new material for their debut album.[13] In 2019 Shaznay co-wrote the theme music for the Netflix original series Turn Up Charlie with Idris Elba.

In 2014, All Saints reformed to support the Backstreet Boys for five dates across the UK and Ireland in 2014.[14] On 27 January 2016, it was confirmed that All Saints will release their fourth studio album Red Flag on 8 April 2016. The lead single from the album, "One Strike", preceded the album on 26 February 2016.[15] All Saints more recently released the 2018 album Testament saw the band reunite with producer William Orbit and was preceded by the singles Love Lasts Forever and After All. Both albums were written by Lewis and a string of collaborators including Fred Ball, Invisible Men, Futurecut & many more. To support both album releases, All Saints embarked on two UK tours, headlined festivals across the world and appeared as special guests on Take That's Wonderland Live arena and stadium tour.

In 2019, Lewis co-wrote the theme music for the Netflix original series 'Turn Up Charlie' with Idris Elba.

2023–present: Pages[edit]

On 14 November 2023 it was confirmed that Lewis would be performing at Mighty Hoopla in June 2024.[16] On 12 January 2024, she released the single "Miracle", her first solo single in twenty years.[17][18][19] In an interview with Entertainment Focus, Lewis said that the song came from "a relentless writing process between Emily Phillips and me. We pushed each other, we changed it a lot until, and when I finally listened to it I realised it was a love song to myself, about the person I’ve been for the past 25 years and where I am now. It’s a message of encouragement to return to my love of writing with self-esteem, and confidence in the way that made me happy."[20]

It was announced on 29 January 2024 that Lewis would release her second studio album, "Pages" on 17 May 2024 through 1.9.7.5. Recordings. The album also will feature a collaboration with Self Esteem and Shola Ama.

Personal life[edit]

Lewis was born in Islington to a Barbadian father and a Jamaican mother.

Despite growing up in a Spurs supporting household, Lewis made three appearances for Arsenal L.F.C. when she was a teenager.[2] On 21 August 2004, Lewis married dancer Christian "Storm" Horsfall.[21] They had their first child, a son named Tyler-Xaine, in February 2006. In November 2009, Lewis and her husband had their second child, a daughter named Tigerlily.

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak
chart
positions
UK SCO
Open 22 23
Pages To be released
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Singles[edit]

As main artist
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Single Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[22]
GER
[23]
IRL
[24]
NZ
[25]
SCO
[26]
"Never Felt Like This Before" 2004 8 82 35 19 7 Open
"You" 56 62
"Miracle" 2024 Pages
"Kiss of Life"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
As featured artist
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Single Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[27]
SCO
[26]
"I Wanna Be Your Lady"
(Hinda Hicks featuring Shaznay Lewis)
1997 14 Hinda
"Daddy-O"
(Wideboys featuring Shaznay Lewis)
2008 32 37 non-album single
"Ice Cream"
(Anthony Asher featuring Shaznay Lewis)
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Other appearances[edit]

Title Year Album
"Dream the Dream" 2002 Bend It Like Beckham

Music videos[edit]

Title Year Director Notes
"Never Felt Like This Before" 2004 Amy Holms
"You"
"Kiss of Life" 2024 Oscar J Ryan
Guest appearance
"I Don't Really Care" 2000 K-Gee's music video
"Free" 2004 Estelle's music video
"Lifeless" 2005 N-Dubz's music video

Filmography[edit]

Films[edit]

Year Title Role
2002 Hideous Man Regina
Bend It Like Beckham Mel

References[edit]

  1. ^ "LEWIS TRICIA MARIE". Births Registered in January February March 1976. London: General Register Office. pp. (page 727). Retrieved 13 October 2008. Scanned image of the original document. Restricted access.
  2. ^ a b "Shaznay Lewis". Nettwerk Music Group. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  3. ^ "All Saint Shaznay Lewis makes film debut". The Guardian. 18 June 2001.
  4. ^ [1] Archived 20 January 2005 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Ex-All Saint Shaznay Lewis Prepares Solo Debut". Tourdates.co.uk. Archived from the original on 9 January 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  6. ^ "17 July 2004 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive". Official Charts Company. 17 July 2004. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  7. ^ "31 July 2004 Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive". Official Charts Company. 31 July 2004. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  8. ^ "Shaznay Lewis | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  9. ^ "Shaznay.com news page". Allsaintsi.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  10. ^ WENN. "Contact music: All Saints confirm reunion". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  11. ^ "MWR". Profile.myspace.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  12. ^ "StooShe interview: 'We're a collective, not a girl group' – Music Interview". Digital Spy. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  13. ^ "Mutya Keisha Siobhan in studio with ex-All Saints star Shaznay Lewis – Music News". Digital Spy. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  14. ^ James Robertson (18 November 2013). "All Saints reunite to support Backstreet Boys on UK tour next year". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  15. ^ Amy Davidson (27 January 2016). "All Saints announce new single 'One Strike', and it was inspired by Nicole Appleton's split from Liam Gallagher". Digital Spy.
  16. ^ Geraghty, Hollie (14 November 2023). "Nelly Furtado, Jessie Ware, Rita Ora, Kim Petras and more announced for Mighty Hoopla 2024". NME. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  17. ^ Duran, Anagricel (12 January 2024). "All Saints' Shaznay Lewis shares first solo single in 20 years, 'Miracle'". NME. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  18. ^ Gotto, Connor (12 January 2024). "Shaznay Lewis drops first solo single in 20 years". Retro Pop Magazine. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Shaznay Lewis - Miracle - Single". Apple Music. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  20. ^ Ellwood-Hughes, Pip (12 January 2024). "All Saints star Shaznay Lewis releases new solo track 'Miracle'". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  21. ^ "All Saint Shaznay prepares for motherhood". 22 August 2005. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  22. ^ "The Official Charts Company - Shaznay Lewis discography". The Official Charts Company. 6 May 2013.
  23. ^ "German Chart > Shaznay". charts.de German Charts. Retrieved 10 February 2011.[dead link]
  24. ^ "Irish Singles Chart - NEVER FELT LIKE THIS BEFORE". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  25. ^ "New Zealand Charts > Shaznay". charts.nz Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  26. ^ a b
  27. ^ Peak chart positions for featured singles by Mel Blatt in UK:

External links[edit]