Joss Stone

Only in the 21st century could a soul singer emerge from a tiny village in rural Devon, south-west England, but then Joss Stone doesn't fit into the stereotypes.

Born in England in 1987, she made her TV debut at the age of 14, singing a Donna Summer song on a BBC talent show, although it was a few years before she made her mark. She released her debut album in 2003, the Mercury-nominated The Soul Sessions, which included a number of collaborations with well established artists including Angie Stone (no relation), Timmy Thomas and Betty Wright. The album went to the Top 5 in the UK and the Top 40 of the Billboard 200. Two of the singles from the album, "Fell in Love with a Boy" and "Super Duper Love", reached the Top 20 in the UK charts. Having built a solid following from album sales and strong live performances, her follow-up album, Mind, Body & Soul, went straight to No.1 in the UK and she had worldwide success with the single "You Had Me". It also earned her two BRIT Awards, for Best Female Solo Artist and British Urban Act, along with a string of other awards and nominations.

The name of her third album, Introducing Joss Stone (2007), reflected her increased creative input and was a big hit, debuting in the Billboard 200 at No.2. The album included tracks with Lauryn Hill and Common. The collaboration with Common was made into a downloadable video, the proceeds of which were donated to help HIV/AIDS causes in Africa. She has used her position as a celebrity to promote other causes, including participating in the 2004 Band Aid single, the Live Earth concert and starring in an ad for PETA. She has also extended her talents to the cinema, appearing as a witch in the 2006 fantasy Eragon.