Izzy Bizu

Izzy Bizu, born Isobel Bizu Beardshaw, is a British singer-songwriter of Ethiopian origin, born on 28 April 1994 in London.

She began her career in the band Coolbeanz. In February 2013, she won an open mic competition, impressing an audience that included Emeli Sande and Naughty Boy. She released her first independent EP, *Coolbeanz*, in September 2013, which reached number 3 on the iTunes Soul and RnB chart. The lead single, White Tiger, was selected as ‘Next Hype’ by Zane Lowe.

In 2014, she was selected by BBC Introducing to perform at the Glastonbury Festival. She then signed with Epic Records UK in July 2014. The first singles from her debut album, Adam & Eve and Diamond, received support from BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, and 1Xtra. She made her television debut in September 2015 on *Later with Jools Holland* following the release of her single Give Me Love.

She has opened for Sam Smith, Rudimental, and Foxes on their UK tours. In November 2015, she was shortlisted for the Brit Critics’ Choice Award and featured on the BBC Sound of 2016 longlist. In April 2016, she recorded a re-orchestrated, modern version of Edith Piaf’s La Foule with the BBC Concert Orchestra for the BBC’s coverage of UEFA Euro 2016.

Her debut album, *A Moment of Madness*, was released on 2 September 2016. She performed twice on the Park Stage at the Glastonbury Festival, in 2014 and 2016.

Influenced by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Bettye Swann, James Brown, Amy Winehouse, and Adele, she creates a fusion of soul, funk, jazz, and pop. She also cites The Black Keys, Diana Ross, Grammatics, and Sam Cooke among her inspirations. She describes herself as a fan of jazz-fusion blends and a follower of ‘squat parties’ and warehouse raves.