Benjamin Clementine

Benjamin Clementine was born in London and grew up in Paris. The Ghanaian singer-songwriter left home following poor school results and made a living as a busker on the Paris Métro. He was spotted by the owners of the Behind record label. Clementine returned to London, and his debut ‘At Least For Now’ (2014) immediately won the Mercury Music Prize, the greatest annual award. This was a choice for quality as the album only sold in France. Clementine kept commercial concerns at arm’s length and followed his own path, with no regard for norms and rules. That might have had something to do with his history as a busker. ‘And I Have Been’ (2022), part one of two, comprises more beautiful semi-classical piano pop that is really only comparable to the great Nina Simone. Clementine has also worked with Gorillaz and can be seen in the film ‘Dune’ (2021).