Selah Sue
Selah Sue in Nürnberg 2010
Selah Sue in Nürnberg 2010
Background information
Birth nameSanne Putseys
Born (1989-05-03) 3 May 1989 (age 34)
OriginLeefdaal, Belgium
GenresSoul, reggae, pop, R&B
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Websiteselahsue.com
Selah Sue at the Zelt-Musik-Festival 2018 in Freiburg, Germany

Selah Sue (born Sanne Greet A. Putseys,[1][2] 3 May 1989) is a Belgian musician and songwriter. Her debut album, Selah Sue (2011), was a major success, selling over 720,000 copies in Europe,[3][4][5] 320,000 in France alone. In 2011, she had chart success with the hit singles "Raggamuffin", "Crazy Vibes" and "This World". In 2011, Selah Sue won a European Border Breakers Award (EBBA).[6] In January 2012 during the EBBA award ceremony she was presented with the EBBA Public Choice Award.[7]

On 28 August 2012, her debut album was also released in the United States, where the album received positive reviews. More than 400,000 downloads were counted in one week.[8] Rolling Stone magazine named Selah Sue as one of the new faces of 2012.[9]

Background

Sanne Putseys (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈsɑnə pʏtˈsɛis]) was born in Leefdaal (province of Vlaams-Brabant), near the provincial capital Leuven.[2] At age fifteen she learned to play the acoustic guitar and started to write her own songs as well. When she was seventeen a Belgian producer asked her to sing some demos of his songs, after which Universal[which?] offered her a contract. She refused, because she wanted to sing her own songs. At the same time she performed as the youngest and only female artist at the open-song contest Open Mic-avond at Het Depot in Leuven. Organizer and singer Milow (born Jonathan Vandenbroeck) had noticed her talents and asked her to perform in his supporting programme. Initially, Putseys managed to work out her musical career path while studying psychology at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. According to her, studying psychology helped her to understand more about human emotions, which also is something that she has to deal with in her musical activities. Eventually, she continued doing warm-up performances in collaboration with artists such as Jamie Lidell in London and Paris. Furthermore, she played with the Belgian band Novastar at the Paradiso in Amsterdam.[10]

Selah Sue often covers songs of Erykah Badu and The Zutons, but she has assembled a whole range of her own songs. Two of her well-known songs are "Mommy" and "Black Part Love", both of which are carried out acoustically. She says that she is influenced by artists such as Lauryn Hill, M.I.A., Erykah Badu.,[11] Nneka, Meshel Ndegeocello, The Fugees.[12]

Commercial success

Sue's first EP was released in January 2009, under the title Black Part Love.[13] From September 2008 until August 2009, Selah Sue received some curricular guidance from the Belgian musical theater, Ancienne Belgique. The programme, in which she was involved, has been set up to support promising artists who aren't associated with any record company or other kinds of managing assistance. In 2009, Selah Sue attended the stages of the North Sea Jazz Festival and Lowlands.[14] Additionally, she regularly appears on TV shows such as De Wereld Draait Door on Dutch television and several other Flemish TV shows.[15]

Sue sitting in with Triggerfinger 20 August 2010

In 2010, she played most of the biggest festivals in Belgium, including Les Nuits Botaniques, Les Ardentes, Dour Festival, Lokerse Feesten, Couleur Café and Pukkelpop. But also outside her native country in big festivals such as Lowlands in the Netherlands, Eurockéennes in France and Sziget Festival (Hungary). Her second EP, Raggamuffin, was released in October 2010.[16] On 8 November 2010 she played a support appearance for Prince on his Sportpaleis concert.[17] She then went on a mostly sold out headlining show in Belgium, France and the Netherlands, presenting her forthcoming debut album.

On 4 March 2011, Selah Sue released her eponymous debut album. The album has peaked at number one on the Belgium Albums Chart and has also charted in the Netherlands, France and Switzerland.[18] Besides several hit singles, such as "This World" and "Crazy Vibes", the album also contains a duet with Cee Lo Green, called "Please".[19] On 10 December 2011, she won three prizes at the Flemish Music Industry Awards.[20]

On 20 October 2012, Selah Sue played at the royal wedding in Luxembourg.[21] She recorded a version of "Spoonful" for a Häagen-Dazs commercial featuring Bradley Cooper.[22]

Sue during her concert at the Jval Festival in Switzerland, 31 August 2014.

On 27 October 2014, Selah Sue released a new song, "Alone". The song was a commercial success and reached number 1 in Wallonia and was a top 10 hit in Flanders and France. 240, featuring American musician Childish Gambino. It also featured a collaboration with Scottish producer and DJ Hudson Mohawke. The album reached number 1 in both Flanders and Wallonia as well in The Netherlands. She was nominated for 3 prizes at the 2015 Music Industry Awards. She ultimately won the award for Best solo female artist, already for the fifth time.

Selah Sue co-wrote Belgium's Eurovision Song Contest 2016 entry, "What's the Pressure" performed by Laura Tesoro. The song finished 10th in the competition. In December 2016 "Bang Bang", a collaboration by DJ Fresh and Diplo, was released and featured vocals by Selah Sue. The song also features vocals by R. City and Craig David.

In 2020, after a hiatus of 5 years, Selah Sue released the EP "Bedroom" on 15 May. The song "You" was released as the first official single of the EP on 17 April 2020 and was dedicated to her family. Before the release of the EP Selah Sue hosted a livestream concert series from her bedroom called "Lullaby Sessions" because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[23]

Personal life

In May 2014 Selah Sue made public that she has been struggling with depression in the Flemish talkshow "Reyers Laat". She admitted that she has been using medication since she was 18 years old. She stated that antidepressants helped her to be the person she is now and that it helped her to achieve her success.[24] Her confession came shortly after a documentary about antidepressant was broadcast in Flanders. She showed support for campaigns in Flanders to help youngsters who are suffering from depression. In 2016 she was the godmother of "Te Gek!?", a campaign on Flemish schools to give depression among young people more visibility.[25]

In October 2016, Selah Sue announced through a video on Facebook that she was expecting her first child. In March 2017, she announced that her first son, Seth, had been born.[26] In March 2019 her second son Mingus was born.[27]

In 2021 she stopped antidepressants and started with using magic truffles[28]

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications
Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
BEL
(FL)
[29] 		BEL
(WA)
[30] 		FRA
[31] 		GER
[32] 		HUN
[33] 		NLD
[34] 		POL
[35] 		SWI
[36] 		US
Heat
[37]
Selah Sue 1 1 9 — — 2 31 32 8
Reason
  • Released: 30 March 2015
  • Label: Because Music
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 1 1 3 82 36 1 23 9 —
Persona
  • Released: 25 March 2022[43]
  • Label: Because Music
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 5 4 18 — — 15 — 34 —
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

Compilation albums

List of compilation albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
FRA
[31]
Rarities
  • Released: 5 November 2012
  • Label: Because Music
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 57

Remixes albums

List of remixes albums, with selected details
Title Details
Reason Remixes
  • Released: 27 November 2015
  • Label: Because Music
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Details Peak chart positions
BEL
(FL)
[29] 		BEL
(WA)
[30] 		FRA
[31]
iTunes Festival: London 2011
  • Released: 25 July 2011[44]
  • Label: Because Music
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 — — 102
Alone
  • Released: 1 December 2014[45]
  • Label: Because Music
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 — — —
Bedroom
  • Released: 15 May 2020[46]
  • Label: Because Music
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 17 61 159
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

Singles

As lead artist

Single Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
BEL
(FL)
[29] 		BEL
(WA)
[30] 		FRA
[31] 		NLD
[34] 		SWI
[36]
"Raggamuffin" 2010 29 16 18 81 — Selah Sue
"Crazy Vibes" 2011 21 26 74 56 —
"This World" 2 15 33 — 42
"Summertime" —[A] —[B] — — —
"Zanna"
(with Tom Barman vs. The Subs) 		1 29 — 77 — Rarities
"Crazy Sufferin Style" 2012 —[C] —[D] — — —
"Fade Away" —[E] —[F] — — —
"Alone" 2014 5 1 9 53 — Reason
"Reason" 2015 —[G] 41 115 — —
"I Won't Go for More" —[H] —[I] 191 — —
"Fear Nothing" —[J] — — — —
"Together"
(featuring Childish Gambino) 		2016 46 — — — —
"So This Is Love" 2017 —[K] —[L] — — — Jazz Loves Disney 2: A Kind of Magic
"You"[49] 2020 43 —[M] — — — Bedroom EP
"Always – Cosmo" —[N] — — — —
"Free Fall" 2021 — — — — — Persona
"Hurray"
(featuring TOBi) 		48 — — — —
"Pills" 2022 22 — — — —
"When It All Falls Down" 2023 — 42 — — — Non-album single
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

As featured artist

Single Year Peak chart positions Album
BEL
(FL)
[29] 		BEL
(WA)
Tip
[30]
"Faces"
(Patrice featuring Selah Sue) 		2014 —[O] — The Rising of the Son
"At Sea Again"
(Slime featuring Selah Sue) 		2015 — — Company
"Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
(Walk of the Earth featuring Selah Sue) 		2016 — — N/A
"A Million Ways"
(Pomrad featuring Selah Sue) 		2016 — — Knights
"Bang Bang"
(DJ Fresh vs Diplo featuring R. City, Selah Sue and Craig David) 		35 — —
"Pull the Strings"
(Maverick featuring Selah Sue) 		2017 — 47
"The Minute"
(Maverick featuring Selah Sue) 		2018 — —
"Que sera sera"
(Marcus Miller featuring Selah Sue) 		— — Laid Black
"Guy-Funk"
(Zwangere Guy featuring Selah Sue) 		2019 —[P] 38 Wie is Guy?
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

Notes

  1. ^ "Summertime" did not enter the Belgian (FL) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 9 on the Ultratip chart.[29]
  2. ^ "Summertime" did not enter the Belgian (WA) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 17 on the Ultratip chart.[30]
  3. ^ "Crazt Sufferin Style" did not enter the Belgian (FL) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 9 on the Ultratip chart.[29]
  4. ^ "Crazy Sufferin Style" did not enter the Belgian (WA) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 33 on the Ultratip chart.[30]
  5. ^ "Fade Away" did not enter the Belgian (FL) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 1 on the Ultratip chart.[29]
  6. ^ "Fade Away" did not enter the Belgian (WA) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 9 on the Ultratip chart.[30]
  7. ^ "Reason" did not enter the Belgian (FL) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 2 on the Ultratip chart.[29]
  8. ^ "I Won't Go for More" did not enter the Belgian (FL) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 4 on the Ultratip chart.[29]
  9. ^ "I Won't Go for More" did not enter the Belgian (WA) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 16 on the Ultratip chart.[30]
  10. ^ "Fear Nothing" did not enter the Belgian (FL) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 2 on the Ultratip chart.[29]
  11. ^ "So This Is Love" did not enter the Belgian (FL) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 1 on the Ultratip chart.[29]
  12. ^ "So This Is Love" did not enter the Belgian (WA) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 32 on the Ultratip chart.[30]
  13. ^ "You" did not enter the Belgian (WA) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 20 on the Ultratip chart.[30]
  14. ^ "Always – Cosmo" did not enter the Belgian (FL) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 26 on the Ultratip chart.[29]
  15. ^ "Faces" did not enter the Belgian (FL) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 84 on the Ultratip chart.[29]
  16. ^ "Guy-Funk" did not enter the Belgian (FL) Ultratop 50 Singles chart, but peaked at number 2 on the Ultratip chart.[29]

References

  1. ^ "GEMA - Mitglieder - Repertoiresuche". Archived from the original on 29 March 2014.
  2. ^ a b Wensink, Herien (2009) "A Flemish singer with a Jamaican soul", NRC, 21 August 2009. Retrieved 3 November 2010
  3. ^ On s’exilerait bien pour Selah Sue, Le Parisien, 22 November 2012
  4. ^ "Selah Sue – De Standaard". Standaard.be. 9 December 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Sterrennieuws: Nieuwe versie van debuutalbum Selah Sue". Sterrennieuws.be. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  6. ^ "European Border Breakers Awards, Selah Sue". Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  7. ^ "European Border Breakers Awards 2012 presented". Archived from the original on 17 January 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  8. ^ Amerika houdt van Selah Sue, Clint.be, 31 Augustus 2012
  9. ^ New Faces 2012: Selah Sue, Rolling Stone, October 2012
  10. ^ "Vacatures zoeken in Vlaanderen, Brussel en Wallonië | Jobat.be". Vacature.com. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  11. ^ "Selah Sue, Belgian Revelation". Focus On Belgium. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  12. ^ Travillian, Yvette. "Interview: What's Up With Selah Sue?". The Couch Sessions. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  13. ^ "Selah Sue – Black Part Love". Ultratop.be. Archived from the original on 17 December 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  14. ^ Charles Bradley is de held van North Sea Jazz, Selah Sue, 10 July 2011, Nu.nl
  15. ^ "De Wereld Draait Door, Selah Sue". Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  16. ^ "Selah Sue – Raggamuffin". Ultratop.be. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  17. ^ "Prince ontvangt Selah Sue in zijn kleedkamer (Antwerpen) – De Standaard". Standaard.be. 10 November 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  18. ^ "Discografie Selah Sue". Ultratop.be. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  19. ^ Selah Sue op album Cee Lo Green, Muziek.nl, 25 October 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2010
  20. ^ "Milow en Selah Sue kapen drie MIA's weg, Mauro beste muzikant". Focus Knack (in Dutch). 11 December 2011.
  21. ^ "Luxembourg Royal Wedding Program". Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  22. ^ Eames, Tom (7 May 2013). "Bradley Cooper becomes face of Häagen-Dazs ice cream – video". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  23. ^ "Selah Sue na 5 jaar terug met nieuwe muziek: "Voor mijn kinderen en voor mijn vader die in coma ligt vanwege corona"". 17 April 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  24. ^ . 9 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20160202235725/http://www.demorgen.be/tvmedia/selah-sue-openhartig-over-haar-strijd-tegen-depressie-b9dec074/. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. ((cite web)): Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ^ "Selah Sue meter van campagne 'Te Gek' – Knack – Nieuws, opinie en duiding – Knack". Knack.be. 1 April 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  26. ^ Vincent, Coralie (22 March 2017). "Selah Sue maman, Loana recasée". Closer. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  27. ^ "Selah Sue bevallen van tweede kindje". HLN.be. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  28. ^ VRTelevision 26/1/2022 and her new single "Pills".
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Discografie Selah Sue". Ultratop (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Discographie Selah Sue". Ultratop (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  31. ^ a b c d "Discographie Selah Sue". lescharts.com (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  32. ^ "Discographie von Selah Sue" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  33. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista (week 16, 2015)". slagerlistak.hu. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  34. ^ a b "Discografie Selah Sue". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  35. ^ Peak chart positions for studio albums in Poland:
  36. ^ a b "Discographie Selah Sue". Hitparade (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  37. ^ "Selah Sue – Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  38. ^ "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  39. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Selah Sue" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 29 September 2018. Enter Selah Sue in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  40. ^ "Selah Sue dיcroche un disque de platine". Chartsinfrance.net. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  41. ^ "Platinum archive – 2012". ZPAV. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  42. ^ "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  43. ^ "Persona by Selah Sue". Apple Music. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  44. ^ "iTunes Festival: London 2011 – EP by Selah Sue". Apple Music. 25 July 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  45. ^ "Alone – EP by Selah Sue". Apple Music. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  46. ^ "Bedroom – EP by Selah Sue". Apple Music. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  47. ^ a b c d "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  48. ^ "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. 27 February 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  49. ^ Pineau, Marine (17 April 2020). "Selah Sue annonce son nouvel EP avec You, un nouveau single". Virgin Radio. Retrieved 18 April 2020.

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