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BIOGRAPHY

Bio

 

Lovella Ellis, known by her stage name as Lov’Ellis, is an exceptional ‘one of a kind’, exotic cocktail of musical fusion. This British singer has managed to tactfully merge Lover’s Rock and Roots Reggae genres seamlessly to create a unique, classic, versatile Soul edge.

 

Her music credentials are seeped in a rich history of musical heritage as her father was none other than the late great Rocksteady legend, Alton Ellis OD.

 

History

Lov'Ellis was born to Sigma Ellis January 8th 1981 in London, UK.

 

Lov'Ellis discovered her craft from the age of 9 but kept it from her family until the age of 16 years old, she would harmonise songs word for word behind closed doors.

 

Lov'Ellis first performance was with her Father in 1999 was at the Spanish restaurant Pangea, on Atlantic Road Brixton. She recalls standing on a beer box as her first stage.

 

She went on to perform with her father again in 2001 at the Catford Theatre and the Metropolitan Hotel on Edgware Road London.

 

As time went by her love for the music industry heightened, and the passion for song writing blossomed naturally leading her to perform regularly at venues all over the UK, including the popular Jazz Cafe in Camden Town, London.

 

Death of A Legend- ‘Daddy’

Sadly, on October 11th 2008, her Father, Alton Ellis passed away in Hammersmith Hospital, London. It was a sad and difficult time for Lov'Ellis and her siblings Dean Ellis & Christopher Ellis to watch their Father take his last breath.

                 

Representing her Father

In a bid to honour her father and keep the promise she made with him, Lov'Ellis stepped up and took on the mantle.

 

In November 2008 after returning from Jamaica, Lov'Ellis was invited to represent her father as a special guest at the British Film Institute (BFI) where she performed two of his well-known hits songs, ‘I’m Still in Love’, & ‘Breaking Up is Hard To Do’. Coincidentally Lov'Ellis had also covered these songs in R&B in 1998.

 

February 14th 2009 at the Hootananny, Brixton, Lov'Ellis and her manager Jeff Thompson on behalf of the Ellis family held a tribute show in honour of her Father entitled ‘I’m Still in Love’. The tribute show ‘I’m Still In Love, which was very close to her heart, was a statement to the music industry that she would continue in her father’s footsteps come what may.

 

 

Gaining Recognition

 

Lov'Ellis then went on to record ‘Willow Tree’, in January 2009, as a tribute to the legend himself, and also ‘Love on Top’ which proved to be very popular with DJs in the UK and other parts of the world. 

 

April 2009 Lov'Ellis graced the stage at the Coronet London, as the Opening act for Beres Hammond. Also appearing on the night was, Ken Boothe and Maxi Priest.

 

Saturday 27th November 2010 an exclusive Concert, with Errol Dunkley & Lov'Ellis took place at The Black Grape. This was another chance for Lov'Ellis to exhale as an artist in her own right.

 

 

As a result of Lov'Ellis’s hard work recognition just kept coming. She won the Community Music Arts Award in 2011 for ‘Best Crossover Act'. In that same year came the release of the documentary 'Story of Lover's Rock' of which Lov'Ellis had a featured part in. This Documentary was showed in cinemas all over the UK.

 

Lov'Ellis had the pleasure of performing on the same stage in the UK with Artist such as Heatwave, Rose Royce, Jaki Graham, Kenny Thomas, Omar, Junior Giscombe, Beverley Knight, John Holt, Freddie McGregor, Janet Kay, Carrol Thompson, Ken Boothe, Luciano, Gappy Ranks, Morgan Heritage, Mr Vegas, and many more.

 

In 2012 Lov'Ellis teamed up with Nereus Joseph, to cover the song “Come Out to Play” written by Ciyo Brown; it became an instant hit and stayed in Choice FM’s UK Official Reggae Chart for 4 weeks at number 2.

 

In February 2013 Lov'Ellis was awarded the Best British Female Newcomer by the British Reggae Industry Award (BRIA).

 

She was also nominated for the BEFFA as ‘Best Unsigned Act’ in 2013. To her surprise once again in 2014, Lov'Ellis was up for ‘Best UK Reggae Act’.

 

Debut EP Release

In 2013 Lov'Ellis launched her first album, "VERSATILE” at the well-known ‘Jazz Café’ in Camden Town.

 

Since then Lov'Ellis has also released her 8 track EP “I’m Getting Stronger” available on her website.

 

 

“It has not been easy being the daughter of a legend, due to the high expectations placed on me.  I’m proud of the little I have done so far but I still have a long way to go” Lov'Ellis 

 

Lov'Ellis' music has taken her to many places throughout Europe the West Indies and other parts of the world.

 

One of the projects that is very close to her heart, is finishing a ‘School Tour’ educating children about Domestic Violence (DV), which she is an active ambassador for.

 

Being aware of the ever evolving entertainment industry, Lov'Ellis is open to using her additional talent – acting- to expand her platform, and is currently exploring the possibilities of a career in film and television in the very near future.

 

Lov'Ellis' desire is to see all the singers in the Ellis family come together and create a foundation that will inspire a future generation. 

 

Re-Branding

Lov'Ellis took time off the reggae scene in order to re-brand and maintain her own artist identity. Therefore, changing her artist name from Lovella Ellis, to Lov’Ellis. 

 

Her first come back single was an original song released February 14th 2016 entitled 'Loving You Baby' complete with an exclusive video merging ballet and reggae. The song became an instant hit and went straight into the Mi-Soul Reggae Charts and reached number 1 knocking of the number one hit 'My Dream' by Nesbeth.

 

'Too Late to Turn Back Now' was the most recent single released by Lov'Ellis in February 2018. Lov'Ellis has been inspired to focus on producing her first Rocksteady/Ska album as a continuation of her father's legacy.

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