London-based neo-soul singer Kwabs went from posting covers on YouTube to a contract with Atlantic in three short years, thanks to tips from the media and the willingness of some hot producers to believe in his talent. Born Kwabena Sarkodee Adjepong in Ghana in 1990, he grew up in Bermondsey in central London, spending part of his childhood in the foster care system. Raised on a combination of soul, electronica, rock, classical and jazz, he was first noticed by his school music teacher, who introduced him to the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, where he was a lead vocalist for three years. After finishing school, he went on to study jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, and then was chosen to appear in the 2011 reality TV series Goldie's Band, in which '90s drum 'n' bass star Goldie put together a band of kids from troubled upbringings for a royal performance at Buckingham Palace.
