Camille Purcell

'Camille'
Background information
Birth name	Camille Purcell
Origin	London, England
Genres	Pop, R&B
Associated acts	Ella Henderson, Little Mix, Jessie J

Camille, full name Camille Angelina Purcell, is an ASCAP award-winning British singer, songwriter, vocal arranger and vocal producer from South London, England signed to Sony ATV Publishing. She is known for writing The Saturdays first number one single "What About Us", for writing Ella Henderson's songs "Glow" and "Empire" with producers Steve Mac and TMS respectively, for her work on Little Mix's album Salute, and for co-writing Jessie J's official Kick-Ass 2 soundtrack song "Hero", as well as JLS' final single "Billion Lights". Her vocals are featured on Tinchy Stryder's 2012 single "Help Me" and on Special Request's drum and bass hit "Hackney Parrot", which BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe made his 'Hottest Record in the World'. ^[1] Camille has worked with other artists such as James Arthur, Cheryl Cole, Little Mix, Tamera Foster, Pixie Lott, Leona Lewis, Wiley, Sam Bailey, Angel Haze, Loveable Rogues, Conor Maynard and Rita Ora.

Early life

Camille is of Jamaican descent, and started singing from the age of three. Camille enjoyed going to church from a very young age, and was heavily involved in the youth gospel choir, where she learnt about harmonies, melody, and pitch. Her family loved music, and Camille's early life was influenced by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Bob Marley and Earth Wind and Fire as well as other noted Motown and R&B artists.

Camille took part in many school productions and plays and studied part-time at the Sylvia Young Theatre School to strengthen her singing, dancing and acting skills. However Camille was encouraged to focus on her education, which her parents always placed paramount over extra-curricular activities. Camille then decided to finish her school, sixth form and university qualifications before embarking upon a full-time career in music.

Career

Beginnings

Camille began working with producers in London where she began a body of musical work. It was here that Camille's songwriting capabilities came to the forefront. Camille developed a skill for writing great songs across pop, R&B, hip hop and dubstep genres.

Camille's first UK feature release was an uncredited vocal on Tinchy Stryder's single "Help Me",^[1] where she sung the chorus and bridge. Camille also wrote the chorus for UK rap group Roll Deep on their summer single "All or Nothing". Her vocals are also featured.

2012–present

Camille wrote The Saturdays' first number one single "What About Us" featuring Sean Paul. The track was produced and co-written by Art Bastian and was recorded at Rollover Studios in London, and served as the band's first US single, and their first UK number one single.

Camille worked with Little Mix and various producers to create three songs on their album Salute, released November 11, 2013 - "Nothing Feels Like You", "Boy" and "Good Enough". "Boy" was exclusively previewed by The Guardian on November 5 and received rave reviews, with tastemakers and fans calling it 'an ode to Destiny's Child'.

Camille has co-written the official Kick-Ass 2 film soundtrack song "Hero", recorded by Jessie J. She also co-wrote JLS' farewell single "Billion Lights" with songwriter Ali Tennant, which was produced by Sandy Vee and served as the band's final UK release. Camille wrote the song "Treasure" for The X Factor series ten winner Sam Bailey's debut album with Richard Stannard, and has been working with new artists such as Ella Henderson and Tamera Foster, as well as continuing to work with Little Mix on their third studio album.

Camille worked with hit-maker Steve Mac to create Ella Henderson's second single 'Glow' at Rokstone Studios, London. The song is about unity and bringing people together, and was Radio 1's 'Track of the Day' on Tuesday 12th August 2014.

In 2014, Purcell was the vocal coach for the eleventh series of The X Factor, and regularly appeared on The Xtra Factor.

Songwriting credits

Awards

Camille won the prestigious ASCAP 'Foundation Stone Award' which recognises the talent of new songwriters, presented by Paul Williams and Sean Divine at the 2013 ASCAP awards in London.

References

External links

• Camille Purcell on Twitter