Selah Sue at 3-Majówka 2016: Belgian pop and soul with trip-hop and electronics

Selah Sue’s real name is Sanne Putseys, and she is regarded as Europe’s successor to Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill. The strikingly beautiful young Belgian has become one of the music world’s sensations in recent years. Her self-titled debut album, “Selah Sue”, released in 2011, enjoyed dazzling success. The outstanding singles “This World” and “Raggamuffin” conquered the European charts. Her top-quality blend of soul, funk, reggae, rock, hip-hop and pop delighted Prince himself.

Captivated by her talent, Prince invited Selah to join him at his Antwerp concert. Major soul stars, including Nneka, joined her in the studio for her debut album, with Me’shell Ndegeocello assisting on production. Selah wrote most of the songs herself. Music critics felt that Janelle Monae and M.I.A. had acquired a formidable rival whose musical horizons knew no bounds. In late October 2012, Sue performed at the royal wedding ceremony in Luxembourg!

Selah Sue’s second album, “Reason”, was released on 30 March 2015. Its dazzling mixture of pop and soul with trip-hop, electro and house sounds — Hudson Mohawke was among its producers — and superb compositions proved that the Belgian singer’s success was no accident. When Selah Sue first performed in Wrocław four years ago as part of the City Sounds series, she was a promising new talent on Europe’s soul scene. Now she has unquestionably fulfilled that promise.

▶