Chris and Chantel Nicole sit down with the West London native to take it all the way back, from her early days at the legendary Deal Real record shop sharing stages with Roots Manuva and Rodney P, to becoming the first artist signed to John Legend's Homeschool Records, to delivering "American Boy," one of THE defining pop songs of the 2000s.
We get into "American Boy" almost 18 years on, the journey through "Shine," "All of Me," "True Romance," and her full reggae statement "Lovers Rock," and the building of her independent label and brand Established 1980. Estelle shares her observations on the current global wave of Black British artists, from FLO to RAYE to PinkPantheress, after being honored at the inaugural Black Women in Entertainment Honors. She also opens up about her recent full-circle moments with John Legend on the Get Lifted 20th Anniversary Tour, performing with Slick Rick at the MOBOs, and the iconic "American Boy" Usher moment at The O2.
Then we dive deep into "Stay Alta," her sixth studio album, exploring highlights such as "Roses (Now's the Time)," the title track with Channel Tres, "Let It Drop" with Durand Bernarr, collaborations with D-Nice, Teedra Moses, Russell Taylor, and the philosophy behind choosing joy. Plus her brand new single "Live, Love, Learn" and what's coming next.
Catch Estelle live at Blue Note Hawaii in June and Splendour Festival in Nottingham this July 2026.
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Follow Estelle: @EstelleDarlings
0:00 - Intro
1:56 - The Beginning
5:38 - "The 18th Day"
7:18 - John Legend and "Shine"
10:20 - "American Boy"
14:13 - Black British Women in Music
16:40 - "All Of Me", "True Romance" and "Lovers Rock"
21:45 - Being an independent artist
24:27 - Garnet and Steven Universe
30:40 - "Stay Alta"
51:59 - "Live, Love, Learn"
53:55 - 2026 live shows
References:
“1980” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9FjfHoIMCw&pp=ygUMZXN0ZWxsZSAxOTgw
“Wait A Minute” feat. will.i.am MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vAJsJa3fWo&pp=ygUVZXN0ZWxsZSB3YWl0IGEgbWludXRl
“American Boy” feat. Kanye West MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic5vxw3eijY&pp=ygUNZXN0ZWxsZSBob25ledIHCQkoCwGHKiGM7w%3D%3D
“Break My Heart” feat. Rick Ross MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ5zgVlh6uY&pp=ygUWZXN0ZWxsZSBicmVhayBteSBoZWFydA%3D%3D
“Conqueror” feat. Jussie Smollett (Empire) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwmaGPxlEqI&pp=ygURZXN0ZWxsZSBjb25xdWVyb3I%3D
“Love Like Ours” feat. Tarrus Riley MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T1tlWZI03A&pp=ygUWZXN0ZWxsZSBsb3ZlIGxpa2Ugb3Vycw%3D%3D
“Thank You” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUuEYM9vjlw&pp=ygURZXN0ZWxsZSB0aGFuayB5b3XSBwkJKAsBhyohjO8%3D
“Stronger Than You” from Steven Universe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OWq38TikzU&pp=ygUQZ2FybmV0IHN0cm9uZ2VyIA%3D%3D
James Brown CNN Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQmqcaS5LIM
“New Direction” feat. LaRussell and Keyon Harrold MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B5IeRylT_8&pp=ygUVZXN0ZWxsZSBuZXcgZGlyZWN0aW9u
About CCTV: Hosted by music industry specialists Chris and Chantel, CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show provides in-depth discussion, review, and analysis on the best pop acts, songs, albums, and concerts from around the world. Check out our intro video to learn more: https://youtu.be/SQh_QXINs6o
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