19-25 October 2009

The Big Issue

ALTERNATIVE ROOTS

Getting Vocal

Singer with learning disabilities gets Loud and Proud at the Festival Hall.

When Lizzie Emeh was born, her parents were told that she would never walk or talk. Due to medical complications at birth, she grew up battling learning difficulties.

But two weeks ago singer/songwriter from west London launched her debut album, Loud & Proud at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

“It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions,” she says. “I’m hoping other people with learning disabilities will hear about this and think, ‘Well if Lizzie can do it, so can I’”.

Of Irish Nigerian descent, Emeh is the first person with learning disability to ever have an album released to the general public, and is no stranger to prejudice.

“I was on a bus and a boy looked at me and then turned to his sister and said, ‘That’s what I call a retard’ and they laughed at me. I think if we can teach kids from when they’re really little to understand us, then they’ll accept us and won’t be scared and make fun of us,” She says.

The album is an eclectic mixture of soul, jazz and pop, recorded with top musicians including Charles Stuart, who is currently touring with music icon Grace Jones, and Robbie Fordjour, drummer for legendary jazz artist Courtney Pine.

Emeh has performed at Glastonbury, and has travelled the world to showcase her talents. She may not be able to read or write, but she sure knows how to sing soul. “That’s when the magic really happens,” she laughs. “Making this album was a total and utter joy. I wrote the songs about my past experiences. When you come off stage and someone turns around and says, ‘That really touched me,’ you know that what you’re talking about is true, it’s real life.”

Loud & Proud by Lizzie Emeh is out now on Heart n Soul Records.