We caught up with Kelli-Leigh at the Technics pop-up studio in the Nexus Lounge Amsterdam, and trust us—this South London sensation is even more vibrant in person.
Kelli-Leigh Henry-Davila (or just Kelli-Leigh) is the singer-songwriter behind some of the biggest house anthems in the game. Inspired by icons like Whitney Houston and Prince, her journey has been nothing short of epic. Touring with Adele on her 21album tour was a game-changer, giving her the spark to step into the spotlight as a solo artist.
"It was just a crazy experience," Kelli-Leigh shares. "It was my first actual tour. And to do it with such an incredible, iconic artist was mind-blowing and eye-opening as to what can happen with your career when you just focus and love the music you do and be true to exactly who you are as an artist."
And staying true has certainly paid off. Kelli-Leigh’s vocals have earned her 3 UK Top 10s, 2 UK Number 1s, 2 Billboard Dance chart toppers, and even a Grammy nomination. Dubbed “The Voice of UK House Music“in 2014, her unmistakable sound has been streamed over a billion times—yep, you read that right. You’ve likely vibed to her voice on Duke Dumont & Jax Jones’ ‘I Got U,’ Second City’s ‘I Wanna Feel,’ or James Hype’s‘More Than Friends.’
In 2018, she took control of her career, launching her label Music Core to release solo projects. With support from BBC Radio 1, Capital Dance, Gaydio, and Kiss FM, her fanbase continues to grow.
Now, the British artist is gearing up for the biggest musical surprise she’s about to drop: her first solo album. “I’ve got an album of material ready to go. I’d love to put that in 2025. So just working out the logistics of that. But yes, that is what I want to do: drop the album.”
As someone who’s charted her own path to success, Kelli-Leigh also has some wisdom for aspiring artists: “Keep going, power through, and those days that you feel really low and you think, I can’t do this anymore, take a break, allow yourself to have those down days. Believe in what you do and believe in yourself first because you will meet many people who will reject exactly who you are. What makes you unique is your special calling card. So believe in it, tread forward, and don’t wait. A lot of people have releases and they wait and they’re trying to see if someone will sign it. If someone won’t sign a record, put it out yourself.”
Want to dive deeper into Kelli-Leigh’s world? Check out our full interview, where she spills on her musical inspirations, future projects, and what she hopes her music brings to listeners.
