Imaani
| Imaani Saleem | |
|---|---|
 Imaani performing at the Dalston Festival Vortex in September 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Melanie Crosdale |
| Also known as | Imaani |
| Born |
1972 Nottingham, England |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
Imaani Saleem (born Melanie Crosdale[1] in 1972) is an English singer, best known for representing the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 1998 in Birmingham with the song "Where Are You".
Career
In 1998, Saleem entered the A Song for Europe competition to find the UK's song for the Eurovision Song Contest. Her track "Where Are You" was a runaway winner with the British public and was selected to represent the UK. Saleem finished seven points behind the winner Dana International, in second place in the Eurovision Song Contest 1998.[2] The UK has never been so close to winning ever since.
After its success in the contest, "Where Are You" entered the UK Singles Chart in May 1998, peaking at #15.[1] The track spent more than two months in the chart. Despite this success, her record label EMI decided to cancel the release of her follow-up single "You Got A Way" and parted company with Saleem.
In 2000, she supplied the lead vocals on Tru Faith & Dub Conspiracy's UK garage cover of Adina Howard's "Freak Like Me". "Freak Like Me" reached No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.[3] Saleem went on to record with the jazz-funk band, Incognito.[4]
Since 2005, Saleem has performed as part of UK session organisation, The AllStars Collective.[5]
In 2006, she sang on a house track, "Bring Me Love", by the Copyright Project on Defected Records. The track received a limited release in the UK, but reached the Top 3 in the club chart.
In 2014, Saleem released her debut album, Standing Tall. The album failed to chart in the UK.
References
- 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 267. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ "Precious song for Europe". BBC. 12 March 1999. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
- ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 568. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ "Reference to Imaani work with Incognito on Discogs". Retrieved 20 June 2013.
- ↑ "Imaani Saleem profile on The AllStars Collective website". Retrieved 20 June 2013.
| Preceded by Katrina and the Waves with "Love Shine a Light" |
UK in the Eurovision Song Contest 1998 |
Succeeded by Precious with "Say It Again" |