Brian Kachejian 12 minutes ago
Feature Photo: Silvia Elizabeth Pangaro / Shutterstock.com
Ella Mai, the British R&B singer and songwriter, was raised in London and carries both British and Jamaican heritage, something that has helped shape her unique musical style. She attended the British and Irish Modern Music Institute in London, where she first started to hone her craft. Though she initially auditioned for The X Factor as part of a trio in 2014, it wasn’t until she began posting song snippets and covers to Instagram that her career took a significant turn. Her online presence caught the attention of renowned American producer DJ Mustard, who signed her to his label 10 Summers Records in 2016, launching her into the American R&B scene.
Before releasing her debut album, Ella Mai released three EPs under 10 Summers Records between 2016 and 2017: Time, Change, and Ready. These EPs were crucial in establishing her style and gaining a growing fan base, with Ready featuring her breakout track “Boo’d Up.” The song, originally released in 2017, became a sleeper hit, eventually gaining massive traction in 2018. “Boo’d Up” climbed to No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100, went multi-platinum, and became one of the defining R&B tracks of that year. Its success was instrumental in placing Ella Mai at the forefront of a new generation of R&B artists and earned her significant critical and commercial recognition.
In October 2018, Ella Mai released her self-titled debut studio album, Ella Mai, which featured “Boo’d Up” along with other hits like “Trip,” another chart success that reached the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. The album was met with positive reviews and solidified her position as a leading voice in contemporary R&B. Ella Mai was certified platinum in the United States and earned her a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for “Boo’d Up” at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, making her the first British artist in over two decades to win that category. The album’s success also earned her nominations at the American Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards, with “Boo’d Up” winning at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards for Top R&B Song.
Following the success of her debut, Ella Mai released her second studio album, Heart on My Sleeve, in 2022. This album reflected her personal and artistic growth, addressing themes of love, vulnerability, and emotional honesty. Tracks like “Not Another Love Song” and “DFMU” continued to showcase her smooth vocal delivery and ability to craft relatable, emotionally charged songs. Although Heart on My Sleeve did not replicate the same commercial success as her debut, it was critically praised for its maturity and cohesive production, proving that Ella Mai was committed to artistic evolution rather than chasing trends.
Throughout her career, Ella Mai has been recognized with a host of awards and nominations. Beyond her Grammy win, she has received accolades at the BET Awards, where she won Best New Artist in 2019, and the Soul Train Music Awards, where she was honored with Song of the Year and Best R&B/Soul Female Artist. Her music resonates because of its emotional transparency, blending modern R&B production with classic soul influences, which has earned her a loyal fan base across both the U.S. and the UK. Her ability to make vulnerability sound powerful and her smooth, effortless vocal style have become hallmarks of her sound.
Outside of music, Ella Mai has also been active in promoting issues that matter to her. She has used her platform to speak out on social issues such as racial justice and women’s empowerment. She has also been vocal about the importance of mental health, encouraging fans to prioritize their well-being. Though she maintains a relatively private personal life, her presence in interviews and on social media reflects a thoughtful and grounded artist who is aware of her influence and the responsibility that comes with it.
With two studio albums, a slew of hit singles, and a Grammy Award already to her name, Ella Mai has carved out an impressive space in the modern R&B landscape. Her songs, often focused on love, heartbreak, and personal growth, continue to connect with listeners worldwide. As she continues to grow her career, she remains one of the most refreshing voices in contemporary music, blending emotional honesty with timeless R&B sensibilities.
Complete List Of Ella Mai Songs From A to Z
- 2 O’Clock – Heart on My Sleeve (Deluxe Edition) – 2022
- 10,000 Hours – Change EP – 2016
- A Mess (featuring Lucky Daye) – Heart on My Sleeve – 2022
- A Thousand Times – Time EP – 2016
- Anymore – Ready EP – 2017
- Boo’d Up – Ready EP – 2017 / Ella Mai – 2018
- Boo’d Up (Remix) (featuring Nicki Minaj & Quavo) – Ella Mai (Japanese Edition) – 2018
- Breakfast In Bed – Ready EP – 2017
- Break My Heart – Heart on My Sleeve – 2022
- Cheapshot – Ella Mai – 2018
- Close – Ella Mai – 2018
- Dangerous – Ella Mai – 2018
- DFMU – Heart on My Sleeve – 2022
- Didn’t Say (featuring Latto) – Heart on My Sleeve – 2022
- Don’t Want You – Time EP – 2016
- Down – Change EP – 2016
- Easy – Ella Mai – 2018
- Emotion – Ella Mai – 2018
- Everything (featuring John Legend) – Ella Mai – 2018
- Fading Out – Heart on My Sleeve – 2022
- Fallen Angel – Heart on My Sleeve – 2022
- Feels Like – Heart on My Sleeve – 2022
- Found – Change EP – 2016
- Good Bad – Ella Mai – 2018
- Gut Feeling (featuring H.E.R.) – Ella Mai – 2018
- Hide – Heart on My Sleeve – 2022
- How (featuring Roddy Ricch) – Heart on My Sleeve – 2022
- Lay Up – Change EP – 2016
- Leave You Alone – Heart on My Sleeve – 2022
- Makes Me Wonder – Ready EP – 2017
- My Way – Ready EP – 2017
- Naked – Ella Mai (Digital/Target/Japanese Edition) – 2018
- Nobody Else – Ready EP – 2017
- Not Another Love Song – Heart on My Sleeve – 2022
- Old Dog, New Bitch – Time EP – 2016
- One Day – Time EP – 2016
- Our Song – Heart on My Sleeve (Deluxe Edition) – 2022
- Own It – Ella Mai – 2018
- Pieces – Heart on My Sleeve – 2022
- Power of a Woman – Heart on My Sleeve – 2022
- Run My Mouth – Ella Mai – 2018
- Sauce – Ella Mai – 2018
- She Don’t (featuring Ty Dolla Sign) – Time EP – 2016
- Shot Clock – Ella Mai – 2018
- Sink or Swim – Heart on My Sleeve – 2022
- Switch Sider – Time EP – 2016
- This Is – Heart on My Sleeve (Deluxe Edition) – 2022
- Trip – Ella Mai – 2018
- Trying – Heart on My Sleeve – 2022
- Whatchamacallit (featuring Chris Brown) – Ella Mai – 2018
- Who Knew – Change EP – 2016
Songs per album/EP:
Time EP (2016): 6 songs
Change EP (2016): 5 songs
Ready EP (2017): 6 songs
Ella Mai (2018): 17 songs (including “Boo’d Up” which was also on the Ready EP)
Heart on My Sleeve (2022): 19 songs
Check out our fantastic and entertaining Ella Mai articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
Complete List Of Ella Mai Albums And Discography
Top 10 Ella Mai Songs
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Complete List Of Ella Mai Songs From A to Z article published on ClassicRockHistory.com© 2025
About The Author
Brian Kachejian
Brian Kachejian was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of ClassicRockHistory.com. He has spent thirty years in the music business often working with many of the people who have appeared on this site. Brian Kachejian also holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Stony Brook University along with New York State Public School Education Certifications in Music and Social Studies. Brian Kachejian is also an active member of the New York Press.