Loick Mark Essien is an English singer signed to record label Sony Music. Essien began his musical career after featuring on rapper Chipmunk's single "Beast". Essien was set to release his debut album, Identity, on 5 March 2012 but was dropped from his label weeks before the release date.
Personal life He studied vocals at The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance. His father is Nigerian and his mother is Ghanaian.Loick Essien Interview with PyroMag Retrieved 31 January 2011.
Career Essien began his musical career in 2007 when he sang the chorus on Bashy's track, "Black Boys". Essien was uncredited on the track, however. His next appearance was in 2008 when he appeared on rapper Chipmunk's debut single "Beast". The single, released on 8 October 2008,Chipmunk & Loick Essien 'Beast' UK Record Shop, Retrieved 4 February 2011. debuted at number 181 in the UK singles chartUK Singles Chart – 2008 Entries Retrieved 31 January 2011. and later appeared on the album I Am Chipmunk. Essien also featured on artist Bashy's lead single from his upcoming second album, "When the Sky Falls". The single, which was released independently on 12 March 2010,Bashy & Loick Essien 'When the Sky Falls' Amazon.com, Retrieved 30 April 2010. debuted at number 114 in the United Kingdom. On 12 October 2010, Essien released his debut solo single "Love Drunk" in the United Kingdom through Sony Music, where it debuted at number 56 in the UK chart. It was then confirmed in February 2011 that Essien would release his debut album, entitled Identity later that year.Loick Essien Interview with MTV MTV, Retrieved 4 February 2011. The second single to be released from the album, entitled "Stuttering" was released on 6 February 2011 and featured rap group N-Dubz, although only Dappy and Fazer appeared in the single's accompanying music video. The single marked Essien's top 40 debut, when it charted at number 36 on the UK singles chart.UK Singles Chart – Week Ending: 19 February 2011 Official Charts Company, Retrieved 13 February 2011.
Essien released his third single "How We Roll" featuring singer Tanya Lacey on 3 July 2011. It entered at number two in the UK Singles Chart to become his biggest hit to date. It sold 52,010 copies in its first week. His fourth single from forthcoming album Identity called "Me Without You" was released on 6 November 2011 it debuted and peaked at number 14. On 3 October 2011, he appeared as a guest on Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Loick is now signed to Insanity Records (Sony Music)
Discography Mixtapes Title Mixtape details I.D Mixtape Released: 17 July 2012 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download
Singles + List of singles as a lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album UK UKR&B IRL SCO "Love Drunk"(featuring Bashy) 2010 56 15 — — rowspan="5" "Stuttering"(featuring N-Dubz) 36 12 — — "How We Roll"(featuring Tanya Lacey) 2011 2 1 49 6 BPI: Silver "Me Without You" 14 4 — — "Bad Boys Don't Cry"(featuring Bashy) 2012 – — — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
As featured artist Single Year Peak chart positions AlbumUKUK R&B "Beast"(Chipmunk featuring Loick Essien) 2008 181 — I Am Chipmunk "When the Sky Falls"(Bashy featuring Loick Essien) 2010 114 37 The Great Escape
Guest appearances Year Title Album Artist2008 "Black Boys" (Remix) S4DK Presents – Best of '07 Bashy (featuring Loick Essien) "Let It Go" B-Side to "F UR X" Sway (featuring Tension & Loick Essien) 2009 "We Can Do Anything" Catch Me If You Can Bashy (featuring Jamelia & Loick Essien) 2012 "Londoner" London Boy Chip (featuring Wretch 32, Professor Green & Loick Essien)
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