To most hip hop fans Estelle however needs no introduction. In 2002 Tim Westwood declared her as “a UK talent to look out for” and last year Music Week cited her as the one UK rapper “most likely to challenge the mainstream”. Having built up a formidable reputation on the street over the past two years, Music Week’s prediction came true when Estelle broke into the charts with “1980” and “Free” and won a Mobo Award for Best Newcomer in 2004. Her album “The 18th Day” is due for release on the 18th of October - the number 18 being particularly significant for Estelle as it was the day she was born. However, it almost never happened. On the 18th of January 1980 Estelle’s mother had a near death experience while giving birth, but fortunately came back to life. Since then Estelle has never taken her life for granted. It was on her 18th birthday that she decided to take to the mic and embark on a rapping career that has made her one of the hottest new urban artists in the UK.