The Truth Behind AMERICAN BOY “I Prayed For The Strength To Speak To Kanye!” @EstelleDarlings

Fresh off the back of performing American Boy with Usher at the 02, Grammy Award-winning artist Estelle joins Paul for an unfiltered conversation about music, identity, and the power of self-belief. From growing up in West London to becoming the first artist to be signed by John Legend, Estelle shares the resilience it took to break into the music industry - and the self-trust she had to develop along the way. She tells the incredible story of how a chance encounter with Kanye West in a chicken shop led to the global smash hit American Boy. Estelle reflects on the personal losses that shaped her, the industry rejection she pushed through, and how she’s finally learned to trust her voice - both in music and in life. This is the real story behind American Boy - and so much more. Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Follow Estelle here: YouTube @EstelleDarlings Instagram - https://g2ul0.app.link/YBqxXz8ThSb TikTok - https://g2ul0.app.link/CQK5GJbUhSb 00:00 Intro 01:50 Estelle's Childhood in Hammersmith 04:40 What Values Did Estelle's Grandmother Instill in Her? 06:22 Estelle's Family 07:37 How Estelle's Parents Met 09:04 Estelle's Relationship with Her Father 10:09 How Did Estelle's Parents' Split Affect Her? 11:22 Estelle's Experience of School 15:28 The Beginning of Estelle's Career in Music 27:31 The Differences Between Hip Hop and R&B in the USA vs. UK in the Early 2000s 29:43 Estelle's Experience in the British Music Industry as a Black Female Artist 35:53 How Estelle Met Kanye West and John Legend 44:10 Shopify Ad 45:21 Tinder Ad 46:16 How Estelle Wrote 'American Boy' 51:26 The Legacy of 'American Boy' 54:53 Paul’s Favourite Estelle Songs 56:48 When Did Estelle Feel Like She Was 'Losing It' During Her Career? 1:03:43 How Did Estelle Learn to Trust Herself? 1:06:44 Estelle's Relationship History 1:15:59 Is Estelle Interested in Being a Mother? 1:16:57 The Impact of Estelle's Grandmother's Death 1:21:51