Arlo Parks: From bedroom singer-songwriter to Brit Award winner
The star was named breakthrough artist.
Singer and poet Arlo Parks has risen from bedroom producer to Brit Award winner and Generation Z spokeswoman in just two years.
The west London musician, 20, has been named breakthrough artist at the annual awards.
Accepting her award on stage at London’s O2 Arena, Parks said: “This is a dream come true. I didn’t expect any of this.
“Anyone out there, this is proof dreams come true, so thank you very much for that.”
Parks released her debut EP, titled Super Sad Generation, in April 2019.
Since then her profile has grown exponentially and 2020 saw her win the “one to watch” category at the AIM Independent Music Awards and be named BBC Introducing’s artist of the year.
In August 2020, former United States first lady Michelle Obama shared a playlist of songs on Instagram that had inspired her during the recording of her Spotify podcast.
Parks, real name Anais Marinho, featured on the list alongside established artists such as Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar.
The singer cites an eclectic mix of artists as her inspiration, including Harry Styles, Frank Ocean, Solange and Massive Attack.
Her acclaimed debut album, Collapsed In Sunbeams, was released in January and charted at number three behind Celeste’s Not Your Muse and Money Can’t Buy Happiness by London rapper Fredo.
She booked an Airbnb in London to record the album and worked with Los Angeles-based songwriter and producer Gianluca Buccellati remotely.
Critics praised the 12-track album’s stream-of-consciousness lyrics and maturity and said it encapsulated the disconnection of lockdown.
Following her chart success, Parks was booked as the music act on The Graham Norton Show singing her track Caroline, and later appeared as the main guest on Later… With Jools Holland.
