Liam Bailey

Liam Bailey’s heartfelt and emotive songwriting and grainy vocals cut through all of his work as a collaborator and solo artist, whether he’s working within the traditions of folk, soul, and reggae, or teaming with dance music producers. The singer, songwriter, and guitarist emerged as a member of the Accidental, earned the admiration of Amy Winehouse, and hit the Top Ten of the U.K. pop chart as co-writer and vocalist of Chase & Status’ “Blind Faith” (2011). As a solo artist, he has since worked closely with fellow producers Salaam Remi and Leon Michels, releasing the albums Definitely Now (2014) and Ekundayo (2020).
Born in Nottingham to an English mother and Jamaican father, Liam Bailey had his diverse musical interests shaped by listening to his parents’ Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, and Jimi Hendrix records. In the 2000s, he was part of the hip-hop collective 1st Blood and a member of the folk group the Accidental, the latter of which released the album There Were Wolves in 2008. Bailey soon carved out a solo career. The subject of a bidding war between numerous labels, Bailey signed with Polydor in early 2010, and the same year released his first two EPs, 2am Rough Tracks and So, Down Cold, through Amy Winehouse’s Polydor-supported Lioness label. While working with Winehouse producer Salaam Remi on his debut album, Bailey supported Ellie Goulding on her U.K. tour, and he both co-wrote and was featured on Chase & Status’ “Blind Faith,” a number five U.K. hit in early 2011. Bailey’s solo album Out of the Shadows was scheduled to follow later in 2011, but was pulled by the artist at the last minute.
Over the next few years, Bailey continued to collaborate with Chase & Status, as well as other artists including Delilah and Shy FX. Signed to Salaam Remi’s Flying Buddha label through Sony Masterworks, Bailey finally offered his debut album, Definitely Now, in 2014. He and Remi produced the majority of the songs, while Leon Michels worked on a re-recording of “So, Down Cold.” After several years of loose singles as a headliner and featured artist, Bailey reconnected with Leon Michels for his second album, the reggae-oriented Ekundayo. It was released on Michels’ Big Crown label in 2020, and was followed the next year by a set of dubbed-out alternate versions entitled Ekundayo Inversions. ~ Jon O’Brien & Andy Kellman