Yebba

Biography

Abigail Elizabeth Smith, known professionally as Yebba, was born on January 16, 1995, in West Memphis, Arkansas, to a preacher father, immersing her in gospel music from infancy as she sang in her family's church alongside her mother. By age 15, she served as a worship pastor, drawing early influences from Aretha Franklin and D'Angelo, though she initially didn't envision a solo career. Tragedy struck in 2016 when her mother, Dawn, died by suicide shortly after Yebba performed her original song 'My Mind,' prompting her to drop out of Belmont University, move to New York, and channel grief into music through jazz bar jams and viral YouTube performances.[1][2][3][4]

Yebba's career ignited with her backing vocals on Chance the Rapper's 2016 SNL performance of 'Same Drugs,' followed by her 2017 debut single 'Evergreen,' a church-inspired tribute to her mother co-signed by Ed Sheeran. She gained prominence through collaborations, winning a Grammy in 2019 for Best Traditional R&B Performance on PJ Morton's 'How Deep Is Your Love.' Signing with RCA Records in 2020, she released singles like 'Distance' (produced by Mark Ronson) and her debut album Dawn in 2021, named after her mother and featuring A$AP Rocky and Smino; that year, she appeared on Drake's Certified Lover Boy interlude 'Yebba's Heartbreak.' Her style blends soulful gospel roots with R&B, jazz, and versatile vocal prowess.[1][3][4]

An outspoken mental health advocate, Yebba's raw, emotive voice and songwriting reflect personal loss and spiritual honesty, earning acclaim from outlets like Rolling Stone. Her Grammy win and features on albums by Mark Ronson, Sam Smith, and others cement her as a powerful emerging force in contemporary music, with continued releases building her legacy.[1][2][6]

Fun Facts

• Her stage name 'Yebba' is 'Abbey' (short for Abigail) spelled backwards, a childhood nickname from her mother.
• Inspired by a running epiphany, she committed to singing four hours daily, leading to calls from J. Moss, Timbaland, and Missy Elliott after Instagram clips.
• She performed 'Evergreen' live with a band and choir at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in New York for its official Apple Music video.
• Ed Sheeran cried watching her Sofar Sounds performance of 'My Mind,' written just before her mother's death, which kickstarted her career.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Ed Sheeran - Co-signed her early work after being moved to tears by 'My Mind' Sofar Sounds performance (Gingerbread Man Records support; 'Best Part of Me' on No.6 Collaborations Project) [2017-2019]

Key Collaborators

• PJ Morton - Frequent collaborator; Grammy-winning feature ('How Deep Is Your Love' (Grammy win)) [2017-2019]
• Mark Ronson - Produced key singles and album tracks (Three songs on Late Night Feelings; 'Distance'; Dawn production) [2019-2021]
• Chance the Rapper - Backing vocals on breakthrough performance ('Same Drugs' SNL performance) [2016]
• Drake - Featured interlude on major album ('Yebba's Heartbreak' on Certified Lover Boy) [2021]
• Sam Smith - Vocal feature ('No Peace') [2010s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz