Isaac Bellamy
| Isaac Bellamy | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Cannes, France |
| Genres | R&B, Pop |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels | Next Generation Records (2012–present) |
| Associated acts |
Elice Claire Ben Johnston Helena Rossi |
Isaac Philippe Bellamy (born 15 October 1985) in Cannes, France is a French singer and songwriter.
Biography and early career in France[edit | edit source]
Born in Cannes, France on 15 October 1985, Bellamy spent most of his young life in the United States with his mother Brigitte, a famous fashion designer, and his father Matthieu, who played football for France's national team when Isaac was a kid.
Although Bellamy spent some of his early years living in the United States with his mother, his parents agreed it would be better for young Isaac to attend school in France. Bellamy attended elementary school in France. By the age of 8, Isaac decided to move to the United States to spend more time with his mother. After finishing his contract with a French football league, Isaac's father moved to the United States to be with his wife and son.
Living in Los Angeles, Bellamy found his love for music at the age of 11. By the time he was 13, he had already participated in many junior singing competitions in L.A.
After spending 5 years in the United States, the Bellamy family decided to move back to France. Isaac finished Lycée (High school) and decided to go to University, where he was granted with an athletic scholarship to play football. After spending 2 years at the prestigious École des Hautes Études Commerciales de Paris, Bellamy moved back to Cannes and decided to study music.
At age 20, Bellamy had recorded his first song. After trying to break the French music industry for a few months, Bellamy decided to take a break and follow his childhood ambition of becoming a footballer. Bellamy played ball for a national French league, until he was 23 years old.
Although Bellamy refused help from his parents to get a record deal, a friend of the family helped Bellamy score a recording contract with EMI France. Bellamy recorded his first single at the age of 25. Bellamy released his first francophone album on 23 August 2011. The album proved to be a success in France.
Music[edit | edit source]
France[edit | edit source]
Bellamy started his singing career in France in 2010, after he was signed to EMI France. Bellamy worked on his debut francophone album in 2010 and 2011. The singer released his debut francophone single, "Amour infectieuses" (Infectious Love) in May 2011. The song, labeled as an R&B, dance crossover proved to be a great introduction for the singer on the French charts, where it peaked at number three and became one of the best sellers of 2011. Prior to releasing his debut self-titled francophone album, Bellamy released another single in August 2011. The single "Ville électrique" (Electric City) followed the R&B, dance style Bellamy proposed with his debut single. The song tagged along with the success of his debut single and went on to peak at number one on the French singles chart and number ten on the Belgium's Wallonia Charts.
On 23 August 2011, Bellamy's debut self-titled album was released in the French speaking countries in Europe. The album entered the French charts at number one, where it remained for another three consecutive weeks. By the end of 2011, the album had sold more 210,000 copies. The album's third and final single, "Elle me rend fou" (She Drives Me Crazy) was released in October 2011 and peaked at number nine on the French singles charts. With his career just taking off in France, Bellamy decided to venture outside of France. In the end of 2011, the singer moved to New York City to start working on his second francophone album and also to start working on his debut international album.
On 10 June 2012, EMI Records France announced that Bellamy's second francophone album would be released in October 2012.
The song "J'en perds le contrôle" (I Lose Control [of it]) was chosen as the lead single from Isaac's second francophone album. The single was released in France on 3 September 2012. The album, titled Réalisation d'un homme (Makings of a Man) was released on 24 September 2012. Critics noted a change in Bellamy's sound, from urban driven to R&B-pop. On its release week, the album entered the French albums chart at number one, selling more than 55,000 copies. The album received Platinum status on 22 October 2012. The album's second single was the critical acclaim track Bellamy wrote with his wife Elice Claire, "Je ne peux pas vivre sans toi" (I Can't Live Without You). The single was released on 19 November 2012. Prior to the physical release, the song topped the French singles chart on downloads alone. Bellamy released two more singles from the album, "Parlez-moi" and "Tout ce qu'il faut".
International career[edit | edit source]
After moving to the United States in November 2011, Bellamy met American singer Ben Johnston. Johnston helped Bellamy get in touch with many producers. Although the original plan was for Bellamy to start working on his second francophone album, Bellamy and Johnston worked on the French singer's debut international single. The single "Shut the Club Down" was written by Johnston and produced by British producer Jamie XX. The single was released to American radios in June 2012 and in the UK on 2 July 2012.
Prior to releasing his debut single in the UK, Bellamy signed a record contract with Next Generation Records. In the UK the single proved to be a major success, entering the UK charts at number two. After spending the month of June promoting the single in the UK, Bellamy returned to France to finish his French record.
During a radio interview with BBC Radio 1, Bellamy revealed that he had talked to some producers to work on his debut English album. On a twitter update on 29 June 2012, Bellamy revealed that he had recorded another song with producer Jamie XX for his debut English album. Before parting to France, Bellamy told fans that his debut international album would be out sooner rather than later.
In September 2012, Bellamy received his first Urapopstar Awards. The singer won Best Banner for his single "Shut the Club Down"
On 12 November 2012, Isaac announced on his French website that he would be returning to the UK to release his debut album and second single. To coincide with the French release, Bellamy chose the ballad "Je ne peux pas vivre sans toi" to be released in the UK. A special "Frenglish" version of the song was used as the radio single. The single and the debut English album, titled Makings of a Man were both released on 7 January 2013. The album features writing credits from Ben Johnston, L.E.X. and Elice Claire, and two collaborations, one with Ruby & the Gems and another with L.E.X. On 14 January 2013, the Makings of a Man and "Je ne peux pas vivre sans toi" entered the UK albums and singles chart at number one respectively. Bellamy also became the first act to top the Singles, Albums, Downloads and Airplay charts all in the same week. In June 2013, Isaac release the song "Higher" as the third single from his album. The single peaked at number two, and sold over 400,000 copies. In September 2013, Isaac released the fourth and final single from the album, the upbeat track "She Turns Me On". For the single release, Isaac collaborated with pop singer Bella-May. The single entered the singles chart at number one.
Personal life[edit | edit source]
In his spare time, Bellamy likes to play football. He is known to be an avid football fan and dreamed of a professional football career very early on. He is a big supporter of the French football club Olympique de Marseille, and takes part in many football events.
From the start of his singing career, Bellamy has been a great supporter of charity causes, particularly HIV/AIDS and children charities.
Bellamy is good friends with singers Ben Johnston who worked with him on his debut international single and Helena Rossi. In June 2010, it was speculated that Isaac was dating singer Helena Rossi. When asked about his new romance, Bellamy simply said he would rather talk about his music and not his personal life.
On 5 August 2012, Bellamy's team officially confirmed news story about his relationship with American singer Elice Claire. The couple made their first public appearance together in the UK at the 2012 Urapopstar Awards 22. In their interview with 50MN Inside, Elice and Isaac revealed that they met in Paris in the summer of 2011, but started dating in September 2012 after Elice's split with her boyfriend Adrian.
On 8 December 2012, Isaac and Elice tied the knot in a small ceremony in Santa Barbara, California. Singers Helena Rossi and Ben Johnston were maid of honor and best man respectively. The couple currently reside in Paris, but they often go to New York City where they have a home in Chelsea.
In May 2013, American, British and French tabloids began speculating that the Bellamys were separating. The couple's team could not be reached for comments.
On 15 June 2013, Elice announced via twitter that she was expecting her first child with Bellamy. On that same night Elice also denied rumors about her separation, saying "we are over the moon" with the pregnancy and they "can't wait to be parents."
On 15 December 2013, Isaac and Elice Bellamy welcomed their first. The baby girl, named Colette Brigitte Bellamy was born in Paris, France.
In April 2016, Elice Bellamy announced that she was expecting her second child with Isaac. While on NRJ radio Paris, Isaac revealed that Elice was expecting a baby boy.
Discography[edit | edit source]
Main article: Isaac Bellamy discography
International albums[edit | edit source]
International singles[edit | edit source]
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French albums[edit | edit source]
French singles[edit | edit source]
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Concert tours[edit | edit source]
- 2013: Isaac Bellamy 2013 Tour
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