Bellah's Rising: Healing, Heritage, and the New Wave of R&B - ColorsxStudios at the Knockdown Center
MERDE interviews the Belle of the Ball Bellah at the Knockdown Center where ColorsxStudios tapped into the soundscape of additional perfect pitch performances by headliner Moses Sumney, Mustafa and Chlothegod.
Words: Monique Johnson
Images: Will Pippin
Some people just have that star presence that makes them feel both relatable and just out of reach at the same time. As a total stan, I wanted to do my girl justice—trying not to let my sweaty palms show—knowing I was sitting across from someone whose EP Adultsville and COLORS performance of "Evil Eye" I stream like it's my favorite gospel album or comfort video, carrying me from Sunday to Monday.
The air was thick with anticipation at the Knockdown Center in New York City. The Tones of NYC event had drawn the coolest music heads in the city all eager to witness a night of even cooler music. As I wove through the crowd, the buttery beats and the red and blue lights mirrored the emotions swirling within me. This was my first interview after a health scare that had forced me to confront my own fragility. The lingering grip of COVID-19 made every gathering feel both precious and precarious.
Amidst this backdrop, Bellah was about to make her U.S. debut performance. The British singer-songwriter, born Isobel Akpobire, had been steadily capturing hearts across the Atlantic. Tonight, she was poised to do the same here.
When Bellah, a muse in her own right, stepped onto the stage, the room collectively held its breath. Draped in a perfectly curated ensemble, she exuded a commanding yet inviting confidence. As the first notes filled the air—rich, soulful, and smooth—there was a nostalgic familiarity that transported me back to my own childhood.
She wore an oversized black and white trench coat, adorned with abstract, paint-splattered patterns—a statement piece that felt as if she had wrapped herself in the spirit of the city. Underneath, a sheer black mesh top and a structured, striped corset mixed elegance with an edge. The play of textures continued with swirling-patterned fishnet tights and glossy black skirt, giving her look “the Bellah” flair. Black combat boots grounded the ensemble, adding a toughness that mirrored her stage presence. A black cap emblazoned with 'NY' sat atop her flawless, waist-length “buss- down”—a perfect nod to the city where she was leaving her mark.
As she sang, I was taken back to afternoons spent in my sister's room after grade school, where we'd belt out SWV and Destiny's Child, hosting our own little concerts. Those songs were the soundtrack of my youth, anchoring me in moments of joy and comfort. Now, Bellah was adding her own notes to that story, her voice bridging past and present.
After her electrifying set, we found a quiet corner. Bellah greeted me with a warm smile and a gentle hug—like reuniting with a favorite cousin who's famous now, but still remembers the family barbecue. "It's such an honor to be here," she said, her eyes shining with genuine excitement.
I confessed that her music had been a source of peace during some dark times. "The entire album, Adultsville, got me through some tough times," I admitted. She placed a hand over her heart. "That means the world to me. I wrote it during a confusing time, wondering why someone wouldn't let me love them the way they deserved. It's incredible how music connects us."
We delved into her upbringing in Enfield, North London. Raised by her mother and uncles, Bellah grew up as an only child in a home filled with love and, most importantly, music. She had previously shared, “My people played all the classics—SWV, Destiny's Child...” Now, she reflected on how those influences have shaped her. 'There's nothing I do that doesn't reference what I listened to growing up. Sometimes in the studio, I'll tell someone to "SWV their baby," and they look at me like I'm crazy until I sing, "Baaayybayyyyy."' She laughed, adding, 'That's become part of my sound.'"
Bellah's journey into music began early. At four, she was already performing in musical theater. By ten, she was recording covers in the studio.
Her big break came after performing Beyoncé's "Flawless" at a school talent show, which led to her being spotted at a local festival. Five years of artist development followed before she released her debut EP, Last Train Home, in 2019. The single "Never Loved" became BBC Radio 1Xtra's Track of the Week.
But Bellah's path hasn't been without hurdles. She lives with sickle cell disease, a condition that has shaped her life. "For a long time, I tried to keep that side of me separate," she revealed. "I thought Bellah—the artist—didn't have sickle cell. She was this perfect version of me, without flaws or insecurities."
A life-threatening episode last year forced her to reevaluate. "I had to step away from everything," she recalled, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "Lying in that hospital bed, I realized Bellah isn't just on stage. She's with me in the fire too. It was a turning point—I decided to embrace all of me, not just the parts that felt polished."
Her openness about her condition has become a powerful part of her message. "I don't try to balance it anymore; I incorporate it," she explained. "If I need to take time out, I hope people understand. Not out of pity, but appreciation for the extra effort it takes.”
With R&B constantly evolving, we moved on to discuss its current state and some of the debates surrounding it. "There’s a big debate about R&B’s quality supposedly declining due to less involvement in the Black church," I said. From her view in the UK, Bellah had a nuanced take: "Yes and no. A lot of us grew up in the church, but we had plenty of other influences besides that. So, in the R&B community, one thing we consistently do well is soul—fantastically rich soul. We have those influences, but we also have influences from our own country and from you guys (African Americans). The R&B you create is a melting pot of all the experiences you bring to it. Right now, R&B in the UK is inventive. It feels very new, very fresh. I think we’re in a kind of renaissance of R&B, because we’ve never had this many artists doing it at the same time or crossing over to the US—even in the limited way we’re managing it.
Her passion for bridging cultural gaps is evident. "I'm a second-generation Nigerian in England," she noted. "I feel connected to the Diaspora in a deep way. Being embraced by the culture that influenced me is surreal. One of my goals is to connect us more—through music, performances, and conversations. I love Blackness in all its forms, and I want to celebrate that."
As our conversation drew to a close, I asked about her plans moving forward. She laughed, a light, infectious sound. "Global domination!" she exclaimed, her eyes still sparkling. "But seriously, I have new music that I'm so excited to share. I want to travel, perform, and meet the people who connect with my songs. There's nothing like that feeling."
Leaving the Knockdown Center that night, I felt a renewed sense of hope. Bellah, a rising superstar, a light for those seeking authenticity and connection in a world that often feels fragmented. Her music, rooted in the nostalgia of our shared past and blossoming into something wholly new, offers a comforting reminder that healing and growth often come from embracing our true selves.
Growing up idolizing '90s R&B legends, I see Bellah as the future of the genre—a future that not only honors its roots but also carves out her own distinct path.
Bellah's U.S. debut was a significant milestone, a timely reminder to embrace the beauty of the journey. In her, I found a kindred spirit—a reflection of the need to pause, breathe, and appreciate the winding path we're on.
"New York is just that place. It's such a cultural staple. It's such a makes-sense place for creatives because it really tests you. It's a pressure that creates diamonds. New York has a pressure that creates diamonds." - Bellah
Bellah's EP 'Adultsville' is out now—stream it and experience her brilliance firsthand. And don't forget to follow my talented cousin on Instagram: @ibebellah.
“ I realized Bellah isn’t just on stage. She’s with me in the fire too. It was a turning point—I decided to embrace all of me, not just the parts that felt polished.”
“Growing up idolizing ‘90s R&B legends, I see Bellah as the future of the genre—a future that not only honors its roots but also carves out her own distinct path.”
