Des'ree

Des'ree is a British singer-songwriter whose warm, soulful voice and message-driven pop songs made her one of the most recognizable UK R&B and pop artists of the 1990s. She debuted with the single «Feel So High» before releasing her first album, Mind Adventures, which introduced her blend of gentle soul, folk-tinged pop and uplifting lyricism.

Her breakthrough came with «You Gotta Be», a self-empowerment anthem that became a major international hit, reaching the top of the charts in several countries and the US Top 5, and remains her best-known song decades later. Her second album continued this success with songs built around themes of resilience and self-acceptance, cementing her reputation as an artist whose music carried an optimistic, motivational tone distinct from much of the R&B of the era.

Des'ree reached further global recognition with «Kissing You», written for the soundtrack of Baz Luhrmann's film Romeo + Juliet, which became one of her most enduring songs and earned her major industry recognition in Britain. She continued recording into the 2000s, contributing music to film and television, though she largely stepped back from the spotlight after the height of her fame, remaining fondly remembered as a voice associated with gentle, affirming pop-soul.