Jaki Graham is a celebrated British singer-songwriter widely recognised as one of the most appealing soul entertainers to emerge from the UK during the 1980s. Blending soulful vocals with polished pop production, she became a defining voice of the era and built a career that successfully crossed UK, European and US audiences.
Jaki first gained major attention through her hit version of 'Could It Be I’m Falling in Love' alongside David Grant, leading to a remarkable run of chart success. From 1985 onwards, she achieved a string of hits and made music history as the first Black British female solo artist to score six consecutive UK Top 10 and Top 20 hits, earning a place in the Music Guinness Book of Records. Her breakthrough album Real Life sold more than 800,000 copies in under four weeks, further cementing her popularity.
Across a two-year period, she achieved five UK Top 20 hits, establishing herself as a major force in British soul-pop. In 1994, her powerful cover of 'Ain’t Nobody', originally recorded by Chaka Khan, reached number one on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart for five weeks and earned gold certification in Australia, Japan and the USA. Her international success led to her becoming an official Motown artist, reflecting her enduring global appeal.
Beyond her chart achievements, Jaki Graham continues to evolve as an artist. In 2018, she released her long-awaited studio album 'When a Woman Loves', which topped the UK Soul Charts and produced a US Independent Chart number one single. She has also been recognised for her cultural contribution with a Doctorate from the University of Wolverhampton, where she was appointed Pro-Chancellor. With a timeless voice and a legacy of iconic soul hits, Jaki Graham remains a compelling live performer for festivals, theatres and premium events.
