British singer and R&B sensation Shola Ama is set to stage her debut show Rewind – A celebration of British music culture, serenading fans in Bahrain with her timeless creations. 

The Brit Award and MOBO Award-winner will perform at the British Club in Um Al Hassam on November 20. 

Bahrain-based DJs Andrew Bentley, Ali Dawood from Radio Bahrain and Flanah will also spin tunes from the 1990s and early 2000s – the ‘golden age’ of British dance music. 

“I am excited and though I have never been to Bahrain before, I have heard many great things about the place from people who have travelled there over the years,” Shola told GulfWeekly. 

“I always find it interesting when I am introduced to a new place through my music and the fact that there’s people there that want to experience it and see the shows,” she added. 

Talking about what audiences can expect, she said: “There will obviously be the classic hits from myself from a long time ago, and then some garage remixes thrown in just to give a bit more of an up-tempo club energy to the evening. But mostly just classic songs and me sharing my voice with everyone.”

While the creative talent first emerged on to the UK soul and R&B scene during the mid-90s, her songs have stood the test of time. Some of her hits include You’re the One I Love, Who’s Loving My Baby and You Might Need Somebody, featured on her debut album Much Love (1997), which sold over a million copies, as well as Still Believe on In Return (1999).

You Might Need Somebody was a breakthrough success with the track reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart. 

The singer was recognised with two MOBO Awards, including Best Newcomer and Best R&B Act in 1997, followed by a BRIT Award for Best British Female Solo Artist the next year.

Shola came to be associated with popular electronic genre UK Garage, which originated in London in the early-to-mid 1990s, through a series of influential remixes and collaborations. 

In recent years, the artist has released several singles, remixes, and anniversary projects, while continuing to perform live. Her gig in Bahrain will be one of many in the region, as she has previously performed in Dubai. 

While the artist has developed her distinct sound over the years, she grew up listening to varied genres, which laid the foundation for her musical career. 

“I grew up in a house with four women. My mother sang in a jazz band when I was young and played roots and revival music. My grandmother would play a lot of zouk and calypso and my aunt had her own taste of like Al Jarreau and Chalamet. My cousin liked rare groove so, I grew up around this big melting pot,” she recounted. 

Though love and relationships have been a central theme in her songs, that is slowly changing. Shola talked about her evolution as an artist, noting how her experiences have influenced her work since she first started writing songs at 15.

“It is more looking what’s underneath and being introspective and looking into myself and my own behaviours and patterns and why I am the way I am about certain things or connections,” she said.

“The music I’m making currently has more of a spiritual element to it. I’m also being a little bit more honest because I think when you’re young and you make music, you haven’t really lived a lot of life yet,” added the kundalini yoga teacher.

Shola spent about four months doing her teacher training, which influenced her writing and music. She is set to release new songs next year, which will reflect this new style and has a tour on the cards, marking the 30th anniversary of Much Love.

“I will be doing the tour with a live band in September to celebrate that,” she added. 

For more information or tickets, follow @thebritishclubbahrain on Instagram.