Josh Kumra

Josh Kumra (born 20 April 1991[1]) is a British singer-songwriter, signed to Sony RCA.

Josh Kumra
Born (1991-04-20) 20 April 1991
Swindon, Wiltshire, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Years active2011–present
LabelsSony Music Entertainment UK
Associated actsWretch 32, K Koke
Websitejoshkumra.com

In 2011, Kumra co-wrote and provided vocals for Tottenham-born rapper Wretch 32's highest charting single to date, "Don't Go", which reached number one in the UK Singles Chart.[2]

Biography

Kumra grew up in a family home in Swindon, Wiltshire.[3] Kumra is one-quarter Indian (his grandfather was from New Delhi)[4] and started playing the guitar 12 years old,[5] which naturally led to him teaching himself to sing. Kumra is a former student of The Academy of Music and Sound in Swindon.[6]

2011: Breakthrough

In early 2011, Kumra moved from Swindon to London to pursue a career in music and in the first month, met Wretch 32[5] and together, they created the "Don't Go" collaboration which went on to reach number one in the UK charts.[2]

Due to the song's instant success, Kumra joined Wretch 32 to perform the song on one of the UK's only major music TV shows, Later With Jools Holland[7] and at many of the summer's major festivals. Regarding his subsequent appearance at V Festival, he stated that it was one of his biggest highlights; "Me and Wretch performed Don't Go on the same day that it went to number one. It was an incredible feeling; they had to take away the barriers in the tent we were playing in because it was just getting rammed as there were a couple thousand more people than there should've been in there."[5]

2012–present: Good Things Come To Those Who Don't Wait

Following his success with Wretch 32, Kumra signed to Sony Records,[8] releasing his debut solo effort on 15 July 2012. The single, 'Helicopters & Planes' had its video premiere on Vevo on 18 May.[9] The track features Roc Nation rapper K Koke.[10]

He has supported many artists, including Gabrielle Aplin and in late 2012, Kumra joined Nina Nesbitt on her tour as a support act – he also supported Lianne La Havas in early 2013. In April 2013, he supported OneRepublic on their European tour.

His debut album 'Good Things Come To Those Who Don't Wait' was released on 22 April 2013, featuring songwriting and production collaborations with Fink, Emeli Sandé, Naughty Boy and Mr Hudson.

“We didn't have a brief, we just did what we wanted," says Josh. "We had total freedom to mix up soul, blues and gospel songwriting, sometimes with big hip hop beats. But there's no production for the sake of it. And ultimately it comes down to me, the bedroom singer-songwriter with a guitar in my hand. That's what I wanted to come across." The album is, he considers, "about my journey, which might sound clichéd, but it's true. The songs are about me, but also about things I've observed. They're love songs, mainly."[11]

Artistry

Influences

Kumra cites Tracy Chapman's self-titled album, The Rolling Stones and Experience by Jimi Hendrix[12] as his three most influential albums whilst growing up.

He describes his sound as "kind of 'singer-songwrity'".[13]

Discography

Albums
Title Album details
Good Things Come To Those Who Don't Wait

Extended plays
Title Album details
iTunes Festival: London 2012

Singles
Year Title Album
2012 "Helicopters & Planes"
(featuring K Koke)		 Non-album single
2013 "Waiting For You" Good Things Come To Those Who Don't Wait
"The Answer"
Year Title Peak chart positions Album
UK
[17]
2011 "Don't Go"
(Wretch 32 featuring Josh Kumra)		 1 Black and White

References
  1. "I am 22". Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  2. Tarley, Rachel (21 August 2011). "Wretch 32 beats Emeli Sande and Christina Aguilera to number 1 spot". Metro.co.uk. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  3. Biography. joshkumra.com
  4. Lester, Paul (6 April 2012). "Josh Kumra (No 1,245)". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  5. "Josh Kumra Interview". LozzaMusic.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  6. "Academy of Music & Sound – The UK's leading dedicated college for today's musician". Academyofmusic.ac.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  7. "Wretch 32 feat. Josh Kumra – Don't Go (Later with Jools Holland)". YouTube. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  8. "Swindon pop star Josh Kumra signs major record contract". Swindon Advertiser. 1 November 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  9. "Josh Kumra feat. K Koke – Helicopters & Planes". YouTube. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  10. "Josh Kumra Feat. K Koke – Helicopters & Planes". LozzaMusic.com. 18 April 2012. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  11. "Josh Kumra hopes new single will be The Answer to elusive hit". Swindon Advertiser. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  12. "Interviews – Introducing: Josh Kumra". The House of Coxhead. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  13. "x SuchATune.co.uk – Josh Kumra Interview". LozzaMusic.com. 7 February 2012. Archived from the original on 28 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  14. "Good Things Come To Those Who Don't Wait: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  15. "iTunes – Music – Good Things Come To Those Who Don't Wait by Josh Kumra". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  16. iTunes – Music – iTunes Festival: London 2012 – EP by Josh Kumra
  17. Peak positions for the featured singles in the UK:
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