- published: 16 Apr 2008
- views: 1485598
Mathurin Campbell (born 18 March 1979), better known as Shola Ama, is an English R&B singer, who scored her biggest hit in 1997 with a cover of Turley Richards' "You Might Need Somebody".
Campbell was born in Paddington, London, England, of a white father (Scottish and Irish) and St. Lucian mother. She attended Quintin Kynaston School in the early 1990s. At 15, she was singing to herself on a platform at Hammersmith tube station, and was overheard by Kwame Kwaten, a producer at the FreakStreet record label. In 1995, an unknown independent label released a single titled "Celebrate", which was a ballad produced by D'Influence. Although the single was not a commercial success, it did draw attention to Shola Ama as an artist. On her 16th birthday, she signed a recording contract with WEA.
The single "You're the One I Love" was her first single release for WEA in 1996; it barely made an impact on the charts, only managing to reach No. 85. Her second WEA single, "You Might Need Somebody", remains her biggest hit. This Turley Richards cover reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart in April 1997. It remained in the top 40 for almost two months, becoming one of 1997's biggest hits. A re-release of "You're the One I Love" followed in August 1997 and reached #3. Her third single "Who's Loving My Baby" was released in November 1997 and reached #13. At the age of 18, Shola Ama released her debut album Much Love (1997).
Last week when you were cruisin
Your best friend moved to me, one again
I didn't want to tell you
So I just kept it to myself
[Chorus]
You should really know
I ain't playin you
Babe you gotta know
Cause your love is all im living for
And if you look into my eyes and you will know
Oh baby you should really know
(Background: Ya 3ayni, ya leel,
ya leili ya 3ayni, ya leel, ya 3eyni ya leel,
leely leely ya 3yuni x2)
I'm mad you think I hurt you
Cause your love means everything to me
And I aint keepin secrets - no no
I'm just keepin to myself
[Repeat Chorus]
[Bridge]
Do you think I want you to leave
When you mean so much to me
But if you don't want to stay
Then just let go of me
We would be better off that way
If you don't trust in me
An believe people say
You're the only one I see
[Naila Boss]
Boy you know that I got ya
Anything that you do boy you know I support ya - huh
How could you think I would do this to you
I thought wifey would mean more to you
I aint trying to say I weren't there that day
I'm just trying to say it didn't happen that way
Naila Boss the name is true, the game is true
You know I belong to you, come on
But if your trying give ultimatums
Then this right here is the point that I make yeh
Do you think I'd be your wife
Allezay, hot grade, i'm gonna be alright
Trust, cause the love we shared was so wrong
Shame, cause I felt it was so strong
It's okay, make your moves
Cause I know you'll be back in a year or two
[Repeat Chorus]
(Background: Ya 3ayni, ya leel,
ya leili ya 3ayni, ya leel, ya 3eyni, ya leel,