Good Knight

DETERMINATION has played just as big a part in Beverley Knight's rise to stardom as one of the UK's most successful R'n'B singers as her sensual, angelic voice.

Ten years ago she could have so easily given up. Signed to a record label when Britpop was at its seminal high, music hacks laughed her off as just another pop wannabe grasping in desperation at the US R'n'B scene as a way of gaining credibility.

How wrong they were.

Beverley wasn't the shy, intimidated Wolverhampton girl many took her to be. Having grown up singing in churches around the city she had faith and conviction and, more importantly, an unwavering hunger to succeed.

By early 1997 Beverley had switched labels to Parlophone Records where she released her first mainstream album, Prodigal Sister. By now the cracks in Britpop's seemingly indestructible armour were beginning to show as critics hailed the album one of the greatest UK soul albums of the decade.

Patience and perseverance had won the day.

Looking back on what Beverley openly admits was a testing time, the articulate star says she never once questioned her talent.

"I don't want to sound arrogant, but I've never been surprised that I made it or that I'm still here," she says sincerely.

"It wasn't easy swimming against the tide of opinion against R'n'B. But now it's sailing in the UK and I feel I have over-come the resentment.

"It takes a lot of self-belief and drive and that comes from within. You either have it or you don't. There are many talented people out there who could go a lot further, but don't because they don't have the drive. Equally, less talented people who have loads of drive can and do make it.

"I've built my career slowly and steadily. Nothing has ever happened that has suddenly catapulted me into the A-list arena. I've never been in a position where my head is swimming in glory, and I'm glad of that because you see people consumed with fame and it's not pretty."

Prodigal Sister spawned Beverley's first top 20 hit, Greatest Day, and earned her two MOBO awards for Best R'n'B artist and Best Album. Yet despite winning over her critics, it wasn't until 2002's top ten smash Shoulda Coulda Woulda that she won the hearts of the mainstream British public - eight years since signing her first record deal.

"I think I've always made music that people can gravitate to," reasons Beverley.

"I've never been able to fall back on being a pretty face or had loads of hype and promotion behind me. It's just the goodwill out. I'm someone who has recorded four albums that people have connected with. It's just the same for someone like PJ Harvey. She's not massive, but people know her and her music is amazing.

"The person who puts the most pressure on me has always been myself," she adds.

"I've always pushed myself to do the best that I can though that doesn't always happen. I don't work fuelled or pushed by outside pressure. The only pressure I care about is the one I put on myself.

"I do put myself under immense pressure. I don't like to fail at anything. I believe I am the most driven person in the music industry."

Beverley's latest album, Affirmation, was released last year to the kind of reviews that many have come to expect. But despite showering her with praise many critics believe she has yet to write a classic. Beverley isn't fazed, declaring her only goal is to satisfy her own appetite to pen a timeless hit.

"It doesn't annoy me when people say I haven't made a classic. People have said all sorts of things over the years about me. In the beginning people didn't want to review my songs. There was a disrespect at the time about British R'n'B because of the whole Britpop scene and they just decided to label it as rubbish without even listening to it.

"Now R'n'B is the flavour of the month and every critic is an expert!" she laughs.

"In my own eyes I would like to record what I believe is a classic. I don't think everything that I have recorded is a classic, but I do think some of the stuff is a true signature of me. The hope is always that you make an album that stands the test of time.

"If I could call any record my own it would be Sam Cooke's A Change is Gonna Come. It's an astonishing song. I love it. I wish I could write a song like that.

"My feeling is though that if you have survived in this business for 11 years then you must be doing something right," she smiles.

In an industry still dominated by men Beverley remains a breath of fresh air with her candid opinions and strong-minded personality.

Never one to shy away from voicing her feelings, particularly about issues close to her heart such as violence and hunger, Beverley says she won't change.

"I have an opinion on most things I see so you better watch out!" she laughs.

"If I was in charge of the country for the day I'd shake up the NHS. It's suffered for years through poor management. I say that as someone whose mum and sister are nurses and seen their workload increase, while standards have slipped.

"I would also want to get a grip on the property market. I worry about first time buyers. I was lucky because I had a nice old landlady who thought I was nice and she sold me the property as a private sale. Something needs to happen to calm things down. I think a price cap could help.

"The one final thing I would do is impose mandatory sentences on people who carry weapons. There is just no justification what so ever for carrying a gun," she says with a resolute glow.

Beneath the unflinching persona though there lies a charming, captivating woman happy to joke and banter about the more superficial failings of pop stardom.

"I always like to make sure there is a kettle so I can make some tea," she says of her rider at gigs. "I drink it all day long. It's the first thing I want when I get off stage. I don't drink alcohol - tea is plenty for me.

"I'm no diva, but in ten years I'd like to think that I'll still be making music. It's a calling for me and hopefully it will be to wider audience. Maybe I'll have a chance to see what they think of my music in the US."