Hammersmith native Estelle Swaray made her debut in 2004 with The 18th Day. She found some chart success in the U.K., but her breakthrough came four years later, when John Legend announced she'd be the first act signed to his new label, Homeschool Records. With Legend's support, Estelle attracted an unbelievable roster of superstars to help record her follow-up LP, including Kanye West and Cee Lo Green. Shine was released in 2008, featuring the international hit "American Boy". After one more well-received full-length, Estelle announced the creation of her own label, New London Records.