All-Time Best Ella Mai Songs

Ella Mai got discovered through Instagram! She was posting cover songs and original music videos from her living room, and these caught the attention of DJ Mustard's label, 10 Summers Records. Before that, she had appeared on The X Factor UK in 2014 as part of a trio, but they didn't make it far. It was really those Instagram videos that changed her life - DJ Mustard signed her, and the rest is history.

'Boo'd Up' is Ella Mai's breakout hit from 2017 that made her a household name. It was originally on her EP 'Ready,' but it became a sleeper hit - meaning it took time to catch on. The song started gaining popularity in nightclubs and on social media throughout 2017 and early 2018, then exploded on radio in spring 2018. It peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became her first top 10 hit. People love it because it's that classic R&B love song with a modern twist that just makes you feel good.

Ella Mai is 30 years old (born November 3, 1994). She started her musical journey at London's British and Irish Modern Music Institute in 2014. Growing up, she was heavily influenced by her mom's music taste - artists like Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, and classic R&B. Living in both London and New York exposed her to different musical cultures, which you can hear in her sound that blends British and American R&B styles.

DJ Mustard (real name Dijon McFarlane) is a Grammy-winning producer and the head of 10 Summers Records, Ella Mai's label. He discovered her through her Instagram videos and became her mentor and executive producer. He's produced most of her major hits, including 'Boo'd Up' and 'Trip.' Ella has said having Mustard around is like having a mentor who's done it all before - he's been crucial to her success and helped shape her sound.

After 'Boo'd Up,' her next biggest hit was 'Trip,' which reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. She's also known for songs like 'Shot Clock,' 'Whatchamacallit' featuring Chris Brown, and more recently 'DFMU' (Don't F*ck Me Up) from 2022. Her self-titled debut album in 2018 featured collaborations with Chris Brown, John Legend, and H.E.R. She's consistently releasing music and maintaining her position in the R&B scene.

Ella Mai is pretty private about her personal life. She's mentioned having a boyfriend in interviews but keeps him completely out of the spotlight, which shows how much she values privacy and respects their relationship. She's never been married and doesn't share much about her dating life on social media - she prefers to keep the focus on her music rather than her personal relationships.

Ella Mai makes contemporary R&B music with influences from classic soul, hip-hop, and British music culture. Her sound is smooth, melodic, and often focuses on love and relationships. She's heavily influenced by artists like Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, and Chris Brown. Her music has that nostalgic 90s and early 2000s R&B feel but with a modern production style, which is why it resonates with both younger and older audiences.