Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011) was a British singer, songwriter, musician, and businesswoman. She was known for her contralto vocals, autobiographical songwriting, and fusion of genres including soul, rhythm and blues, and jazz. Winehouse’s music, style, and public life made her an influential figure in popular culture. Born in Enfield, London, to a Jewish family, Winehouse grew up in a jazz-influenced household. She was a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and recorded several songs before signing a publishing deal with EMI. After a friend passed her demo to a music executive, she signed with Island Records in 2002. Her debut studio album, "Frank" (2003), produced with Salaam Remi, achieved commercial success in the UK and was praised for its mature songwriting and jazz-influenced production. Its lead single, "Stronger Than Me," won an Ivor Novello Award. Winehouse’s second studio album, "Back to Black" (2006), was inspired by 1960s girl groups and soul music. Produced with Remi, the Dap-Kings, and Mark Ronson, the album received international critical and commercial success and became one of the best-selling albums of all time. Its lead single, "Rehab," reached the top ten worldwide and earned her a second Ivor Novello Award. At the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2008, Winehouse won five awards, including Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year for "Rehab," and Best Pop Vocal Album, making her the first British woman to win five Grammys in a single night. Winehouse’s career was affected by substance abuse, mental health issues, and addiction. She died from alcohol poisoning at her home in Camden Square, London, at age 27. Her brother suggested that bulimia may have contributed to her death. Winehouse’s life and career were the subject of the documentary "Amy" (2015) and the biopic "Back to Black" (2024). In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked her among the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, and in 2025, "Back to Black" was preserved in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress. Studio albums Frank (2003) Back to Black (2006)
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