Acantha Lang is a New Orleans-born, London-based soul artist whose talent, resilience, and dedication have propelled her from a hidden gem to a rising star in the global soul music scene. Known for her powerful vocals and captivating stage presence, Lang has been compared to the likes of Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight. Her acclaimed debut album, Beautiful Dreams (2023), charted at #3 on the Official UK Jazz & Blues Albums Chart and earned critical praise, receiving 5-star ratings in Echoes Magazine and Soul Bag Magazine (France). She has graced the covers of Blues & Soul and Echoes magazines and was celebrated as Album of the Month by tastemakers such as Soul Tracks, Relix, American Songwriter, and KCRW’s Top Tune. BBC 6Music’s Craig Charles has hailed her as “brilliant… destined for world domination.”

Lang’s journey was anything but conventional. Unlike many Southern soul singers, she didn’t find her voice in church but through her time in New York, where she connected with top R&B musicians at the iconic Harlem Grill. This vibrant hub, frequented by legends like Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys, became the foundation for Lang’s artistry, leading to her popular “Monday Night Blues” residency. After honing her craft there for nearly three years, she was recruited as the first female MC at Manhattan’s renowned cabaret, The Box, which ultimately led her to London to open the club’s UK counterpart. In London, Lang formed her own band, refined her unique voice, and launched her songwriting journey, crafting songs that blend Stax-inspired funk with the soulful grit of New Orleans.

Lang’s debut EP, Sugar Woman (2021), was met with critical acclaim, winning her the Soul Tracks Readers’ Choice Award for New Artist of the Year. She has collaborated with artists like Robert Randolph & The Family Band, whose album she contributed to was nominated for a GRAMMY. Her music carries the storytelling traditions of blues and soul, delving into contemporary themes with songs like “Lois Lang,” a tribute to her mother and the resilience of New Orleans, and “He Said/She Said,” a soulful exploration of truth and misinformation, which was also featured on Craig Charles’ Trunk Of Funk Vol. 2 compilation album.

Lang’s 2023 debut album Beautiful Dreams has cemented her as a force in modern soul, achieving over 3 million streams and placements on top Spotify playlists like All Funked Up, Best Retro Songs, and Best Funk Songs of 2023. The album’s success brought her to the national spotlight with a performance on CBS Saturday Morning, where she performed three tracks that showcased her vocal prowess and unique style. Lang has also captivated audiences internationally, performing at the 2024 SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas, major venues in Spain and the UK, and renowned clubs like Paris’s Bizz’Art and Amsterdam’s Melkweg. In New Orleans, she was a featured artist at The Dew Drop and shared the stage with The New Mastersounds at The House of Blues and Blue Nile as part of the BACKBEAT Jazz Fest series, even making fans of stars like Anderson .Paak.

Her soul series Standing On The Shoulders Of… has amassed over 13 million views, paying tribute to soul legends with reimagined classics. Her interpretation of “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” led to a McDonald’s TV spot in Europe, further showcasing her versatility and connection to icons like Nina Simone. She was invited into the Recording Academy’s (GRAMMY) 2022 member class, and her single “Grandma’s Hands,” a re-imagined funk cover of the Bill Withers classic, was named Jazz FM’s Breakfast Show record of the week and was featured on the A List with support from BBC Radio 2’s Trevor Nelson.

With ongoing radio support from BBC and KCRW, over 3 million streams, and a rapidly growing fanbase, Acantha Lang is set to redefine contemporary soul. Currently working on her second album, slated for release in 2025, and planning extensive tours across the US and Europe, Lang continues to leave an indelible mark on the soul music landscape.

Stay up to date at https://acanthalang.com or @acanthalang on IG and YouTube.