Empire Child is the new musical project of Ruth Rothwell, slated for release 15th May 2026

Empire Child is a singer songwriter from London, a child of the Empire. Born and raised in London by parents from Jamaica and South Africa, the Empire Child links the continents of Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas and tells the story of navigating life's unpredictable journey.

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Having spent decades shaping music culture from the inside out, Ruth—formerly a senior A&R manager at MCA/Universal—played a defining role in the UK’s 90s dance boom, working across BCM Records and later MCA Publishing, where she helped develop artists including Zero 7, Basement Jaxx and Air, while also nurturing key songwriters behind era-defining hits such as Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” and Adele’s “Chasing Pavements.” Despite that success, songwriting remained her constant pull. “Songwriting is really my calling and I could no longer ignore that fact,” she says. That instinct now takes centre stage with Empire Child, her most personal body of work to date.

The forthcoming album, produced by Madrid-based jazz professor and producer Mariano Diaz, is rooted in Ruth’s own story, shaped by her upbringing in London and her mixed heritage. Blending jazz, soul, singer-songwriter intimacy and subtle reggae influences, the record explores identity, resilience and self-belief, with themes of letting go of the past and finding the courage to move forward. “The music represents my culture growing up in London,” Ruth explains. “Music will always bring us back together.”

Written between London and Spain, the album unfolds as a reflection on lived experience, from heritage and migration to healing and growth. “Music is my sanctuary, a way to deal with life on life’s terms,” Ruth says. With Empire Child, she steps forward not as the architect behind other artists’ success, but with a voice and story entirely her own.

Empire Child website here

Thank you to Jazz Promo Services for sharing with us