Create an experience with V V Brown

BIOGRAPHY

Musician

A million records sold worldwide, a career that spans over 15 years and a roller coaster ride career with stories ranging from Cheeseburgers with Stevie Wonder, performing with Grace Jones and being the first black person modelling for a huge fashion chain Marks and Spencers. 

The 36-year-old from rural Northamptonshire is lots of other things, too. A survivor. A striver. A role model to other young black women. A musician who’s been dealing with record labels and embroiled in the music industry for almost half her life.

A singer who loved her big pop moment, when she hit 2009 single Shark in The Water helped her debut album Traveling Like The Light sell over one million copies in the US alone, as well as propelling her to the number one album chart in France.

She’s a songwriter-for-hire (as Pussycat Dolls and Sugababes will attest). A fearless, do-or-die creative. A conceptual artist (as her biblical narrative album, Samson & Delilah, will attest and her conceptual music video where she became a white woman through the use of prosthetics. A filmmaker. An incredible live performer. A one-woman hive of industry. An innovator who, rather than be derailed by glitches, is inspired by them.

Internationally renowned singer-songwriter and producer Vanessa Brown aka 'V V' Brown has enjoyed a stellar career in the music business appearing on the David Letterman show in the USA and Later with Jools Holland three times. 

Entrepreneur and Motivational Speaker

V V Brown is a natural speaker and motivator. 

Jade Barnes - Producer for TedX Manchester  - "Vanessa spoke at TedX UCS Farham. She was a delight to work with and her passion and enthusiasm was infectious. It was such an inspiring talk and very well received by everyone in the room"

She is well placed to comment on issues of identity, race, female empowerment, start-up culture and the music industry.

It isn't only music that V V Brown has tackled well. 

In 2013 V V Brown launched a successful sustainable online business. Due to her success V V Brown was asked to sit on a panel as a speaker and judge for the Ethical Observer Awards. The panel of experts chose the best sustainable businesses in the United Kingdom. 

In 2021 she wrote a children's book called Lily and the Magic Comb, which addressed the subject of the lack of multiculturalism in the publishing world. The children's book was met with raving reviews and was noted by The Independent as one of the top ten multicultural books of 2021. She furthered this and carried out a TEDx talk about identity which was met with a standing ovation. 

She is now working with the Arts council to put on a touring workshop and performance piece to open up the conversation about afro hair, which is rooted in her talk about identity which was aired on BBC Radio four, performed live at Hay Festival.

During the Lockdown period she launched her own mini podcast series called The Songs Of Triumph interviewing people who had overcome things in their life that were inspirational. 

V V Brown is currently working on launching The Say Something Collective charity will work on activism for change in the arts supporting artists from marginalised communities. The collective has their first exhibition debuting in 2023.

V V isn't shy at a panel debate either. She has spoken at various places such as SXSW music tech Summit and lectured at universities such as Goldsmiths University inspiring students about how to navigate through an ever changing music industry. She now embarks on being a member on the board of PRS Music. 

Alongside her musical achievements, V V has been writing articles for The Guardian and various national newspapers. She has become more involved in journalistic pursuits hoping to be a voice of change in her writing. 

Her forthright views have also been featured on BBC News, Channel 4 News, Daily Politics, Unapologetic Channel 4 and many other commentary television programmes.

She is currently working on a book to help and support young entrepreneurs in whatever field resting on the belief of "never giving up" and her ethics that "persistence is power!"

In a world where many of her contemporaries have stopped in their tracks V V keeps going obsessively headed to her goal.

We ask her “ what is your goal ?” She answers, “A simple life with extraordinary experiences.” 

Testimonials

Chloe Roberts - CCO of Record Company Young Turks

"V V Brown is a dynamic and compelling speaker who has always been passionate about what she believes in. She has always followed her convictions and is a natural activist. You can feel an electric energy whether it be on stage or in person"

Jade Barnes - Producer for TedX Manchester 

"Vanessa spoke at TedX UCS Farham. She was a delight to work with and her passion and enthusiasm was infectious. an inspiring talk, very well received by everyone in the room"

Marion Brown - Principal of the Overstone Park Independent School - "Inspiring to our students and left an incredible impact"

Ray Mead-ham - CEO of Multi-view Media Ltd.

"V V is a confident speaker and always gives a major insight into the topics being discussed . a natural motivator. She was incredibly received at SXSW"

Joseph Harper - Senior Editor (Diversity and Development) The Guardian - 

"I have known V V for over 6 years. We met at a talk she delivered at Parliament. She continues to be a force"

Megan Croft - Producer of Channel 4 - Unapologetic 

" We were compelled by V V 's confidence and got incredible feedback from public opinion about her words and topic of conversation"