British soul vocalist whose career spans Wham! backing vocals, Style Council collaborations, and a UK chart hit with Guru's Jazzmatazz project.
MOODS · soulful · smooth · nostalgic · groove-driven · warm vocals · retro British pop · jazz-inflected · club-ready · heartfelt · classic soul
BIOGRAPHY
Dee C. Lee, born Diane Catherine Sealy on 6 June 1961 to Saint Lucian parents, grew up in south-west London and built a career across soul, R&B and British pop. She began as a member of Central Line and as a backing singer for Wham!, releasing her solo debut "Selina Wow Wow" in 1984, and went on to work with Animal Nightlife, The Style Council, Mother Earth and Guru, while also writing the ballad "See the Day".
After a career break, she formed Slam Slam with Robert Howard, scoring UK club hits including "Move (Dance All Night)" and "Free Your Feelings". In 1993 she featured alongside guitarist Ronny Jordan on Guru's Jazzmatazz single "No Time to Play", which reached no. 25 in the UK. She released Things Will Be Sweeter (1994), Smiles (1998) and, decades later, Just Something (2024), and was married to Paul Weller from 1987 to 1998.
WHY THEY'RE COOL
Dee C. Lee's path runs through some of British pop and soul's most notable rooms: singing backing vocals for Wham!, joining The Style Council, and co-writing the acclaimed ballad "See the Day." Her feature on Guru's Jazzmatazz cut "No Time to Play" alongside guitarist Ronny Jordan placed her at the intersection of jazz and hip-hop in the early 90s, a crossover that reached the UK charts. Across Central Line, Slam Slam and her solo albums, she's moved fluidly between club music, soul balladry and pop collaboration over four decades.
GEORGE'S PLAYS
First time on the station.
PLAYED ON WOKE1
