On Wednesday, October 9, Google celebrated the remarkable Lizzie Emeh with a Doodle in her honor. Emeh, an award-winning singer-songwriter, made history as the first person with a learning disability to release an album across the UK, titled Loud and Proud.
Born in Notting Hill, London, to Irish and Nigerian parents, Emeh defied early medical expectations. Doctors told her family she would never walk or talk, but by the age of four, she had already proven them wrong.
Her musical journey began in 1999 when she was discovered at an open mic night, which led to her joining Heart n Soul, an arts organization dedicated to promoting inclusion.
Emeh often spoke about how her grandmother, a jazz and blues singer, inspired her love for music. “She taught me everything I needed to know about music,” Emeh shared in an interview with M Magazine. “She once told me, ‘I’m only putting you on the starting blocks, because I know what you’re going to achieve.’ That was when my love for music truly began.”
In 2009, she released her debut album Loud and Proud, an eclectic and soulful mix of genres. Her next project, See Me, was a three-part EP trilogy that explored personal themes of relationships and mental health. In 2023, she released another album titled Listen to Lizzie, which had a reggae influence and focused on themes of love and empowerment.
Emeh’s career saw her performing at major venues and festivals around the world, including Glastonbury Festival and the 2012 Summer Paralympics. She was also recognized with numerous national awards for her contributions to music and her advocacy for people with learning disabilities.
Lizzie Emeh passed away in November 2021 at the age of 44, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a pioneer in music and a champion for inclusivity.