WAYNE MARSHALL
Songwriter
Wayne Marshall is a British R&B singer, songwriter and producer whose musical journey began in Hackney.
Starting out in reggae, he worked with legendary sound-system figure Sir Collins at the Roots Pool community project in Dalston, honed his performance skills at Chats Palace, and later learned the technical side of music production at a mastering plant owned by Black Slate musician Chris Hanson, cutting dubplates for UK sound systems. Wayne went on to become an award-winning R&B artist. His independently released single Oooh Aah (G-Spot) which he wrote and produced, reached No. 29 in the UK Singles Chart in 1994, and was Best taking a Hackney-developed talent onto the national stage.
Why Hackney Matters
Wayne grew up on Hackney’s Pembury Estate and credits the music rooms at Hackney Downs school with helping shape him into a songwriter and recording artist. His journey reflects Hackney’s rich musical heritage, where community spaces, schools, churches and sound systems nurtured generations of Black British talent.
Did You Know?
Wayne’s earliest musical training began in church, where he sang in the choir; his grandmother was a Pentecostal minister. He later became the first UK R&B artist to reach the Top 30 of the UK national singles chart. His achievements have also been recognised by the Black Music Awards, where he received awards for Best Male Artist, Best Newcomer, Best Single and Best Album.