Ella Mai Bio, Songs, Tour Dates, and Her Relationship With Jayson Tatum

Ella Mai has become one of the most recognizable names in modern R&B, known for her warm, honest songwriting and a voice that turned a slow-building single into one of the defining hits of the last decade. From her early days performing in London to becoming a Grammy winner, Ella Mai’s journey is one that fans continue to follow closely, whether they’re catching up on her music, her tour schedule, or her personal life with NBA star Jayson Tatum.
Quick Bio: Ella Mai
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ella Mai Howell |
| Date of Birth | November 3, 1994 |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Singer, Songwriter |
| Genre | R&B |
| Years Active | 2014–Present |
| Breakout Song | “Boo’d Up” |
| Record Label | 10 Summers Records, Interscope Records |
| Partner | Jayson Tatum |
| Children | 1 |
Early Life and Parents
Ella Mai was born in London and spent part of her childhood in the city of Mitcham, in the south of the capital. Her parents come from two different cultural backgrounds, with her mother being Jamaican and her father Irish, and that mix played a real part in shaping the sound she’d later become known for. Ella Mai’s parents supported her early love of music, and her mother in particular is often credited as a major influence, having introduced her to classic jazz recordings during her childhood.
When Ella Mai was around 12 years old, her family relocated to New York City, largely because of her mother’s teaching career. Living in the United States exposed her to a different musical landscape, and that experience is something she has spoken about as shaping her taste. She eventually returned to England to finish school, setting the stage for the career that would follow.
Career Beginnings
Ella Mai’s professional path started to take shape when she enrolled at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM) in London back in 2014. That same year, she tried out for the 11th series of a well-known UK talent show as part of a short-lived group called Arize. The group didn’t make it far in the competition, but the experience pushed Ella Mai toward pursuing music on her own terms.
Rather than waiting for another audition, she began uploading her own material to SoundCloud. Her debut solo EP, “Troubled,” released in 2015, gave listeners their first real taste of her sound and started building a small but loyal following.
The Rise of Ella Mai
It didn’t take long for the right people to notice her talent. American producer DJ Mustard came across her music and social media performances and signed her to his label, 10 Summers Records, an imprint under Interscope. From there, Ella Mai released a run of EPs that steadily built her profile: “Time” in 2016, followed by “Change” later that year, and then “Ready” in 2017.
“Ready” turned out to be the project that changed everything. It included the single “Boo’d Up,” a smooth, understated love song that slowly gained traction online before exploding into a mainstream hit. The track eventually climbed into the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the most streamed R&B songs of its era. It also won Ella Mai a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and picked up a nomination for Song of the Year, cementing her as one of the genre’s brightest new voices.
Ella Mai Songs and Albums
Fans searching for Ella Mai songs usually start with “Boo’d Up,” but her catalogue runs much deeper than that one breakout hit. Her self-titled debut album, released in 2018 through Interscope, built on that momentum and included “Trip,” a follow-up single that also performed well commercially, landing inside the top 15 of the Hot 100. The Ella Mai trip toward chart success didn’t stop there, as the album picked up strong reviews for its blend of classic R&B influences with a modern, radio-friendly sound.
She followed up with her second studio album, “Heart on My Sleeve,” in 2022, which reached number two on the R&B album chart and later received a deluxe edition in 2023. In 2024, she released an EP simply titled “3,” and continued putting out new material into 2025 with the single “Tell Her,” showing that she has no plans of slowing down.
Ella Mai Tour and Concert Appearances
For fans hoping to catch her live, Ella Mai concert dates have become a regular feature of the R&B touring circuit. Early in her career, she gained valuable stage experience opening for artists like Kehlani, which helped introduce her to wider audiences before she was headlining shows of her own.
Since then, Ella Mai has toured extensively in support of her albums, including dates across North America and a dedicated Ella Mai UK tour that gave fans back home the chance to see her perform the songs that made her famous. Her live shows are known for showcasing her vocal range in a way that studio recordings don’t always capture, and tour announcements tend to generate plenty of buzz among longtime fans.
Ella Mai and Jayson Tatum
Outside of music, one of the most talked-about parts of Ella Mai’s life has been her relationship with Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum. The Ella Mai Jayson Tatum romance began around 2020, and the pairing of an R&B star and an NBA All-Star quickly drew attention from fans of both worlds.
The relationship between Ella Mai and her boyfriend has remained relatively private compared to many celebrity couples, with the two generally keeping the spotlight on their careers rather than their personal life. Still, updates on the Jayson Tatum Ella Mai relationship tend to circulate widely whenever the pair make public appearances together, and search interest around Ella Mai and Jayson Tatum has stayed consistently high. In 2024, the couple welcomed a child together, adding a new chapter to their relationship that fans have continued to follow with interest.
Why Fans Keep Following Ella Mai
Part of what makes Ella Mai such an enduring figure in R&B is the consistency of her output paired with a public image that feels genuine rather than manufactured. She built her career from SoundCloud uploads rather than a manufactured pop machine, and that origin story still resonates with fans who appreciate artists who’ve paid their dues.
Combine that with her Grammy pedigree, an evolving discography, and a high-profile relationship with Jayson Tatum, and it’s easy to see why searches for her music, tour dates, and personal life remain steady years after “Boo’d Up” first took off.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Ella Mai?
Ella Mai was born on November 3, 1994, making her in her early thirties.
What is Ella Mai’s most famous song?
Her breakout single “Boo’d Up” remains her most recognised song, having earned her a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song.
Is Ella Mai still with Jayson Tatum?
Yes, Ella Mai and Jayson Tatum have been together since around 2020 and share a child together.
Does Ella Mai still tour?
Yes, she continues to perform live, including headline shows and tour dates across the UK and North America.
Conclusion
From a teenage X Factor audition to Grammy-winning success, Ella Mai’s story is one of steady growth built on genuine talent. Whether people are catching up on her latest songs, checking Ella Mai tour dates, or following her relationship with Jayson Tatum, her name continues to hold real staying power in both music and pop culture conversations.
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