Google doodle celebrates the life and legacy of award winning Irish, Nigerian, British musician Lizzie Emeh

The song Thia Doodle honors the life and contributions of Lizzie Emeh, an award-winning British, Irish, and Nigerian musician and songwriter. Emeh was the first person in the UK with a learning disability to produce an album of original music.

Her debut album Loud and Proud was released on this day in 2009.

The artist was born in Notting Hill, West London and when she was a baby, her parents were informed that she would never walk or talk. Emeh defied such expectations by the time she was four years old, and she would do so for the rest of her life. She knew she wanted to make a career out of music since she was surrounded by a family who encouraged her love of it.

Emeh was found in 1999 during an open mic night, and she quickly became a member of Heart n Soul, an artistic group dedicated to promoting inclusivity. Through this group, Emeh started giving concerts all over Europe and the world. She was particularly well-known for her performances at Heart n Soul Unplugged in Asia and Glastonbury Festival.

As shown by her song Loud and Proud, Emeh also delighted in penning songs based on her own experiences. Her aim to celebrate and be transparent about disability is reflected in the title. “Eclectic, wide-ranging, and with lots of soul,” was how she characterized the album. She sang her own song on the global stage during the 2012 London Paralympic opening ceremony not long after it was released.

Her next album was a tripartite EP, which was titled See Me. Her relationships and mental health were explored in depth in the three segments, The Clan, My Baboo, and Meds. Listen to Lizzie, a posthumous 2023 release that features a stronger reggae feel and is an album about love and empowerment.

Emeh has received several national awards for her contributions to music and her achievements can be explored through her albums, written directly from her heart. She is also known for advocating for the rights of people with learning disabilities and encouraging more people with disabilities to enter the music industry. Thank you, Lizzie Emme, for sharing your story and musical talent with the world!