During September 2009, Blake began his final year at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he studied popular music; one of his coursemates was fellow singer Katy B. Having attended The Latymer School, Blake was persistent in recording songs in his bedroom and began his music career by releasing his debut 12" record, entitled "Air & Lack Thereof" in the United Kingdom during July 2009. Having been releasing on the imprint record label, Hemlock, the extended-play became a favourite of BBC Radio 1 DJ Gilles Peterson. Soon after the release of the record Blake was invited by Peterson to do a special mix on his international show, including an exclusive Mount Kimbie track. Blake also sang and played keyboards in Mount Kimbie's live shows in 2010. Soon after, Blake released a three track EP on Hessle Audio in March 2010, for their eleventh release.
A third EP, entitled "CMYK" was released through R&S Records during 2010. The title track, "CMYK" was selected by BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw as his Record of the Week and also received airplay from other DJs.
On 29 September 2010, Zane Lowe selected Blake's cover version of "Limit to Your Love" as his "Hottest Record in the World". The song was written and originally recorded by Feist and appeared on her studio album, The Reminder. The single was released in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2010, where it debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 47.
Blake was announced on 6 December 2010 to have placed on BBC's Sound of 2011, an annual poll that highlights the forthcoming year's likely successful musicians. It was then revealed on 6 January 2011 that Blake has positioned in second place, ahead of fellow shortlisted acts; The Vaccines, Jamie Woon and Clare Maguire, who reached third, fourth and fifth respectively. It was also revealed on 15 December 2010 that Blake had been made the runner-up behind singer-songwriter Jessie J at the BRIT Awards' "Critic's Choice". In January 2011, Blake was awarded Single of the Year (2010) for "CMYK" at Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards.
Blake's work found itself on numerous 2010 year-end best-of lists, with "CMYK" ranking 24th on Frontier Psychiatrist's top 40 songs of the year, the Bells Sketch/CMYK/Klavierwerke EPs ranking 8th on Pitchfork Media's top 50 albums of 2010, and "I Only Know (What I Know Now)" ranking 8th on Pitchfork's top 100 tracks of 2010.
Having spent the majority of 2010 recording his debut album, Blake revealed in late December that his album would be self-titled and would see release in the United Kingdom on 7 February 2011. James Blake, an 11-track album which features the single "Limit to Your Love", will be made available as a digital download, CD and 12" vinyl. The vinyl release contains two extra tracks, "Tep And The Logic" and "You Know Your Youth". Only days after the announcement was made, the album was leaked onto the internet. On 9 January 2011, circulation began of "The Wilhelm Scream" being released as the album's second single, with a scheduled release date of 7 March in the United Kingdom. The Single was used during the end credits of HBO TV series Entourage season 8 episode 3. The name Wilhelm scream refers to a sound effect used in numerous movies.
Blake performed a new song at May 2011 concert in Washington D.C. The song is called "Enough Thunder"
Blake debuted a collaboration with Bon Iver called "Fall Creek Boys Choir" on BBC Radio 1 at 7:30pm GMT on 24 August 2011. The song was first announced through his Facebook page on 17 August.
On 17 September 2011, the BBC released an exclusive mix by Blake, which included 10 of his unreleased songs. These included "Deeds", "Olivia Kept", and "Evening Fell Hard for Us".
During the final weeks of 2012, James Blake performed three "intimate" shows where he debuted new songs.
Blake announced via Facebook on 7 February 2013 that his second album, Overgrown, will be released on 8 April. The first single from the album, "Retrograde", was debuted the same day on BBC Radio 1, and was released on 11 February. On 25 February, the track listing and album art were both revealed. Along with the track listing, it was confirmed that Brian Eno and RZA would both be guest featured on the album.
On 19 July 2011, he was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize 2011 for his self-titled debut album.
James Blake is the son of James Litherland.
In a 2013 interview with The Guardian he revealed that he was in a relationship with Theresa Wayman, guitarist and vocalist of American indie rock group Warpaint.
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