George Ezra
A British singer-songwriter with a soulful, anachronistic baritone who crafts deceptively simple folk-pop anthems about wanderlust and wonder.
Born 1993 (age 33)·English singer-songwriter·Birthday: June 7·Millennials
Biography
George Ezra's story feels like a modern folk tale. As a teenager in Hertfordshire, he discovered early blues and folk records, which imprinted on his voice, gifting him a rich, warm baritone that seemed to belong to a man decades older. His breakthrough was almost accidental; a trip to Europe inspired the global hit 'Budapest,' a song built on a charming misunderstanding that he'd never actually visited the city. His debut album, 'Wanted on Voyage,' captured a pre-pandemic spirit of adventure, topping the UK charts and establishing him as a songwriter of uncynical, melodic clarity. Ezra has consistently sidestepped industry flash, hosting a podcast about songwriting and crafting his music with a thoughtful, grounded sincerity that makes his massive success feel refreshingly human.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
George was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When George Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
George's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- His debut single 'Budapest' reached number one in over ten countries and has been streamed billions of times globally.
- His first studio album, 'Wanted on Voyage,' was the third best-selling album in the UK in 2014, behind only Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith.
- His second album, 'Staying at Tamara’s,' spawned the UK number-one single 'Shotgun' and debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart.
- Hosts the popular podcast 'George Ezra & Friends,' where he interviews fellow musicians about their creative processes.
Did You Know?
He wrote 'Budapest' while on a train in Budapest, but the lyrics about giving up a hypothetical house there were written before he ever visited the city.
He took a break from music to walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain for his 2018 podcast series.
His distinctive deep voice developed early, and he was often mistaken for an adult on the telephone as a child.
“I think the best songs are the ones that sound like they've always existed, and you've just found them.”
