Karima Francis (born Karima Antoinette Francis Cunliffe, 28 April 1987 in Blackpool, England) is an English singer-songwriter. Karima was named by The Observer the number one act to watch in 2009. After performing at In The City in Manchester and SXSW in Austin she was signed by the independent record label Kitchenware Records/Columbia Records. She signed with Vertigo Records, a division of Mercury Music Group, in 2011. She released her first album, The Author, on 23 March 2009, The record was produced by Kevin Bacon and Jonathan Quarmby. The Author was mixed by and mastered by Bob Ludwig.