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Sugababes

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The Sugababes are a BRIT Award-winning pop group trio from London, England.

The group formed in 1998. Releasing eighteen singles (five of those reaching #1 in the UK, and a #1 charity single with Band Aid 20) and five albums that have reached top 40 charts worldwide, and one of the few British groups to have all albums in the top 15, the Sugababes have more top ten hits with original songs than any other girl group since The Supremes, Destiny's Child, and Bananarama. In 2003, they won a Brit Award for "Best Dance Act", and in 2006 were named the UK all-female act of the 21st century from British Hit Singles And Albums, beating international acts such as Britney Spears and Madonna.[1]

The group have so far attained triple platinum album sales from three of their albums in their native UK,[2] and have sold over nine million albums worldwide. They have also scored successes around Europe and Asia with Number One singles in U.K, Ireland, Poland, Denmark, Austria and New Zealand. The group became the first pop group ever to play the main stage at the popular Glastonbury Festival.[3]

History

One Touch: The original line-up

File:Sugababes-One-Touch.jpg
Sugababes' début studio album One Touch (2000), with Siobhán Donaghy.

The group was created, when Keisha Buchanan and Mutya Buena, friends since they were only eight years of age, met Siobhán Donaghy at a 1998 party when they were thirteen, and were introduced by manager, Ron Tom.[4] Buena and Donaghy had been working separately with Tom, and while they were filming their video to Overload it was suggested that they would look better with a third member. Buchanan had been invited to come along to watch by Buena and was asked if she could sing; the name 'Sugababes' originates from Buchanan's school nickname, 'Sugar baby'. At fourteen, they were offered a record contract by London Records and started calling themselves the Sugababes.[4]

Their debut single "Overload" made the UK Top 10 and was nominated for a BRIT Award for Best Single, climbing to number 3 in Germany and number 2 in New Zealand. The group co-wrote most of the tracks on One Touch, with the help of All Saints producer Cameron McVey.[5]

Their debut album produced three more top 20 hits in the UK - "New Year", "Run for Cover" and "Soul Sound". During a Japanese promotional tour Siobhán Donaghy left the group stating initially that she wanted to pursue a fashion career,[4] eventually being diagnosed with clinical depression amid reports of in-fighting between the Sugababes members.[6]

Heidi Range, a founding member of Atomic Kitten, was announced as Donaghy's replacement in 2001.[7] Despite peaking at number 26 on the UK Album Charts, and faring even better in Germany, where it peaked at number 7, the sales of One Touch did not meet London Records' expectations,[8] and they dropped the group in 2001.

Angels with Dirty Faces: commercial success

File:Angelswithdirtyfaces.jpg
Sugababes' second studio album Angels with Dirty Faces (2002), the first with Heidi Range.

Having already started work on a second album with new member, Heidi Range, the trio looked for a new record label, eventually signing to Island Records. Their first single on the new label, "Freak Like Me", was produced by Richard X - recorded in Richard X's own flat, and one of the last tracks to be recorded for the album.[9] The song used the backing track from "Are Friends Electric?" by Gary Numan's Tubeway Army, with the group singing lyrics taken from Adina Howard's "Freak Like Me". The dark video saw Range being initiated into the group, and debuted at number one in the UK and number two,but peaked in number one in Ireland in 2002.

Their second single with Range, "Round Round", produced by Kent-based production group, Xenomania, was the group's second UK number one single and reached number two in Ireland, the Netherlands and New Zealand. It was also their first top twenty hit in Australia, peaking at number thirteen going Gold (with sales over the 35,000 copies).

On the back of these hits, Sugababes' second album Angels with Dirty Faces debuted at number two on the UK album chart and was a success across Europe, eventually being certified triple platinum in the UK, and selling one million copies in Europe.[10] The third single from the album, a ballad entitled "Stronger" gained the girls their third straight top 10 hit in their native country. The track was released as a double-A side with "Angels with Dirty Faces" in the UK, where it was chosen as the theme tune to The Powerpuff Girls Movie.

The fourth single "Shape", which samples the Sting track "Shape of My Heart", made number eleven in the UK and had moderate success in Netherlands and Ireland in early 2003. The single featured a live version of "Freak like Me" which they performed at the 2003 BRIT Awards,[11] having won the award for "Best British Dance Act". Their success also led to them recording a new track, entitled "Party in the Club", for the theme tune to ITV's teenage drama show Girls in Love, based on the book of the same name by Jacqueline Wilson.

Three: career achievements

File:Sugababes-Three.jpg
Sugababes' third studio album Three (2003).

The group's third album Three was released in late 2003 and continued success reaching number three on the UK Album Chart, preceded by the Xenomania produced "Hole in the Head". It was the groups's third UK number one single and their first number one in Denmark. It reached number two in Ireland, Netherlands and Norway, and also became the babes' first single to chart in the official Billboard charts peaking at #96 and hit the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart at #1. It also performed well on the Hot Dance Airplay chart.

The second single, "Too Lost in You", which appeared on the soundtrack to the film Love Actually and was written by Diane Warren, went top ten in the UK, Germany, Netherlands and Norway, as well as going top ten on both sides of the Straits of Taiwan (Taiwan and China). The song was originally recorded in French by Patricia Kaas and entitled "Quand J'ai Peur De Tout" . The album's third single, "In the Middle", released in 2004, went to number 8 in the UK. The fourth single to be released from "Three" was the ballad, "Caught in a Moment", gave the girls another top 10 hit, peaking at number 8, backed by tracks recorded from their Sessions@AOL appearance.

In 2004, the trio joined acts such as Coldplay's Chris Martin, Dido and Robbie Williams on a 2004 version of the 1984 Band Aid's original "Do They Know It's Christmas?", which in December went to number 1 in the UK and sold over 200,000 copies in its first week.[12] All the money raised by this charity single went towards famine relief in the Darfur region of Sudan.

After a break from the music industry, whilst recording their fourth album, Mutya Buena announced she and her boyfriend Jay, were expecting a child.[13] Their daughter named Tahlia Maya Buena, was born in March 2005.[14]

The group later gave their first performance for over a year at the Edinburgh Live 8 concert.[15] In this time, the girls had been recording their fourth album, working with variety of songwriters and producers, including USA producer, Dallas Austin.

Taller in More Ways: new member

File:Tallerinmoreways.jpg
Sugababes' fourth studio album Taller in More Ways (2005), the last with Mutya Buena.

On 2 October 2005 the Dallas Austin produced "Push the Button" debuted at number one in the UK, giving the group their fourth number one single and first Irish number one single. It went on to sell over 300,000 copies in the UK alone and was later nominated at the BRIT Awards for 'Best British Single'. It also went number one in Austria and New Zealand, and is also their biggest Australian hit to date, peaking at #3 and going platinum, selling around 100,000 copies. "Push the Button" became their most popular song in the United States yet, becoming another huge hit on the Hot Dance Airplay and Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts.

On 16 October 2005, Taller in More Ways became the group's first UK number one album. On that same date, the group celebrated being number one in the singles, album, airplay, and download charts at the same time.[16] 'In addition to Austin, Taller in More Ways saw the trio continue work with Guy Sigsworth and Xenomania, as well as Cameron McVey, who had not worked with the group since One Touch.[17]

Following an apparent illness,[18] that prevented Buena from promoting the follow up single "Ugly", it was announced on 21 December 2005 that Buena had left Sugababes. According to an announcement on their site, "[Buena]'s decision was based purely on personal reasons and she will continue to remain the best of friends with both [Buchanan] and [Range]". It was found that Buchanan wanted to stay friends with Buena but found it hard as she never sees her. The last remaining original member, Buchanan, said upon Buena's departure,

File:Timw2006.jpg
Sugababes' fourth studio album Taller in More Ways (re-issue) (2006), the first with Amelle Berrabah.

"...we will all miss Mutya, but we also knew there was still a place for bringing in somebody new who could help us carry on taking the Sugababes brand of music forward".[6]

Amelle Berrabah joined the group in late December. Before joining the Sugababes, Berrabah featured in the band 'Boo2' with her sister, Samiya.[19]

The third single was a re-recorded version of "Red Dress", which was released in early 2006, and gave the group a third consecutive top 5 hit from the album entering the UK singles chart at number four. Berrabah re-recorded 3 tracks and co-wrote a brand new track with Buchanan and Range, all of these appeared on a re-release of Taller in More Ways, which reached 18 in the UK chart.

In early 2006, Taller in More Ways earned a Platinum Award from the IFPI in recognition of over 1 million copies sold in Europe.[20] In April 2006, the girls won "Best World Group" at the ESKA Music Awards 2006 in Poland.[4]

The final single from Taller in More Ways was "Follow Me Home", released only in the UK in June, where it charted at 32.

Overloaded: The Singles Collection: current line-up

File:Singlescollection.jpg
Sugababes' first compilation album Overloaded: The Singles Collection (2006).

Sugababes returned to the recording studio to start work on their fifth album, in mid-2006, recording two tracks for their contractual greatest hits collection, entitled Overloaded: The Singles Collection. The lead single from the compilation, "Easy", was co-written by George Astario and Jason Pebworth from Californian band Orson, who share management with Sugababes.[21] "Easy" was released, prior to the hits compilation album, and peaked at number eight in the UK Single Charts. The singles compilation was released on 13 November 2006, peaking at number three on the album charts in the UK. The compilation contains tracks from One Touch to Taller in More Ways, excluding "New Year", "Soul Sound", "Angels with Dirty Faces", and "Follow Me Home", most of which were not released outside the UK. A separate DVD was also released, featuring 14 of their music videos and karaoke versions, as well as a special deluxe digital download version featuring live performances, a special digital download remix collection, entitled Overloaded: The Remix Collection, and a Napster Live Session, featuring acoustic versions of four of their hits and their cover of Primal Scream's hit, "Rocks". On November 6th 2006, Sugababes joined Feeder on stage for the encore of Feeder's WAR Child gig at 'The Roundhouse' in Camden, London. They performed a cover of R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" as well as "Freak Like Me".

In late 2006, it was announced that Sugababes would be releasing the 2007 Comic Relief single, as a duet with fellow UK girl group, Girls Aloud, a cover of the hit, "Walk This Way". Credited as 'Sugababes Vs Girls Aloud', the single was released on 12 March 2007 in the UK and became the band's fifth UK number one single and first with Berrabah.

Mattel has teamed up with Sugababes to create a new themed Barbie doll collection, which hit stores in May 2007.

Everything Changes: The Fifth Album

After their successful Greatest Hits Tour, the Sugababes returned to the recording studio in summer 2007 to work on their fifth album, which would also be the first album that features all vocals done by Berrabah, Buchanan, and Range together. The group have once again been chosen to work with American producer Dallas Austin who worked with the group on a number of tracks from their number one 2005 album Taller In More Ways. Austin is said to be creating an album that would help the Sugababes "break into the American music scene".

The official lead single from their untitled fifth album is titled About You Now, to be released on September 24, 2007. The song was produced by Dr. Luke. The single premiered on August 14, 2007, on Jo Whiley on UK radio station, Radio 1. Two tracks from their new album, titled "Denial" and "Change", have been confirmed by AXM Magazine; the article also mentions the Sugababes' possible attempt to move into the American market.

Sugababes have recorded a song with Annie Lennox and twenty-two other female acts for Lennox's fourth solo studio album, Songs of Mass Destruction. Titled "Sing", it was written as an anthem for HIV/AIDS, according to Lennox's official site. The album is scheduled for release on October 1, 2007.

Media

British tabloids

In Britain the members of the group do not get much media coverage as individuals, but the group's perceived moodiness,[22] alleged backstage catfights,[23] and press junket tantrums does.[23] They are well-known for having continuous rumours of fighting within the band and constant splitting up[24][25] throughout the years – most notably the alleged bullying of Siobhán Donaghy who quit the band in 2001. Further rumours suggested that the two remaining members Keisha Buchanan and Mutya Buena had bullied replacement Heidi Range, although Range has denied such allegations; [26][27] Buena later admitted that she "just didn't talk to her" when she first joined.[23] Buchanan claimed that there has been only one serious fallout within the band and that was between herself and Range during a 2004 gig in Dublin[23] and later that the hostility was more noticeable when Donaghy was in the band.[28] On a November tour with Take That, the band said in an interview that the lead singer Gary Barlow was very rude, referring to him as a 'right old twat.[29]

In April 2007, Amelle Berrabah, was arrested over allegations she assaulted an 18-year-old woman on the dance floor in the Bar Med club located in Bridge Street, Guildford, Surrey. The Daily Mirror and The Sun newspaper reported the singer spent the night in a cell, before being released on bail.

Television appearances and performances

Sugababes have appeared in many music shows such as CD:UK, TOTP, MTV, Popworld, VIVA, awards shows such as the MOBO Awards, NME Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, BRIT Awards and TV shows such as The Paul O'Grady Show, BBC 1, T4, The Charlotte Church Show and others. Live performances include Glastonbury festival, Prince's Trust,[30] Live 8 Edinburgh,[31] and performing in countries around the world including Portugal,[32] Germany,[33] Japan, Australia and South Africa among others. They performed to over 1 million people in 2005 alone.[3] In 2006 they performed "Hole in the Head" at the Royal Variety Performance at the London Coliseum. They recently cancelled their gig in Aberdeen on the 28th of June due to Amelle's unidentified illness.

Discography

Main article: Sugababes discography

Albums

Year Album Chart positions United Kingdom Germany
UK GER POL sales certification[34][35] sales certification
2000 One Touch 26 7 8 220,000[36] Gold 50,000 -
2002 Angels with Dirty Faces 2 13 7 900,000[37] 3× Platinum 100,000 Gold
2003 Three 3 10 13 830,000[38] 3× Platinum 300,000 Platinum
2005 Taller in More Ways 1 11 1 860,000[39] 3× Platinum 220,000 Platinum
2006 Overloaded: The Singles Collection 3 38 9 478,000[40] 2× Platinum 50,000
2007 [Changes] TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA -

Number #1 singles

Year Title Album Chart positions [41]
UK IRE POL DEN AUT NZ EU
2002 "Freak Like Me" Angels with Dirty Faces 1 2 11 13 22 25 9
"Round Round" 1 2 2 3 8 2 3
"Stronger"/"Angels with Dirty Faces" 7 13 1 11 41 24 15
2003 "Shape" with Sting 11 9 1 16 50 - 33
"Hole in the Head" Three 1 2 1 1 5 11 3
"Too Lost in You" 10 13 1 17 26 31 11
2004 "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
with Band Aid 20 		Charity single 1 1 - - 15 1 -
2005 "Push the Button" Taller in More Ways 1 (3) 1 (3) 1 3 1 (5) 1 (3) 1
2007 "Walk This Way"
with Girls Aloud 		Comic Relief 1 14 7 - - - 15
Total Number-one hits 6 2 5 1 1 2 1

Awards and recognition

Year Award-giving Body Award Result
2001 BRIT Awards Best British Single ("Overload") Nominated
2001 Capital FM Awards Best Kept Secret Won
2001 MTV Europe Music Awards Best UK and Ireland act Nominated
2002 Q Awards Best Single ("Freak Like Me") Won
2002 MTV Europe Music Awards Best UK and Ireland act Nominated
2002 MOBO Awards UK Act of the Year Nominated
2002 Elle Style Awards Music Star Award Won
2002 Smash Hits Best Album (Angels with Dirty Faces) Won
2002 National Music Awards Best Song from a Movie ("Round Round") Won
2003 BRIT Awards Best British Dance Act Won
2003 BRIT Awards Best British Album (Angels with Dirty Faces) Nominated
2003 BRIT Awards Best British Group Nominated
2004 Disney Channel Kids Awards Best Single ("Hole in the Head") Won
2004 Capital FM Awards Best Live Music Won
2004 TMF Awards Best International Pop Group Won
2005 BRIT Awards Best British Single ("Push the Button") Nominated
2005 TOTP Awards Best Single ("Push the Button") Won
2006 Eska Music Awards (Poland) Best World Group Won
2006 Elle Style Awards Best Dressed Pop Stars Won
2006 British Hit Singles and Albums Most Successful Female Act of the 21st Century Won
2006 Virgin Music Awards 2006 Most Fanciable Female (for Amelle) Won

References

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  27. ^ "Communication: William Day". Spec Magazine. Retrieved 6 January. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ "Bittersweet times for the Sugababes". Bridlington Today. Retrieved 6 January. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "Furious girlband attack 'rude' Take That singer". Now magazine. Retrieved 7 January. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "Sugababes performance". Prince of Wales - PT 30th Birthday Party. Retrieved 6 January. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ "Sugababes- stronger- live 8 Edinburgh". YouTube. Retrieved 6 January. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ "Sugababes-Rock in Lisboa-02 Overload". YouTube. Retrieved 6 January. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ "Sugababes - Interview Live @ Viva Germany January 30.1.2006". YouTube. Retrieved 6 January. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ "Angels With Dirty Faces" 900,000 copies Shipped
  35. ^ "Three" 900,000 copies Shipped
  36. ^ http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=809&st=0
  37. ^ http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=809&st=0
  38. ^ http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=809&st=0
  39. ^ http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=809&st=0
  40. ^ http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=809&st=0
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