Charli xcx
Biography
Charlotte Emma Aitchison, known professionally as Charli XCX, is an English singer and songwriter born on August 2, 1992, in Cambridge, England. Raised in Start Hill, Essex, she began writing songs at the age of 14 and started her career by posting her music on Myspace in 2008. This led to her being discovered by a promoter and invited to perform at warehouse raves in London.
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
In 2010, Charli XCX signed a recording contract with Asylum Records. She gained international prominence in 2012 as a co-writer and featured artist on the Icona Pop hit "I Love It," which became a global success. Her debut studio album, "True Romance," was released in 2013 to critical acclaim, showcasing a dark wave and synth-pop sound. While the album didn't achieve major commercial success, it established her as a unique voice in pop music.
Her mainstream breakthrough continued in 2014 when she was featured on Iggy Azalea's single "Fancy," which topped the charts worldwide and became one of the best-selling singles of the year. This was followed by her own solo hit, "Boom Clap," from the soundtrack of the film "The Fault in Our Stars," which became a top-ten single in the US. Her second album, "Sucker" (2014), featured a pop-punk-influenced sound with singles like "Break the Rules" and "Doing It."
Evolution to Experimental Pop
Beginning in 2015, Charli XCX started collaborating with producers from the PC Music collective, moving towards a more experimental and avant-garde pop sound. This shift was evident in her 2016 EP "Vroom Vroom" and her 2017 mixtapes, "Number 1 Angel" and "Pop 2." These projects were lauded by critics for their futuristic and boundary-pushing approach to pop music. Her third studio album, "Charli" (2019), continued this exploration and featured a host of collaborations.
Recent Years and "Brat" Era
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, she created and released "How I'm Feeling Now" (2020), an album made in six weeks that received widespread critical acclaim. Her fifth album, "Crash" (2022), became her first number-one album in the UK. In 2023, her song "Speed Drive" was featured in the blockbuster film "Barbie."
2024 marked a significant year for Charli XCX with the release of her sixth studio album, "Brat." The album, influenced by the 2000s English rave scene, achieved critical and commercial success, becoming her second UK number-one album. "Brat" was praised by numerous publications as one of the best albums of the year. The album's success was bolstered by a deluxe version and a subsequent remix album.
Songwriting for Other Artists
In addition to her solo work, Charli XCX has had a successful career writing songs for other artists. Her credits include co-writing Iggy Azalea's "Beg for It," Selena Gomez's "Same Old Love," and the Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello hit "Señorita."