Dua Lipa, born in London, England on August 22, 1995, is a singer and songwriter of Albanian descent. Her parents, who are Kosovo Albanians, had fled Pristina in 1992. Lipa's father, a musician, greatly influenced her musical path. In 2006, her family moved back to Kosovo, but at the age of 15, Lipa returned to London to pursue her music career, attending the Sylvia Young Theatre School. Before her music career took off, she worked as a model and posted song covers on YouTube and SoundCloud.
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
Lipa signed a record deal with Warner Bros. in 2014. Her early singles like "New Love" and "Be the One" gained traction in Europe in 2015. However, her major breakthrough came in 2017 with the release of her self-titled debut album, "Dua Lipa". The single "New Rules" became a global hit, reaching number one in the UK. This success led to her winning British Female Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act at the 2018 Brit Awards. In 2019, she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
Studio Albums
Dua Lipa (2017)
Her debut album featured a mix of pop, dance, and R&B. It included the hit singles "New Rules," "Be the One," and "IDGAF." The album earned her significant recognition, including multiple Brit Award nominations.
Future Nostalgia (2020)
Lipa's second album, "Future Nostalgia," was released in 2020 and showcased a disco-pop sound. It became her first UK number-one album and featured major hits like "Don't Start Now," "Physical," and "Levitating." The album won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album and the Brit Award for British Album of the Year in 2021.
Radical Optimism (2024)
Released in 2024, "Radical Optimism" became her second number-one album in the UK. The album's sound is influenced by '70s psychedelic rock. It was preceded by singles "Houdini" and "Training Season."
Other Ventures
Beyond her music, Dua Lipa has been involved in various other projects. In 2018, she and her father co-founded the Sunny Hill Festival in Kosovo. She launched a weekly newsletter and podcast called Service95 in 2022. Lipa made her acting debut in the 2023 film "Barbie" and also contributed the song "Dance the Night" to its soundtrack.