Spice Girls
Biography
The Spice Girls are an English pop girl group formed in 1994. The group comprises Melanie Brown ("Scary Spice"), Melanie Chisholm ("Sporty Spice"), Emma Bunton ("Baby Spice"), Geri Halliwell ("Ginger Spice"), and Victoria Beckham ("Posh Spice"). They became one of the most recognizable faces of the mid-'90s youth culture celebration known as "Cool Britannia". With their "girl power" mantra, the Spice Girls became pop culture icons of the 1990s, selling over 100 million records worldwide and making them the best-selling girl group of all time.
Formation and Breakthrough
The group was formed in 1994 when the members responded to an advertisement in a trade magazine for an all-female pop group. After breaking with their original management, they signed with Simon Fuller and Virgin Records. Their debut single, "Wannabe," was released in 1996 and reached number one in 37 countries. Their debut album, "Spice," sold more than 23 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling album by a female group in history. The album included other number-one singles like "Say You'll Be There," "2 Become 1," and "Mama"/"Who Do You Think You Are".
Spiceworld and Global Stardom
Riding a wave of "Spicemania," they released their second album, "Spiceworld," in 1997. It was a global success, selling over 14 million copies worldwide. The album featured hit singles "Spice Up Your Life," "Too Much," and "Viva Forever". In 1997, the group also starred in their own commercially successful feature film, "Spice World".
Geri Halliwell's Departure and 'Forever'
In May 1998, at the height of their fame, Geri Halliwell announced her departure from the group. The remaining four members continued, releasing the single "Goodbye" as a tribute to Halliwell, which became their third consecutive Christmas number-one single in the UK. Their third album, "Forever," was released in 2000 with a more R&B-influenced sound. Following its release, the group announced an indefinite hiatus to concentrate on their solo careers.
Reunions and Legacy
The Spice Girls have reunited for several tours. The first was the Return of the Spice Girls Tour in 2007–2008. They also delivered a celebrated performance at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. In 2019, four of the members embarked on the Spice World – 2019 Tour, without Victoria Beckham. The Spice Girls' "Girl Power" philosophy had a significant impact on pop culture, promoting messages of female empowerment, friendship, and individuality that resonated with a generation.