Charlie XCX

Charlotte Emma Aitchison, known to the world as Charli XCX, was born on August 2, 1992, in Cambridge, England. Raised in Start Hill, Essex, she took her first steps into the music world by posting songs on Myspace in 2008. This early venture caught the attention of a promoter who saw her potential and invited her to perform at warehouse raves. These performances were the stepping stones that led to a recording contract with Asylum Records in 2010.

Charli XCX's initial years in the industry were marked by a series of singles and mixtapes released throughout 2011 and 2012. However, it was her collaboration with Icona Pop on the song "I Love It" in 2012 that catapulted her into international stardom. The track reached the top 10 charts in both North America and Europe, serving as a harbinger of the success that was to come.

In 2013, she released her debut studio album, "True Romance." While the album received positive reviews from critics, it did not meet commercial expectations. This did not deter her. The following year, she contributed the hook and bridge to "Fancy" by rapper Iggy Azalea. The song not only finished the year as one of the best-selling singles worldwide but also earned nominations for two Grammy Awards.

Charli XCX's own single, "Boom Clap," released in 2014, became her first solo top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Her second studio album, "Sucker," released later that year, included successful singles like "Break the Rules" and "Doing It." The album was punk-influenced, showcasing her versatility and willingness to experiment with different genres.

The year 2015 marked a significant shift in her musical direction. She began collaborating with producers associated with the UK collective PC Music, embracing a more experimental sound and image. This phase of her career saw the release of the "Vroom Vroom" EP in 2016 and mixtapes "Number 1 Angel" and "Pop 2" in 2017. During this period, she also released a series of singles, including the BPI-certified "After the Afterparty," "Boys," and "1999."

Her third and fourth studio albums, "Charli" in 2019 and "How I'm Feeling Now" in 2020, received widespread critical acclaim. The latter album was particularly noteworthy for being created within a span of just six weeks during the COVID-19 lockdowns. This rapid production cycle was a testament to her creative agility and adaptability.

In 2021, Charli XCX co-wrote and provided vocals for the Jax Jones and Joel Corry single "Out Out." The following year, she released her fifth studio album, "Crash," which became her most commercially successful project to date. Most recently, on October 19, 2023, she collaborated with Sam Smith on a track titled "In The City," a song that explores the themes of love, acceptance, and the magic of queer spaces.

Beyond her solo work, Charli XCX has also made her mark as a songwriter for other artists. She has co-written tracks for Iggy Azalea, Selena Gomez, Blondie, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, Sigala and Rita Ora, among others.

In her personal life, Charli XCX is currently in a relationship with George Daniel from The 1975. She had previously dated Welsh filmmaker Ryan Andrews in 2014. Despite her soaring career, she has faced challenges, particularly on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. In February 2022, she announced that she was stepping back from Twitter due to negative comments from fans about her forthcoming album.