Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Charli XCX
How Charli XCX built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Charli XCX, born Charlotte Emma Aitchison, is an English singer and songwriter. She began her career by posting music on Myspace and participating in the London rave scene. After signing with Asylum Records in 2010, she released several singles and mixtapes. Her breakthrough came in 2012 as a featured artist on Icona Pop's hit song "I Love It," which achieved international success. Her debut album, True Romance, was released in 2013, receiving positive reviews but failing to achieve significant commercial success.
2008: Posting Songs on Myspace
In 2008, Charli XCX started posting songs on Myspace before entering the London rave scene.
2008: Early Music Career Beginnings
In early 2008, Charli XCX began posting songs and demos on her Myspace page, which gained the attention of a promoter who invited her to perform at warehouse raves in East London.
2008: Release of Early Singles
In late 2008, Charli XCX released the singles "!Franchesckaar!" and "Emelline"/"Art Bitch" under Orgy Music, though she later expressed distaste for this early music.
2010: Signing with Asylum Records
In 2010, Charli XCX signed a recording contract with Asylum Records and then released a series of singles and mixtapes in the early 2010s.
November 2011: Release of "Nuclear Seasons"
In November 2011, Charli XCX released the single "Nuclear Seasons", which garnered attention from music website Pitchfork.
2012: Feature on "I Love It"
In 2012, Charli XCX was featured on "I Love It" by Swedish duo Icona Pop, and the song became her first number-one hit in the UK and achieved global success.
2012: Icona Pop's "I Love It" Featuring Charli XCX
In 2012, Icona Pop re-recorded "I Love It" and released it as a single featuring Charli XCX's vocals. It became an international hit.
April 2013: Release of "True Romance"
In April 2013, Charli XCX released her debut album, True Romance. It received good reviews but did not perform well commercially.
2013: Release of "True Romance"
In 2013, Charli XCX's debut studio album, True Romance, was released to positive reviews but failed to meet commercial expectations.
January 2014: Release of "Allergic to Love"
In January 2014, Charli XCX released the song "Allergic to Love" on her SoundCloud account.
December 2014: Release of "Sucker" in North America
In December 2014, Charli XCX's new album Sucker was officially released in North America.
2014: Feature on "Fancy" and Release of "Boom Clap"
In 2014, Charli XCX featured on Iggy Azalea's single "Fancy", which became a worldwide hit. The same year, she also released "Boom Clap", her first solo top-ten single in the US.
February 2015: Release of "Sucker" in Europe and "Doing It"
In February 2015, Charli XCX's album Sucker was released in Europe, and "Doing It" featuring Rita Ora was released as the album's third single, peaking at number 8 on the UK Singles Chart.
May 2015: Release of "Famous"
In May 2015, Charli XCX released "Famous" as the fourth single from her album Sucker.
July 2015: Third Album Development
In a July 2015 interview, Charli XCX mentioned that she was working on her third album, describing it as her "most pop" and "most electronic" work to date.
August 2015: Cancellation of US Tour Second Leg
On 21 August 2015, Charli XCX announced that a planned second leg of her US tour with Bleachers would not go ahead for "personal reasons".
October 2015: Premiere of "Vroom Vroom"
In October 2015, Charli XCX premiered her new song "Vroom Vroom" on the Beats 1 Radio Show, announcing it as the first song from her upcoming third studio album.
2015: Working with PC Music
In 2015, Charli XCX began working alongside producers associated with the UK collective PC Music, which led to the development of a more experimental sound and image.
February 2016: Launch of Vroom Vroom Recordings and Release of "Vroom Vroom" EP
On 23 February 2016, Charli XCX announced the launch of her experimental pop record label, Vroom Vroom Recordings. On 26 February 2016, she released an EP also entitled Vroom Vroom.
July 2016: A. G. Cook becomes Charli's creative director
In July 2016, British producer A. G. Cook, founder of record label PC Music, signed on as Charli XCX's creative director.
2016: Release of "Vroom Vroom" EP
In 2016, Charli XCX released the EP Vroom Vroom, showcasing a more experimental sound.
March 2017: Mura Masa releases "1 Night" featuring Charli XCX
On 17 March 2017, Mura Masa released his single "1 Night", which featured vocals from Charli XCX.
July 2017: Release of "Boys" and Self-Directed Music Video
On 26 July 2017, Charli XCX released "Boys", along with a self-directed music video featuring an ensemble cast of male celebrities.
2017: Co-writing "Tonight"
In 2017, Charli XCX co-wrote Blondie's "Tonight".
2017: Releases of "Number 1 Angel" and "Pop 2"
In 2017, Charli XCX released the mixtapes Number 1 Angel and Pop 2.
May 2018: Opening Act on Taylor Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour
In May 2018, Charli XCX started performing on Taylor Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour as an opening act alongside Camila Cabello.
2019: Co-writing "Señorita"
In 2019, Charli XCX co-wrote the Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello collaboration "Señorita".
2019: Release of "Charli" and "1999"
In 2019, Charli XCX's third studio album, Charli, produced the hit single "1999".
January 2020: Featured on "We Are Born to Play"
In January 2020, Charli XCX was featured on the Galantis song "We Are Born to Play", the theme song for Super Nintendo World.
July 2020: Signed Open Letter Against LGBT+ Conversion Therapy
In July 2020, Charli XCX signed an open letter to the UK Equalities minister calling for a ban on all forms of LGBT+ conversion therapy.
2020: Release of "How I'm Feeling Now"
In 2020, Charli XCX's fourth studio album, How I'm Feeling Now, was made entirely during the COVID-19 lockdowns and received critical acclaim.
February 2021: Collaboration with No Rome and The 1975 announced
Early in February 2021, the Dirty Hit signed musician No Rome announced he was working on a track featuring Charli XCX along with label mates The 1975.
March 2021: Meeting George Daniel While Working on "Spinning"
In March 2021, Charli XCX first met British musician George Daniel while working on the No Rome track "Spinning".
2021: Co-writing "You for Me"
In 2021, Charli XCX co-wrote the Sigala and Rita Ora collaboration "You for Me".
March 2022: Collaboration with George Daniel on Crash
In March 2022, Charli XCX collaborated again with George Daniel on her album Crash, on the album's title track and several songs on its deluxe edition.
March 2022: Charli XCX reveals inspiration for next album
In a TikTok posted on 16 March 2022, Charli XCX revealed that she is working on her next studio album, saying she was "feeling very inspired".
2022: Release of "Crash"
In 2022, Charli XCX's fifth studio album, Crash, became her first number-one album in the UK and Australia.
February 2023: New Recording Contract
In February 2023, Charli XCX revealed she signed a new recording contract for her next two albums in an interview with British Vogue.
August 2023: Collaboration with Addison Rae on "2 Die 4"
In August 2023, Charli XCX collaborated with singer Addison Rae on the song "2 Die 4" from Rae's extended play (EP) AR.
2023: Contribution to Barbie Soundtrack
In 2023, Charli XCX contributed the UK top-ten single "Speed Drive" as part of the soundtrack of the film Barbie.
October 2024: Release of Brat Remix Album and Valentino Beauty Ambassadorship
In October 2024, the remix album, titled Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat, was released. Charli XCX was also named US ambassador of cosmetics brand Valentino Beauty.
November 2024: Host and Musical Guest on Saturday Night Live
On 16 November 2024, Charli XCX appeared as host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live.
2024: Release of "Brat", Grammy Nominations and Wins
In 2024, Charli XCX released her sixth studio album, Brat, which became her second UK number-one album. "Brat" earned her eight Grammy Award nominations at the 67th annual ceremony, including Album of the Year, and three wins: Best Dance Pop Recording for "Von Dutch", Best Dance/Electronic Album, and Best Recording Package.
2024: ASCAP Global Impact Award and Gold House A100 List
In 2024, Charli XCX was awarded the ASCAP Global Impact Award for her contributions to pop music. She was also included on the 2024 Gold House's most impactful Asian A100 list, marking her as the first South Asian woman of British Indian origin to receive this honor.
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