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 a British singer-songwriter who began her career posting music on Myspace and participating in the London rave scene. She signed with Asylum Records in 2010 and released several singles and mixtapes. Her breakthrough came in 2012 with her feature on Icona Pop's hit song "I Love It." While her debut album, True Romance (2013), received positive reviews, it did not achieve significant commercial success. Charli XCX remains an influential figure in the pop music landscape.
2008: Posting Songs on Myspace
In 2008, Charli XCX began posting songs on Myspace before entering the London rave scene.
2008: Posting Music on Myspace and Performing at Raves
In early 2008, Charli XCX began posting songs on her Myspace page, catching the attention of a promoter who invited her to perform at warehouse raves in East London.
2010: Signing with Asylum Records
In 2010, Charli XCX signed a recording contract with Asylum Records and released a series of singles and mixtapes in the early 2010s.
2012: Feature on "I Love It"
In 2012, Charli XCX was featured on "I Love It" by Swedish duo Icona Pop, which became her first number-one song in the UK and achieved global success.
2012: Collaboration on Icona Pop's "I Love It"
In 2012, Swedish duo Icona Pop re-recorded and released Charli XCX's song "I Love It" as a single featuring her vocals, which became an international hit.
April 2013: Release of Debut Album True Romance
In April 2013, Charli XCX released her debut album, True Romance, which received favorable reviews from critics.
2013: Release of "SuperLove" and Album Writing
In late 2013, "SuperLove" was released as the lead single. Charli XCX worked with various producers and aimed to create an empowering album for girls.
2014: Featured on "Fancy" and Release of "Boom Clap"
In 2014, Charli XCX was featured on Iggy Azalea's single "Fancy", which became her most streamed song. In the same year, she released "Boom Clap", which became her first solo top-ten single in the US.
July 2015: Working on Third Album
In July 2015, Charli XCX stated she was working on her third album, describing it as "the most pop thing, and the most electronic thing" she had ever done.
2015: Experimental Sound Development
In 2015, Charli XCX began working with producers from the UK collective PC Music, developing a more experimental sound and image.
February 2016: Announcement of Vroom Vroom Recordings and EP Release
On February 23, 2016, Charli XCX announced the creation of her experimental pop record label, Vroom Vroom Recordings. On February 26, 2016, she released an EP also titled Vroom Vroom.
July 2016: A. G. Cook Named Creative Director
In July 2016, British producer A. G. Cook, founder of record label PC Music, was announced as Charli XCX's creative director.
February 2017: Performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
On February 2017, Charli XCX performed "After the Afterparty" and a new song "Bounce" featuring Kyary Pamyu Pamyu on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
March 2017: Release of Number 1 Angel Mixtape
In March 2017, Charli XCX released the mixtape Number 1 Angel, which featured an all-female line-up of guest artists including MØ, Raye, Starrah, Uffie, Abra, and Cupcakke and was produced largely by PC Music artists including A.G. Cook, EasyFun, and Sophie.
March 2017: Mura Masa's "1 Night" Release
On March 2017, Mura Masa released his single "1 Night", which featured vocals from Charli XCX.
July 2017: "Boys" Release and Music Video
On 26 July 2017, Charli XCX released "Boys", along with a self-directed music video featuring an ensemble cast of male celebrities.
August 2017: Lollapalooza Performance and Album Leak
On 6 August 2017, Charli XCX performed at Lollapalooza music festival. On 20 August 2017, the majority of Charli XCX's third studio album was leaked, leading to the cancellation of the album release.
December 2017: Pop 2 Mixtape Release
On 15 December 2017, Charli XCX released Pop 2, the follow-up mixtape to Number 1 Angel, featuring collaborations with multiple artists.
2017: Co-writing "Tonight"
In 2017, Charli XCX co-wrote Blondie's "Tonight".
March 2018: El Rey Theatre Performance
On 15 March 2018, Charli XCX performed at El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles in support of her mixtape Pop 2.
May 2018: Opening Act on Taylor Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour
In May 2018, Charli XCX began performing on Taylor Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour as an opening act alongside Camila Cabello.
October 2018: "1999" Single Release
On 5 October 2018, Charli XCX released the single "1999" with Troye Sivan, as the lead single from her third album Charli. The single reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart.
May 2019: "Blame It on Your Love" Release
On 16 May 2019, Charli XCX released the second single from Charli, "Blame It on Your Love", featuring Lizzo. On 25 May 2019, Charli XCX pulled out of BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend.
2019: Co-writing "Señorita"
In 2019, Charli XCX co-wrote the Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello collaboration "Señorita".
2019: Release of Charli and Hit Single "1999"
In 2019, Charli XCX released her third studio album, Charli, which produced the hit single "1999".
January 2020: Featured on Galantis Song
In January 2020, Charli XCX was featured on the Galantis song "We Are Born to Play", which was used as the theme song for the Japanese theme park Super Nintendo World.
April 2020: Announcement of How I'm Feeling Now Album
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in April 2020, Charli XCX announced a new album, titled How I'm Feeling Now.
May 2020: Release of How I'm Feeling Now
On 15 May 2020, Charli XCX released the album How I'm Feeling Now, which was written and recorded in six weeks during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
February 2021: Collaboration with No Rome and The 1975 Announced
Early in February 2021, No Rome announced he was working on a track featuring Charli XCX along with label mates The 1975.
March 2021: Collaboration on "Spinning"
In March 2021, Charli XCX and George Daniel met while working on the No Rome track "Spinning".
June 2021: Post-Pandemic Performance at Wynwood Pride
In June 2021, Charli XCX's first post-pandemic performance was at Wynwood Pride in Miami.
2021: Co-writing "You for Me"
In 2021, Charli XCX co-wrote the Sigala and Rita Ora collaboration "You for Me".
March 2022: Collaboration on 'Crash' Album
In March 2022, Charli XCX and George Daniel collaborated again on her album Crash, specifically on the title track and several songs on its deluxe edition.
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: Signed New Recording Contract
In February 2023, Charli XCX revealed she had signed a new recording contract for her next two albums.
August 2023: Collaboration with Addison Rae
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.
February 2024: "Von Dutch" Single Release
On 29 February 2024, "Von Dutch", the lead single for Charli XCX's sixth album, Brat, was released.
May 2024: "360" Single and Music Video Release
On 10 May 2024, "360" was released as the second single from the album Brat alongside a music video.
June 2024: Brat Album Release and Critical Acclaim
On 7 June 2024, Charli XCX's album Brat was released to universal critical acclaim. On 10 June 2024, the deluxe edition of Brat was released, and "Guess" remix featuring Billie Eilish debuted atop the UK Singles Chart.
October 2024: Release of Brat remix album and named Valentino Beauty ambassador
In October 2024, the remix album, titled Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat, was released. Charli XCX was 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: Second Boiler Room Set in Brooklyn
In 2024, Charli XCX played her second Boiler Room set since 2020, titled PARTYGIRL, in Brooklyn.
2024: Release and Acclaim for Brat
In 2024, Charli XCX's sixth studio album, Brat, became her second UK number-one album and was named the best album of 2024 by various publications such as Billboard and Rolling Stone. It spawned the UK top-ten hit "Apple" and her remix album brought her second top-ten hit, "Guess" featuring Billie Eilish.
May 2025: "Party 4 U" Music Video Release
On 15 May 2025, a music video for Charli XCX's song "Party 4 U" was released, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the release of How I'm Feeling Now.
June 2025: Surprise Appearance with Air at We Love Green Festival
On 7 June 2025, Charli XCX made a surprise appearance during Air's set at Paris's We Love Green Festival, and performed "Cherry Blossom Girl" with the band.
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