Katy B | |
|---|---|
 At Argos digital store launch in London, October 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kathleen Anne Brien |
| Also known as | Baby Katy |
| Born | (1989-05-08)8 May 1989 (age 35) Peckham, London, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | |
Kathleen Anne Brien (born 8 May 1989), known professionally asKaty B, is an English singer.[1][2] She released her debut studio album,On a Mission, in 2011, which spawned two top five hits, "Katy on a Mission" and "Lights On". In 2014 she released her second studio album,Little Red, which produced her third top five hit, "Crying for No Reason". Her third studio album,Honey, was released in 2016.
Kathleen Anne Brien was born on 8 May 1989, inPeckham,London,[3] where she attended at Lyndhurst Primary School,Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College,[4] and theBRIT School. Katy also attended at the Glenlyn Academy in South London, where she took dance classes.[2] Katy's father (David O'Brien) was a member of theLes Humphries Singers, who representedGermany atEurovision 1976, with the song "Sing Sang Song".[5]Katy B possesses asoprano vocal range.[6][7]
Katy has guested on many tracks, both before and during her album release campaign. DJ NG's song "Tell Me", on which she featured as Baby Katy,[8] was initially released on awhite label and then later signed toMinistry of Sound.[9][10] She also provided vocals on the track "Hold Me" forThe Count & Sinden's debut albumMega Mega Mega,[11] and features onMagnetic Man's tracks "Perfect Stranger" and "Crossover".[12]
Katy B has also collaborated withRinse FM[13] DJ Geeneus to cover theKevin Saunderson produced "Good Life"[14] and the track "As I".[15] It was following the official recognition of the formerpirate radio station Rinse FM in June 2010[16] that Katy B saw her first single release: "Katy on a Mission", presented by Rinse and produced byBenga, was released on 22 August 2010.[17][18] The single reached number five on theUK Singles Chart and number one on theUK Indie Chart.
Katy B performed at theLondon Jazz Festival in 2009 withMs Dynamite,[19] who also featured on Katy's second single "Lights On", which was released in the United Kingdom on 19 December 2010, and debuted at number four on the UK Singles Chart. Her third single "Broken Record" was released in March 2011, and peaked at number eight. The fourth single "Easy Please Me" was released on 3 June 2011. Her fifth single "Witches' Brew" was released on 28 August 2011. Katy's debut albumOn a Mission was released on 4 April 2011, and peaked at number two on theUK Albums Chart.
Katy B supportedTinie Tempah on his tour during Spring of 2011, and on 30 April 2011 she embarked on her own debut concert tour throughout Europe until September, then the UK in October.[20] In 2011, Katy B andMark Ronson teamed up for the song "Anywhere in the World", which was created as an advert forCoca-Cola to tie in with the2012 Summer Olympics, and was released as a digital download on 13 May 2012.
On 1 October 2013, Katy announced that her second studio album would be titledLittle Red.[21] A single, "What Love Is Made Of", was released on 7 July 2013, charting at number 21 on theUK Singles Chart; although when the officialLittle Red track list was revealed on 13 December, "What Love Is Made Of" was no longer included.[22] Lead single "5 AM" was released on 4 November 2013, charting at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. "Crying for No Reason" was released on 10 February 2014, reaching the Top 5 of the singles chart.[23]Little Red topped the UK Albums Chart on 19 February 2014.[24] "Still" was released as the third and final single from the album.[25]
On 18 February 2014, Katy's video for the ongoing 'Rinse Sessions x Metropolis' project was revealed, which included a back-to-back cover ofBeyoncé's 'Drunk in Love' andTinashe's "Vulnerable".[26] In February, she also appeared on the BBC One showThe Voice asRicky Wilson's team mentor.[27]
In March 2014, Katy took part in the recording of England's 2014 World Cup song, collaborating with fellow pop starsMelanie C,Eliza Doolittle,Emma Bunton,Conor Maynard,Kimberley Walsh andPixie Lott on "Greatest Day", a track originally performed by the British bandTake That. The track was produced byGary Barlow and recorded atSarm Studios in London, and also featured former footballers such asGary Lineker,Michael Owen,Geoff Hurst,David Seaman,Peter Shilton,Glenn Hoddle andDion Dublin on backing vocals.[citation needed] She performed atBirmingham Pride in May 2014.
In October 2015, Katy provided vocals, along withTinie Tempah on "Turn the Music Louder (Rumble)", a re-worked version of British DJKDA's track "Rumble". It topped the UK charts becoming Katy's first UK number one single.
In December 2015, Katy confirmed in a backstage interview atCapital FM'sJingle Bell Ball that her third studio album would be calledHoney and would be released sometime in 2016. It was also confirmed that a track of the same name would feature. The album was released on 22 April 2016, containing 14 songs.[28][29]
On 5 August 2021, Katy announced "Under My Skin" as the lead single from her EP,Peace and Offerings. Katy releasedPeace and Offerings on 5 November 2021.
On 21 March 2023, Katy released the single "Paradise", in collaboration with Kings of the Rollers.[30][31] The single debuted at number 93 on theUK Singles Downloads Chart ten days later.[32]
On 25th November 2019, along with 35 other musicians, Katy signed a letter endorsing theLabour Party leaderJeremy Corbyn in the2019 UK general election with a call to end austerity.[33]
Studio albums
Katy B has received five nominations at theMOBO Awards. She was nominated for Best Push Act at theMTV Europe Music Awards 2011. In 2011 she was also nominated for theMercury Prize. In 2012 she won a NME Award for Dancefloor Anthem.
| Year | Organisation | Award | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Rober Awards Music Poll[34] | Best Dance Anthem | "Easy Please Me" | Nominated |
| Ivor Novello Awards | Best Contemporary Song | "Katy on a Mission" | ||
| Virgin Media Music Awards | Best Track | |||
| Best Collaboration | Katy B andMs. Dynamite | |||
| Best Newcomer | Herself | |||
| Best Female | ||||
| Hottest Female | ||||
| Best Album | On a Mission | |||
| Mercury Prize | Album of the Year | |||
| MOBO Awards | Best Album | |||
| Best UK Act | Herself | |||
| BT Digital Music Awards | Best Newcomer | |||
| Best Female Artist | ||||
| Q Awards | Breakthrough Artist | |||
| MTV Europe Music Awards 2011 | Best Push Act | |||
| iTunes Rewind 2011 | Best New Dance Artist | |||
| 4Music Video Honours[35] | Best Video | "Lights On" | Nominated | |
| 2012 | NME Awards | Best Dancefloor Anthem | "Broken Record" | Won |
| 2013 | "What You Came For" (ft. Mosca) | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | MOBO Awards | Best Album | Little Red | Nominated |
| Best Female Act | Herself | |||
| Popjustice £20 Music Prize | Best British Pop Single | "Crying for No Reason" | ||
| UK Music Video Awards | Best Pop Video - UK | |||
| 4Music Video Honours | Best Girl | Herself | ||
| World Music Awards | World's Best Female Artist | |||
| World's Best Live Act | ||||
| World's Best Entertainer of the Year | ||||
| World's Best Album | Little Red | |||
| World's Best Song | "Crying for No Reason" | |||
| World's Best Video | ||||
| "What Love Is Made Of" | ||||
| World's Best Song | ||||
| 2015 | Popjustice £20 Music Prize | Best British Pop Single | "Turn the Music Louder (Rumble)" | |
| 2016 | MOBO Awards | Best Female Act | Herself | |
| Juno Awards | Dance Recording of the Year | "Save Me" (withKeys N Krates) | Won |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
