In 2009, after 11 years in Sugababes, Buchanan, the final original member, was replaced byJade Ewen. Sugababes releasedSweet 7 (2010), after which they signed toRCA Records, before taking an indefinite hiatus in 2011 following the release of their single "Freedom". That year, the original lineup re-formed asMutya Keisha Siobhán and released the single "Flatline" in 2013. The trio regained the name Sugababes in 2019, and in 2021, they rereleasedOne Touch for its 20th anniversary. In 2022, they releasedThe Lost Tapes, an album of previously unreleased leaked material. In 2025, the group independently released the singles "Jungle", "Weeds" and "Shook",[2] and embarked on theSugababes '25 Tour, their firstarena tour.
Sugababes have achieved six number-one singles in the UK: "Freak like Me", "Round Round", "Hole in the Head", "Push the Button", "Walk This Way", and "About You Now". TheSpice Girls are the only British girl group to have had more. They have also released five UK top-ten albums, four of which were certified platinum in the UK, and have been nominated for sixBrit Awards, winning forBest British Dance Act in 2003. They have been a long-term fixture in the British tabloids due to their lineup changes and reports of infighting.
Sugababes were formed in 1998 byAll Saints manager Ron Tom and Sarah Stennett,[3][4] andFirst Access Entertainment.Siobhán Donaghy andMutya Buena, both aged just 13, had been signed as solo artists, but decided to work together after performing at the same showcase. While working in the studio, Buena invited her best friendKeisha Buchanan to watch them. Manager Ron Tom decided the three girls were to be a trio, likening their different appearances to theUnited Colors of Benetton campaign.[5] Originally dubbedthe Sugababies, the group's name was tweaked toSugababes when they were signed byLondon Records to give the group a more mature image.[6]
The group's debut single, "Overload", peaked at number 6 on theUK Singles Chart in 2000 and was nominated for aBRIT Award for Best Single.[7][8] The group co-wrote most of the tracks on debut albumOne Touch with the help ofAll Saints producer Cameron McVey.[9]One Touch peaked at number 26 on theUK Albums Chart. The album produced three more top 40 hits—"New Year", "Run for Cover" and "Soul Sound". The sales ofOne Touch did not meetLondon Records' expectations,[10] and they dropped the group in 2001. It was later certified Gold by theBPI and had sold 220,000 copies in the UK by 2008 according toMusic Week.[11]
During a Japanese promotional tour in August 2001, Donaghy left the group. She stated initially that she wanted to pursue a fashion career,[12] but was eventually diagnosed with clinical depression amid reports of in-fighting amongst the group's members.[13] Donaghy later stated that she was forced out of the group by Buchanan and called Buchanan the "first bully" in her life.[14] FormerAtomic Kitten memberHeidi Range replaced Donaghy.[15]
Having already started work on a second album with new member Range, the trio looked for a new record label, eventually signing toIsland Records. Their first single on the new label, "Freak like Me" scored the group their first UK number 1 single. Follow-up single "Round Round" also debuted on top of theUK Singles Chart and peaked at number 2 in Ireland, the Netherlands and New Zealand. Both singles were certified silver by theBPI.[16] On the back of the success of the singles, the group's second album,Angels with Dirty Faces, debuted at number 2 on theUK Albums Chart and was later certified triple Platinum, selling almost a million copies in the UK alone.[11][16] It is to date their highest-selling album.[17] In the UK, the third single from the album, a ballad titled "Stronger", gained the girls their third consecutive top ten hit in their native country. The track was released as a double-A side with "Angels with Dirty Faces" in the UK, the latter song chosen as the theme tune toThe Powerpuff Girls Movie. A fourth single, theSting-sampling "Shape", made the top ten in the Netherlands and Ireland in early 2003.
The second Sugababes line-up in May 2005.
The group's third album,Three, was released in late 2003 and reached number 3 on the UK Albums Chart, earning the group a BRIT Award nomination for Best Album. Certified double Platinum, it has sold 855,000 copies to date.[11][16] The album was preceded by lead single "Hole in the Head", which became the group's third UK number 1 single.[18] It also reached number 2 in Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway, and became the Sugababes' first (and to date only) single to chart in the United States, reaching number 96 on theBillboard Hot 100.[19] Follow-up single "Too Lost in You" appeared on the soundtrack to the filmLove Actually and went top ten in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and the UK. The album's third single, "In the Middle", was released in 2004 and garnered the group another BRIT Award nomination for Best Single; like its successor, the ballad "Caught in a Moment", it went to number 8 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2004, the trio sang on theBand Aid 20 remake of "Do They Know It's Christmas?", which went to number 1 in the UK in December.[20]
Around this time, the group's perceived "moodiness",[21] alleged backstage catfights,[22] and press junket tantrums were tabloid fodder in Britain.[22] They were surrounded by continuous rumours of in-fighting within the group and constant split reports.[23][24] Rumours suggested that Buchanan and Buena had bullied Range, although Range herself repeatedly denied such allegations;[25][26] Buena later admitted that she did not speak to Range when she first joined.[22] According to Buchanan, there was only one serious fallout between herself and Range during a 2004 gig inDublin, a disagreement aroundBritney Spears's song "Toxic".[27]
2005–2006:Taller in More Ways, Buena's departure, and compilation
After a hiatus, during which Buena gave birth to her daughter Thalia, the Sugababes released their thirteenth single, "Push the Button" in October 2005. The song debuted at number 1 in the UK and remained in the position for three consecutive weeks.[28][29] It also peaked at number one in Ireland,[30] Austria[31] and New Zealand,[32] and reached the top three across Europe and in Australia.[33] Certified silver in the UK,[16] it was later nominated at the BRIT Awards for Best Single. Parent albumTaller in More Ways became the group's first UK number 1 album. The group was number 1 on the singles, album, airplay and download charts simultaneously, making them the first girl group to achieve such a feat.[34]Taller in More Ways was certified triple platinum in the UK.[11][16]
The third line-up of the Sugababes in April 2006.
Following an illness that prevented her from promoting follow-up single "Ugly", Buena left the Sugababes on 21 December 2005.[13] Buena later stated that she was suffering from postnatal depression after the birth of her daughter combined with the group's increasingly hectic schedules, and chose to leave to spend more time with her daughter.[35]Amelle Berrabah joined the Sugababes in late December 2005, having been chosen by the group's management as a replacement.[36] Prior to Buena's departure, the group recorded the track "Spiral" from theWilliam Orbit album,Hello Waveforms, which was released in February 2006.
The third single fromTaller in More Ways was a re-recorded version of "Red Dress", which was released in early 2006, and gave the Sugababes their third consecutive top five hit from the album, entering the UK Singles Chart at number 4.[37] Berrabah re-recorded three of the album's twelve tracks and co-wrote a new song with Buchanan and Range named "Now You're Gone". The tracks appeared on a re-release ofTaller in More Ways that reached number 18 on the UK Albums Chart.[38] The fourth and final single fromTaller in More Ways was "Follow Me Home", released only in the UK in June, where it charted at number 32.[39]
In mid-2006, the group returned to the studio to record two new tracks for their first greatest hits collection, titledOverloaded: The Singles Collection. The lead single from the compilation, "Easy" peaked at number 8 on the UK Singles Chart, whilst the compilation album, released in November 2006, peaked at number 3. The album, certified double Platinum by the BPI, has sold over 600,000 copies.[40] During this time, the group had also begun work on their fifth studio album.[41]
In March 2007, the Sugababes collaborated with fellow British girl groupGirls Aloud for their eighteenth single, a cover of the song "Walk This Way" byAerosmith. The track was released as the official single forComic Relief. "Walk This Way" became the group's fifth UK number one single.[42]
The third Sugababes line-up in April 2008 on the Change Tour, their largest-scale tour to date.
Following theirGreatest Hits Tour, the Sugababes returned to the recording studio in mid-2007 to continue working onChange, their fifth studio album, and the first to feature Berrabah on all tracks. "About You Now" was released as the album's lead single in September 2007. Upon release, the song became the group's sixth UK number one hit and first Hungarian chart-topper.[43] It remained atop the UK Singles Chart for four weeks.[44] "About You Now" was nominated for a 2008BRIT Award for Best British Single and is to date their highest-selling single, with sales standing at almost 500,000 copies.[45] In the 2009 edition of theGuinness Book of World Records, "About You Now" was listed as the "first track by a British pop act to top the singles chart solely on downloads". The song was also named as the "biggest chart mover to the number one position in the UK".[46]
In October 2007,Change became the group's second UK number 1 album. For the second time, the group topped the singles, album and download charts simultaneously. The album's title track "Change", was released as the second single in December 2007[47] and peaked at number 13 in the UK. The album sold 494,000 copies in the UK, and was certified Platinum.[11][16] The third and final single fromChange was "Denial", which reached number 15. From March to May 2008, the Sugababes travelled the UK on the thirty-dateChange Tour, their biggest tour to date.
Following the Change Tour, Sugababes returned to the studio to write and record tracks for their sixth studio album,Catfights and Spotlights.[48] It was reported that producerTimbaland had approached the Sugababes to work on their sixth album, but due to time restrictions, a collaboration did not occur.[49] "Girls", the lead single fromCatfights and Spotlights was released in October 2008. The single peaked at number 3 in the UK, making it their first lead single sinceOne Touch not to reach number 1. The album peaked at number 8 in the UK Albums Chart. Its second and final single, "No Can Do", was released in December and peaked at number 23 in the UK. ThePerforming Right Society named Sugababes the fourth-hardest-working band of 2008 due to the number of concerts they had performed during that year.[50]
After the release of "No Can Do", the group decided not to go on tour in 2009 and instead focus on writing and recording material for their seventh studio album. The Sugababes travelled to the United States to work on their seventh studio album,Sweet 7.[51][52] In April 2009, the Sugababes signed a contract withJay-Z's labelRoc Nation,[53] resulting in working with high profile producers.[53] Berrabah also collaborated withTinchy Stryder for the track "Never Leave You", the third single from his second album,Catch 22, in August 2009. The single debuted on top of the UK charts,[54] making Berrabah the only member of the Sugababes, past and present, to achieve a number one single outside of the group. The lead single fromSweet 7, "Get Sexy", debuted at number 2 on theUK Singles Chart in September 2009.[55] In September 2009, Berrabah was reported to have left the Sugababes as she had missed two engagements promotingSweet 7. It was also rumored thatJade Ewen, the UK's 2009Eurovision Song Contest entrant, would be joining the group and replacing Berrabah.[56] On 21 September, it was revealed that Buchanan, the sole remaining original member of the group, had departed from the Sugababes and replaced by Ewen.[57] Buchanan revealed on Twitter that it was not her decision to leave,[58] resulting in some journalists describing her as having been "sacked".[59]
I'm sad to say that I am no longer a part of the Sugababes ... Although it was not my choice to leave, it's time to enter a new chapter in my life ... I would like to state that there were no arguments, bullying or anything of the sort that lead [sic] to this. Sometimes a breakdown in communication and lack of trust can result in many different things.
— Keisha Buchanan, September 2009
Critics and fans reacted very negatively to the news, andThe Guardian published an article titled "Why the Sugababes' show can't go on without Keisha".[60] Digital Spy ran an article titled "Keisha Buchanan, We Salute You" in which they thanked her for her contribution to "incredible pop songs".[61] According to Berrabah and Range, both women had wanted to quit the Sugababes themselves and alleged that Buchanan had become too difficult to work with, so their group's management decided that they would follow them rather than find two new members for Buchanan.[62] Buchanan stated in 2020 that she did not know that she was ousted from the group until after her departure had been made public.[63]
The new member, Ewen, was flown to the United States to film the music video for single "About a Girl" mere days after Buchanan had left the group.[64] "About a Girl" reached number 8 in the UK,[65] during a truncated promotion schedule due to Berrabah flying to Austria for treatment for nervous exhaustion resulting from the line-up change.[66] They released their cover of "Santa Baby" on 21 December 2009.[67][68] In late 2009, "Wear My Kiss" was confirmed for release in February 2010 as the third single,[69] with the album, originally set for a late November 2009 release, delayed until March 2010.[70] "Wear My Kiss" debuted and peaked at number 7 in the UK,[71] makingSweet 7 the Sugababes' first album sinceTaller in More Ways to contain at least three top ten hits. The album debuted and peaked at number 14 in the UK but was critically panned due to the loss of an identifiable sound, soul and originality stemming from Buchanan's departure.[72]
In March 2010, former group member Mutya Buena applied to the European Trademarks Authority for ownership of the group's name. The application was submitted amid the controversy of Buchanan's departure, in which Buena insisted that "the Sugababes have ended" without a founding member still in the group.[73] It was confirmed that Buena had obtained rights to use the name on paper, cardboard and goods; namely stationery, paper gift wrap and paper gift wrapping ribbons.[74][75] In the same month the group was dropped byRoc Nation, due to poor sales ofSweet 7.[76][77][78][79]
The fourth Sugababes line-up performing at Chester Rocks in July 2011, prior to their hiatus.
The Sugababes initially began recording an eighth studio album in April 2010.[80] In June 2011, the group and their managers Sarah Stennett and Mark Hargreaves Crown Music Management Services left their record label of ten years,Island Records, for a new three-album distribution deal withSony Music'sRCA Records, with Crown Music Management Services as the acting record label.[81] In July, the Sugababes commented on their new album, saying: "It's a bit darker, tougher and quite edgy."[82] In another interview, the group stated the new album showcased their personalities.[83] At theWireless Festival in London, Buchanan and the current line-up were reported to have had a "teary" reunion and put the past behind them.[84] It was the first time in two years that she had seen Range and Berrabah, as well as the first time she had officially met her "replacement" Jade Ewen.[85] In a later interview, Buchanan said that she was disappointed by the treatment she received back in 2009, but went on to wish the current line-up "the best of luck".[86]
Their first and only single under the new label, "Freedom", was released for free on 25 September 2011.[87] Afterward, the group began a hiatus[88] to work on solo projects: Range participated in theseventh series ofDancing on Ice,[89] Berrabah worked on solo material[90] and Ewen competed as a contestant on thefirst series ofSplash![citation needed]
In March 2013, Ewen stated that the Sugababes would likely reform to record new music by the end of the year; though with no set release date,[91] and in May, Berrabah said the group had been writing songs for their new album and hoped to release new music in 2014.[92] However, later the same year, Ewen stated that they were "pretty much done".[93] This was initially denied by Berrabah, who stated she believed the band would get back together in late 2014.[94] In September 2013, Ewen reaffirmed that the group had split two years prior, saying "We kind of fizzled out about two years ago. I do think the lineup changes have obviously got to be a factor, you can't get away from it."[95][96] In January 2014, Range contradicted Ewen's statement, saying that the group was merely on hiatus to pursue solo projects.[97] However, she later admitted in a June 2020 interview that the group had conceded in 2011 that it would not be fair for them to continue further due to the controversy and their declining popularity after Buchanan's departure.[98]
In March 2019, Berrabah revealed that the Sugababes had been approached several times about reforming for a farewell tour for the fans.[99] In July, in an interview with Irish broadcasterRTÉ, she said that there were discussions about a reunion tour featuring all six members of the group.[100]
2011–2018: Original lineup re-formation as Mutya Keisha Siobhán
Buchanan was contacted in June 2010, just nine months after being ousted, about potentially getting back with Buena and Donaghy.[101] In October 2011, several news outlets reported that the original line-up of the Sugababes would reform.[102][103][104] both Buena and Buchanantweeted in January 2012 that they were in the studio with "two other females" and British rapperProfessor Green, fuelling further speculation that the group would reunite were sparked.[105] Buena later denied this on Twitter.[105] Despite this, Scottish singer-songwriterEmeli Sandé confirmed toMTV UK that she had written new songs for Buena, Buchanan and Donaghy.[106]
In April 2012, it was reported that the line-up had signed a £1 million record deal withPolydor Records.[107] In July 2012, it was confirmed that the group had reformed under the name Mutya Keisha Siobhán and were working on a new album under Polydor.[108] The name was officially registered through theEuropean Union on 27 June 2012.[109] The group attended the2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony on 27 July 2012 and posted pictures on their officialInstagram page, marking the trio's first public appearance together in eleven years. On 6 August, the group confirmed they had written two songs withShaznay Lewis, member of theAll Saints.[110] The next day, Donaghy tweeted "With the girls in the studio. I think the album is finished!!!"[111] Their return was named the eleventh biggest moment of 2012 inNME's '75 Moments That Defined 2012' countdown.
The group appeared on the cover of fashion magazinePonystep in December 2012.[112] That same month, they performed an intimate gig atPonystep's New Year's Eve party.[113] The performance marked the first time Buena, Buchanan and Donaghy had performed together in over a decade. On 7 January 2013, the group uploaded a shorta cappella clip of "Boys" on Buchanan's YouTube account. The same day, Popjustice released a three-second clip of its studio version. The group signed with Storm Model Management.[114][115] On 14 March, the group's producer Dev Hynes uploaded "Lay Down in Swimming Pools" on his officialSoundCloud page, a reinterpretation ofKendrick Lamar's "Swimming Pools (Drank)" that features the group.[116] On 26 March, the group featured on a remix ofPhoenix's single "Entertainment".[117] The group released the single "Flatline" in June 2013.[118][119] MKS performed their first official headlining gig at Scala on 1 August.[120] In early October, Mutya Keisha Siobhán appeared on the Google+ Sessions series. On 6 November 2013, Buena said that she was open to reclaiming the Sugababes name.[121] During 8–16 November 2013, the group embarked on the Sacred Three Tour, playing six dates across the UK.
In June 2016, at London Pride's WandsworthRadio special, Donaghy said the album was due the following year.[122][123] In August 2017, Buchanan said in an interview that the group were working on new material after their previous work was leaked online.[124] In June 2018, Donaghy was a guest on Tom Aspaul's podcastBattle Pop and revealed "We're still working together. That's really easy to [say] and reassure fans. We're kind of stronger than ever." She added that she had no idea when, or even if, an album would be released.[125]
2019–2024: Reclaiming the Sugababes name andThe Lost Tapes
Buchanan, Buena and Donaghy won back the rights to the group name Sugababes in 2019.[126] Later that year, the group appeared withDJ Spoony on his albumGarage Classical, covering the 2000 song "Flowers" bySweet Female Attitude.[127] This marked the group's first release under the name Sugababes after eight years of working as Mutya Keisha Siobhán.[128] Their comeback performance took place onThe Graham Norton Show on 18 October 2019.[129] Following their performance onGraham Norton's show, the group revealed that they were working on new music and a 20th anniversary project;[130] however, plans were put on hold due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[131] On 11 May 2021, Sugababes released a reworking of 2001 single "Run for Cover" featuringMNEK.[132][133] followed by aBlood Orange remix "Same Old Story", a track from theirOne Touch album, on 22 June 2021.[134][135] On 1 October 2021 they released an expanded20 Year Anniversary edition ofOne Touch, including unheard demos and remixes. The album peaked at number 18 on the UK Albums Chart, outperforming the original peak of 26.
Sugababes headlined the second day of June 2022's "Mighty Hoopla" festival inHerne Hill,London.[136] The band supportedWestlife on the Dublin leg of their and appeared on a number of music festivals over the summer, includingGlastonbury (where the field had to be shut down due to the huge crowd),[137] Portsmouth'sVictorious Festival[138] and theMargate Pride Festival.[139] On 3 June 2022, the 2013 Mutya Keisha Siobhan single, "Flatline", was re-released under the Sugababes name.[140] In October/November 2022, the Sugababes performed on a17-date headlining tour, starting in Bristol and concluding in Glasgow.[141][142][143]
On 24 December 2022, Sugababes independently surprise-released the albumThe Lost Tapes. The album was originally recorded in 2013 but never received an official release.[144] The group stated online: "We wrote this album almost 8 years ago and for various reasons it didn't get an official release, so it's with great pride thatThe Lost Tapes is available now on all streaming platforms".[145]The Lost Tapes debuted at number 2 on the UK Album Downloads Chart Top 100.[146]
In February 2023, the Sugababes toured Australia, their first headlining tour of the country.[147] The band supportedTake That atBST Hyde Park on 1 July 2023 alongsidethe Script.[148]
In January 2025, the band toured Australia again.[173] In March 2025, Sugababes independently released the single "Jungle".[174][175] In April and May 2025, Sugababestoured British and European arenas.[176] In conjunction with the tour's commencement, "Weeds" was released.[177] A third song, "Shook", followed in July 2025.[178] In October 2025, the group were featured onPinkPantheress'Fancy Some More? (2025) on the song "Nice to Know You + Sugababes".[179] That same month, they announced that they would release their ninth studio album in 2026.[180] In November 2025, it was announced that Sugababes were in the lineup for a one-off concert,Trans Mission, in aid of trans-solidarity charities Good Law Project and Not A Phase, to be staged on 11 March 2026 by singerOlly Alexander teamed up withMighty Hoopla.[181] Other performers in the line-up will includeWolf Alice,Beth Ditto andSophie Ellis-Bextor.[182]
In April 2007,Mattel teamed with the Sugababes to create a new themedBarbie collection,[183] which was released only in the United Kingdom in May 2007. The Sugababes had also told reporters that they hope to branch out into other areas such as a makeup line.[184] In September 2010, the Sugababes released their own fragrances, named Tempt, Tease and Touch.[185]
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