Sugababes Biography

The Sugababes are an English girl group, formed in 1998 by Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. The group went through several line-up changes. In 2001, Heidi Range took Siobhán’s place, right before the Sugababes’ rise to stardom. Furthermore, in 2005 Amelle Berrabah replaced Mutya Buena. After Keisha, the last founding member’s departure in 2009, Jade Ewen was added to the group. In 2011, the three original members reunited, forming another band, Mutya Keisha Siobhan. The band was at its highest during 2002 and 2006, having released massive hits like Round Round, Push the Button and About You Now.

Formation, Early Years

The Sugababes were formed in the late 90s by the All Saints manager Ron Tom.  Siobhan and Mutya, both 13 years old, decided the work together after performing at the same show. Mutya brought Keisha, her best friend along. In 2000, the trio released their first single, Overload, which reached top 10 in the UK and gained a Brit Award nomination. Furthermore, their debut album, One Touch, reached number 26 on the albums chart and spawned 3 more quite successful singles. However, during the promotional tour, Siobhan left the Sugababes, claiming she was bullied by Keisha.

Heidi Range, Success

After Sugababes embraced Heidi Range, they moved to Island Records and released their second album, Angels with Dirty Faces. The record debuted at number 2 and spawned some of their most emblematic singles, Freak Like Me, Round Round, Stronger and Shaped. The title track was featured in The Powerpuff Girls Movie. 

In 2003, the group released their next album, Three, which peaked at number 3 and went double platinum. The lead single, Hole in the Head, topped the UK singles chart, additionally making it into the Billboard Hot 100. Moreover, the album generated other popular singles, Too Lost in You, In the Middle and Caught in a Moment. 

During that period, rumours started spreading again. This time Heidi was the one supposedly bullied. After a hiatus, the group released Push the Button, in 2005. It was a massive hit around Europe. Consequently, the parent album, Taller in More Ways, topped the UK albums chart. The follow-up single, Ugly, also gained vast acclaim. Shortly after, Mutya left the group due to personal issues.

Amelle Berrabah, Jade Ewen

The Sugababes’ management chose Amelle Berrabah as her replacement. The group, in its new formula, re-recorded the third single, Red Dress, which reached top 5 in the UK. Notably, they also re-recorded Follow Me Home, another popular single. In 2007, the group collaborated with Girls Aloud for the Aerosmith cover Walk This Way, another number 1 single. Furthermore, they released their fifth album, Change.The lead single, About You Now, also topped the charts. Moreso, it was declared the “first track by a British pop act to top the singles chart solely on downloads” by Guinness Book of World Records. 

One year later, the group released Catfights and Spotlights, with the lead single Girls. Overall the album was a step back. In 2009, the sole original member was forced to leave the band. Her replacement, Jade Ewen, contributed to the band’s last album, Sweet 7. The album spawned 3 top 10 singles but didn’t sell well. The group was dropped by their label and, Sugababes eventually disbanded in 2012-2013.

Photo source: DailyMail