The rise of British Girl Power - page 2

01-03-2008 08:15

Then, at last week's BRIT Awards, Amy, in her first performance since leaving the clinic, wowed the audience with a duet of 'Valerie' with Ronson. She also sang heartfelt version of 'Love is a Losing Game', which she dedicated to her imprisoned husband Blake Fielder-Civil. Although she didn't win any awards, Amy was definitely the star of the show and proved she's on her way back.

One lady who was triumphant at the BRITs was Kate Nash. The 20-year-old Londoner was named as Best British Female but admitted it felt "surreal" when she picked up her accolade at London's Earl's Court.

Just 12 months earlier, nobody had heard of Kate - who was only signed to her record label in March 2007. But a few weeks later she had a UK number two hit with her debut single 'Foundations'. Her first album, 'Made of Bricks', then went to number one and Kate had finally arrived.

Unlike others before her, the grounded star has vowed never to become a victim to drink and drugs.

She said: "I can understand why a lot of artists take drugs - a lot of things are hard to deal with. But I'm anti-drugs. If you go down the drug route you get lost."

Instead, Kate enjoys being on the road and doing what she does best - performing. Her nationwide tours have sold out, and it was recently announced she will be opening this year's Glastonbury music festival - an honour rarely bestowed on British female artists.

When Kate first burst onto the scene, she was compared to Lily Allen, the tabloid darling of 2006. Comparisons were drawn because of their storytelling lyrics, the dry sense of humour that fuels their songs and their distinctive London accents. But while Kate may be the up-and-coming star, Lily is not about to let her have her crown just yet.

The 22-year-old daughter of comedian Keith Allen used social networking site MySpace to build up a huge fan base by letting them listen to her songs. They was soon demand for the tracks to be released and, after being signed up to a record label in late 2005, Lily's debut single 'Smile' hit the UK chart top spot, which was followed up with 'LDN', 'Littlest Tings' and 'Alfie'.

Her first album 'Alright, Still' entered the UK chart at number two as well as reaching the US top 20.

Lily was now a huge star but she was famed for her fashion sense and outspokenness as much as her musical talent.

Her trademark ballgown and trainers look earned her a fashion deal with high street clothing store New Look and she had numerous public spats with fellow celebrities including Cheryl Cole, Peaches Geldof and Victoria Beckham.

Lily - who famously admitted she would celebrate her debut number one single with a few lines of cocaine - was also starting to get frustrated with all the negative press attention.

She said: "I don't think the press like young women doing well, or having fun. I mean, James Blunt goes out and gets on it and no one cares. We do that and it's all over the papers. It's sad. Those people who write for those gossip magazines, they're not even writers. They can't even punctuate."

In late 2007, it was announced she was expecting her first child with Chemical Brothers star boyfriend Ed Simons, but tragically miscarried in early 2008.

But as she puts her trauma behind her, Lily - who has also been given her own chat show on BBC Three - can start concentrating on releasing her long-awaited second album and prove to her loyal fans she still has what it takes.

One star not to be involved in any controversy is Leona Lewis.

The 22-year-old from Hackney, London, shot to fame after winning TV talent show 'The X Factor' in 2006 and has now successfully managed to shake off the 'naff' reality show tag.

Leona - whose debut single 'A Moment Like This', which was released on the back of the show, sold nearly a million copies in the UK - had an incredible voice and took her time to make sure her first album and follow-up single were something to be proud of.

And Leona didn't disappoint. In November 2007, 11 months after she was victorious on 'The X Factor', she released 'Bleeding Love' - an 80s inspired track which went one to become the biggest selling single of the year.

Her album 'Spirit' went on sale a couple of weeks later and became the UK's fastest ever selling debut LP, beating the Arctic Monkeys' critically acclaimed 'Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not'.

Her fantastic vocal range has seen her compared to Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston and Leona recently admitted she was "overwhelmed" when she met her idol Whitney during a recent performance.

She said: "It was amazing, I got to meet my all-time musical hero Whitney Houston - who looked so incredible. I don't think I managed to say much though, I was overwhelmed!

"I was told afterwards that when I performed she had said to a friend at the record label, 'My God, she's a baby me!' Wow - what a huge compliment!"

But one thing that may prevent Leona becoming a true world star is her bland personality.

Although her talent cannot be denied, Leona appears to lack the charisma and charm of some of her other female counterparts and one only hopes that won't be her downfall.

The newest lady on the scene is teenage singer Adele, who became the first winner of the BRITs Critics' Choice Award last week.

The accolade is handed to the new artists must likely to hit the big time this year and the 19-year-old - who is yet to release her first album - admits she's flattered people already have such confidence in her.

She said: "It's very weird to be rewarded for something you haven't actually done yet. But it's very flattering and I've always wanted a BRIT Award."

Adele's breakthrough single 'Chasing Pavements' went to number two in the UK charts earlier this year while her debut LP, 19, hit the top spot.

However, curvy Adele knows that unwanted press attention will come with her success, but is determined not to let it affect her.

She vowed: "I've always been a size 14-16, and been fine with it. I would only lose weight if it affected my health or sex life, which it doesn't."

One of the reasons for Adele's success could be credited to her attending the state-funded BRIT school, which helps nurture musical talent.

Adele followed in the footsteps of Amy, Kate and Leona by graduating form the Camden school and critics believe the country is now starting to see the benefits of it.

The former students, as well as Lily, have all played their part in helping British female music command the respect it has always craved globally.

It finally seems to be time for British female singers to emerge from the shadow of their US counterparts.

By Kate Randall