Mutya Buena
Encyclopedia
Rosa Isabel Mutya Buena (born 21 May 1985) is an English recording artist who rose to fame as a member of girl group
the Sugababes
. With the Sugababes, Buena had four UK number one singles, an additional six top-ten hits and three multi-platinum albums. After leaving the group in December 2005, she released her debut solo album, Real Girl
in June 2007. In October 2010, Buena released a compilation album dedicated to British singers, titled Sound Of Camden: Mutya Buena.
, London
and attended Kingsbury High School
. She is of Filipino
, Chinese
, and Irish
descent. On 23 March, 2005, Buena gave birth to her daughter Tahlia. Buena dedicated a song to her late sister Maya on the Sugababes album, Three
.
, Keisha Buchanan
and Buena. Their debut album, One Touch, was released in November 2000 and peaked at number twenty-six on the UK Albums Chart, eventually earning a gold certification. One Touch spawned four singles, three of which reached the top twenty, while the album's lead single "Overload" was nominated for a BRIT Award
for "Best British Single". The album's sales did not meet the expectations of London Records
and the group was subsequently dropped. The group's second album Angels with Dirty Faces was released in August 2002 through Island Records
. Influenced by the New Wave
, dance
, and pop music
of the 1980s, the record enjoyed success in the UK, where it reached number two and went triple platinum. It produced two number one singles and was nominated for "Best British Album" at the 2003 BRIT Awards.
Three
, Sugababes' third album, was released in October 2003. It reached number three in the UK and produced four singles, three of which reached the top ten. The group's fourth album, Taller in More Ways
, was released in October 2005. The album reached reached number one and went double platinum in the UK. On 21 December, 2005, it was announced Buena left the Sugababes. According to an announcement on their official website, "[Buena]'s decision was based purely on personal reasons and she will continue to remain the best of friends with both [Buchanan] and [Range]". The last remaining original member, Buchanan, said upon Buena's departure, "...we will all miss Mutya, but we also knew there was still a place for bringing in somebody new who could help us carry on taking the Sugababes brand of music forward".." Amelle Berrabah
joined the group 48 hours after Buena's departure.
duet with George Michael
, titled "This Is Not Real Love
". It was released in November 2006 and reached number 15 in the UK. Preceding the album, the title track, "Real Girl
", was released in early 2007. It reached number 2 in the UK and received a BRIT Award nomination for "Best Single". The song samples Lenny Kravitz
's hit "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over
", and was produced by London-based production company Full Phat. "Real Girl
" was also featured on the Sex and the City, Vol 2: More Music Soundtrack. Buena's debut album, Real Girl
, peaked at number 10 on the UK Albums Chart. "Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control)
", her collaboration with dance duo Groove Armada
, was released in the UK in July 2007 peaked at number 8. The fourth release from the album was "Just a Little Bit", which reached number 65. Buena also collaborated with Amy Winehouse
, on a re-working of the track "Be My Baby
" by The Ronettes
titled "B Boy Baby
", which reached number 73 in the UK top 75. On 1 October 2007, Buena was nominated for the 2007 British "Music of Black Origin" (MOBO
) awards at the O2 Arena in London.
On 12 February 2008, Buena was dropped by her record label due to poor sales and charting positions from Real Girl
and her last two singles, "Just a Little Bit" and "B Boy Baby
".
. In 2009, she was featured on Celebrity Big Brother
.
In January 2009, Buena featured on Asher D's second single "With You", from his album Ashley Walters, as well as the Don-E track "The Time Is Now". She also promoted the collaborations "Fallin'" with Agent X
and "Give Back" with Tah Mac
. Buena also joined an array of UK, US and Jamaican artists to feature on the debut single of the London-based Urban / Funky House production duo, NightShift. The song is titled "Can You Persuade Me" and it also features MegaMan (So Solid Crew
), DJ Ironik
, Sisqó
, Tanto Metro & Devonte, TQ, Steelo, Juxci D, J2K, Wretch 32
, Sam Obernik and Mr. Vegas
. The song heavily sampled Pitbull
's "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
".
In September 2010, she contributed to six tracks on the album The Sound of Camden, which was recorded in Israel with music producer Roy Sela. The album deals with “Camden Town” market in London, and has been available for purchase solely at the market itself, as well as on iTunes
. She recorded a series of covers of rock songs from rock bands such as U2
, The Pixies and Iron Maiden
, in a chilled-out-lounge style.
In October 2010, Buena confirmed she was no longer interested in a career in the music industry and that she is currently training to become a psychologist for children. Despite the announcement, Buena teamed up with City Boy Soul, a band consisting of ex-Damage
singer Coree Richards and British rapper Gak Jonze
, and digitally released "Be Ok" in January 2011. Buena also recorded lead vocals for "Give Me Love", penned by UK DJ/Producer Paul Morrell.
Buena performed at Birmingham Gay Pride
on 28 May 2011.
Buena paid £5,000 for buttock implants
as she "just wanted it a bit perkier", and previously had breast enlargements.
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
the Sugababes
Sugababes
The Sugababes are an English pop girl group based in London, consisting of members Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen. The Sugababes were formed in 1998 with founding members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. Their debut album, One Touch, was released in 2000 under London...
. With the Sugababes, Buena had four UK number one singles, an additional six top-ten hits and three multi-platinum albums. After leaving the group in December 2005, she released her debut solo album, Real Girl
Real Girl
Real Girl is the debut solo album by British recording artist Mutya Buena. It was released on June 4, 2007 via Universal Records, following her departure from UK girl-group the Sugababes in December 2005.-Singles:...
in June 2007. In October 2010, Buena released a compilation album dedicated to British singers, titled Sound Of Camden: Mutya Buena.
Early life
Buena was born in KingsburyKingsbury
Kingsbury is an area in the London Borough of Brent, northwest London. The name Kingsbury means "The King's Manor".-History:Kingsbury was historically a small parish in the Hundred of Gore and county of Middlesex. Until the nineteenth century it was largely rural with only scattered settlements....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and attended Kingsbury High School
Kingsbury High School
Kingsbury High School is a large High School in Kingsbury, London, England notable for a number of reasons including its national reputation for Mathematics, its many eminent alumni and for the fact that the Upper School site at Princes Avenue, NW9 London, is recognisable to many British adults...
. She is of Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
, Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, and Irish
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
descent. On 23 March, 2005, Buena gave birth to her daughter Tahlia. Buena dedicated a song to her late sister Maya on the Sugababes album, Three
Three (Sugababes album)
-Canceled US Edition:-Charts:-Certifications:-Release history:-Setlist:¹Performed at the first Concert...
.
1998–05: Sugababes
The Sugababes were formed in 1998 by Siobhán DonaghySiobhán Donaghy
Siobhán Emma Donaghy is an English singer-songwriter of Irish descent. She was a founding member of girl group the Sugababes, although she left in August 2001 and was replaced by Heidi Range. Donaghy left the group after one album...
, Keisha Buchanan
Keisha Buchanan
Keisha Kerreece Fayeanne Buchanan is an English singer-songwriter and was a founding member of the BRIT Award-winning girl group the Sugababes. With the Sugababes, Buchanan had six number one singles and two number one studio albums, making the Sugababes one of the most successful British pop acts...
and Buena. Their debut album, One Touch, was released in November 2000 and peaked at number twenty-six on the UK Albums Chart, eventually earning a gold certification. One Touch spawned four singles, three of which reached the top twenty, while the album's lead single "Overload" was nominated for a BRIT Award
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
for "Best British Single". The album's sales did not meet the expectations of London Records
London Records
London Records, referred to as London Recordings in logo, is a record label headquartered in the United Kingdom, originally marketing records in the United States, Canada and Latin America from 1947 to 1979, then becoming a semi-independent label....
and the group was subsequently dropped. The group's second album Angels with Dirty Faces was released in August 2002 through Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
. Influenced by the New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
, dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
, and pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
of the 1980s, the record enjoyed success in the UK, where it reached number two and went triple platinum. It produced two number one singles and was nominated for "Best British Album" at the 2003 BRIT Awards.
Three
Three (Sugababes album)
-Canceled US Edition:-Charts:-Certifications:-Release history:-Setlist:¹Performed at the first Concert...
, Sugababes' third album, was released in October 2003. It reached number three in the UK and produced four singles, three of which reached the top ten. The group's fourth album, Taller in More Ways
Taller in More Ways
Taller in More Ways is the fourth studio album by British girl group Sugababes, released by Island Records on 10 October 2005 in the United Kingdom. It was primarily produced by Dallas Austin and Xenomania, with additional production from Cameron McVey and Guy Sigsworth...
, was released in October 2005. The album reached reached number one and went double platinum in the UK. On 21 December, 2005, it was announced Buena left the Sugababes. According to an announcement on their official website, "[Buena]'s decision was based purely on personal reasons and she will continue to remain the best of friends with both [Buchanan] and [Range]". The last remaining original member, Buchanan, said upon Buena's departure, "...we will all miss Mutya, but we also knew there was still a place for bringing in somebody new who could help us carry on taking the Sugababes brand of music forward".." Amelle Berrabah
Amelle Berrabah
Amelle Berrabah is a British singer, songwriter and member of pop girl group the Sugababes. Since replacing founding member Mutya Buena in the group in December 2005, Berrabah has attained two UK number one singles, "About You Now" and "Walk This Way", as well as a number one album, Change...
joined the group 48 hours after Buena's departure.
2006–08: Real Girl
Following her departure from the Sugababes, Buena began working on her debut album in early 2006 after signing with her previous label, Universal Island Records. The first single to be released in the U.K. featuring Buena was a balladBallad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
duet with George Michael
George Michael
George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
, titled "This Is Not Real Love
This Is Not Real Love
"This Is Not Real Love" is the second single from George Michael's second greatest hits album Twenty Five. The single features Mutya Buena, the ex-Sugababe and was released on November 6, 2006. No music video was made for the song, due to the busy work schedules of both Michael and Buena. The song...
". It was released in November 2006 and reached number 15 in the UK. Preceding the album, the title track, "Real Girl
Real Girl (song)
"Real Girl" is a song written by Lenny Kravitz, Niara Scarlett, Matt Ward and Dean Gillard. It was produced by Matt Ward and Dean Gillard for Mutya Buena's debut album, Real Girl, and was released as the first single from the album. It charted at #2 on the UK singles chart. It was released on 28...
", was released in early 2007. It reached number 2 in the UK and received a BRIT Award nomination for "Best Single". The song samples Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz
Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
's hit "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over
It Ain't Over 'til It's Over
"It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" is a song recorded, written, and produced by American musician Lenny Kravitz for his second studio album, Mama Said . Released as the album's second single in May 1991, the song is a mid-tempo ballad, musically inspired by Motown, Philly soul, and Earth, Wind & Fire...
", and was produced by London-based production company Full Phat. "Real Girl
Real Girl
Real Girl is the debut solo album by British recording artist Mutya Buena. It was released on June 4, 2007 via Universal Records, following her departure from UK girl-group the Sugababes in December 2005.-Singles:...
" was also featured on the Sex and the City, Vol 2: More Music Soundtrack. Buena's debut album, Real Girl
Real Girl
Real Girl is the debut solo album by British recording artist Mutya Buena. It was released on June 4, 2007 via Universal Records, following her departure from UK girl-group the Sugababes in December 2005.-Singles:...
, peaked at number 10 on the UK Albums Chart. "Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control)
Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control)
"Song 4 Mutya " is an electro song performed by British music duo Groove Armada and recording artist Mutya Buena. It was released on 23 July 2007 in the United Kingdom and on 3 September 2007 in Australia...
", her collaboration with dance duo Groove Armada
Groove Armada
Groove Armada is an English electronic music duo from London, England comprising Andy Cato and Tom Findlay. They are perhaps best known for their singles "I See You Baby" and "Superstylin'"...
, was released in the UK in July 2007 peaked at number 8. The fourth release from the album was "Just a Little Bit", which reached number 65. Buena also collaborated with Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse
Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize...
, on a re-working of the track "Be My Baby
Be My Baby
"Be My Baby" is a 1963 single written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich, performed by The Ronettes and produced by Spector. When released as a single, the song reached #2 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Singles Chart and #4 on the UK's Record Retailer...
" by The Ronettes
The Ronettes
The Ronettes were a 1960s girl group from New York City, best known for their work with producer Phil Spector. The group consisted of lead singer Veronica Bennett ; her older sister, Estelle Bennett; and their cousin Nedra Talley...
titled "B Boy Baby
B Boy Baby
"B Boy Baby" is a song written by Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, and Angela Hunte. It was produced by Salaam Remi for Mutya Buena's debut album, Real Girl, and was released as the fourth and final single from the album.-Background:...
", which reached number 73 in the UK top 75. On 1 October 2007, Buena was nominated for the 2007 British "Music of Black Origin" (MOBO
Mobo
Mobo can refer to:*Shorthand for the motherboard in computers and other electronic equipment*Shorthand for a mobile [network] operator or MNO *Shorthand for a mobile bohemian, a person who embraces mobile technology...
) awards at the O2 Arena in London.
On 12 February 2008, Buena was dropped by her record label due to poor sales and charting positions from Real Girl
Real Girl
Real Girl is the debut solo album by British recording artist Mutya Buena. It was released on June 4, 2007 via Universal Records, following her departure from UK girl-group the Sugababes in December 2005.-Singles:...
and her last two singles, "Just a Little Bit" and "B Boy Baby
B Boy Baby
"B Boy Baby" is a song written by Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, and Angela Hunte. It was produced by Salaam Remi for Mutya Buena's debut album, Real Girl, and was released as the fourth and final single from the album.-Background:...
".
2009–present: Other endeavors
In October 2008, Buena appeared on Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding DongAlan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong
Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong was an entertainment show on Channel 4, presented by Alan Carr. During the first series, voice-over commentary in between rounds on the scores is provided by Leslie Phillips...
. In 2009, she was featured on Celebrity Big Brother
Celebrity Big Brother
Celebrity Big Brother could refer to:*Any series of Celebrity Big Brother UK:** Celebrity Big Brother 2001 ** Celebrity Big Brother 2002 ** Celebrity Big Brother 2005 ** Celebrity Big Brother 2006 ** Celebrity Big Brother 2007...
.
In January 2009, Buena featured on Asher D's second single "With You", from his album Ashley Walters, as well as the Don-E track "The Time Is Now". She also promoted the collaborations "Fallin'" with Agent X
Agent X (Music Producers)
Agent X is a British record production, songwriting and DJ team, originally founded as a duo in London by Music College classmates Greg Bonnick and Leon Price, adding Hayden Chapman and Peter Renshaw to the collective in 2009...
and "Give Back" with Tah Mac
Tah Mac
Tah Mac , known professionally as Tah Mac, is an American rapper and songwriter, who rose to fame as a producer of various Hip hop and R&B acts, before releasing his first solo album in 2009.-History:...
. Buena also joined an array of UK, US and Jamaican artists to feature on the debut single of the London-based Urban / Funky House production duo, NightShift. The song is titled "Can You Persuade Me" and it also features MegaMan (So Solid Crew
So Solid Crew
So Solid Crew is an electronic and urban musical collective from South London, England, whose hits include "Oh No " and "21 Seconds", the latter reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart in August 2001. Another hit, "They Don't Know", reached number three in November 2001 and "Haters" got to...
), DJ Ironik
DJ Ironik
James Christian Charters , better known as Ironik, is a British musician, DJ and rapper. His genre of music varies from R&B, grime and hip hop....
, Sisqó
Sisqó
Mark Durrell Andrews , known by his stage name Sisqó, is an American R&B singer and actor. He is best known as the lead singer of R&B group Dru Hill, and also for "Thong Song", a song from his first solo LP, Unleash the Dragon, that became an international hit. - Biography :Sisqó was born Mark...
, Tanto Metro & Devonte, TQ, Steelo, Juxci D, J2K, Wretch 32
Wretch 32
Jermaine Scott , better known by his stage name Wretch 32 , is a Black British rapper and former Grime MC from Tottenham, London where he grew up the son of a local reggae DJ in the Tiverton Estate. He was a member of the grime collective "Combination Chain Gang", before forming The Movement with...
, Sam Obernik and Mr. Vegas
Mr. Vegas
Mr. Vegas is a Jamaican dancehall star.-Biography:Smith was born in Kingston in 1974. The moniker "Mr. Vegas" was given to Smith by his schoolyard football-mates, who thought that he kicked the ball like a Las Vegas dancer...
. The song heavily sampled Pitbull
Pitbull (rapper)
Armando Christian Pérez , better known by his stage name Pitbull, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. His first recorded performance was from the Lil Jon album Kings of Crunk in 2002, after which he released his debut album in 2004 titled M.I.A.M.I. under TVT Records...
's "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
"I Know You Want Me " is a song by rapper Pitbull released as the second single from the album, Rebelution. The song samples "75, Brazil Street" by Nicola Fasano versus Pat Rich, which itself samples "Street Player" by Chicago. The core is from a song by Dominican rappers El Cata and Omega. The...
".
In September 2010, she contributed to six tracks on the album The Sound of Camden, which was recorded in Israel with music producer Roy Sela. The album deals with “Camden Town” market in London, and has been available for purchase solely at the market itself, as well as on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
. She recorded a series of covers of rock songs from rock bands such as U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, The Pixies and Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
, in a chilled-out-lounge style.
In October 2010, Buena confirmed she was no longer interested in a career in the music industry and that she is currently training to become a psychologist for children. Despite the announcement, Buena teamed up with City Boy Soul, a band consisting of ex-Damage
Damage
-General concepts:* Collateral damage, unintended damage caused during a military operation* Fire damage* Foreign object damage* Hydrogen damage, metal degradation processes due to interaction with hydrogen* Property damage, damage to public or private property...
singer Coree Richards and British rapper Gak Jonze
Gak Jonze
Micah Lei , better known by his stage name Gak Jonze, is a British rapper, singer-songwriter, actor and author from Camden Town, North London.- 2003-2006: First Appearance :...
, and digitally released "Be Ok" in January 2011. Buena also recorded lead vocals for "Give Me Love", penned by UK DJ/Producer Paul Morrell.
Buena performed at Birmingham Gay Pride
Gay pride
LGBT pride or gay pride is the concept that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity...
on 28 May 2011.
Personal life
In March 2010, Buena filed a claim for ownership of the Sugababes name with the European Trademark Authority. Though members Keisha Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy's names appear on the trademark submission, it was confirmed that Buena was the sole applicant for submission and Donaghy and Buchanan were not involved. The current line-up launched an opposition to the claim on the basis that goodwill and reputation in the mark and trading name "Sugababes" belongs to the partnership – not an individual.Buena paid £5,000 for buttock implants
Buttock augmentation
thumb|right|250px|Gluteoplasty: the pre-operative, back and oblique-right aspects , and the like post-operative aspects , of a combined procedure of buttocks augmentation and thigh contouring.Gluteoplasty thumb|right|250px|Gluteoplasty: the pre-operative, back and oblique-right aspects (left), and...
as she "just wanted it a bit perkier", and previously had breast enlargements.
Discography
- 2007: Real GirlReal GirlReal Girl is the debut solo album by British recording artist Mutya Buena. It was released on June 4, 2007 via Universal Records, following her departure from UK girl-group the Sugababes in December 2005.-Singles:...
- 2010: Sound Of Camden: Mutya Buena