Lola Young (singer)

English singer-songwriter

Lola Young

Young performing in January 2016

Background information
Born|  (2001-01-04) 4 January 2001 (age 24)
London, England
Genres|

* R&B
* pop
* neo soul
* pop rock
* indie pop
* alternative rock

Occupations|

* Singer
* songwriter

Instruments|

* Vocals
* guitar
* piano

Years active| 2019–present
Labels| Island
Website| lola-young.com

Musical artist

Lola Emily Mary Young[1] (born 4 January 2001[2]) is a British singer and songwriter from London. She is best known for covering "Together in Electric Dreams" for the 2021 John Lewis Christmas advert and for her 2024 song "Messy", which was her first song to top the UK Singles Chart. In 2024, Young was featured on the song "Like Him" on Tyler, the Creator's album Chromakopia.

Young has been recognised receiving many nominations for awards. She was nominated for the Brit Awards for Rising Star in 2021, Best Pop Act in 2025, and placed fourth in the BBC Sound of 2022 competition.

## Early life

[edit]

Young grew up in the Beckenham area of London to a Jamaican-Chinese father and English mother.[3] She attended Balgowan Primary School in Beckenham, Kingsdale Foundation School and later attended the BRIT School in Croydon (south London).[citation needed] Her stepdad, a bass player, and her mother nurtured her musical talents. Her great-aunt, Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo (1999), also influenced her creative development.[4] At six years old, she began piano, guitar, and singing lessons developing a deep love for songwriting by the age of 11.

## Career

[edit]

### 2013–2017: Career beginnings

[edit]

Young's early foray into music saw her participating in Open Mic UK singing competitions.[5] At 15, she won the competition with her song "Never Enough", which led to a consultation package with Future Music and £5,000 for music development.[6] This victory opened the doors to the BRIT School, where she honed her skills.[7] In 2016, Young appeared on CBBC's Got What It Takes?, finishing as a runner-up.[8] After graduating from the BRIT School in 2018, she continued performing at local gigs and open mic events, eventually catching the attention of industry figures Nick Shymansky, Amy Winehouse's former manager, and Nick Huggett, who first signed Adele.[9] The two soon became her managers.[10]

### 2018–2023: Breakthrough and My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely

[edit]

In 2019, Young signed with Island Records and released her debut single, "6 Feet Under", followed by the EP Intro.[11] Her next EP, Renaissance, was released on 28 April 2020.[12] Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, she maintained her presence through virtual performances and continued to release music, including the single "Woman".[13][14] In 2021, Young gained wider recognition with her performance on The Late Late Show with James Corden and her rendition of "Together in Electric Dreams" for the John Lewis Christmas advert.[15] She was nominated for the Brit Award for Rising Star.[16] Young's lead single for her debut album, "Stream of Consciousness", was released on 25 November 2022 and a successful European tour followed.[17] The album, My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely, was released in 2023.[18]

### 2024–present: This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway

[edit]

Young's second album, This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway, came out on 21 June 2024.[19] Singles including "Messy" gained popularity through TikTok, leading to a rise in her international popularity.[20] In 2024, Young collaborated with Tyler, the Creator on his album Chromakopia and continued to release singles such as "Wish You Were Dead" and "Big Brown Eyes".[21] On 21 January 2025, Young performed "Messy" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[22]

Her single "Flicker Of Light" is featured in the video game EA Sports FC 25.[23]

## Personal life

[edit]

Young has spoken openly about her diagnosis with schizoaffective disorder at age 17.[4] She suffers with recurring vocal cord cysts which has caused issues with her singing, resulting in having to cancel shows. She also has had mental health issues throughout her life.[24]

## Discography

[edit]

### Studio albums

[edit]

Title  | Album details  | Peak chart positions

|
|

[25] | CAN
[26] | US
[27]
My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely |

* Released: 26 May 2023
* Label: Island
* Format: CD, LP, digital download

| — | — | —
This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway |

* Released: 21 June 2024
* Label: Island
* Format: CD, LP, digital download

| 16 | 38 | 64
"—" denotes album did not chart in that territory.

### Mini-albums

[edit]

Title  | Album details

|

Intro |

* Released: 7 November 2019
* Label: Island
* Format: CD, digital download

### Extended plays

[edit]

Title  | EP details

|

Renaissance |

* Released: 28 April 2020
* Label: Island
* Format: Digital download

After Midnight |

* Released: 20 August 2021
* Label: Island
* Format: Digital download

### Singles

[edit]

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name  Title  | Year  | Peak chart positions  | Certifications | Album

|
|
|
|

[25] | AUS
[28] | CAN
[29] | IRE
[30] | NZ
[31] | SWE
[32] | US
[33] | US
Rock
[34] | WW
[35]
"6 Feet Under"[36] | 2019  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Intro
"Pick Me Up"  | 2020  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Renaissance
"Woman"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Non-album singles
"Ruin My Make Up"  | 2021  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Bad Tattoo"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Blue (2AM)"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | After Midnight
"Fake"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Non-album singles
"Together in Electric Dreams"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"So Sorry"  | 2022  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Stream of Consciousness"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely
"Annabel's House"  | 2023  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Don't Hate Me"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"What Is It About Me"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Money"[37] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Conceited"[38] | 94 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway
"Wish You Were Dead"[39] | 2024  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Intrusive Thoughts"[40] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Big Brown Eyes"[41] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Fuck"[42] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Messy"  | 1 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 2 | 5  |

* BPI: Platinum[43]
* ARIA: Platinum[44]
* MC: Platinum[45]
* RIAA: Platinum[46]
* RMNZ: Gold[47]

"Good Books"[48] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Flicker of Light"[49] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | TBA
"Charlie"
(featuring Lil Yachty)[50] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

### Other charted songs

[edit]

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name  Title  | Year  | Peak chart positions  | Certifications  | Album

|
|
|
|

[51] | AUS
[52] | CAN
[53] | IRE
[54] | NZ
[55] | SWE
Heat.
[56] | US
[57] | US
R&B/HH
[58] | WW
[59]
"Like Him"
(Tyler, the Creator featuring Lola Young) | 2024  | 33 | 55 | 43 | 28 | 28 | 16 | 29 | 6 | 37  |

* BPI: Silver[43]
* MC: Platinum[45]

| Chromakopia

## Tours

[edit]

* US Tour (2023)
* EU Tour & London (2023)
* UK & EU Tour 2024 (2024)
* US & Canada Tour 2024 (2024)
* This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway Tour (2024–2025)

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

Organization  | Year  | Category  | Recipient(s)  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

BBC | 2021  | Sound of 2022 | Herself  | Fourth  | [60]
Brit Awards | 2021 | Rising Star | Nominated  | [61]
2025 | Best Pop Act | Nominated  | [62]
Ticketmaster | 2022  | Breakthrough Artists for 2022  | Nominated  | [63]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "AFTER MIDNIGHT". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
2. ^ Young, Lola (2024-01-04). "Hbd to me🌺🥺🍰i dont even smoke anymore.. that was for the photo…". Instagram. Retrieved 2025-03-02.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
3. ^ Mukhtar, Amel (November 5, 2021). "Introducing Lola Young, The Singer Behind The New John Lewis Christmas Ad". British Vogue.
4. ^ a b Halls, Eleanor (2022-02-19). "'I try to see it as a superpower': pop star Lola Young on being schizoaffective". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 19 February 2022. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
5. ^ "Beckenham singer wins national competition". News Shopper. 2016-01-28. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
6. ^ "Lola Young crowned Open Mic UK 2015 Champion!". Pressparty. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
7. ^ Ewens, Hannah (2023-05-12). "Lola Young: 'I had to train massively, I didn't pop out the womb like Beyoncé'". Rolling Stone UK. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
8. ^ "Musical mother and daughter from Beckenham star in CBBC talent show". News Shopper. 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
9. ^ Empire, Kitty (2024-03-09). "Lola Young review – the back-to-front rise of a powerhouse pop star". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
10. ^ Team, The Edge. "'A lot of pressure': TikTok star Lola Young on working with Amy Winehouse's manager | Articles". www.rova.nz. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
11. ^ Sexton, Paul (2019-11-25). "Teenage Island Records Prospect Lola Young Impacts With 'Intro'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
12. ^ Forrest, Jo (2020-04-28). "Lola Young releases new track and EP". TotalNtertainment. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
13. ^ Smith, Sophie (2020-07-27). "Listen To Lola Young's Empowering New Single, 'Woman'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
14. ^ "Artist Spotlight: Lola Young is one to watch out for ahead of sophomore debut". The Post. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
15. ^ Peacock, Tim (2021-11-04). "Lola Young Covers 'Together In Electric Dreams' For This Year's John Lewis Christmas Ad". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
16. ^ "Rising U.K. pop singer Lola Young brings tour in Vancouver". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on 2024-11-25. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
17. ^ Sexton, Paul (2022-11-25). "Lola Young Takes Next Creative Step With Bold New Single 'Stream Of Consciousness'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
18. ^ Schube, Will (2023-05-29). "Lola Young Returns With 'My Mind Wanders And Sometimes Leaves Completely'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
19. ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (31 May 2024). "Lola Young announces her new album, This Wasn't Meant For You Anyway". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
20. ^ Unterberger, Andrew; Denis, Kyle; Lipshutz, Jason (2024-12-18). "Lola Young Scores the Year's Last (?) Big Viral Hit". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
21. ^ Williams, Sophie (2024-11-19). "Lola Young on Collaborating With Tyler, the Creator & Becoming a Global Sensation". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
22. ^ "Lola Young performs viral smash "Messy" on Fallon". Consequence. 2025-01-22. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
23. ^ "EA SPORTS FC™ 25 - Official Soundtrack". www.ea.com. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
24. ^ "Lola Young". First Avenue. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
25. ^ a b "Lola Young | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
26. ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of February 8, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
27. ^ "Billboard 200: Week of February 8, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
28. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 3 February 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
29. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of March 8, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
30. ^ "Top 100 Singles, Week Ending 31 January 2025". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
31. ^ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
32. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 2, 2025". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
33. ^ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of February 8, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
34. ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of February 8, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
35. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of January 18, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
36. ^ "Lola Young - A Londoner and Her Lyrics". Metal Magazine. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
37. ^ Rigotti, Alex (5 May 2023). "Lola Young releases brand new single 'Money'". DIY. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
38. ^ "Conceited- Single by Lola Young". Apple Music. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
39. ^ "Wish You Were Dead - Single by Lola Young". Apple Music. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
40. ^ "Intrusive Thoughts - Single by Lola Young". Apple Music. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
41. ^ "Big Brown Eyes - Single by Lola Young". Apple Music. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
42. ^ "Fuck - Single by Lola Young". Apple Music. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
43. ^ a b "British certifications – Lola Young". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 14 March 2025. Type Lola Young in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
44. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2025 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
45. ^ a b "Canadian certifications – Lola Young". Music Canada. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
46. ^ "American certifications – Lola Young". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
47. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Lola Young". Radioscope. Retrieved 18 January 2025. Type Lola Young in the "Search:" field.
48. ^ "Good Books - Single by Lola Young". Spotify. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
49. ^ "Flicker of Light - Single by Lola Young". Apple Music. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
50. ^ "Charlie (feat. Lil Yachty) - Single by Lola Young". Apple Music. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
51. ^ "Tyler The Creator". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
52. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 11 November 2024". The ARIA Report. No. 1810\. Australian Recording Industry Association. November 11, 2024. p. 5.
53. ^ "Tyler, the Creator – Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
54. ^ "Top 100 Singles, Week Ending 8 November 2024". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
55. ^ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. November 8, 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
56. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 2, 2025". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
57. ^ "Tyler, the Creator – Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
58. ^ "Tyler, the Creator – Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
59. ^ "Tyler, the Creator – Chart History: Billboard Global 200". Billboard. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
60. ^ Savage, Mark (3 January 2022). "Sound Of 2022: Lola Young's slow-burning anthems are bubbling over". BBC. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
61. ^ "Holly Humberstone, Lola Young and Bree Runway all in the running for Brits Rising Star award". Sky. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
62. ^ "List of nominations in full for Brit Awards 2025". BBC News. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
63. ^ "Ticketmaster reveal their 'Breakthrough 2022' list". Ticketmaster. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2025.

*[TBA]: To be announced
*[Ref.]: Reference(s)