Lola

Lola Emily Mary Young, born on January 4, 2001, in Croydon, South London, began her musical journey early, writing songs at age 11 and performing at open mic nights by 14. She attended the prestigious BRIT School, an institution noted for fostering creative talent. Her career gained early momentum in 2016 by winning the under-16 category of Open Mic UK and reaching the finals of CBBC’s ‘Got What It Takes?’. This early recognition led to her being managed by Nick Shymansky, former manager of Amy Winehouse, and Nick Huggett, who famously signed Adele. Young signed with Island Records at 18.

Her debut single, “6 Feet Under,” was released in October 2019, followed by the EP ‘Intro’ the same year. Despite facing a challenge with a vocal cord cyst that required surgery, she continued to release music, including the EP ‘Renaissance’ in April 2020. A significant milestone occurred in 2021 when her rendition of “Together in Electric Dreams” was chosen for the John Lewis Christmas advert, bringing her wider public attention. That same year, she was nominated for the Brit Award for Rising Star and placed fourth in the BBC’s Sound of… poll, signaling her emergence in the music scene. Her initial album projects, ‘My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely’ (2023) and ‘This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway’ (2024), delved into highly personal themes, including her experiences with schizoaffective disorder and past relationships.

The year 2025 marked a pivotal period in Young’s career with the viral success of her single “Messy.” The track gained significant traction on TikTok, leading to it topping the UK singles chart for four weeks and achieving number one status in several countries, eventually earning her a Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance in 2026. She also won the Brit Award for British Breakthrough Artist in 2026 and was listed on ‘Forbes 30 Under 30’, receiving an Ivor Novello Award for Rising Star and the ASCAP Vanguard Award. Her third album, ‘I’m Only F**king Myself’ (2025), continued her exploration of personal themes, reaching number 3 on the UK Albums Chart. Amidst her rising fame, Young has openly addressed her struggles with mental health and addiction, taking a break from public appearances in late 2025 to focus on her well-being before making a triumphant return in early 2026.