Charlotte Emma Aitchison, better known as Charli XCX, came into the world on August 2, 1992, in Cambridge, England. Growing up in Start Hill, Essex, she kicked off her musical adventure by sharing her tunes on Myspace back in 2008. It wasn’t long before a promoter caught wind of her talent and invited her to light up the stage at warehouse raves.
Table of Contents
Early Career and Breakthrough
In 2010, Charli XCX inked a deal with Asylum Records, marking the start of her official journey in the music scene. Over the next couple of years, she dropped a string of singles and mixtapes, building up her repertoire. But it was 2012 that really put her on the map, thanks to her collaboration with the Swedish duo Icona Pop on the smash hit “I Love It,” which took the world by storm. Despite the critical acclaim that followed, her first studio album, “True Romance,” released in 2013, didn’t quite hit the commercial heights she might’ve hoped for.
Rise to Stardom
In 2014, Charli XCX made some serious waves in the music world. First up, she lent her vocals to the hook and bridge of “Fancy” by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea. That track blew up big time, ending the year as one of the best-selling singles worldwide and earning two Grammy Award nominations.
But Charli wasn’t stopping there. She also dropped “Boom Clap” the same year, marking her first solo top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. And as if that wasn’t enough, her second studio album, “Sucker,” hit the scene, showing off her punk influences and giving us hits like “Break the Rules” and “Doing It.” It was a whirlwind year for sure!
Experimentation and Evolution
In 2015, Charli XCX embarked on a creative journey, teaming up with producers linked to the UK collective PC Music. This collaboration led her to explore a more experimental sound and aesthetic. She dropped the Vroom Vroom EP in 2016, followed by the mixtapes Number 1 Angel and Pop 2 in 2017, showcasing her evolving style. Alongside these projects, she released several singles, including the BPI-certified “After the Afterparty,” “Boys,” and “1999,” keeping her fans buzzing with excitement.
Her momentum only grew stronger with her third and fourth studio albums, “Charli” in 2019 and “How I’m Feeling Now” in 2020. Both albums received heaps of praise from critics and fans alike, cementing Charli XCX’s status as a force to be reckoned with in the music world.
Recent Successes
In 2021, Charli XCX continued her streak of collaborations, co-writing and lending her vocals to the Jax Jones and Joel Corry single “Out Out,” keeping the party vibes alive.
Then, in 2022, she hit a new high with her fifth studio album, “Crash,” which became her most commercially successful release yet, solidifying her place in the pop music scene.
The following year, 2023, saw Charli XCX diversifying her musical portfolio by contributing the single “Speed Drive” to “Barbie the Album,” the soundtrack of the iconic Barbie franchise.
And just recently, in 2024, she dropped her sixth studio album, “Brat,” to rave reviews from critics, proving once again her knack for innovation and creative brilliance.
Personal Life and Relationships
Charli XCX’s love life has been quite the rollercoaster ride, mirroring the ups and downs of her dynamic career. She initially started dating video game developer Huck Kwong back in 2014, but their relationship had its fair share of twists and turns before she found herself with her future fiancé.
Charli and Huck’s relationship hit a rough patch before the COVID-19 lockdown, mainly due to the distance between them. Surprisingly, Charli credited the lockdown with saving their relationship, as it gave them the chance to reconnect. However, their romance eventually fizzled out post-lockdown, and Charli found herself in the arms of someone new around 2021 or 2022.
Enter George Daniel, the talented drummer of The 1975, who Charli began dating around the same time. Their relationship quickly became public when they went Instagram-official in May 2022. Not only is George a skilled musician, but he’s also a proficient producer, collaborating on several tracks with Charli XCX.
Their musical partnership blossomed with the track “Spinning” in 2021, and George’s production talents shone brightly on numerous songs from Charli’s 2022 album “Crash,” where he earned credits as both a producer and songwriter.
The lovebirds took their relationship to the next level when they got engaged, making the big announcement on November 28, 2023. Charli shared the joyous news on Instagram, posting two adorable photos of them along with a snapshot of her stunning engagement ring, sealing their commitment to each other.