You might think you know these famous musicians like the back of your hand – but in actual fact – there’s a lot to be uncovered about your favourite pop stars! Did you know Miley Cyrus helped kick off Sabrina Carpenter’s career? Or that Kendrick Lamar used to be known as K.Dot? Read on for some more fun facts that you can show off to your friends!
RAYE
We’re sure you’re already familiar with Queen RAYE – but did you know that she actually got dropped by her label before releasing her debut album? That’s right, in 2021, after seven years on Polydor, RAYE shared that the label wouldn’t let her release an album – and two weeks later, Polydor dropped her! Fast forward to now and RAYE has broken records by winning six BRIT awards for her debut album, My 21st Century Blues – all independently! Pretty cool right!
Kendrick Lamar
So we all already know Kendrick Lamar is a major legend, but did you know that he’s the only ever non-classic or jazz artist to win the major Pulitzer Prize for Music? That’s right, the rapper wowed the world when he was awarded the prestigious prize in 2018 for his contribution to music. The award’s website said his album DAMN was a “virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life.” That’s pretty incredible! Go Kendrick!
Charli XCX
Charli XCX has basically taken over the world with the release of her album Brat, in 2024 – but did you know it actually took her a long time to make her mark on the music industry? Charli was originally signed to Asylum Records when she was just 16, and released her debut album in 2013 when she was 20 years old. 11 years later – and now 31 – her patience and hard work has clearly paid off, with Brat selling over 300,000 records! The singer worked with numerous big artists in her rise to stardom, including Lizzo, Troye Sivan and Iggy Azalea. Did you know, she also co-wrote “Señorita” with Shawn Mendez and Camila Cabello?
Sabrina Carpenter
You’ll be familiar with Sabrina Carpenter as the incredible pop-star known for singing for hits like “Espresso”, but did you know she actually started her journey to stardom as an actor? That’s right – Sabrina used to play Maya Hart on Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World when she was just 15! Believe it or not, her acting career was actually helped by Miley Cyrus! Sabrina came third on Miley’s show, The Next Miley Cyrus Project, after which she was cast on the American TV series, Law and Order. It’s hard to believe how linked the pop world is!
Sam Fender
We’re sure you’re already familiar with three-time BRIT winner Sam Fender, but did you know that the humble singer was discovered while working in his local pub in North Shields, near Newcastle? That’s right, the indie artist was just 18 when he was spotted by Owain Davies (Ben Howard’s manager), who happened to be in the pub celebrating a BRIT award win. What good luck that was! Sam was encouraged by his bar manager at the time to get up to sing for Owain and he was so impressed that he took him on as an artist there and then! Talk about the right place, right time!
Taylor Swift
If you’re a Swifty, you probably already super clued up on the pop icon. But did you know where Taylor Swift originally got her name? Well, she was actually called Taylor because her parents were huge fans of the famous singer-songwriter, James Taylor. Maybe the musician’s name gave her a good luck charm! Taylor grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Reading in the US, but persuaded her parents to move to Nashville so she could pursue her career in music. It clearly paid off! If you already knew these facts about Taylor, or want to learn more, then why not prove your knowledge in our Swifty quiz?
