Charlotte (singer)

Charlotte Kelly was born in Coventry, England, to Michelle Kelly and Tony Kelly in either 1976 or 1977.{{cite news | url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Blind+chart-topper+Charlotte+has+the+last+laugh+over+cruel...-a060199452 | title=Blind chart-topper Charlotte has the last laugh over cruel schoolchildren | newspaper=Sunday Mercury | location=Birmingham | date=16 May 1999 | first=Vicky | last=Lissaman | accessdate=21 June 2016}} Archived at The Free Library. Her parents were the former owners of a record store named "Moonshine" in Lower Ford Street, Hillfields, Coventry. She also has a two sisters and a brother. Kelly was born blind at birth with no sight at all in her left eye and virtually none in her right eye.{{cite news|last=Hoskins|first=Barney|title= The biggest secret of my success |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/the-biggest-secret-of-my-success-1113591.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=19 August 1999}} At a young age, Kelly knew she wanted become a singer after listening to the music being played in her parents' record store.

She has 2 children.

Kelly started her career as a singer at the age of sixteen when she signed her first record contract with Big Life Records. In 1993, Kelly released her first single titled "Sugar Tree". The music video debuted on ITV Chart Show in October 1993. In 1994, she released two singles titled "Climb My Stairs" and "All of Your Love". Later that year, she was introduced to Jazzie B (of Soul II Soul) who would produce her next single titled "Queen of Hearts".Nielsen Business Media Inc. "Vol. 111, No. 6." Billboard. 6 February 1995: 33. Print. The song featured background vocals from Lamya (of Soul II Soul).[https://www.discogs.com/Charlotte-Queen-Of-Hearts/release/641165 Charlotte – Queen Of Hearts]. Discogs. Retrieved on 24 June 2016

After releasing this demo, Kelly toured as a background singer for Soul II Soul. She was later asked to become a full-time member and one of the lead vocalist of the group. In August 1995, Soul II Soul released their fourth studio album, entitled "Volume V: Believe". The album charted at number 13 on the UK Albums chart. The album's second single "I Care", which features lead vocals by Kelly, peaked at number 17 on the UK Singles chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/25085/soul-ii-soul/|title=UK Charts > Soul II Soul|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=4 June 2016}} Kelly also sings lead vocals on songs "Don't You Dream" and "Pride".

In 1997, Soul II Soul released their fifth studio album, entitled "Time for Change". Kelly performed lead vocals on the titled-track "Time for Change". Later that year, Kelly left Soul II Soul pursue her solo career. She signed a new recording contract with Parlophone Rhythm Series.

In February 1998, Kelly released the single "Be Mine". The single charted at number 59 on the UK Singles chart. In November 1998, Charlotte released her first album Just Another Girl exclusive in Japan.

In February 1999, "Skin" was released as the lead single from her upcoming second album. The song peaked at number 1 on Billboard{{'s}} Club Play chart{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/299004/charlotte/chart|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023183127/https://www.billboard.com/artist/299004/charlotte/chart|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-10-23|title=Charlotte - Chart history | Billboard|date=23 October 2014}} and number 56 on the UK Singles chart,{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/29979/charlotte//|title=UK Charts > Charlotte|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=25 March 2017}} selling over 40,000 copies worldwide. In June 1999, the album's second single "Someday" peaked at number 74 on the UK Singles chart. Kelly's remix project "Remixed to Infinity" was also released exclusively to Japan. The album features a total of eight songs that were remixed from three original songs: "Skin", "Someday", and "Be Mine".

In September 1999, Kelly released her self-titled second studio album "Charlotte". The album's final single "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" was released in 2000 and peaked at number 11 on Billboard's Dance chart.

In 2002, Kelly released a song "Golden Gate (Lovin' You)", which was featured on the WMC Allstars compilation album. In 2004, Kelly participated in the USA Songwriting Competition. She entered up to four songs and won first prize in the R&B category for her song "Cheeky".[https://idobi.com/news/2004-winners-announced-10th-usa-songwriting-competition-begins/ 2004 Winners Announced, 10th USA Songwriting Competition Begins]. Idobi. Retrieved on 21 June 2016 In 2006, she participated in UK Songwriting Competition and won first prize in R&B category. She also entered in the Pop category where she received second place. In the same year, Kelly also entered in the Music Aid Awards where she received first place in two categories: "Best UK Female Artist" and "Best UK Songwriter".

In 2010 Charlotte co-wrote the topline to UK number 1 single "Good Times", performed by Roll Deep. This earned Charlotte her first UK number 1.

In 2010, the former members of Soul II Soul reunited for a reunion tour. Following the reunion tour, Kelly rejoined the group as the lead vocalist. The group performed the annual Rewind Festival in 2012. In June 2012, the members of Soul II Soul received the honorary PRS Heritage Plaque award. In November 2013, Kelly left the group again to focus on her solo career.

In 2013, Kelly released a single titled "Somebody's Baby". In 2014, Kelly released three singles: "Tell the Sun", "All Coming Back", and "Sonic Sex".[https://web.archive.org/web/20160922183958/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/tell-sun-feat.-charlotte-kelly/id906571623 Tell the Sun (feat. Charlotte Kelly) – EP]. iTunes. Retrieved on 24 June 2016[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRIKMxSiJo8 Charlotte Kelly – All Coming Back]. Youtube. Retrieved on 24 June 2016[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILHwf3jjA_A Charlotte Kelly – SONIC SEX]. Youtube. Retrieved on 24 June 2016

;Albums

• Just Another Girl (1998)
• Remixed to Infinity (1999)
• Charlotte (1999)

;Singles

{{awards table}}{{cite web|title=Testimonials|url=http://www.songwriting.net/testimonials/|work=The USA Songwriting Competition|accessdate=11 May 2010}}

|-

|rowspan="4"|2004

|"Cheeky"

|rowspan="6"|Best R&B Song

|{{won}}

|-

|"Symphony"

|{{nom}}

|-

|"Raining in Heaven"

|{{nom}}

|-

|"Spook"

|{{nom}}

|-

|rowspan="2"|2005

|"I Need You That Way"

|{{nom}}

|-

|"Come On"

|{{nom}}

{{end}}

{{awards table}}{{cite web|title=Testimonials|url=http://www.songwritingcontest.co.uk/2006.html|work=The UK Songwriting Competition|accessdate=24 June 2016}}

|-

|rowspan="4"|2006

|"I Need You That Way"

|rowspan="2"|Best R&B, Hip-Hop, Rap Song

|{{won}}

|-

|"Come On"

|{{nom}}

|-

|"Raining in Heaven"

|rowspan="2"|Best Pop Song

|{{nom}}

|-

|"Better with You"

|{{nom}}

{{end}}

{{awards table}}{{cite web|title=UK Songwriting Contest 2006 Results|url=http://www.musicaid.org/contest/results2006/2006results.htm|work=Music Aid International Song Contest and Music Awards|publisher=Music Aid|accessdate=11 May 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720070935/http://www.musicaid.org/contest/results2006/2006results.htm|archivedate=20 July 2011}}

|-

|rowspan="2"|2006

|rowspan="3"|Charlotte Kelly

|Best UK Female Artist

|{{won}}

|-

|Best UK Songwriter

|{{won}}

|-

|2009

|Best Female Solo Artist

|{{won}}

{{end}}

{{awards table}}{{cite web|title=11th Annual Winners|url=http://www.unisong.com/Winners11.aspx|work=Unisong International Song Contest|accessdate=11 May 2010}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20070706001411/http://www.unisong.com/Winners11.aspx Cached page of 11th Annual Unisong International Song Contest Winners]. Unisong 11th Annual. Retrieved on 24 June 2016

|-

|rowspan="2"|2007

|"I Need You That Way"

|rowspan="2"|Best R&B, Hip-Hop, Rap Song

|{{won}}

|-

|"Symphony"

|{{nom}}

{{end}}

• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Soul II Soul}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Charlotte}}

Category:British house musicians

Category:British dance musicians

Category:Blind singers

Category:English dance musicians

Category:20th-century Black British women singers

Category:20th-century British women singers

Category:English people of Jamaican descent

Category:Living people

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:21st-century Black British women singers

Category:21st-century British women singers

Category:Soul II Soul members

Category:English blind people

Category:Musicians from Coventry