History
Melanie C, born Melanie Jayne Chisholm on January 12, 1974, in Whiston, Merseyside, is an accomplished English singer, songwriter, and actress. Known to many as "Sporty Spice" from her time in the global phenomenon Spice Girls, she has also forged a successful and enduring solo career.
Solo Career and Musical Evolution
As a solo artist, Melanie C has released seven studio albums, five of which were through her independent record label, Red Girl Records. Her work has garnered critical acclaim, earning her nominations for prestigious awards including the BRIT Awards, ECHO Awards, and a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in the musical “Blood Brothers.” Her portrayal of Mary Magdalene in “Jesus Christ Superstar” earned her the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical at the Whatsonstage.com Awards.
Melanie C's songwriting prowess is notable; she has co-written 11 UK number-one singles, a record for a female artist either independently or as part of a group, surpassed only by Madonna in 2006.
Early Solo Success
Following the Spice Girls' immense success in the 1990s, during which they achieved nine UK number-one singles and sold over 53 million albums worldwide, Melanie C embarked on her solo journey. Her debut solo single, a duet with Bryan Adams titled ‘When You’re Gone,’ reached the UK Top 3 and became a major hit across Europe. Her first solo album, ‘Northern Star,’ released in 1999, peaked at number 4 in the UK, spawned two number-one singles, and achieved triple platinum certification in the United Kingdom, along with Gold in Australia and Platinum in Europe.
Her second solo album, ‘Reason,’ released in March 2003, was a Top 5 hit. Featuring production from Gregg Alexander and Marius De Vries, the album showcased a mature and cohesive sound, with its lead single, ‘Here It Comes Again,’ quickly reaching the Top Ten.
Artistic Independence and International Hits
In 2004, Melanie C established her own independent label, Red Girl Records, allowing for greater artistic freedom. This venture saw the release of her third solo album, ‘Beautiful Intentions.’ The album produced the hit single ‘Next Best Superstar,’ which reached the Top Ten in early 2005. Later that year, she recorded the theme tune for the German soap opera 'Julia,' titled ‘First Day Of My Life.’ The song, written by Guy Chambers and Enrique Iglesias, topped the charts in Germany, Austria, Spain, and Portugal, becoming one of the year's biggest hits and contributing to ‘Beautiful Intentions’ achieving Gold certification in Germany and Platinum in Portugal.
In October 2006, she released her first Live Hits DVD, recorded at London’s The Bridge, showcasing her extensive catalog of hit singles and live performance capabilities.
Recent Work and Continued Evolution
Melanie C continued to release new music, with singles like ‘The Moment You Believe’ and a cover of ‘I Want Candy’ preceding her 2007 album, ‘This Time.’ The latter, produced by Stephen Hague, was featured in a British film of the same name and its accompanying music video, which saw Melanie C dancing again, became one of the most viewed videos on YouTube upon its release.
In November 2007, she reunited with the Spice Girls for a Greatest Hits album and a world tour. Returning to her solo career in 2008, she released her fourth album, "This Time," in Canada, followed by a tour. Her subsequent solo albums include "The Sea" (2011), "Stages" (2012), a collection of musical theatre covers, and "Version of Me" (2016).
Discography
