Charlotte Kelly (born 1976) is a British singer-songwriter, composer, arranger, and record producer. Kelly rose to fame in the mid-1990s as one of the lead singers of British R&B group Soul II Soul, one of London's best-selling groups of all time. She performed lead vocals on their single "I Care" for their fourth studio album Volume V: Believe (1995). She continued to record and perform with the group until the release of their final studio album Time for Change (1997). During their hiatus, Kelly released her debut solo album Just Another Girl (1998), which sold exclusively in Japan. She released her second album Charlotte (1999), which included dance hit "Skin".
Kelly reunited with the group in 2010 for their Reunion Tour. Following the conclusion of the tour, Kelly continued to perform with the group as the lead singer. In 2013, she left the group to pursue her solo career.
Her work has earned her several awards and nominations, including three United Nations Music Aid Awards, a UK Songwriting Contest Award and Unisong International Song Award. Kelly has also received the Heritage Award from Performing Right Society along with the members of Soul II Soul.
Early and personal life
Charlotte Kelly was born in Coventry, England, to Michelle Kelly and Tony Kelly in either 1976 or 1977. Her parents were the former owners of a record store named "Moonshine" in Lower Ford Street, Hillfields, Coventry. At a young age, Kelly knew she wanted become a singer after listening to the music being played in her parents' record store. The song featured background vocals from Lamya (of Soul II Soul).
1994–1997: Soul II Soul and career breakthrough
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. Kelly also sings lead vocals on songs "Don't You Dream" and "Pride". and number 56 on the UK Singles chart, selling over 40,000 copies worldwide. In June 1999, the album's second single "Someday" peaked at number 74 on the UK Singles chart. 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.
2010–2013: Return to Soul II Soul
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.
2013–present: 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".
Discography
;Albums
- Just Another Girl (1998)
- Remixed to Infinity (1999)
- Charlotte (1999)
;Singles
{|class="wikitable"
!rowspan="2"|Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Year
! scope="col" colspan="2"|Chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Album
|-
! style="width:3em;font-size:85%"| UK<br>
|-
|"Sugar Tree"
|align="center" valign="center" rowspan="1"|1993
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|align="left" rowspan="5"
|-
|"Climb My Stairs"
|align="center" valign="center" rowspan="4"|1994
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|-
|"All of Your Love"
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|-
|"Queen of Hearts"
|align="center"| 54
|align="center"| —
|-
|"It's Alright"
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|-
|"I Care" <small>(with Soul II Soul)</small>
|align="center" valign="center" rowspan="1"|1995
|align="center"| 17
|align="center"| —
|align="left" rowspan="1"| Volume V: Believe
|-
|"Be Mine"
|align="center" valign="center" rowspan="1"|1998
|align="center"| 59
|align="center"| —
|align="left" rowspan="1"| Just Another Girl
|-
|"Skin"
|align="center" valign="center" rowspan="2"|1999
|align="center"| 56
|align="center"| 1
|align="left" rowspan="3"| Charlotte
|-
|"Someday"
|align="center"| 74
|align="center"| 4
|-
|"Don't Be Afraid of the Dark"
|align="center" valign="center" rowspan="1"|2000
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| 11
|-
|"Breaking Me Apart" <small>(featuring Sunship)</small>
|align="center" valign="center" rowspan="1"|2012
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|align="left" rowspan="1"
|-
|"Somebody's Baby"
|align="center" valign="center" rowspan="1"|2013
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|align="left" rowspan="1"| Charlotte
|-
|"Tell the Sun" <small>(with Sunship)</small>
|align="center" valign="center" rowspan="3"|2014
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|align="left" rowspan="4"
|-
|"All Coming Back"
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|-
|"Sonic Sex"
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|-
|"Love Shines" <small>(Richard Wessex featuring Charlotte Kelly)</small>
|align="center" valign="center" rowspan="1"|2016
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|-
|"Love on the Rox" <small>(with Sunship)</small>
|align="center" valign="center" rowspan="1"|2017
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|align="left" rowspan="1"| Missing in (East) Action
|-
|}
Awards and nominations
USA Songwriting competition
|-
|rowspan="4"|2004
|"Cheeky"
|rowspan="6"|Best R&B Song
|
|-
|"Symphony"
|
|-
|"Raining in Heaven"
|
|-
|"Spook"
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2005
|"I Need You That Way"
|
|-
|"Come On"
|
UK Songwriting competition
|-
|rowspan="4"|2006
|"I Need You That Way"
|rowspan="2"|Best R&B, Hip-Hop, Rap Song
|
|-
|"Come On"
|
|-
|"Raining in Heaven"
|rowspan="2"|Best Pop Song
|
|-
|"Better with You"
|
United Nations Music Aid Awards
|-
|rowspan="2"|2006
|rowspan="3"|Charlotte Kelly
|Best UK Female Artist
|
|-
|Best UK Songwriter
|
|-
|2009
|Best Female Solo Artist
|
Unisong International Song Contest
|-
|rowspan="2"|2007
|"I Need You That Way"
|rowspan="2"|Best R&B, Hip-Hop, Rap Song
|
|-
|"Symphony"
|
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart