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Mutya BuenaB Boy Baby
Buena was born in Kingsbury, London and attended Kingsbury High School. She is
of Filipino, Chinese, and Irish descent. On 23 March, 2005, Buena
gave birth to her daughter Tahlia. Buena dedicated a song to her
late sister Maya on the Sugababes album, Three.[1] The Sugababes were formed in 1998 by Siobhán Donaghy, Keisha Buchanan and Buena. Their debut album, One Touch, was released in November 2000 and peaked at number twenty-six on the UK Albums Chart, eventually earning a gold certification.[2][3] One Touch spawned four singles, three of which reached the top twenty,[2] while the album's lead single "Overload" was nominated for a BRIT Award for "Best British Single".[4] The album's sales did not meet the expectations of London Records and the group was subsequently dropped.[5] The group's second album Angels with Dirty Faces was released in August 2002 through Island Records. Influenced by the New Wave, dance, and pop music of the 1980s, the record enjoyed success in the UK, where it reached number two and went triple platinum.[2][3] It produced two number one singles and was nominated for "Best British Album" at the 2003 BRIT Awards.[2][6] Three, Sugababes' third album, was released in
October 2003. It reached number three in the UK and produced four
singles, three of which reached the top ten.[2] The group's fourth
album, Taller in More Ways, was released in October 2005. The album
reached reached number one and went double platinum in the UK.[2][3]
On 21 December, 2005, it was announced Buena left the Sugababes.
According to an announcement on their official website, "[Buena]'s decision was based purely on personal reasons and she will continue
to remain the best of friends with both [Buchanan] and [Range]". The last remaining original member, Buchanan, said upon Buena's departure, "...we will all miss Mutya, but we also knew there was still a place for bringing
in somebody new who could help us carry on taking the Sugababes
brand of music forward".."[7] Amelle Berrabah joined the group 48 hours after Buena's departure.[8] Following her departure from the Sugababes, Buena began working on her debut album in early 2006 after signing with her previous label, Universal Island Records. The first single to be released in the U.K. featuring Buena was a ballad duet with George Michael, titled "This Is Not Real Love". It was released in November 2006 and reached number 15 in the UK. Preceding the album, the title track, "Real Girl", was released in early 2007. It reached number 2 in the UK and received a BRIT Award nomination for "Best Single". The song samples Lenny Kravitz's hit "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over", and was produced by London-based production company Full Phat. "Real Girl" was also featured on the Sex and the City, Vol 2: More Music Soundtrack. Buena's debut album, Real Girl, peaked at number 10 on the UK Albums Chart. "Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control)", her collaboration with dance duo Groove Armada, was released in the UK in July 2007 peaked at number 8. The fourth release from the album was "Just a Little Bit", which reached number 65. Buena also collaborated with Amy Winehouse, on a re-working of the track "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes titled "B Boy Baby", which reached number 73 in the UK top 75. On 1 October 2007, Buena was nominated for the 2007 British "Music of Black Origin" (MOBO) awards at the O2 Arena in London.[9] On 12 February 2008, Buena was dropped by her
record label due to poor sales and charting positions from Real
Girl and her last two singles, "Just a Little Bit" and "B Boy Baby".[10] In October 2008, Buena appeared on Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong. In 2009, she was featured on Celebrity Big Brother. In January 2009, Buena featured on Asher D's second single "With You", from his album Ashley Walters, as well as the Don-E track "The Time Is Now". She also promoted the collaborations "Fallin'" with Agent X and "Give Back" with Tah Mac. Buena also joined an array of UK, US and Jamaican artists to feature on the debut single of the London-based Urban / Funky House production duo, NightShift. The song is titled "Can You Persuade Me" and it also features MegaMan (So Solid Crew), DJ Ironik, Sisqó, Tanto Metro & Devonte, TQ, Steelo, Juxci D, J2K, Wretch 32, Sam Obernik and Mr. Vegas. The song heavily sampled Pitbull's "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)". In September 2010, she contributed to six tracks on the album The Sound of Camden, which was recorded in Israel with music producer Roy Sela. The album deals with “Camden Town” market in London, and has been available for purchase solely at the market itself, as well as on iTunes. She recorded a series of covers of rock songs from rock bands such as U2, The Pixies and Iron Maiden, in a chilled-out-lounge style.[11] In October 2010, Buena confirmed she was no longer interested in a career in the music industry and that she is currently training to become a psychologist for children.[12] Despite the announcement, Buena teamed up with City Boy Soul, a band consisting of ex-Damage singer Coree Richards and British rapper Gak Jonze, and digitally released "Be Ok" in January 2011. Buena also recorded lead vocals for "Give Me Love", penned by UK DJ/Producer Paul Morrell. Buena performed at Birmingham Gay Pride on 28
May 2011.[13] In March 2010, Buena filed a claim for ownership of the Sugababes name with the European Trademark Authority. Though members Keisha Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy's names appear on the trademark submission, it was confirmed that Buena was the sole applicant for submission and Donaghy and Buchanan were not involved.[14] The current line-up launched an opposition to the claim on the basis that goodwill and reputation in the mark and trading name "Sugababes" belongs to the partnership – not an individual.[15] Buena paid £5,000 for buttock implants as she "just
wanted it a bit perkier",[16] and previously had breast enlargements.[12] 2007: Real Girl
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