Mutya Buena (born Rosa Isabel Mutya Buena on May 21, 1985) is an English singer and songwriter who rose to fame as a member of pop/R&B girl group, the Sugababes.
Career
1998-2005: Early career, Sugababes
The original line-up of the group featured a group of friends Keisha Buchanan, Siobhán Donaghy and Buena. Buena and Buchanan were friends from school and met Donaghy at a music recording studio in 1998. Since gaining a record deal, the band has gone on to become one of the most successful U.K. girl groups in British music history, second only to the Spice Girls in terms of record sales. They have had four platinum selling albums, six number one singles and a BRIT-Award as well as a platinum-selling greatest hits album.
Following an apparent illness1 that prevented Buena from promoting the follow-up single "Ugly", it was announced on 21 December 2005 that Buena had left Sugababes. According to an announcement on their site, "[Buena]'s decision was based purely on personal reasons and she will continue to remain the best of friends with both [Buchanan] and [Range]". It was found that Buchanan wanted to stay friends with Buena but found it hard as she never sees her. 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".."2 Amelle Berrabah joined the group just 48 hours after Buena's departure. Berrabah was chosen by the group's management and "[Buchanan and Range] instantly knew she was the only person to share the rest of the journey with us."3
In March 2009, Buena stated that the bands debut album One Touch, which was the only release to feature the original line-up, was the Sugababes best work. "Oh my God, that first album, One Touch was the best album we ever did, just because it was so raw. It wasn't perfect, we didn't tune up the vocals; we just went into the studio and put it out. It was real. Even to this day I sit at home and listen to it. I have very good memories of that time."4
In September 2009, it was announced Keisha Buchanan, the only original member of Sugababes left, had in fact left the group to which Buena stated that "the Sugababes were no longer the Sugababes and the group should change their name." She then went on to say she wouldn't mind making a new band with other original Sugababes members Buchanan and Siobhán Donaghy. Buena shortly after appeared on GMTV discussing her recent plastic surgery, including both breast and "bum implants" which she had carried out several months before, stating it was something she felt she needed to get back into shape after the birth of her daughter.5 Since this appearance, many plastic surgeons have received a massive 200% increase in enquiries for the same procedure.6 She also spoke about the recent split of the Sugababes, saying that Keisha Buchanan was not a bully and that they have spoken. Buena also emphasised how getting back together with the original line-up would be an "amazing idea".
2006-2008: Sugababes departure, Real Girl
Since her departure from the Sugababes, Buena has worked with a range of record producers, singers and musicians, including Amy Winehouse, George Michael and dance music writers Groove Armada.
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 that of a ballad duet with George Michael, entitled This Is Not Real Love. Released in November 2006, it was a U.K. Top 20 hit after reaching number 15. It also appeared on Michael's Greatest Hits album Twenty Five. Following this, Buena toured with Michael on the London and Manchester leg of his 2006 25 Live tour. The duet between Michael and Buena is also included on Buena's debut album Real Girl. Preceding the album, the title track "Real Girl" was released in early 2007. It was a big hit in the UK, making it to Number 2 in the charts, as well as having 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. Following this, Buena's debut album Real Girl was released, and made Number 10 in the UK amid mixed reviews from critics and fans alike. The album only held a place in the U.K. Top 40 Albums for three weeks, quickly dropping off the chart.
Buena performed at V Festival on 18 and 19 August 2007 at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Western Park, Staffordshire. She also appeared at T4 On The Beach 2007 on Sunday 22 July 2007. Buena also covered Tracy Chapman's classic "Fast Car" in 2007 for BBC Radio 1 as part of the "Radio 1 Established 1967" 40-year anniversary.
The third song to be released from the album was "Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control)" , her collaboration with dance duo Groove Armada. The song received rave reviews from Popjustice reached position 8 in the U.K. charts. The fourth release from the album was "Just a Little Bit" which reached number 65. Buena then collaborated with Amy Winehouse, on a re-working of the track "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes, entitled "B Boy Baby" which reached number 73 in the UK top 75. Mutya's debut solo album Real Girl, was certified to Gold.citation needed
On 1 October 2007, Buena was nominated for the 2007 British "Music of Black Origin" (MOBO) awards at the o2 Arena in London.7 On 14 December 2007, she stood in at the last minute for the ill Jill Scott on the BBC Two program Later with Jools Holland, fronting Scott's band singing Real Girl and Just A Little Bit.citation needed
On 12 February 2008, Mutya 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.8 On 31 October 2008, Mutya appeared on Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong.
2009-present
Buena was on the Channel 4 show, Celebrity Big Brother 2009, until she walked on the night of the second eviction, 16 January 2009.9 Mutya walked out of Celebrity Big Brother due to the fact that she found that she missed her family especially her daughter Taliya . After Big Brother her album sales went up by over 100%.10
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".
In a recent interview with Mail Online, she stated that she will be writing tracks for other people and that she wants to spend more time writing songs this year rather than releasing new songs and album.11
Buena is currently working on her second studio album with record producer Dave Michigan ready for release in early 2010. She is also set to record new songs for a musical project in Israel with music producer Roy Sela which deals with “Camden Town†market in London, the project being supported by businessman Bebo Kobo. She is set to record an album of covers of rock songs from rock bands such as U2 and Iron Maiden, in a chill-out-lounge style.12 It is currently unknown whether this project is to be featured as her second full length studio album, or if it in fact a side project. She is currently promoting her duets Fallin' with Agent X and 'Give Back' with Tah Mac, as the music videos have already premiered online and some music channels.
In 2009, Mutya 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 called Can You Persuade Me and it also features MegaMan (So Solid Crew) , DJ Ironik, Sisqó, Tanto Metro & Devonte, TQ (singer), Steelo, Juxci D, J2K, Wretch 32, Sam Obernik and Mr. Vegas. It is scheduled for release in the beginning of 2010 as part of the duo's debut album, "The Elements Of The Cure".
Personal life
Buena was born in Kingsbury, London and she attended Kingsbury High School during her youth. She is of Filipino and Irish descent. On 23 March, 2005, Buena gave birth to her daughter Thalia Maya Buena, her first child with boyfriend Jay. Although the couple was separated for six months, Mutya announced being back together in early 2010. She has two sisters called Ligaya and Dalisay and also five brothers, one of which is named Bayani Buena. She had a third sister named Maya, who died in 2002.
Discography
Albums
Singles
Soundtracks
Others
| Year |
Song |
Album |
| 2008 |
"Fast Car" |
Features on "Radio 1 established 1967" compilation |
| 2008 |
"Shes Just A Remix" (DJ Naughty Remix ft. Mutya) |
Top Selectors |
| 2008 |
"The Time Is Now" (Don E ft. Mutya) |
Natural |
| 2008 |
"Good Girl Bad Guy" (Chosen One ft. Mutya) |
| 2009 |
"Give Back" (with Tah Mac) |
Welcome 2 Tahland |
| 2009 |
"Fallin" (with Ultra) |
Ultra |
References
External links
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Mutya Buena |
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| Studio albums |
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| Singles |
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| Guest singles |
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![She's Just A (R&B Mix) [Explicit]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61fbrNRx1fL._SL160_.jpg)
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