Lola Young is a British singer-songwriter who has captured attention in recent years with her raw vocals, emotionally honest lyrics, and ability to blend vulnerability with confidence. Her music navigates themes like mental health, complex relationships, identity, and self-discovery, making her particularly resonant with young audiences craving authenticity. At 24, she has already established herself as a major emerging artist, pushing boundaries in both sound and self-expression.
Her breakthrough came with the viral single “Messy” in 2024, but her journey in music began much earlier. From childhood musical training to competing in open mic contests and attending prestigious music schools, Lola’s story is one of persistence, early talent, and evolving artistry.
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Early Life and Musical Foundations
Lola Emily Mary Young was born on January 4, 2001, in London, England. She grew up in a musically encouraging household in the Beckenham area of South London. Her father is of Jamaican-Chinese descent and her mother is English. Her stepfather is a bass player, which meant music was always part of daily life. Her great-aunt is Julia Donaldson, the author famous for children’s books, and creative writing and storytelling are noted influences in her family.
She began formal music training early: learning piano, guitar, and voice from around age six. By age eleven she was writing songs. These early years shaped her instincts for melody, lyrical honesty, and musicality. She attended Balgowan Primary School and Kingsdale Foundation School; later she enrolled at the BRIT School in Croydon, known for nurturing many successful British artists.
Early Career and Growth
Lola Young’s first public music steps included competitions and small performances. At age 15, she won the Open Mic UK contest with an original song called “Never Enough.” She also appeared in the CBBC show Got What It Takes?, where she was a runner-up. After finishing at the BRIT School around 2018, she continued performing, writing, and releasing music.
In 2019, she signed with Island Records and released her debut single titled “6 Feet Under.” That same year, she released her first EP called Intro. In 2020 she followed it with another EP, Renaissance. Through these early EPs and singles she built a small but steady following, balancing her artistic voice with experimentation.
Breakthrough, Major Works, and Recognition
Her recognition rose sharply in 2021 when she performed on major platforms and released covers (notably “Together in Electric Dreams”) tied to significant campaigns, which introduced her to wider audiences. She was nominated for the Rising Star category in the Brit Awards, signaling industry acknowledgment of her potential.
In 2023, she released her first full album, My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely. The album showed lyrical depth, tonal variety, and a growing confidence in her musical identity. The following year, in 2024, she dropped her second album called This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway. That year also saw the release of “Messy,” her biggest hit to date, which went viral and helped propel her into mainstream popularity.
Alongside “Messy”, singles like “Conceited,” “Big Brown Eyes,” “Not Like That Anymore,” and “One Thing” have received critical praise and attention from fans, frequently surfacing on streaming platforms and social media. Her songwriting has been recognized by songwriting institutions, with nominations and awards highlighting her as a significant new voice.
Style, Themes, and Influences
Musically, Lola Young combines elements of pop, soul, indie pop, and R&B. Her singing style leans toward emotional expressiveness, sometimes raw and unpolished, which adds authenticity. Her lyrics often face inward: exploring self-criticism, messiness in relationships, identity struggles, mental health, and the tension between vulnerability and performance.
Influences cited or noted in her style include a variety of artists across genres, as well as the storytelling and emotional truth found in soul, R&B, and pop songwriting. She uses her experiences — both creative and personal — as source material rather than hiding behind manufactured images.
Challenges and Personal Life
Lola Young has been open about her struggles, which in many ways deepen the resonance of her music. She was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at age 17, and she has spoken publicly about how mental health conditions and vocal health issues (such as vocal cord cysts) have sometimes forced her to cancel or postpone performances. These realities inform her art, and she often addresses them in interviews and through her songs.
She identifies as bisexual, and her music reflects honesty around identity and relationships without sugarcoating. She emphasizes staying grounded and maintaining personal authenticity, even while navigating rising fame and its associated pressures.
Her background, upbringing, and family support have played a role in her outlook. Though she has acknowledged rumors of nepotism (due to having a famous writer as a relative), she has made clear her independence and dedication to her work. She maintains strong connections to her family and her roots in South London.
Recent Events and Current Status
In September 2025, Lola Young collapsed onstage during a performance at a music festival in New York during her set. She was receiving medical attention and was later reported to be doing okay. The episode followed days where she had cancelled other shows for mental health reasons. She has been open about the demands of touring and live performance, and this incident highlighted both her dedication and the toll of public performance on wellbeing.
Her most recent album release came in September 2025, titled I’m Only F—— Myself. This project is viewed as another step in her artistic evolution, continuing the themes of introspection, growth, and unfiltered emotion.
Awards, Achievements, and Impact
- She was nominated for the Brit Awards Rising Star early in her career.
- Her music has featured in major campaigns, including holiday adverts, which increased her visibility.
- She was shortlisted in polls like “BBC Sound of” early in her rise.
- She won the Ivor Novello Award for Rising Star in 2025, affirming her recognition among songwriters.
- Her songs consistently reach large streaming numbers; her fanbase has grown strongly through social media and streaming platforms.
Her impact lies in representing a generation that demands honesty from artists, and in pushing back against polished perfection. She’s seen as someone unafraid to show weakness, contradiction, and complexity in her art.
FAQs
When was Lola Young born?
She was born on January 4, 2001.
Where is she from?
From Beckenham, London, England.
What was her breakout song?
Her song “Messy” from 2024 is the track that went viral and became her breakthrough.
What issues has she been open about?
Mental health, including living with schizoaffective disorder, vocal health issues, identity (including coming out as bisexual), and the pressures of being a public figure.
What is her most recent album?
Her most recent album is I’m Only F—— Myself, released in September 2025.
