LOLLY

Emerging at the tail-end of the late-'90s explosion of pure pop acts, squeaky-voiced singer Lolly's infectious bubblegum output was aimed at an audience even younger than the likes of pre-teen-friendly chart-toppers <a href="spotify:artist:17UkABEasVRlCcIFZ3wHb7">Steps</a> and Billie Piper. Born Anna Kumble in Sutton Coldfeld, Birmingham in 1978, the former model, performing arts graduate, and Starlight Express dancer was discovered by producers <a href="spotify:artist:0edkhpbt8RgqeHLKoFRzJD">Nick Foster</a> and Mike Rose, who asked her to front their new pop project as a character called "Lolly" whose bright Day-glo outfits, pigtails, and catchy nursery rhyme-style pop sound was purely designed to appeal to primary school children. In 1999, her debut single, "Viva La Radio," reached number six, and was followed by a Top Five cover version of <a href="spotify:artist:59hMeIYY3k3NoX54rrVGPv">Toni Basil</a>'s "Mickey," and her first album, imaginatively titled, My First Album. After being nominated for Best British Newcomer at the 2000 Brit Awards, she released her follow-up, Pick 'N' Mix, but due to its disappointing sales, she was dropped by her label, <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Polydor%22">Polydor</a>. After reverting back to her real name, she became a children's TV presenter for Nickelodeon, CBBC, and CITV, and provided backing vocals for novelty outfit Fast Food Rockers' debut album, It's Never Easy Being Cheesy. She has since become a regular fixture on the British panto circuit and has also revived her former alias, appearing on several university tours. ~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi