N-Dubz

The trio known as N-Dubz drew from American hip-hop and R&B influences to emerge as teen popstars in the 2000s. Establishing a template for Tulisa's sugar-sweet harmonies to duel with Dappy and Fazer's rude-boy raps over strutting beats, the group initially started by recording demos under the name NW1. After building a following on pirate radio stations and online, the self-released 2006 singles "You Better Not Waste My Time" and "I Swear" gathered mainstream attention and won them Best Newcomer at the 2007 MOBO Awards. Debut album Uncle B (2008) produced the hits "Papa Can You Hear Me?" and "Strong Again," and Dappy featured on Tinchy Stryder's UK chart-topping single "Number 1." Collaborations with Mr Hudson, Chipmunk and Gary Barlow helped send second album Against All Odds (2009) to Number 4 in the UK charts; with lead single "I Need You" making it to Number 5 and "Playing With Fire" featuring Mr Hudson winning a MOBO in 2010. The group's third album Love.Live.Life was released in 2010, with the LP's lead single "We Dance On" going to number five on the UK singles chart and the album itself reaching number seven. In 2011, N-Dubz announced their decision to go on a two-year hiatus and released their Greatest Hits compilation that year. They re-assembled eleven years later and released a new single, "Charmer," with their fourth album Timeless following in 2023.