Mutya Buena

Mutya Buena
In concert at Bristol Ashton Court, 13 August 2004.
Background information
Birth name	Rosa Isabel Mutya Buena
Born	21 May 1985 (1985-05-21) (age 24)
Origin	London, England
Genres	Pop, R&B, urban, soul
Years active	1998 – present
Labels	London Records (1998-2001) Island Records (2001-2005) Universal Records (2006-2008)
Associated acts	Sugababes, George Michael, Amy Winehouse, Ashley Walters, Tah Mac
Website	MutyaBuena.com

Rosa Isabel Mutya Buena (born 21 May 1985 in Kingsbury, London), known professionally as Mutya Buena, is an English singer and songwriter, who rose to fame as a member of the pop group Sugababes.

History

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Her family currently lives in Kingsbury, London. She attended Kingsbury High School. Mutya is of Filipino and Irish descent. Her name "Mutya" means "muse" or "The one I adore" in Tagalog. She has five brothers (Bayani means "Hero", Charlie, Chris, Danny and Roberto) and two younger sisters, Ligaya means "Happiness" and Dalisay means "Pure"; another sister, Maya (named after a bird of the Philippines), died in 2002, and the song "Maya" on the album Three is dedicated to her. On 23 March 2005, Mutya gave birth to 5 pounds 10 ounces (2.6 kg) Tahlia-Maya Buena, her first child with ex-boyfriend Jay. She named her child Tahlia-Maya in memory of her sister, Maya.

She is known for her numerous piercings and tattoos, which includes her sister's name "MAYA" on her hip, Buena and heart on arm, heart on her hand, lady & naughty on her right leg, "only god can judge me" and peace dove on back of neck, princess and flower on right side of neck under jaw line, large rose design with words "one in a million" on right arm covering previous Chinese characters, daughters name "TAHLIA" on left arm, Latin scripture covering right forearm translating to "while life is, hope is, I struggle but I'll survive, in the name of the Father and the Son and spiritus", Chinese symbols for "music" on back, small heart on right hand, initials "LS" on left wrist, large rose on left shoulder, rose on left breast, and a large purple rose on the outside of her left leg.^[1]

1998-2005: Early career, Sugababes

The original line-up of the group consisted of friends Keisha Buchanan, Siobhan Donaghy and Buena. Buena and Buchanan were friends from school and met Donaghy at a studio in 1998. Since scoring a record deal, the band has gone on to become one of the most successful UK-based female groups in British history - second only to the Spice Girls in terms of record sales. They have had four platinum selling albums, six number one singles, a BRIT-Award as well as a platinum-selling greatest hits album.

Following an apparent illness^[2] 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".."^[3] Amelle Berrabah joined the group in late December, 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."^[4]

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."^[5]

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 Siobhan 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.^[6] Since this appearance, many plastic surgeons have received a massive 200% increase in enquiries for the same procedure.^[7] 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 and artists, 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 UK featuring Buena was that of a sultry ballad duet with George Michael, entitled This Is Not Real Love. Released in November 2006, it was UK Top 20 hit after reaching no. 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 UK 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 UK charts. The fourth release from the album was "Just a Little Bit" which reached 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 as Gold, after selling more than 100,000 copies.^{[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.^[8] 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 which the band had learned in one hour.^{[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.^[9] On 31 October 2008, Mutya appeared on Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong.

2009-present: Celebrity Big Brother, collaborations & Covers album

Mutya was on the Channel 4 show, Celebrity Big Brother 2009, until she walked on the night of the second eviction, 16 January 2009.^[10] Mutya walked out of Celebrity Big Brother due to the fact that she found that she missed her family especially her daughter Tahlia. After Big Brother her album sales went up by over 100%.^[11]

In January 2009, Mutya 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 material.^[12]

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 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 famous rock acts such as U2 and Iron Maiden, in a chill-out-lounge style.^[13] 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 videos have already premiered online and some music channels.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Soundtracks

Others

References

External links

• Mutya's Official Website
• Mutya Buena Interview