Katy B
Kathleen Anne Brien (born 8 May 1989) is an English singer. She released her debut studio album, On a Mission, in 2011, which spawned two top five hits, "Katy on a Mission" and "Lights On". In 2014 she released her second studio album, Little Red, which produced her third top five hit, "Crying for No Reason".
Also recorded as Kathleen Anne Brien
Katy B

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- Name
- Katy B
- Birth Name
- Kathleen Anne Brien
- Born
- 8 May 1989
- Birthplace
- Peckham, London, England
- Occupation
- * Singer
- Full name
- Kathleen Anne Brien.
- Nationality
- United Kingdom.
- Fields
- music composing.
- Education
- Goldsmiths, University of London, BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology and Haberdashers' Hatcham College.
- Languages
- English.
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Documentary summary
Kathleen Anne Brien (born 8 May 1989) is an English singer. She released her debut studio album, On a Mission, in 2011, which spawned two top five hits, "Katy on a Mission" and "Lights On". In 2014 she released her second studio album, Little Red, which produced her third top five hit, "Crying for No Reason".
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Katy B (born 1989) is a British disc jockey, musician and pop singer, among other activities. The disc jockey was born Kathleen Anne Brien in Peckham.
Katy B studied at BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology, Goldsmiths, University of London and Haberdashers' Hatcham College. The disc jockey is active in music composing.
Genres include breakstep, contemporary R&B and dubstep, among others. Languages used include English.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 26 September 2026
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In this article
Biography
Biography
Her third studio album, Honey, was released in 2016.
Katy B studied at Goldsmiths, University of London, BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology and Haberdashers' Hatcham College. The recorded working language is English. The field of work recorded is music composing. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are dubstep, UK funky, contemporary R&B and electronica.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Katy B • Birth Name — Kathleen Anne Brien • Alias — Baby Katy • Born — 8 May 1989 • Birthplace — Peckham, London, England • Genre — * R&B • dubstep • electronic • dance • house • UK garage • Occupation — * Singer • songwriter • DJ • Instrument — Vocals • Years Active — 2007–present • Label — * Rinse • Columbia • Virgin EMI
Early life
Early life
Kathleen Anne Brien was born on 8 May 1989, in Peckham, London, where she attended at Lyndhurst Primary School, Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College, and the BRIT School. Katy also attended at the Glenlyn Academy in South London, where she took dance classes. Katy's father (David O'Brien) was a member of the Les Humphries Singers, who represented Germany at Eurovision Song Contest 1976, with the song "Sing Sang Song". Katy B possesses a soprano vocal range.
2007–2012: On a Mission
2007–2012: On a Mission
• Illustration — Katy B performing in 2011 Katy has guested on many tracks, both before and during her album release campaign. DJ NG's song "Tell Me", on which she featured as Baby Katy, was initially released on a white label and then later signed to Ministry of Sound. She also provided vocals on the track "Hold Me" for The Count & Sinden's debut album Mega Mega Mega, and features on Magnetic Man's tracks "Perfect Stranger" and "Crossover". Katy B has also collaborated with Rinse FM DJ Geeneus to cover the Kevin Saunderson produced "Good Life" and the track "As I". It was following the official recognition of the former pirate radio station Rinse FM in June 2010 that Katy B saw her first single release: "Katy on a Mission", presented by Rinse and produced by Benga, was released on 22 August 2010. The single reached number five on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the UK Indie Chart. Katy B performed at the London Jazz Festival in 2009 with Ms Dynamite, who also featured on Katy's second single "Lights On", which was released in the United Kingdom on 19 December 2010, and debuted at number four on the UK Singles Chart. Her third single "Broken Record" was released in March 2011, and peaked at number eight. The fourth single "Easy Please Me" was released on 3 June 2011. Her fifth single "Witches' Brew" was released on 28 August 2011. Katy's debut album On a Mission was released on 4 April 2011, and peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart. Katy B supported Tinie Tempah on his tour during Spring of 2011, and on 30 April 2011 she embarked on her own debut concert tour throughout Europe until September, then the UK in October. In 2011, Katy B and Mark Ronson teamed up for the song "Anywhere in the World", which was created as an advert for Coca-Cola to tie in with the 2012 Summer Olympics, and was released as a digital download on 30 March 2012. Katy released a song featuring Iggy Azalea and Diplo, titled "Light as a Feather" from her "Danger EP" in December 2012.
2013–2014: Little Red
2013–2014: Little Red
• Illustration — Katy B in 2013 On 1 October 2013, Katy announced that her second studio album would be titled Little Red. A single, "What Love Is Made Of", was released on 7 July 2013, charting at number 21 on the UK Singles Chart; although when the official Little Red track list was revealed on 13 December, "What Love Is Made Of" was no longer included. Lead single "5 AM" was released on 4 November 2013, charting at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. "Crying for No Reason" was released on 10 February 2014, reaching the Top 5 of the singles chart. Little Red topped the UK Albums Chart on 19 February 2014. "Still" was released as the third and final single from the album. On 18 February 2014, Katy's video for the ongoing 'Rinse Sessions x Metropolis' project was revealed, which included a back-to-back cover of Beyoncé's 'Drunk in Love' and Tinashe's "Vulnerable". In February, she also appeared on the BBC One show The Voice as Ricky Wilson's team mentor. In March 2014, Katy took part in the recording of England's 2014 World Cup song, collaborating with fellow pop stars Melanie C, Eliza Doolittle, Emma Bunton, Conor Maynard, Kimberley Walsh and Pixie Lott on "Greatest Day", a track originally performed by the British band Take That. The track was produced by Gary Barlow and recorded at Sarm Studios in London, and also featured former footballers such as Gary Lineker, Michael Owen, Geoff Hurst, David Seaman, Peter Shilton, Glenn Hoddle and Dion Dublin on backing vocals. She performed at Birmingham Pride in May 2014.
2015–2021: Honey and Peace and Offerings
2015–2021: Honey and Peace and Offerings
In October 2015, Katy provided vocals, along with Tinie Tempah on "Turn the Music Louder (Rumble)", a re-worked version of British DJ KDA's track "Rumble". It topped the UK charts becoming Katy's first UK number one single. In December 2015, Katy confirmed in a backstage interview at Capital FM's Jingle Bell Ball that her third studio album would be called Honey and would be released sometime in 2016. It was also confirmed that a track of the same name would feature. The album was released on 22 April 2016, containing 14 songs. On 5 August 2021, Katy announced "Under My Skin" as the lead single from her EP, Peace and Offerings. Katy released Peace and Offerings on 5 November 2021.
2022–present
2022–present
• Illustration — Katy B in June 2025 On 21 March 2023, Katy released the single "Paradise", in collaboration with Kings of the Rollers. The single debuted at number 93 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart ten days later. Katy performed on season 12 of Love Island UK as a guest.
Personal life
Personal life
Katy is a Crystal Palace supporter.
Political views
Political views
On 25 November 2019, along with 35 other musicians, Katy signed a letter endorsing the Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in the 2019 UK general election with a call to end austerity.
Tours
Tours
• On a Mission Tour (2011) • Little Red UK Tour (2014) • Honey Tour (2016)
Discography
Studio albums • On a Mission (2011) • Little Red (2014) • Honey (2016)
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Katy B”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q120527: Katy B
General reference · Wikidata
Awards and nominations
Katy B has received five nominations at the MOBO Awards. She was nominated for Best Push Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2011. In 2011 she was also nominated for the Mercury Prize. In 2012 she won a NME Award for Dancefloor Anthem. • Year — Organisation — Award — Nominated work — Result • 2011 — Rober Awards Music Poll — Best Dance Anthem — "Easy Please Me" — rowspan="16" • Ivor Novello Awards — Best Contemporary Song — "Katy on a Mission" • Virgin Media Music Awards — Best Track • Best Collaboration — Katy B and Ms. Dynamite • Best Newcomer — Herself • Best Female • Hottest Female • Best Album — On a Mission • |Mercury Prize — Album of the Year • MOBO Awards — Best Album • Best UK Act — Herself • BT Digital Music Awards — Best Newcomer • Best Female Artist • |Q Awards — Breakthrough Artist • |MTV Europe Music Awards 2011 — Best Push Act • iTunes Rewind 2011 — Best New Dance Artist • 4Music Video Honours — Best Video — "Lights On" • 2012 — NME Awards — Best Dancefloor Anthem — "Broken Record" • 2013 — "What You Came For" (ft. Mosca) • 2014 — MOBO Awards — Best Album — Little Red — rowspan="15" • Best Female Act — Herself • Popjustice £20 Music Prize — Best British Pop Single — "Crying for No Reason" • UK Music Video Awards — Best Pop Video - UK • 4Music Video Honours — Best Girl — Herself • World Music Awards — World's Best Female Artist • World's Best Live Act • World's Best Entertainer of the Year • World's Best Album — Little Red • World's Best Song — "Crying for No Reason" • World's Best Video • "What Love Is Made Of" • World's Best Song • 2015 — Popjustice £20 Music Prize — Best British Pop Single — "Turn the Music Louder (Rumble)" • 2016 — MOBO Awards — Best Female Act — Herself • Juno Awards — Dance Recording of the Year — "Save Me" (with Keys N Krates) • Webby Awards — Best Use of Video or Moving Image
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Katy B. MTV Artists.
- 2.YouTube. Katy B Interview. 16 August 2009.
- 3.Reviewed Simon Price. Katy B, Academy, ManchesterDeath From Above 1979, Forum, London. The Independent. 7 May 2011.
- 4.The Camden Crawl. The Gaymers Camden Crawl 2010: Artists: Katy B.
- 5.Wiwi Bloggs. Katy B Reveals Her Eurovision Roots on Graham Norton Show. 17 June 2013.
- 6.Katy B: Regular Girl Turned UK Dance Diva. MTV Hive.
- 7.Welton, Blake. Multi-talented singer-songwriter Katy B is just an ordinary girl next door. Daily Post. 29 July 2016.
- 8.BBC – 1Xtra – Footloose. BBC 1Xtra. 11 September 2007.
- 9.Ministry of Sound. Addicted to Bass Collection (6CD).
- 10.Ministry of Sound. Clubbers Guide Summer 2008.
- 11.Domino Records. The Count & Sinden: New Album: Mega Mega Mega Free Album Mix. 11 June 2010.
- 12.Lester, Paul. New band of the day – No 822: Magnetic Man. The Guardian. 9 July 2010.
- 13.Fallon, Patric. Download a Free Mix From Geeneus. XLR8R. 5 February 2010.
- 14.Rees, Thomas. Good Life. XLR8R. 22 May 2010.
- 15.Benji B, RBMA Special. BBC 1Xtra. 7 March 2010.
- 16.Hancox, Dan. Rinse FM finally gets the recognition it deserves. The Guardian. 18 June 2010.
- 17.Rinse FM. Katy B – Katy on a Mission. 8 July 2010.
- 18.Annie Mac Presents. Annie Mac Presents: Katy B – On A Mission. 9 July 2010.
- 19.London Jazz Festival. Ladies Unplugged: Ms Dynamite + Katy B + Yolanda Brown + Shola Ama • Events • London Jazz Festival.
- 20.Rinse.fm. Rinse FM – Katy B – Lights on feat. Ms Dynamite – OUT NOW!!.
- 21.Katy B (Ft. Diplo & Iggy Azalea) – Light as a Feather.
- 22.Katy B announces new album 'Little Red' at London show. Digital Spy. 2 October 2013.
- 23.Katy B - Timeline Photos - Facebook. facebook.com.
- 24.Katy B - Crying for No Reason - Music Video. What's Good? Online.
- 25.Katy B tops the UK album chart with Little Red. BBC News. 16 February 2014.
- 26.Still (Remixes) - Single. iTunes. 2 May 2014.
- 27.Amazing Cover of 'Drunk' In Love By Katy B - Katy B - Rinse Sessions x Metropolis. What's Good? Online.
- 28.Wightman, Catriona. The Voice: Katy B, Tinie Tempah, more join as mentors – pictures. Digital Spy. 25 February 2014.
- 29.Katy B, Duke Dumont & more performed at Birmingham Pride! Check out the backstage videos!. Capital Birmingham.
- 30.EXCLUSIVE: Katy B reveals title of brand new album. 6 December 2015.
- 31.BeatCog. Katy B "Honey" [Third Album].
- 32.Murray, Robin. Katy B Links With Kings Of The Rollers For 'Paradise'. Clash Magazine. 22 March 2023.
- 33.Katy B and Kings of the Rollers - Paradise. Spotify. 21 March 2023.
- 34.Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100 31 March 2023 - 06 April 2023. Official Charts. 31 March 2023.
- 35.Love Island shock as huge pop star enters the villa for sexy performance. The Irish Sun. 2025-07-04.
- 36.'The best place in the entire universe' – Voices of South London: Katy B. 1 April 2025.
- 37.Musicians backing Jeremy Corbyn's Labour. The Guardian. 25 November 2019.
- 38.Bond, Jay. The Rober Awards 2011 Music Poll | Rober Awards.
- 39.4Music - News - News - 4Music Video Honours 2011 - Best Video Nominees. 27 October 2011.
- 40.NEW Webby Gallery + Index.
References
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 20 August 2026.
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