LOLA YOUNG BIOGRAPHY - AGE, CAREER, SONGS & FACTS

Lola Emily Mary Young, known professionally as Lola Young, is an English singer-songwriter born on 4 January 2001 in Beckenham, South London. Her global breakout came through the TikTok-viral hit "Messy", which spent four weeks at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart and turned her into one of the most streamed new artists in the world.

A BRIT School alumna, Young has built her name on a theatrical, soul-baring style that blends pop, R&B and soul. Her rise was crowned at the 2026 Grammy Awards, where she won Best Pop Solo Performance and was nominated for Best New Artist.

Lola Young Biography Facts

Born: 4 January 2001
Birthplace: Beckenham, South London, England
Genre: Pop, R&B, soul
Career start: 2016 (Open Mic UK under-16 win)

Early Life

Young grew up in Beckenham in South London, where she started writing songs and performing as a schoolgirl. In 2016, aged fifteen, she won the under-16 category of the national Open Mic UK singing competition, an early sign of the powerhouse performer she would become. She went on to study at the BRIT School in Croydon, the celebrated performing-arts school that keeps producing British stars - see also our Olivia Dean biography.

Career

Young released her debut single, "6 Feet Under", in October 2019 after signing with Island Records. Her husky, dramatic vocal style reached a wider audience in 2021, when her cover of "Together in Electric Dreams" soundtracked the John Lewis Christmas advert. She placed fourth on the BBC Sound of 2022 poll and released her debut album, "My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely", in 2023.

Her second album, "This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway" (2024), entered the UK top 20 and carried "Messy". The song exploded on TikTok, spent four weeks at UK No. 1, peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, passed one billion Spotify streams, was certified 2x Platinum in the US and reached No. 1 on US Pop Airplay.

She followed it with her third album, "I'm Only F**king Myself", which debuted at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart and produced the singles "One Thing" (UK No. 3), "D£aler" (No. 18) and "Post Sex Clarity" (No. 60). In September 2025 she collapsed on stage during her set at the All Things Go Festival in New York City and subsequently took a three-month hiatus from performing, before announcing her comeback - Lola Young announces Everything Begins 2027 tour.

Facts

Young's awards record is already remarkable for an artist so early in her career. She won Best Pop Solo Performance at the 2026 Grammy Awards, where she was also nominated for Best New Artist, and was named Breakthrough Artist at the 2026 BRIT Awards - see also our RAYE biography. She has additionally received an Ivor Novello Rising Star award and the ASCAP Vanguard Award, and was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. On October 9, 2026, she announced the "Everything Begins" 2027 North American headline tour, her first major run since stepping back from performing in 2025.

Songs

The essential Lola Young playlist starts with "Messy", the viral smash that made her a star, and runs through early fan favourite "6 Feet Under" to the chart hits from her third album - "One Thing", "D£aler" and "Post Sex Clarity".

Watch the Official Video

Watch the official video for "Messy" below:

FAQ

How old is Lola Young?

Lola Young was born on 4 January 2001, which makes her 25 years old as of 2026.

Where was Lola Young born?

She was born in Beckenham, South London, England, where she grew up before attending the BRIT School in Croydon.

How did "Messy" go viral?

"Messy" first caught fire on TikTok, where its candid, anthemic chorus spread rapidly. The momentum carried it to four weeks at UK No. 1, over one billion Spotify streams and a Grammy win.

What awards has Lola Young won?

She won Best Pop Solo Performance at the 2026 Grammys, with a Best New Artist nomination, and was named Breakthrough Artist at the 2026 BRITs. She has also received an Ivor Novello Rising Star award, the ASCAP Vanguard Award and a place on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.