There are one billion active users of YouTube accounts worldwide. Of those
accounts, a significant number have uploaded at least one video to the
video-hosting site. The rise in popularity of YouTube has seen it break into
the mainstream to the extent that it's now considered a valid entertainment
medium to rival television.
Out of the plethora of its users, very, very few actually get paid any
decent money from uploading their content, and even fewer become famous and
launch a successful career off the back of it. Therefore, Dua Lipa's rise to
stardom from uploading videos to YouTube like millions of other teens is one
worth documenting. So here's her journey from YouTube to the Champions League
Final.
Early life
Lipa, as the name suggests, is not of English heritage. Her parents are of
Albanian and Kosovo descent. Having lived in Kosovo and London when she was
young, she eventually decided to move back to the English capital in an attempt
to pursue a music career. Lipa has stated that Kosovo, and more specifically
the capital Pristina where she lived, was a 'very supportive environment.' With
just two million people in the whole country, that only gained independence from
Serbia (although Serbia struggles to recognise this) in 2008, it was said to be
the type of place where everyone knew everything that was going on.
This was enhanced by the fact that Lipa's father, Dukagjin (Dugi) Lipa, was
in a relatively well known Kosovar rock band called Oda. He was the lead
vocalist, and in Pristina people knew Dua as 'Dugi's' daughter.
While studying back in England she attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School
on Saturdays to fit around her education. At school, it's well documented that
she heavily disliked her name and wanted a more commonly-known English name so
she wouldn't have to persistently explain to people that she was from Kosovo.
YouTube beginnings
Most people's music careers start in small clubs or pubs. Lipa's however,
began on YouTube. Like many other budding singers, she started off posting
covers of her favourite artists' songs on YouTube, and from there her fame
began. Such artists included Pink and Nelly Furtado.
Other singers, Justin Bieber being the most high profile of them, but also
the likes of Carly Rae Jepsen have used YouTube to launch hugely successful
music careers.
YouTube is evidently popular in the more commercialised, global countries.
In places like the U.K and the U.S, the video platform is now ingrained into
the entertainment part of society. But it's also huge in other
countries such as Brazil. YouTube truly has reached all corners of the
globe, and as a result is most definitely a global platform that has immense
power to propel an unknown talent on to the world stage, as is the case with
Dua Lipa.
Start of professional career
In 2015, Lipa saw her first real success in the music industry. After signing with the
Warner Music Group, she released her first single 'New Love.' Whereas some
artist release their first hit and see instant breakthroughs, New Love slipped
relatively under the radar. Her second single however, 'Be the One', saw
greater success. Although U.K popularity would come with her later hits, Be the
One was popular in parts of Europe, and even reached number one in Belgium,
Poland and Slovakia.
After enjoying a little success, she released her next single called 'Last
Dance.' Despite looking to build upon Be the One and cement herself as a
breakout artist, Last Dance struggled to really make an impact in the U.K or
Europe.
Breakthrough
Her first real breakthrough could be seen with the release of her next
single, where she bounced back spectacularly with 'Hotter than Hell.' It was a
worldwide hit but perhaps, more importantly, it was very popular in the U.K. It
was at this point that her name began to resonate among not just music fans,
but also the mainstream public.
'Blow Your Mind' was her next release, but that failed to emulate anything
near its predecessors' success. Her next big hit was huge though, perhaps
unsurprisingly as it was a collaboration with the hugely popular Martin Garrix.
'Scared to be Lonely' reached 14th in the U.K charts, but featured inside the
top 40 in a host of different countries, only further enhancing Lipa's profile.
Blow up
In between a couple of anonymous singles, Lipa released the biggest hit of
her career at that time: 'New Rules.' If Hotter than Hell was her breakthrough,
this song was most certainly the one that blew the Kosovan's career up in terms
of popularity. It reached number 1 in a host of countries, including the U.K,
and has since amassed over 1.5 billion views on YouTube.
Following on from New Rules, 2018 started in similarly good fashion. 'IDGAF'
was another European success. That was proceeded by what was largely considered
the song
of the summer, 'One Kiss.' One Kiss did better than New Rules, reaching
number 1 in more countries and being a huge hit worldwide.
Champions League Final
Lipa's performance before the 2018 Champions League Final in
Kiev
Arguably, the pinnacle of her career was performing at the 2018 Champions
League Final. It was far from just another performance for an artist who, at
the young age of 23, has already completed many tours around the world. It
symbolised her
impressively-quick rise in such a short space of time, with the likes of
more established artists such as the Black Eyed Peas making up the pre-match
entertainment in previous finals.
Lipa is undoubtedly going to be one of the biggest stars of her type in the
industry if she continues on this impressive trajectory. Her youth ensures she
has many years in the future to add to her name and fully cement herself in
music history.
