Key Takeaways
- Lola has mixed ethnicity, with a Venezuelan father and a British mother.
- Her father is a professional bass player, and her mother works in HR and project management.
- At six years old, Lola’s mother noticed her musical talent and enrolled her in piano, guitar, and singing lessons.
Lola Young, a singer-songwriter celebrated for her soulful voice and unique blend of R&B, pop, and neo-soul music, was born to her father, whose name has not been revealed, and her mother, Imogen Moore De Pulido.
Born on January 4, 2001, in Croydon, London, Lola Young grew up in Beckenham, South London, and holds British nationality.
Lola’s mixed ethnicity comes from her Venezuelan father and British mother.
Raised in a musically rich household, her parents played a key role in shaping her musical journey.
Her father is a professional bass player, and her mother, who works in HR and project management, constantly plays music around the home.
As music was always present in her home, she was encouraged from a young age to explore her musical talents.
In addition to her parents, Lola’s aunt, Julia Donaldson, the well-known author of “The Gruffalo,” also influenced her creative development.
Her mother first noticed Lola’s musical talent when she was young and enrolled her in piano, guitar, and singing lessons at six years old.
At the age of 9, Lola wrote her first song – a Christmas tune on the piano. She recalls the moment as a turning point:
I remember thinking, ‘God, I can write a f—ing song? This is lit.’
Via Songfacts
By 11, she had developed a deep passion for songwriting. She credits artists like Prince, Michael Jackson, D’Angelo, and Erykah Badu as her early musical inspirations.
Her dedication to music continued to grow, and at 15, Lola won the “Open Mic UK” competition with her song “Never Enough,” making her parents proud.
This achievement was followed by another milestone in 2016 when she appeared with her mother on CBBC’s “Got What It Takes?” and finished as a runner-up.
Lola’s musical journey took a significant step forward when she attended the prestigious BRIT School, where she graduated in 2018.
The BRIT School, known for producing stars like Adele and Amy Winehouse, gave Lola the skills to hone her craft.
At 18, Lola signed with Island Records in 2019 and released her debut EP, “Intro.”
Over the next few years, she continued to release new music, culminating in the release of “My Mind Wanders And Sometimes Leaves Completely” in 2023.
Her 2024 single “Messy” gained massive popularity and went viral on TikTok.
During an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Lola shared the inspiration behind the song:
It’s been speculated that it’s about my parents. It’s massively about some close family but it’s a combination. It’s more about myself, I am too messy. I’ve never held a broom in my life. Everything in my life is a mess so it’s a very fitting track.
Via Capitalfm
Lola further explained:
I recently got diagnosed with severe ADHD. It’s been very hard but complex. It’s just about the complexities of how I feel about myself and, on top of that, narcissistic men unfortunately.
Via Capitalfm
In a candid conversation, Lola also touched on her personal life, revealing that the song was linked to a breakup. She said:
My relationship was ending, and it was closure for me. Then I started to think about my relationship with myself.
Via Variety
Lola Young’s journey, shaped by the support of her musically inclined family and her early exposure to various instruments and genres, has been instrumental in her rise to fame.
Her passion and dedication, combined with the support of her parents, have propelled her to where she is today.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Lola gained broader recognition in 2021 after her performance on The Late Late Show with James Corden and her rendition of “Together in Electric Dreams” for the John Lewis Christmas advertisement.
- She has mentioned “The Truman Show” as one of her all-time favorite films.
- She openly addressed her schizoaffective disorder diagnosis at the age of 17.
