Last year, the internet was hit by a massive wave called Brat Summer. With her bold energy and rave-pop sound, Charli XCX became one of the most talked-about names in music. Today, she is not just an icon of alternative pop, she is one of the most influential artists of her generation.
But did her success happen overnight? Absolutely not.
Let’s take a closer look at Charli’s journey.
The Beginning: MySpace and Early Attention
Charli XCX, born Charlotte Aitchison, first gained attention in 2008 by uploading her songs to MySpace. Soon after, she became part of the UK’s underground electronic scene.
Her big break came in 2012, when she featured on Icona Pop’s global hit “I Love It”. The song exploded in popularity and introduced Charli’s voice to the world.
Building a Pop Persona
Following that success, she released singles like “Boom Clap” and “Break the Rules”, becoming a favorite among younger pop fans in the mid-2010s.
But even during this mainstream success, Charli refused to play it safe. She never settled into a typical pop mold. Her sound always leaned a bit edgier, a bit weirder—and that made her stand out.
From the Shadows to the Spotlight
In the early 2010s, Charli was like a hidden star—shining quietly behind some of pop’s biggest moments. But she slowly carved out a space of her own, mixing mainstream success with experimental sounds.
By 2016, she began fully embracing the underground again. Working with producers like SOPHIE and A.G. Cook, she helped shape the sound of hyperpop—a glitchy, futuristic, and boundary-pushing subgenre of pop.
Projects like Vroom Vroom, Pop 2, and Charli became cult classics. These releases were loud, chaotic, emotional, and totally unlike anything else in pop music at the time.
During this phase, Charli also became a strong voice in queer culture, collaborating with independent artists and using her platform to support non-mainstream voices. She was building a new kind of pop star identity—bold, inclusive, and self-aware.
The Peak: brat
Then came 2024, and with it, Charli’s sixth studio album: brat.
This album is arguably her boldest and clearest artistic statement yet. Charli sharpened her signature rave-pop style, layering heavy bass, glitchy synths, and raw, unfiltered lyrics into what feels like a personal and political manifesto.
Tracks like “Von Dutch,” “360,” “Club Classics,” and “B2B” celebrate chaotic nightlife while also revealing her inner struggles—loneliness, anxiety, and the constant pressure of staying relevant in the music industry.
Critics loved brat, and so did fans. It charted high on digital platforms and became a defining release of the year. With brat, Charli wasn’t just leading the alt-pop scene—she was reshaping pop itself.
What’s Next for Charli XCX?
Today, many people see Charli as the true embodiment of “the future of pop.” She blends underground influence with commercial appeal, and always finds new ways to surprise her audience.
Will brat be her peak? Probably not. Charli XCX thrives on change. She constantly reinvents herself, challenges pop music’s limits, and inspires a new generation of artists.
Whatever she does next, we’ll be watching—and listening.
