The biggest pop sensation of our generation Britney Spears turns 30 today.
Britney Spears was born on 2nd December 1981 to James and Lynne Spears. She was born in Mccomb Mississippi and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana.
In one form or another, Britney has been inthe limelight for virtually her entire life. As a teenager, she appeared on 'The Mickey Mouse Club' alongside future contemporaries Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. She even held a brief spot in the all female pop group "Innocence".
Britney's solo career began with some massively successful singles from records like ...Baby One More Time and Oops!... I Did It Again,launching her from a girl next door to a full-fledged pop phenomenon.
In late December 1998, Jive Records released Britney's first single "…Baby One More Time" and by January, it was a number-one hit. Britney's album debuted at number one shortly thereafter, paving the road for one of the world's biggest stars. Her 2nd single, 'Sometimes' was released in June 1999 and it marked the beginning of her rapidly growing fan base.
One of Britney's smashing hit and chartbuster song was '(You Drive Me) Crazy'. But the highlight of 1999 for Britney was performing a poptastic medley at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Dublin, where she was the undoubted star. She won all four awards for which she was nominated. The categories were Best Female Artist, Best Breakthrough Act, Best Pop Act and Best Song for '…Baby One More Time'.
Born To Make You Happy', the fourth single to be taken from Britney's debut album, was released in January 2000 and shot straight into the top of charts around the World, securing her status as a pop phenomenon. In between touring and promotion, Britney recorded new songs for an eagerly anticipated second album: 'Oops!… I Did It Again'. Released in April 2000, the melodious and upbeat song, accompanied by a stunning music video shot to the top of music charts around the globe. The album release followed, debuting at #1 in the U.S.A., Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and 15 other countries worldwide. Its' reception stamped the title 'Oops!… I Did It Again' with uncanny appropriateness - she had indeed pulled it off again.
The second single from the album, was 'Lucky' - a bittersweet tale of loneliness and stardom - containing the apt lyrical phrase "the World is spinning and she keeps on winning!".
Her songs 'Stronger' - an attention grabbing slice of classic up-beat pop - and 'Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know' - a smooth ballad, co-written by Shania Twain - , followed as the final singles from an exciting sophomoric record, that showed her immense growth as a singer and as an performing artist.
In early 2001, Britney tried her hand at acting when she began filming 'Crossroads', a movie which she had a hand in creating as well. To help promote the movie, Britney began work on a third album, aptly named "Britney". "Crossroads" was released to theaters in February 2002, bringing in $17, 000 opening week.
Her song, "I'm A Slave 4 U" sparked by a racy performance at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards still has tongues wagging, more than a decabe after the performance ended. The album, released on November 6, 2001, debuted at #1, making Britney the first artist to have her first three albums debut at #1. The album sold more than 800, 000 copies within its first week. She snatched up the spot for the second fastest selling album by a female artist.
In late 2002, she went on a 6-month hiatus from the spotlight to lay low. In early December, the hiatus was called off, and she ventured back into the studio to begin work on her fourth album, later to be titled 'In The Zone'. With this album, she worked with a handful of famous producers, writers and even hooked up with a few people to costar on the album. Producers include Moby, R Kelly, P Diddy and more. She has also sung song in R. Kelly's ("Outrageous"), Ying-Yang Twins on "(I Got That) Boom Boom."
Collaborating with one of her all-time greatest musical influences Madonna was a dream come true for Britney in the song "Me against the Music'.
Her latest album 'Circus' was compiled of several successful singles such as the title track and 'Womanizer', and even spawned a highly regarded concert tour titled 'The Circus Starring:Britney Spears'.
With any luck, Britney can stay on top of her career and personal life going forward — after all, it's a new year for Ms. Spears, and she's already starting it with a lot of promise.
FridayMoviez wishes Britney Spears a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!