Natasha Bedingfield

Natasha Anne Bedingfield (born 26 November 1981) is an English singer and songwriter.

In early 2000s, Bedingfield composed, wrote and recorded songs for Hillsong Church UK.

Her songs appeared on the live albums Blessed, Shout God's Fame, and the children's album Jesus Is My Superhero by Hillsong Music Australia.

Bedingfield was introduced to Phonogenic founder and A&R Paul Lisberg by the artist's manager Gary Wilson.

Lisberg was initially hesitant, later telling HitQuarters: "[They] were good but weren't right for us ... " However, it was when, at a meeting together, Lisberg heard her singing ability and creative vocal ad-libbing first-hand that he became excited by Bedingfield's potential.

Label interest was later confirmed when a trial studio session together with writers Steve Kipner and Andrew Frampton produced songs that were in keeping with Lisberg's vision for Phonogenic.

Bedingfield signed a recording contract with BMG UK & Ireland, through its imprint Phonogenic Records, in July 2003.

She released her debut album, Unwritten, in 2004, which contained primarily up-tempo pop songs and was influenced by R&B music.

It enjoyed international success with more than 2.3 million copies sold worldwide.

Her debut studio album Unwritten was released in September 2004 and featured collaborations with Steve Kipner, Danielle Brisebois, Nick Lachey, James Reilly, Andrew Frampton, Wayne Wilkins, Kara DioGuardi, Guy Chambers, Patrick Leonard and the rapper Bizarre.

The album contained uptempo pop-rock songs and influences from R&B music.

Bedingfield's lyrics focused on independence, opportunism and female empowerment.

Reviews of the album were generally positive, and it was described as a "well-made pop album for the new millennium" by Allmusic.

The album debuted on the UK Albums Chart at number one and reached the top thirty in the U.S. It sold well, reaching multi-platinum status in the UK and Gold status in the U.S. The first single released from the album was "Single", which reached number three on the UK Singles Chart.

The song's lyrics and accompanying music video depict Bedingfield's single lifestyle.

"These Words" was released as the album's second single.

The song became Bedingfield's first UK number one and US top twenty single.

"Unwritten" was released as the album's third single in 2004, the song reached number six on the UK Singles Chart and it also became the most played song on US radio in 2006.

"I Bruise Easily" was released as the album's fourth single, it did not perform as well as its predecessors but was still a moderate success, reaching number twelve on the UK Singles Chart.

Bedingfield received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the title track "Unwritten", and at the 2005 and 2006 Brit Awards, she was nominated for Best British Female Artist.

Unwritten also produced her only UK number one, "These Words".

At the 2005 Brit Awards, Bedingfield was nominated for four awards, though did not win any of her nominated categories.

She was also nominated for an award at the 2006 Brit Awards, and in 2007, she was nominated for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" at the 2007 Grammy Awards, though was again unsuccessful in winning in any of her nominated categories.

Her second album, N.B. (2007), yielded the UK top 10 singles "I Wanna Have Your Babies" and "Soulmate".

Bedingfield's second album, N.B., was released in Europe in April 2007.

The album received mixed reviews by critics and peaked at number nine in the UK.

"I Wanna Have Your Babies", the album's lead single, was moderately successful, reaching number seven in the UK, number eight in Ireland and the top fifty in various other markets.

"Soulmate" was released as the album's second single on 2 July 2007 and also peaked at number seven in the UK.

To promote N.B., Bedingfield embarked on the FutureSex/LoveShow tour in May 2007.

N.B. was not released in North America, but six tracks from it were included with seven new ones and released in 2008 under the name Pocketful of Sunshine, with the singles "Love Like This" and "Pocketful of Sunshine" earning success on the charts.

In December 2010, Bedingfield released her third album in North America, Strip Me, with the song of the same name charting on the US Billboard Hot 100 at 91.

Bedingfield has sold over 10 million albums and 10 million singles worldwide, totalling over 20 million records worldwide.

In 2012, VH1 ranked Bedingfield number 66 on the list of 100 Greatest Women in Music.

Bedingfield spent time in Auckland, New Zealand, during her childhood, and attended Lynfield College.

When Bedingfield was a teenager, she and her siblings, Daniel and Nikola, formed the dance/electronic group, The DNA Algorithm.

The group provided Bedingfield with the opportunity to explore different musical genres and expand her songwriting abilities.

She provided vocals for the group which primarily performed dance-pop music about independence and empowerment, themes that would later be found in her own solo compositions.

At age 14, Bedingfield sang vocals on Origins Refined Intricacy (Steelyard Records).

Bedingfield attended a year at the University of Greenwich, where she studied psychology, then left to concentrate on singing and songwriting.

At first, she recorded demos in the garages of friends who had recording studios, which she presented to record companies.