Sonia Clarke British performer and DJ Date of Birth: 21.06.1968 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Sonique
2. Early Musical Experience
3. Collaborations and DJ Career
4. Solo Career and Success
5. Current Status

Biography of Sonique

Sonique, a renowned British singer and DJ, was born on June 21, 1968, in North London, to a family with Trinidadian roots. She developed a passion for music from a young age, influenced by her mother's love for artists such as Marvin Gaye, Roberta Flack, Gladys Knight, Otis Redding, and Denise Williams. Sonique recalls that the song "I Feel Love" by Donna Summer had the greatest impact on her decision to pursue a career in music. She began experimenting with music after falling in love with the song. However, during her childhood, Sonique preferred sports over music. She practiced pentathlon from the age of six, aspiring to become the best pentathlete in the world. However, after years of training, she realized that this dream had become obsessive. At the age of 15, Sonique quit sports, feeling disappointed after finishing second in a race. This determination to be the best would later manifest in her music career.

Early Musical Experience

Sonique gained her first musical experience in the band "Fari." However, her exceptional vocal abilities did not fit the band's predominantly reggae style. After the band's breakup, Sonique experienced another setback when her mother suddenly returned to her homeland of Trinidad and remarried. The separation from her mother deeply affected Sonique. She channelled her emotions into the song "Let Me Hold You," which unexpectedly became a club hit and entered the UK dance chart without any promotion. This early success was remarkable.

Collaborations and DJ Career

Sonique met her former classmate Ernie McKone, who proposed recording a collaborative song. Mark Moore, later creating his own project called "S'Express," joined them. In the early 1990s, Sonique gained attention with tracks such as "Zombie Mantra," "Nothing to Lose," and "Find 'em, Fool 'em, Forget 'em," establishing her as a new star of the British dance scene. It was Mark Moore who later suggested that Sonique try her hand at DJing. After three years of training at home, Sonique finally decided to perform in front of a live audience in 1994. Despite feeling immense pressure and fearing ridicule for her mistakes, she persevered and the audience was ecstatic. Soon, she received invitations to perform in Europe, Hong Kong, the United States, Singapore, Majorca, and Ibiza.

Solo Career and Success

In 1998, Sonique mixed the album "Fantazia British Anthems... Summertime." Over the next two years, she wrote numerous club hits. In 2000, she released her solo album "Hear My Cry," which reached the sixth position on the British chart. It was followed by three successful singles: "It Feels So Good," "Sky," and "I Put a Spell on You," which brought Sonique international fame. In 2001, she received several awards, including the "BRIT Award" for "Best British Female Solo" and the "Hit 2000 Award" and "Dance Star." Although her subsequent albums released in 2003 and 2005 solidified her overall success, they were unable to replicate the success of her debut album.

Current Status

Currently, Sonique has ceased active performances and recording new dance hits since being diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2009. She underwent surgery, and it remains uncertain if she will return to active creativity.