Sonique (musician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sonique
Sonique at the 7th Asian Awards in 2017
Background information
Birth name	Sonia Marina Clarke
Also known as	Sonique
Born	(1965-06-21) 21 June 1965 (age 60) Crouch End, North London, England
Genres	House Eurodance trance
Occupation(s)	Singer musician DJ
Instruments	Vocals synthesiser
Years active	1985–present
Labels	Universal Serious Caffeine
Associated acts	S'Express

Sonia Marina Clarke (born June 21, 1965), known as Sonique, is an English singer, musician, and DJ. She became famous as a member of the dance band S'Express in the early 1990s. Later, she found even greater success as a solo artist in the early 2000s.

During her solo career, Sonique had several songs reach the top 20 in the UK. These hits included "It Feels So Good", "Sky", "I Put a Spell on You", and "Can't Make Up My Mind". In 2001, she won a BRIT Award for British female solo artist.

Sonique's Early Life and Music Journey

Growing Up in London (1965–1983)

Sonia Clarke was born and grew up in Crouch End, London. Her parents were from Trinidad. The first record she ever bought was "I Feel Love" by Donna Summer. When Sonique was sixteen, her mother remarried and moved back to Trinidad. Sonique chose to stay in London and lived at the YMCA.

Starting Her Music Career (1983–1996)

At age seventeen, a youth worker told Sonique she had a lovely voice. This inspired her to form a reggae band called 'Fari'. She wrote all the music for the band. After Fari broke up, she worked to get a recording contract.

In 1985, Sonique released her first single, "Let Me Hold You". It was released by Cooltempo and reached the top 40 on the UK Dance Chart.

In 1990, she was featured on the song "Zombie Mantra". This track was part of the album Set the Controls for the Heart of the Bass by William Orbit's project, Bass-O-Matic. Soon after, she worked again with DJ Mark Moore, after singing for S'Express a few years earlier. Their dance-pop duo had songs like "Nothing to Lose" chart on the UK Singles Chart. After S'Express ended, Mark Moore gave Sonique a set of turntables and a mixer. This is how she started learning to DJ.

Sonique's DJ and Solo Success

Becoming a DJ (1997–2001)

For three years, Sonique went to gigs with Mark Moore and her friend Judge Jules. She eventually signed with Serious Records, a label in London. Her first single with them was "I Put a Spell on You". She was a resident DJ at Club Manumission in Ibiza from 1997 to 1999.

In 1998, the UK promoters Fantazia noticed her. They asked her to mix one of the discs for their album Fantazia British Anthems Summertime. This album later became gold in the UK.

Sonique released her first solo album, Hear My Cry, in 1998. It was re-released in 2000. The album's big hit, "It Feels So Good", was number one on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks in May/June 2000. It stayed in the Top 40 for 14 weeks and became the UK's third best-selling single of 2000. After the success of "It Feels So Good", she decided to focus more on her singing career. Even after finishing her album Born to Be Free, Sonique still returned to DJing for special events.

New Music and Health (2002–2011)

In 2004, Sonique announced she was working on an album called On Kosmo. The first song from it, "Another World", reached number 57 in Germany in 2004. "Why", released in Spring 2005, reached number 90 in Germany.

"Alone" was planned as the third single, but its release was cancelled when the album was delayed. When the album On Kosmo was finally released on November 13, 2006, it did not chart well in the UK. However, Sonique was a celebrity guest at the 2006 World Music Awards in London.

In 2007, after promoting On Kosmo, Sonique continued touring Europe. A preview of her new song, "Better Than That", was shared online in October 2008. Because people liked it so much, the song was made available for download.

In June 2009, Sonique faced a health challenge and had surgery in London. After her operations, she had treatment to help prevent the illness from returning. She was given the all clear in 2010. To celebrate, she appeared on a cover version of the Cyndi Lauper song Girls Just Want To Have Fun. This song was released to raise money for the Cancer Research UK charity.

The single "World of Change" was released on October 23, 2009. Its official video was posted on YouTube by Sonique's label. The album Sweet Vibrations was released in 2011. It included the songs "Better Than That" and "World of Change".

Recent Performances (2024–Present)

In March 2024, Sonique had a sold-out show at the Royal Festival Hall. Special guests Baby-D and Rozalla joined her. Her band also included a string section and a choir.

On June 27, 2024, Sonique performed a DJ set at the Silver Hayes stage during the Glastonbury Festival.

In February 2025, she announced a tour to celebrate 25 years since her first album, Hear My Cry, was released.

Sonique's Music: Albums and Singles

Albums

Singles

Notes on Singles

• A "I Put a Spell on You" first reached number 36 in the UK in 1998. It was re-released in 2001 and became the third single from Hear My Cry in other places.
• B "It Feels So Good" first reached number 24 in the UK in 1998. It was re-released in 2000 and became the first single from Hear My Cry in other places.

Awards and Nominations

Sonique has received several awards and nominations for her music.

See also

In Spanish: Sonique para niños

• List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
• List of number-one dance hits (United States)