Liberty X

Born in the United Kingdom in the early 2000s, Liberty X took shape after the TV show Popstars with five finalists who were not selected for the winning group Hear’Say: Kevin Simm, Tony Lundon, Michelle Heaton, Jessica Taylor, and Kelli Young. Initially launched under the name Liberty, the quintet quickly adopted the name Liberty X following a legal dispute, then developed a pop and R&B repertoire marked by British productions of the era, between tightly crafted choruses, soulful rhythms, and dance touches. The group broke through in 2001 with the singles Thinking It Over and Doin’ It, before releasing the album Thinking It Over in 2002. In the same year, Just a Little became their best-known track, followed by Got to Have Your Love and Holding On for You. Liberty X continued with Being Somebody in 2003, a second album that broadened the role of ballads while keeping a pop-R&B base, and then collaborated with Richard X on Being Nobody, a cross of electronic pop and references to New Wave. After several side projects by its members and a label change, Liberty X released X in 2005, notably carried by Song 4 Lovers and A Night to Remember. Split in 2007, the group re-formed sporadically from 2012, first as five then in a reduced lineup.