PinkPantheress

Upbringing and Early Life

Victoria Beverley Walker, known professionally as PinkPantheress, was born on April 18, 2001, in Bath, Somerset, England. She is the daughter of a Kenyan Luo mother from Kisumu, who works as a carer, and an English father, a statistics professor. PinkPantheress has one older brother, an audio engineer. At the age of five, her family moved to Canterbury, Kent, where she was raised. Her musical journey began early; she took piano lessons as a child and, at age 12, sang "Stand by Me" by Ben E. King at a school talent show. By 14, she was the lead singer in a rock band covering songs by My Chemical Romance, Paramore, and Green Day. Walker pursued film studies at the University of the Arts London until 2022, when she decided to leave university.

Career Beginnings

PinkPantheress's music career unofficially started in high school when she began writing music to assist a friend. By 17, she was producing instrumentals using GarageBand. Despite initially receiving little attention on SoundCloud, a TikTok video posted in December 2020 garnered over 500,000 likes, propelling her into the spotlight. Her songs "Break It Off" and "Pain" went viral on TikTok in early 2021, leading to her signing with Parlophone and Elektra Records. Her debut mixtape, "To Hell with It," released in October 2021, debuted at number 20 on the UK Albums Chart.

Breakthrough and Success

2022 marked a significant year for PinkPantheress, winning BBC's Sound of 2022 poll. Her single "Boy's a Liar" and its remix with Ice Spice in 2023 achieved remarkable success, with the latter peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Her debut album, "Heaven Knows," was released in November 2023, further establishing her as a prominent figure in the music industry. PinkPantheress's music, often characterized by its blend of genres and sampling from 90s and 2000s music, has received critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.

Personal Life and Artistry

Walker's upbringing and diverse influences have significantly shaped her music and personal identity. She has openly discussed her struggles with body dysmorphia and hearing loss, attributing the latter to exposure to loud music. Her stage name, inspired by The Pink Panther film series, reflects her unique blend of influences, including Paramore, Lily Allen, and various genres from drum and bass to alt-pop. PinkPantheress's music is known for its storytelling, nostalgic melodies, and innovative production, often using GarageBand.

Awards and Recognition

PinkPantheress's innovative music has not gone unnoticed in the industry. She won the BBC Sound of 2022 and has been nominated for several awards, including the Brit Awards, BET Awards, and MTV Europe Music Awards. Her song "Boy's a Liar Pt. 2" with Ice Spice received nominations for Best Collaboration at the BET Awards and was pending awards at the Brit Awards and Gold Derby Music Awards as of 2024.