History
beabadoobee (born Beatrice Kristi Ilejay Laus on June 3, 2000) is a Filipino-English singer-songwriter known for her distinctive blend of indie rock, bedroom pop, and 90s-inspired alternative music. Rising to prominence in the late 2010s, she has released a string of critically acclaimed extended plays and studio albums under the independent label Dirty Hit, culminating in her first UK number-one album, This Is How Tomorrow Moves, in 2024.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Laus was born in Iloilo City, Philippines, and relocated to the United Kingdom with her parents when she was three years old. Raised in West London, her early musical exposure included Original Pilipino Music (OPM) alongside 1990s pop and rock. She spent seven years studying the violin before acquiring her first second-hand guitar at the age of 17. Entirely self-taught through YouTube tutorials, she drew early inspiration from artists like Kimya Dawson and the Juno film soundtrack.
During her teenage years, Laus attended Sacred Heart High School and later Hammersmith Academy, though she was expelled at 17 due to failing grades and behavioral issues. It was around this time that she wrote her first song, "Coffee". She adopted the moniker "beabadoobee"—originally a handle created for a private Instagram account—at the suggestion of her friend and producer Oscar Lang.
Breakthrough and Viral Success
In September 2017, beabadoobee released "Coffee" alongside a cover of Karen O's "The Moon Song". "Coffee" quickly amassed hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube, catching the attention of Dirty Hit Records, which signed her in April 2018. She spent the next few years building a dedicated fanbase through a series of EPs: Lice (2018), Patched Up (2018), Loveworm (2019), and Space Cadet (2019).
Her global breakthrough arrived unexpectedly in early 2020 when Canadian rapper Powfu sampled "Coffee" for his single "Death Bed (Coffee for Your Head)". The track went viral on TikTok, becoming a massive sleeper hit that earned multi-platinum certifications worldwide and marked beabadoobee's first official chart entry. Although initially overwhelmed by the song's viral nature, she credited the track with providing her immense career opportunities. That same year, she won the Radar Award at the NME Awards and was nominated for the Rising Star Award at the Brit Awards.
Studio Albums and Global Tours
Beabadoobee released her debut studio album, Fake It Flowers, in October 2020. The record received widespread critical acclaim, debuted at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart, and led Billboard to name her the Top New Rock Artist of 2020. She followed this success with the 2021 EP Our Extended Play, co-written and produced by Matty Healy and George Daniel of The 1975.
Her sophomore album, Beatopia, arrived in July 2022, featuring the RIAA Gold-certified single "The Perfect Pair". As her profile grew, beabadoobee became a highly sought-after touring act. She has supported major artists including The 1975, Clairo, Olivia Rodrigo, and Taylor Swift, opening for several dates on the US leg of The Eras Tour in 2023. That same year, she achieved further chart success with the chamber-pop single "Glue Song", which later received a remix featuring Clairo, and collaborated with Laufey on the track "A Night to Remember".
In August 2024, beabadoobee released her third studio album, This Is How Tomorrow Moves. The record became a major commercial milestone, debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart.
Musical Style and Personal Life
Beabadoobee's sound is heavily indebted to 1990s indie rock, 1980s alternative, and shoegaze, with cited influences including Pavement, The Moldy Peaches, Mazzy Star, Elliott Smith, The Sundays, and Daniel Johnston. She even sports a tattoo of Johnston's artwork from his album Continued Story with Texas Instruments. Her sonic palette also draws from iconic bands like The Cure, My Bloody Valentine, and The Smashing Pumpkins, as well as cinematic soundtracks.
Outside of her music, Laus identifies as bisexual. She maintains a connection to her Filipino heritage, noting that while she does not speak Hiligaynon or Tagalog, she can understand both languages.
Discography
Fake It Flowers (2020)
Beatopia (2022)
This Is How Tomorrow Moves (2024)
