The Sugababes were created when Keisha Buchanan and Mutya Buena, who had been friends since they were eight, met Siobhán Donaghy at a party in 1998 when they were both thirteen; they were introduced by manager Ron Tom. Buena and Donaghy had been working separately with Tom, and while they were recording tracks for the album that would become the Sugababes' debut album, 'One Touch', it was suggested that the duo might work better as a trio. Buchanan had been invited by Buena to come along to watch, and was asked to join if she could sing.

Their name originates from Buchanan and Buena's school nickname, 'Sugar baby', although the trio was officially known as 'The Sugababies' during the recording of the album. When the group members were aged fourteen, London Records offered them a record contract, and they tweaked their name to the more mature 'Sugababes'. 'One Touch' produced three more top 40 hits in the UK-"New Year", "Run for Cover" and "Soul Sound". During a Japanese promotional tour in 2001, Siobhán Donaghy left the group. She stated initially that she wanted to pursue a fashion career, Heidi Range was later announced as Donaghy's replacement. The album peaked at number twenty six on the UK Album Chart and at number seven in Germany. It was certified gold by the BPI and had sold 220,000 copies in the UK by 2008 according to 'Music Week'. The sales of 'One Touch' did not meet London Records' expectations, and they dropped the group in 2001.

Having already started work on a second album with new member Range, the trio looked for a new record label, eventually signing to Island Records. Their first single on the new label, "Freak like Me"-a mash-up of "Are Friends Electric?" by Tubeway Army and Adina Howard's" Freak like Me "-was produced by Richard X and scored the group their first UK number-one. Follow-up single" Round Round ", produced by Kent-based production group Xenomania, also debuted on top of the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number two in Ireland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. Both singles were certified silver by the BPI. In the UK, the third single from the album, a ballad entitled" Stronger ", gained the girls their third consecutive top ten hit in their native country. The track was released as a double-A side with" Angels with Dirty Faces "in the UK, the latter song chosen as the theme tune to 'The Powerpuff Girls Movie' (2002). A fourth single, the Sting-sampling" Shape ", made the top ten in the Netherlands and Ireland in early 2003. The single featured a mix of" Freak like Me "based on the performance at the 2003 BRIT Awards, having won the award for Best British Dance Act. Their success led to the recording of a new track, entitled" Party in the Club ", for the theme tune to ITV's teenage drama show 'Girls in Love', based on the book of the same name by Jacqueline Wilson.

The group's third album, 'Three', was released in late 2003 and reached number three on the UK Album Chart, earning the group a BRIT Award nomination for Best Album. Certified double platinum, it has sold 855,000 copies. The money raised by this charity single went towards famine relief in the Darfur region of Sudan. After a break from the music industry, during the recording of their fourth album, band member Mutya Buena announced she and her boyfriend, Jay, were expecting a child. Their daughter, named Tahlia Maya, was born in March 2005. The group later gave their first performance for over a year at the Edinburgh Live 8 concert.

After a hiatus, the Sugababes released the Dallas Austin-produced "Push the Button" in October 2005. It debuted at number one in the UK, giving the group their fourth number-one single and first Irish number-one single. Certified silver in the UK, In addition to Austin, 'Taller in More Ways' saw the trio continue work with Guy Sigsworth and Xenomania, as well as Cameron Mc Vey, with whom they had not worked since 'One Touch'.

Following an apparent illness that prevented Buena from promoting the follow-up single "Ugly", it was announced on 21 December 2005 that Buena had left Sugababes. According to an announcement on their site, "Mutya's decision was based purely on personal reasons and she will continue to remain the best of friends with both Keisha and Heidi." The last remaining original member, Buchanan, said upon Buena's departure,"...we will all miss Mutya, but we also knew there was still a place for bringing in somebody new who could help us carry on taking the Sugababes brand of music forward ". Before joining the Sugababes, Berrabah had featured in the band 'Boo2' with her sister, Samiya. The third single from 'Taller in More Ways' was a re-recorded version of" Red Dress ", which was released in early 2006, and gave the Sugababes a third consecutive top five hit from the album, entering the UK singles chart at number four. Berrabah re-recorded three tracks and co-wrote a brand new track with Buchanan and Range, and these tracks appeared on a re-release of 'Taller in More Ways' that reached number 18 in the UK chart.

'Taller in More Ways' was certified double platinum in the UK, selling 886,000 copies. The final single from 'Taller in More Ways' was "Follow Me Home", released only in the UK in June, where it charted at number 32.

Sugababes returned to the recording studio to start work on their fifth album, in mid-2006, recording two tracks for their contractual greatest hits collection, entitled 'Overloaded: The Singles Collection'. The lead single from the compilation, "Easy", was co-written by George Astario and Jason Pebworth from Californian band Orson, who share management with Sugababes. "Easy" was released before the hits compilation album, and peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart. The singles compilation was released in November 2006, peaking at number three on the albums chart in the UK. The album, certified platinum by the BPI, has sold 598,000 copies.

In October 2007, 'Change' became the group's second UK number-one album, debuting in that position and giving the group the top positions on the singles, album and download charts simultaneously. The next single, "Change", was released in December 2007 and peaked at number thirteen in the UK. The third and final single from 'Change' was "Denial", which reached number fifteen. The album sold 494,000 copies in the UK, and was certified platinum. and Orson's lead singer Jason Pebworth, who worked with the group in the studio, described the album as having a "funkier" sound than their previous efforts. It was reported that producer Timbaland approached Sugababes to work on their sixth album, but because of time schedules a collaboration did not occur. British artist Taio Cruz, who worked with the group on the album, released a remix of his single "She's Like a Star" featuring additional vocals from Sugababes and Busta Rhymes shortly before the first single from the group's sixth album was released.

The lead single from 'Catfights and Spotlights' was "Girls", and was released in October 2008. Although the single peaked at number three in the UK, it was the first lead single since that from their debut album not to reach number 1. The album reached number eight in the UK Albums Chart, was named the sixth-best pop album of 2008 by the website Popjustice. The album was also voted as the 3rd must have pop album by Amazon UK "No Can Do", the second and final single, was released in December and peaked at number 23 in the UK. In January 2009, the Publishing Right Society named Sugababes the fourth hardest-working band of 2008 due to the number of arena concerts performed during 2008. After the release of "No Can Do", the group announced that there would be no 2009 tour in support of 'Catfights and Spotlights' so that they may focus on writing and recording material for their seventh studio album.

In March 2009, the track "Nothing's as Good as You" from 'Catfights and Spotlights' was featured in an advert on the Disney Channel promoting Disney Channel Original Movies such as 'High School Musical', 'The Cheetah Girls' and 'Camp Rock'. Around this time, rumors arose that Sugababes had in fact decided to split up after nine years together. However, the group quickly released a statement on their official website to say that the reports about splitting were not true, and that they were currently in the process of working on the next album.

Although there was no tour to promote 'Catfights and Spotlights', the group did play a number of open-air summer gigs where they performed many of their past hits, plus songs from their most recent album. On 27 June, they performed at the Cannock Chase Forest and at Thetford Forest on 11 July in order to highlight the importance of Global warming. The Forestry commission that promoted the gigs stated, "That with multi-million sales and sold out tours, Sugababes has become synonymous with imaginative, cutting edge and effervescent pop music". On 10 July, the group play at the recently re-built Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside Stadium. As well as doing other low-key gigs, they performed as one of the headlining acts for Roehampton University's Summer Ball along with The Zutons and special guest Jake Allen. On 18 July, the group were the headline act at Pontypridd's Big Weekend for the Saturday lineup. Due on stage at 8pm, they were a little late on, but whipped the crowd up with a range of songs from right across their repertoire. On 8 August, they are due to perform at the Ashfield show in Sutton in Ashfield nottingham, this is a free show on Saturday and Sunday however due to their performing on Saturday you need a ticket. All tickets sold out in 1 day. "Catfights and Spotlights" is the Sugababes lowest selling album in the UK receiving only Silver certification.

On 6 April 2009, Digital Spy reported that the Sugababes were preparing to fly out to the US to start work on 'Sweet 7', their seventh studio album. The trio said that final arrangements were being made for recording the follow-up to 'Catfights and Spotlights'. On 27 April, it was revealed that the Sugababes have signed a contract with Jay-Z's label Roc Nation They will also be working with the production team Star Gate who have produced music for Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Beyoncé and Mariah Carey. Buchanan stated on Twitter that the new single will be played on Radio 1 in the second week of July 2009 for the first time. The first single from their forthcoming seventh album, "Get Sexy", premiered on BBC Radio 1 on 7 July at 16:51. It was released digitally on 30 August, and physically the following day. The video for "Get Sexy" was screened for the first time on 1 August on 4Music. Popjustice released the video two days early, giving fans the chance to watch the video on 30 July at 5pm.

The album was set to be released in the UK on 23 November, but was posponed until February 2010 after it was confirmed that Berrabah was going to Austria for medical treatment.

On 25 July 2009, Buchanan announced the band would release two singles before releasing the album in November. She also said that apparently the second single is going to be titled "About a Girl", and called it a "A die-hard old school Sugababes song". Buchanan also stated that she "hopes that the Ne-Yo track is going to be a new single. It has the vibe of Beyoncé's 'Irreplaceable' and the attitude". Buchanan confirmed in Amsterdam that "About a Girl" would be the second single.

In a Digital Spy interview on 14 August, the group revealed that the album has been named and is currently in production, although they didn't reveal the album name. According to Amazon.co.uk the album will be released on 23 November 2009. According to HMV the album is entitled 'Sweet 7'. The album title was also confirmed by Range. On 6 September 2009, 'Get Sexy' debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart, having had heavy competition from Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West's 'Run This Town'.

On 18 September, two updates were posted to the girls' website, confirming details about the new video shoot, and pictures with Look., yet on this date rumours circulated that Berrabah had quit Sugababes, due to rising tensions with Buchanan and due to be replaced by former 'Eurovision' entrant Jade Ewen. MTV reported that Buchanan was allegedly jealous of Berrabah's involvement with Tinchy Stryder, as she appeared on his single "Never Leave You" which reached number 1.

Three days later, the official Sugababes website and Digital Spy revealed that Buchanan had left the group, resulting in Sugababes retaining none of its original members. Buchanan, who will remain as a solo artist with 'Island Records', was replaced by Jade Ewen. Buchanan used her official 'Twitter' to clarify that it was not her decision to leave the band, resulting in some journalists described her as having been "sacked".

Since then it was alleged that Range was behind a secret plot to force Buchanan out of the group because she was fed up with the constant fights between Buchanan and Berrabah. Former member Mutya Buena, declared that the group, without any of its original members, no longer has the right to bear its name as "Sugababes have ended". She eulogised the group by stating "it all started so innocently ... a love for music and a dream ... look what it's become", and slammed Range for not supporting Buchanan. Buena also argued that, in the new line-up, Ewen would dominate so that "it will kind of seem like Jade is the frontline, with two backing singers". She also expressed interest in reforming the original line-up with Buchanan and Donaghy as well.

Many fans reacted badly to the split, and the majority of critics have also reacted negatively to the news. British broadsheet 'The Guardian' ran an article named "Why the Sugababes' show can't go on without Keisha". It argued that the group had suffered "one lineup change too many, and moves the band from a clever shape-shifting pop force into a total laughing stock". Whilst praising the Sugababes music history as being soulful and highly original, the article argued that its need to be a "brand" resulted in a "rather miserable, undignified end to a band who fell together at school... and achieved what they did with a rare class".

'Pop Justice' stated bluntly: "Sugababes as a band is now dead. Pick a new name or spend the rest of your time in this band as a total laughing stock". In a separate article, the website alluded to the group's current form as "Heidi, Amelle & Jade" before discussing "the Sugababes (Mutya, Siobhan & Keisha)" separately. Later, 'Pop Justice' issued a clarification, stating: we still believe Heidi, Amelle and Jade should go out under a new band name, Entertainment news service 'Digital Spy' began referring to the band as" Sugababes "with quotation marks. 'Pop Justice' created a eulogy webpage entitled" Sugababes Forever 1998-2009 ", whilst 'Digital Spy' ran an article called" Keisha Buchanan, we salute you "in which they thanked her for her contribution to" incredible pop songs ".

Johnny Dee, also of The Guardian, agreed that "entirely consisting of substitutes, one would imagine that the Sugababes could no longer seriously exist". He also suggested the "ever-changing lineups... reveals them for what they are... a business, a brand". Pop Justice stated bluntly: "Sugababes as a band is now dead. Pick a new name or spend the rest of your time in this band as a total laughing stock". In a separate article, the website alluded to the group's current form as "Heidi, Amelle & Jade" before discussing "the Sugababes (Mutya, Siobhan & Keisha)" separately. Later, Pop Justice issued a clarification, stating: we still believe Heidi, Amelle and Jade should go out under a new band name, Entertainment news service Digital Spy began referring to the band as "Sugababes" with quotation marks. Pop Justice created a eulogy webpage entitled "Sugababes Forever 1998-2009", whilst Digital Spy ran an article called "Keisha Buchanan, we salute you" in which they thanked her for her contribution to "incredible pop songs".

Pop Justice, in reviewing photographs of the new line-up wearing sexy outfits, commented on the possible reaction of Sugababes' management team: " It's hard to look at those photographs and not wonder what the people who were instrumental in Sugababes' early days think of the pictures... All those people who did such a brilliant job of making sure the Sugababes had a little bit more class than the others. Is this what they had in mind?"

On 16 October, another statement was published to the band's website, stating that for the next few weeks, Berrabah would be staying at a private health clinic in Austria. On 31 October, Digital Spy revealed the release of 'Sweet 7' had been postponed until 22 February 2010 along with a third single "Wear My Kiss", being released a few weeks before. Range confirmed that the reason for the delay was because they didn't want to rush it and no promotion had been done. Berrabah came back the following week after her absence in Austria, the following day all three appeared on 'The Xtra Factor'.

Following Amelle's return, the new line-up began to make their first major promotional appearances. Their first performance took place on morning show GMTV, where they sang "About a Girl", followed by a performance at BBC1's Live Lounge where they sang "About a Girl" once again, along with "Rabbit Heart", a cover of Florence + the Machine. "About A Girl" went on to reach #8 in the UK, an impressive peak considering that the song had received almost no promotion due to Amelle's absence. It was announced that a cover of "Santa Baby" would be released digitally in the UK on 21 December. The song was released for promotional purposes only and was not accompanied by a music video, nor did it impact the official UK singles chart.

It was then confirmed that the 3rd single from Sweet 7, would be "Wear My Kiss", it will be released on 22 February 2010. A preview for the music video was released in January on Channel 4.

on 11th February Sugababes performed an Acoustic version of About a Girl and new track from the new album Crash N' Burn @ 1 Radio.Sugababes recorded a one-off documentary for ITV2 entitled 'Sugababes: Uncovered', which ran on 19 December 2006. The documentary was filmed during the 'Overloaded: The Singles Collection' era, and focused on the group's promotional activities, including behind the scenes footage of the girls preparing for a show and interviews with the girls themselves.

The Sugababes hit the headlines when they stated that they would not write an autobiography unlike other girl bands such as Girls Aloud. The girls claimed that it would be impossible to write as the group has experienced so many line up changes in the past and therefore it would be too hard to incorporate former members Siobhan Donaghy and Mutya Buena. Keisha Buchanan told the press " With the history of us, a book wouldn't necessarily be the best thing." However the Babes have since told reporters that they hope to branch out into other areas such as a make up range. In 2007, journalist Emily Sheridan wrote a 294 page book about the babes.

Sugababes have launched their own shoe collection in association with the German shoe retailer "Deichmann" available from February 2008 in 16 countries including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Poland, and the UK. The singers chose the range of items in the Star collection themselves, with Amelle stating "We do not copy anyone "and "We hope that the styles, which we also like to wear in private, will also meet with the taste of our fans". The style is said to be" chic and trendy but also affordable ", with prices ranging from £9.99 to £19.99. An advert was filmed in London and takes place on the Thames where the Sugababes attend a boat party and have a great time. The advert was first shown in Germany on 3 March 2008, and is also available.

In Britain, the members of the group do not get much media coverage as individuals, but the group's perceived "moodiness", alleged backstage catfights, and press junket tantrums - most notably the alleged bullying of Siobhán Donaghy who quit the group in 2001. Further rumours suggested that the two remaining members Keisha Buchanan and Mutya Buena had bullied replacement Heidi Range, although Range herself has repeatedly denied such allegations; Buena later admitted that she "just didn't talk to her" when she first joined. The girls have also hit headlines, following their tour with Take That, attacking the lead singer Gary Barlow for his rudeness.

In March 2008 rumours once again surfaced about a fall-out between the three girls. The Sun claimed that at the after-show party, following a performance at the Royal Albert Hall on 20 March 2008, the girls " didn't speak a single word (to each other)."

The Sun added that Range shunned the VIP lounge at the London nightclub 20, staying at the main bar and being absent from Keisha and Berrabah, after a bust-up with Buchanan.

In September 2009 rumours of bullying within the group once again resurfaced, with Berrabah "mysteriously" going missing for several days causing the remaining members, Range and Buchanan, to perform as a duo in Movida.

On 22 February 2009, the Sugababes received media attention for performing at Jade Goody and Jack Tweed's wedding reception performing their biggest hits, such as "About You Now" and "Freak Like Me". It was shown on Goody's Living show 'Jade's Wedding'. Goody died exactly one month later on 22 March 2009.

In August 2009 they were interviewed about the wedding on 4Music, and the group stated that it was an honour to perform at her wedding. Goody had asked that the band to perform as part of her wish list.

All members, former and current, with the exception of Heidi Range, have completed solo work.

The first member to go solo, Siobhan Donaghy, has so far released five singles and two studio albums: 'Revolution in Me' in 2003 and the critically acclaimed 'Ghosts' in 2007. Neither album was met with significant commercial success. Her best-selling single to date is entitled "Overrated", which charted at number 19 in the UK and is thus Donaghy's only UK Top 40 success. Other singles and both albums have all failed to gain much, if any, chart success. Mutya Buena was the next member to go solo in 2005 when she had the chance to duet with George Michael on the track "This Is Not Real Love", a UK Top 20 success. She toured with him to perform this song. Her debut album 'Real Girl' was partially successful, reaching the UK Top 10, spawning two UK Top 10 singles -"Real Girl" and "Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control)" and being certified Gold by the BPI. She worked with many top producers and artists including Groove Armada and Amy Winehouse. Buena eventually parted with her record company but there is speculation that she plans to release a second album sometime in 2010, although this had not been confirmed. Keisha Buchanan has gone solo in 2009 after parting ways with the group. She is currently writing new material for her first solo studio album. She collaborated in 2007 Big-Z's" Can't Bring me Down ". In 2008, she featured on Don-E's Natural album on the song" Writing's on the Wall ". She's also collaborated with London rapper Crazy Titch on the undergound hit" Gully "in 2004, as well as featuring on So Solid Crew member Asher D's album on the track" Give It Up ". She collaborated with Jay Sean in 2009 on its UK version of his 3rd studio album 'All or Nothing' on the track" Far Away "which they both co-written. Amelle Berrabah teamed up with Tinchy Stryder for the track" Never Leave You ", the third single from his second album, 'Catch 22' in August 2009. The single immediately shot to the top UK charts, making Berrabah the only member of the Sugababes, past and present, to achieve a number one single outside of the group. Jade Ewen was making her debut studio album, when she joined Sugababes. She released 3 singles:" Got You ", UK Eurovision song" It's My Time "and" My Man ". Her debut studio album has not been released.