Beatrice Kristi Ilejay Laus, known professionally as Beabadoobee, emerged from a teenage experiment with a second-hand guitar to become a notable figure in modern alternative music. Born in Iloilo City in 2000, she relocated to West London at age three, eventually finding international recognition after her initial acoustic compositions gained viral traction on digital platforms.
Early Development and Influences
Growing up in West London, Laus was exposed to 1990s pop and rock alongside Original Pilipino Music. She attended Sacred Heart High School before finishing her education at Hammersmith Academy. After seven years of violin training, she acquired her first guitar at seventeen, teaching herself through online tutorials. Inspired by the Juno soundtrack and Kimya Dawson, she began composing original material, including her first track, Coffee.
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The moniker Beabadoobee originated from a finsta account handle, later adopted for her musical releases upon the suggestion of producer Oscar Lang. Her debut single, Coffee, circulated in 2017, leading to a contract with Dirty Hit Records in April 2018. Over the subsequent two years, she released multiple EPs, including Lice, Patched Up, and Loveworm, while securing slots on the NME 100 list and touring alongside Clairo.
Commercial Breakthrough and Studio Albums
The 2019 remix of her debut song, retitled Death Bed (Coffee for Your Head) by Powfu, became a global chart success. This viral momentum supported the release of her 2020 debut, Fake It Flowers, which reached number eight on the UK Albums Chart. Subsequent projects included the 2022 album Beatopia and the 2024 release This Is How Tomorrow Moves, the latter becoming her first project to peak at number one in the United Kingdom.
Live Performances and Accolades
Beabadoobee has maintained a rigorous touring schedule, serving as a supporting act for major international artists, including The 1975, Olivia Rodrigo, and Taylor Swift. Her industry recognition includes a 2020 Brit Awards nomination for the Rising Star Award and a Radar Award win at the 2020 NME Awards. In 2020, Billboard identified her as the Top New Rock Artist.
Fast facts
- Born: 3 June 2000, Iloilo City, Philippines
- Professional name: Beabadoobee
- Record label: Dirty Hit
- Primary instruments: Guitar, violin
- Debut EP: Lice (2018)
- First number one UK album: This Is How Tomorrow Moves (2024)
- Notable touring: The Eras Tour (Taylor Swift)
Questions readers ask
How did the name Beabadoobee originate?
It was initially created for a secondary Instagram account because the artist's real name was unavailable.
What was the significance of the song Coffee?
It was the first song the artist wrote on guitar and later provided the sample for the viral hit Death Bed (Coffee for Your Head).
