In the last 12 months a number of new British girl groups have come to fruition and gone through the great effort of forming, getting signed to a record label, to only split or get dropped a few months later. This week, Courtney Buck looks at some of the recent groups that have come and gone and ask why they just don’t seem to be working…

An email landed in my inbox earlier this week, telling me about another girl group that was about to come out. Born via the brain of Mathew Knowles (manager of Destiny’s Child and Beyonce’s father). ‘From Above’ are an all-new girl group from the UK via the USA. Their story is quite interesting though, they were formed through a MTV reality show called ‘Breaking From Above’ in which five Brits and two American girls fight for a place in the group. Think ‘Making The Band’. While some of their material is... pretty okay, if not a little generic, the group itself looks a mess, unfortunately. I know it’s not all about the look, but image plays a big part in pop music today. Strangely, as I looked at them while watching their video, the first question that came to mind was “How long will it be before they break up?” Even Popjustice (website for all things bitchy and pop) has a poll on their website asking visitors who they think will split first in 2012 (At the time of writing, Sugababes are “winning” with 57% of the vote)!

Just last weekend, another girl group announced their disbandment. Duchess (who I’d seen perform a number of times and been lucky enough to meet) were one of my tips for the New Year. They were fresh, funky and just good kind-hearted girls who had already toured with Wretch 32 and N-Dubz. Their song ‘All the Boys’ featured Scorcher and all seemed to be well in the group. Late last year RD (Ruff Diamonds) split up and were let go from their label. For them, I think it seemed like the writing was on the walls for some time. Sure they had dedicated fans, but it seemed like no one wanted to buy into the group. Again, three lovely ladies, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t working.

I took to the Urban Development Twitter to ask the world why they thought girl groups just aren’t working. @SweatyEskimo from Birmingham suggested that “only young girls buy music based on image” and that young men don’t. But taking the devil’s advocate role for a moment, don’t girl groups cater to men, with their outfits, seductive dance moves and lyrics? One person on our Facebook page suggested that girl groups don’t last because of the bitching and fighting in the group, which raises another question: Do girls like other girls? We always hear about the group fights between other girls. Just look at the Sugababes or All Saints – both victims of in-group allies and fights. @SayNoMore33 said they don’t last because there’s “always one who puts her needs before the group”. Interesting...

Taking the topic back to ‘From Above’ I for one will be interested to see how long this group last. After being under the constant glare of cameras, and being put together for all of five minutes, history has taught us that MTV-created bands just don’t work (Danity Kane, Da Band). Even groups that have been together longer don’t seem to want to stick together. ‘RTI’, who once supported Trey Songz and Ne-Yo on their UK dates and even made it to the Boot Camp stage of the X Factor, were very popular on the live urban music scene and had been together for over ten years until they split in 2011.

But as we continue on into 2012, there seems to be a resurgence of old groups making a comeback. This week, rumours are rife that the Spice Girls will reunite once again this year to perform for the Queen during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations and at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London and Emeli Sande confirmed she has written songs for the original line up of the Sugababes (Don’t get me started on them!) In terms of new talent, we have the recently born Little Mix and of course Warner Music’s own Stooshe, who are predicted to do big things this year. But how long will they last? Place your bets, people...

Words: Courtney Buck

http://www.twitter.com/BuckTheWorld_