Get your dancing shoes on, Stockton – pop-rap queen Betty Boo is heading to KU on Friday 13th June.
The iconic star, who burst onto the scene in the late ’80s and early ’90s with her infectious beats and playful style, is celebrating 35 years in music with her new tour: Betty Boo: Boomania 35.
Betty Boo, real name Alison Clarkson, helped reshape pop music with her bold blend of rap, melody, and contemporary production. She first appeared on the charts featuring on The Beatmasters’ hit ‘Hey DJ/I Can’t Dance (To That Music You’re Playing)’, which reached number seven in the UK. But it was her solo debut album ‘Boomania’ (released on Rhythm King) in 1990 that truly made her a household name and a BRIT Award winner. With bangers like ‘Doin’ the Do’ and ‘Where Are You Baby?’, Betty Boo became known for her sassy lyrics, catchy hooks, and DIY production style – making her a trailblazer well ahead of her time.
In 1992, after a label change, she released her second album ‘Grrr! It’s Betty Boo’. While it didn’t match her debut’s chart success, it produced standout singles like ‘Let Me Take You There’, ‘I’m On My Way’, and ‘Hangover’.
Following her rapid rise, Betty stepped back from the spotlight but never stopped creating. In 2006, she teamed up with Blur’s Alex James to form pop duo WigWam, releasing the self-titled single ‘WigWam’. In 2007, she dropped several solo tracks, including the dance-friendly ‘Take Off’, which received airplay on BBC Radio 1.
Behind the scenes, she built a prolific songwriting career, penning ‘Pure and Simple’ for Hear’Say (earning her an Ivor Novello Award), as well as hits for Louise, Girls Aloud, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Though she kept a low public profile, her influence on female artists and pop-rap hybrids has quietly echoed through the decades.
More recently, Betty Boo has returned with albums ‘Boomerang’ and ‘Rip Up the Rule Book’, blending nostalgic charm with fresh sounds. Her upcoming tour promises a night of high-energy pop, classic throwbacks, and proof that Betty Boo remains a vibrant, innovative force in music.
Whether you grew up dancing to her on cassette or you’re discovering her music for the first time – this is one show not to miss.
Tickets, priced at £26.00 in advance, are available at kustockton.co.uk.
