Jacqui Abbott

With a warm vocal tone that navigates infectious melodies with a combination of earnest affection and wry wit in harmony with her most famous counterpart, Paul Heaton, Jacqui Abbott was first known as co-lead singer of the Beautiful South. A member of the group from 1994 to 2000, she contributed to the U.K. Top Five hits "Rotterdam (Or Anywhere)" and "Perfect 10" before eventually reuniting with Heaton for 2014's What Have We Become?, a collaboration released under their own names. The album reached the Top Three of the album chart in the U.K., leading to further duo albums, including 2020's Manchester Calling, which went all the way to number one. Working with the same crew, they were back with N.K. Pop in 2022.