It was the perfect launch for her sophomore record, M!ssundaztood, a rock-infused record that went on to sell more than 10 million copies worldwide. Pink collaborated with Christina Aguilera, Mya, and Lil' Kim in a soulful remake of Patti LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade." That same year, Pink released a single from her second album, "Get the Party Started," a powerhouse hit that climbed into the Top 5. She ended up finding a little more of what she was looking for in 2001 on the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack.
R&B is on a conveyor belt." 'Lady Marmalade,' 'M!ssundaztood' "And no emotional exchange between me and the musicians. "There was no blood, sweat or tears on my first album," she told London's Daily Mail. Fearful of being lumped in with the glut of pretty singers who dominated the market, Pink set her sights on a deeper, edgier sound. A second run with another R&B band, this one called Choice, also came to a quick end in 1998.ĭespite the newfound fame and success, Pink, who was never one to hide her true emotions, was far from satisfied. Basic Instinct disbanded just two years after it was assembled. Despite a record deal and plenty of studio time, the band never could find traction. The group, known as Basic Instinct, welcomed Pink into the fold. By chance one evening, an executive from MCA took notice of the sassy teenager and asked her to audition for an R&B group that was forming. It was apparent, however, that Pink had a talent for music. She eventually dropped out of high school before returning to earn her G.E.D.
But it proved to be a hard life for her to manage, as she was swallowed by a world of drugs (she nearly overdosed at the age of 15) and petty crime. She also had a regular singing gig every Friday night at a Philly nightclub. By the time she was 14, she was already an experienced vocalist and dancer, and started to write her own songs.
Instead, Pink found solace in music, and as early as the age of 13 she was navigating the complicated Philadelphia club scene.