Influential 90s Brit music star who’s close pals with Ariana Grande looks unrecognisable 26 years after debut album

AN influential 90s Brit music star who is close pals with Ariana Grande looks unrecognisable 26 years after their debut album.

The musician’s work has been considered pioneering in pop and electropop music.

She’s been involved in pop music for nearly two decades, and she’s been an influence in the Top 40, even though her name sometimes isn’t the main credit.

It’s none other than Imogen Heap, who many will know from the Jason Derulo hit ‘Whatcha Say?.’

This sampled one of Imogen’s most recognisable and chart-topping songs, ‘Hide and Seek.’

Imogen, now 47, released her debut album, named Megaphone, on 16 June 1998.

Its lead single was named Getting Scared and Imogen was an unsigned artist at the time.

Now, 26 years on, the star is still working on her music after being sampled many times by huge names including Kelly Clarkson, A$AP Rocky and Mac Miller.

She’s also worked with household names such as MIKA, and helped with Taylor Swift’s 1989 album.

The music star, who began writing her own songs when she was just 13-years-old, can be found on social media posting to her 185,000 followers.

She rocks large glasses and a cropped hair look with a fringe – a different look to when Imogen first started out in her music career.

When she released her debut album, the star had shoulder length brown hair which she often wore up in a stylish but messy do.

She was known for her free-spirited style, from striped pants to tech gloves and Imogen is, and was, no stranger to experimenting with fashion.

A woman of many talents, Imogen has also soundtracked Zach Braff’s Garden State hit, as well as The OC’s second season finale.

Imogen was also found on the Shrek soundtrack – again highlighting that she’s a musical force to be reckoned with.

And the talented star, who has many songs and albums under her belt, is a known pal of Ariana Grande.

Ariana teased fans with a snippet from Imogen’s ‘Goodnight and Go’ track, which she then ended up remixing.

Ariana breathed new life into the much-adored 2005 song, by adding a trap spin on it.

Imogen has spoken about Ariana’s work with her song, and told Billboard: “I didn’t know [she was remixing the song] until quite late.

“I think she had been working on it for quite a while before — I think she might have forgotten that she had done it. Then she was reminded and asked me.”

Imogen went on: “She tweeted a little thing — this melody that comes in at the end — it was really beautiful. I was like that’s so nice — sounds better than I did. Then she kept tweeting about it and people were like, “Are you going to do a cover of ‘Goodnight and Go’ on Twitter?” Her brother Frankie Grande sent me a text with the song, and I heard it and thought it was really great. I loved it. I’m so happy — I’m smiling now.

“It feels like a gift: when somebody that famous picks up on a song that has had its day and gives it a second life, it’s a real gift.

“I think she’s done a lovely version of it. I love that saucy verse she’s put in there and twisted it up at the end.

"What’s not to like? Not to get too gross about money, but it’s a huge for me to have one track on a big album. One song on her album is like ten of my albums, so it’s pretty cool. It’s like a gift.”