What makes The Female Boss by Tulisa Contostavlos notable?

The Female Boss debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, becoming a commercial success and solidifying Tulisa's status as a prominent figure in British pop music. The album is notable for its themes of self-empowerment and resilience, resonating with a generation of listeners seeking relatable narratives. Released in late 2012, The Female Boss marked Tulisa Contostavlos's debut solo album following her success with N-Dubz. At this point in her career, she was transitioning from a girl group member to a solo artist, aiming to establish her individual identity within the music industry.

How many songs are on The Female Boss?

The Female Boss has 16 tracks, running approximately 58 minutes.

Released 14 years ago this November

The Female Boss

Tulisa Contostavlos · 2012

58 min · 16 tracks · contemporary R&B

Contemporary R&B beats intertwine with assertive lyrics, showcasing a blend of empowerment and personal narrative.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Young — This upbeat anthem captures youthful exuberance and freedom while establishing Tulisa's voice as an independent artist ready to take on the world.
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Live It Up — With its infectious chorus and danceable rhythm, this track embodies the celebratory spirit of the album and showcases Tulisa's vocal versatility.
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Damn — This track stands out for its bold confidence and catchy hooks, reflecting the album's overarching narrative of self-assurance and empowerment.
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Skeletons — A more introspective moment on the album, this song delves into personal struggles while maintaining a strong melodic presence that highlights Tulisa's emotional depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

43 /100

Lowland

Higher than 2% of albums we've rated

The album features assertive themes and consistent energy but lacks standout compositions or production that elevate it significantly.

What we noticed

The album opens with a brief intro that sets a confident tone, followed by a series of mid-tempo tracks that maintain a consistent energy.
Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and assertive lyrics that emphasize themes of empowerment and resilience.
The last three tracks slow down the tempo, creating a reflective atmosphere before concluding with an outro that ties back to the album's themes.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Steal My Breath Away

The bridge shifts from confident assertions to vulnerability, revealing deeper emotions beneath the surface bravado.

This contrast creates a dynamic tension that enriches the song's narrative, illustrating the complexity of love and attraction.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Intro 1:18
2 Young 4:12
3 Live It Up 3:52
4 Damn 3:02
5 British Swag 3:41
6 Live Your Life 3:57
7 Visa 3:31
8 Foreigner 4:50
9 Skeletons 4:50
10 I'm Ready 3:47
11 Steal My Breath Away 4:17
12 Kill Me Tonight 3:47
13 Counterfeit 4:07
14 Habit 3:49
15 Sight of You 4:39
16 Outro 0:39

What to play next

Listen next

Living Without You

2015

Go back to

Sight of You

2012

Full Tulisa Contostavlos discography Artists like Tulisa Contostavlos

contemporary R&B

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata