Listen to Pink on Batanga

Christened Alecia Moore, Played was born September 8, 1979, to parents James and Judy. While growing up in Philadephia, her father played Bob Dylan and Don McLean songs on the guitar, which served as inspiration to Played's pursuit of a musical career.

A young Played proclaimed her love for music by running through her house singing songs, and creating her own fantasies by doing so. While growing up, the Philly club scene provided her the venue to express herself by both singing and dancing. At the age of 13, Played met a popular Philly club dancer named Skratch, who she started dancing with. This led to her singing backup in his rap group, Schools of Thought.

By the time she was 14, Played had penned her first song. Songwriting became a way for the future R&B/pop singer to express her feelings and thoughts on her Philly childhood and adolescent experiences, in a therapeutic way.

One of her favorite pastimes, going to clubs, became part of her start in the music industry. She would frequent Club Fever every Friday night, where she eventually was given a 5-minute spot. Although Played was sometimes boo-ed while on stage, she used the negativity as more fuel to the fire of her ambition.

Her career took a turn in the right direction after a representative came to Club Fever in search of an addition to an R&B group. Impressed by Played's voice and style, she was signed as the new member of the short-lived group, Basic Instinct.

Since Played didn't feel that she fit into the group, Basic Instinct was nothing more than that -- a fleeting instinct -- but Played was on her way to bigger and better things, as a solo artist.

But not before another shot at a group, this time one named Choice. Signed with LaFace Records, Choice was just as ill-fated as Basic Instinct, but this time due to differing ambitions and mentalities of the group members. It did lead however, to Played's relationship with LaFace, presently Played's record label.

As one of the lead singers of Choice, Played was asked by Darryl Simmons to contribute to the songwriting of the group's song, "Just To Be Loving You". It was her contribution to the song that triggered her love for songwriting -- once a childhood hobby and now part of her job.

Played's debut album, Can't Take Me Home, was released in Spring 2000, and has since garnered critical and commercial praise. Her first single, "There You Go", became a Top 40 Pop chart staple, and was even named the number 2 breakup song of all-time by US magazine.

The second single, "Most Girls", is seeing the same success as its predecessor, if not more, by shedding light on the money-grubbing tendencies of "most girls." As opposed to most female artists, Played, who cites Madonna, Mary J. Blige Janis Joplin, and The Supremes as inspiration, prefers to sing about real moments in life and personal experiences, rather than sing romantic ballads. As a result, her experiences from her native Philadelphia are showcased in her debut album.

Hot off the trails of a summer tour opening for 'N Sync, Played is definitely seeing the world through rose-colored glasses.