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The 11 best N-Dubz songs
Tulisa, Dappy and Fazer are bringing N-Dubz back for The Legacy Tour in 2027 so we're counting down their best tracks
It’s almost unfathomable to think two decades have passed since N-Dubz arrived on the music scene. Having emerged from the UK’s grassroots music scene, the Camden-born trio became one of the defining acts of the late 2000s.
Combining hip-hop, R&B, grime and pop with a distinctly London sound, group members Tulisa, Dappy and Fazer infiltrated the UK singles and album charts and picked up several MOBO Awards along the way.
Next year, they’ll head on The Legacy Tour, an eight-date UK arena run that will see them perform in the round for the first time.
Here, we highlight the 11 best N-Dubz songs, including several solo bangers.
11. ‘Killer’ (solo single by Fazer)
(2012, single)
Here’s hoping The Legacy Tour setlist delves into the group’s solo discographies, because there are some that just can’t be missed off. After a massive arena tour in 2011, the trio announced a three-year hiatus so they could each pursue their own careers. Who can forget Dappy’s soul-bearing ‘Good Intentions’, or Fazer’s underrated throwback ‘Killer’?
10. ‘You Better Not Waste My Time’
(2008, Uncle B)
The group broke into the mainstream with their debut single ‘Better Not Waste My Time’, which was originally a self-funded digital download in 2006. A year later, upon getting a physical release through Polydor Records, it became their first top 40 hit in the United Kingdom.
9. ‘Rockstar’ (solo single by Dappy feat. Brian May)
(2012, Bad Intentions)
In one of the most unexpected genre crossovers of the 2010s, Queen guitarist Brian May reached out to rapper Dappy after hearing his chart-topping debut solo single ‘No Regrets’. Upon sharing that he liked its lyrics, a collaboration was born. The anthemic ‘Rockstar’, which is driven by May’s electric guitar solo, peaked at number two and became a highlight of Dappy’s solo album ‘Bad Intentions’.
8. ‘Ouch’
(2008, Uncle B)
Over the years, N-Dubz have racked up many memorable catchphrases. Arguably chief among them is the iconic “Shaniqua and what?” line from their breakout single ‘Ouch’, which follows the fallout of a toxic cheating relationship. In fact, the viral success of the music video on YouTube helped to propel the trio out of underground. Very quickly, they became mainstream pop stars.
7. ‘I Swear’
(2008, Uncle B)
Independently released in 2006, ‘I Swear’ elevated N-Dubz from underground pirate radio favourites to mainstream stars. The trio’s unique fusion of rap, R&B and pop took them from cult satellite channel Channel U to winning the MOBO Award for Best Newcomer a year later.
6. ‘I Need You’
(2009, Against All Odds)
While the lyrics of EDM-tinged banger ‘I Need You’ – the second single from their second album, which reached No.6 on the UK Albums Chart – chronicle relationship drama from three viewpoints, the lavish music video is equally as memorable. Reportedly costing £50,000, the trio made high-end entrances to an airfield and London nightclub, with Dappy arriving in a personalized N-Dubz helicopter, Fazer on a Ducati motorcycle, and Tulisa in a silver Lamborghini.
5. ‘Young’ (solo single by Tulisa)
(2012, The Female Boss)
Back in the heyday of The X Factor, Tulisa became a household name when she joined the judging panel and mentored Little Mix, helping them become the first-ever group to win the competition. Around the same time, she launched a solo career, scoring a UK Number 1 hit with her first solo single ‘Young’. The EDM-charged belter – which suceded her ead vocals on N-Dubz track ‘Girls’ in 2010 – was followed by her debut album ‘The Female Boss’.
4. ‘No Regrets’
(2011, Greatest Hits)
Written after becoming a father for the second time, the debut solo single by N-Dubz frontman Dappy topped the UK Singles Chart upon its release. The reflective pop ballad also gave a taste of what was to come from his first album, Bad Intentions. The N-Dubz version – originally recorded as part of their planned debut album in the United States with Def Jam – later featured on the group’s Greatest Hits record.
3. ‘Papa Can You Hear Me?’
(2008, Uncle B)
Easily the most emotional N-Dubz song out there, this tear-jerker showed the trio’s softer side. Written by Dappy in tribute to his late father and manager, Byron ‘B’ Contostavlos – a former bassist for the 1970s band Mungo Jerry, who died from a heart attack just before N-Dubz secured their record deal with All Around the World – the group named their first album ‘Uncle B’ in his honour.
2. ‘Playing With Fire’
(2009, Against All Odds)
Prepare for the N-Dubz diehards to lose their minds and the energy to reach a whole new level when this one drops. Who can forget Tulisa’s iconic “uh-oh uh-oh” and Dappy’s signature “naa naa nii”? Featuring Mr Hudson (remember ‘Young Forever’?), this anthemic singalong deservedly earned the group their fourth MOBO Award for Best Song. During ‘The Legacy Tour’, the energy is sure to reach a whole new level when their most popular song on Spotify drops.
1. ‘Number 1’ (with Tinchy Stryder)
(2009, Catch 22)
It’s only right that N-Dubz’s collaboration with UK rapper Tinchy Stryder takes our top spot – not only has it since been certified double platinum but it also made UK chart history by becoming the first song with ‘Number 1’ in its title to actually top the UK Singles Chart. Fun fact: the song uses the same iconic sample (The Andrew Oldham Orchestra’s version of ‘The Last Time’) previously used by The Verve for ‘Bittersweet Symphony’.
