How Melanie C Learned to Embrace Sporty Spice

Melanie C says the enthusiastic response to her recent North American tour showed that a strong community of fans still follows her solo work and Spice Girls history. Her ninth album, *Sweat*, draws on her early love of rave and dance music while reflecting her growing comfort with the Sporty Spice identity.

She rediscovered dance music after beginning DJ work in 2018, and says learning a new skill later in life renewed her passion. The album also draws on a period of relationship change: songs channel anger from the end of a long-term relationship, alongside the early happiness of meeting her now-husband, Chris Dingwall. “Drum Machine” is about falling in love, while the title track samples Diana Ross’ “Work That Body”.