This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click here. Marcel and Rebecca are set to share the details of the pregnancy and the birth in new MTV show Celebrity Bumps: Famous and Pregnant. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Blazin' Squad had six top 10 singles and a number one single, Kenzie has undergone a huge transformation, Marcel went on to star in 2017's edition of Love Island, Flava and Strider joined forces to write songs for artists such as Sam Smith and Leona Lewis, Freek has a tattoo of the date the band got their number one single Crossroads, Melo-d became a window fitter after the group split, Blazin Squad then & now Sam Foulkes (Spike E), Blazin Squad then & now Tom Beasley (DJ Tommy B), Despite their success, the group disbanded in 2006, Where Blazin Squad stars are now unrecognisable transformation to surprising career change & tattoo disaster, Olivia Attwood praises best pal Georgia Harrison as 'brave and dignified' after Stephen Bear jailed for sharing sex tape, Peter Andre reveals strict rule for daughter Princess's career after she teams up with fashion brand, Where cast of Flipper are now - from hilarious run-in with the Queen to Breaking Bad fame & star with 14 kids by 4 mums, Stephen Bears fiance Jessica Smith vows to stick with him 'through thick and thin' after shamed reality star is jailed, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Kenzie now shares his luxury lifestyle, wearing designer clothes, and jet setting to Dubai, whilst supporting a rock hard pair of abs. Having lived it large in the early 2000s with the boys, Tommy now prefers the quiet life and has pretty much dropped off the radar. The huge success of the gelled-haired, shaved-eyebrowed teen heartthrobs spawned RnB inspired album The Beginning and a further six top ten singles. A live recording of a concert in Liverpool was released on DVD for Christmas 2003 but failed to achieve any commercial success. After enjoying a close friendship with Flava (aka James Murray) in the band, they teamed up to form a song writing duo called Mojam after the group disbanded. Ollie, who is reportedly Marcels best friend, is married and is also a dad. Actually known as Stuart Baker, the spiked hair has now been replaced with soft, brunette locks. He's also married, referring to himself as a newlywed on Instagram, where he shares pictures of their holidays to far flung and exotic locations. Hes got a really grown up job working at the BBC as a media manager. Did they meet at the Crossroads after their breakup? In February 2006, they released a second single, "One More Night Alone", which reached #13 on the UK Singles Chart. Weighty Plates Records 2002, cat no: PLATE 01T, Weighty Plates Records 2002, cat no: PLATE 02T, Weighty Plates Records 2002, cat no: PLATE 03T, Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 22:17, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Hip hop group Blazin' Squad to count down New Year chimes at Preston's Bongo's Bingo", "Standard flow | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company", "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company", "The Games silver medallist and pop star reveals how the reality show turned his life around", "Die ganze Musik im Internet: German Charts Albums", "Die ganze Musik im Internet Charts German Singles", "irishcharts.com Discography Blazin' Squad", "Blazin' Squad | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company", 2009 Interview & Feature on Music.Virgin.Com, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blazin%27_Squad&oldid=1141605543, Chris McKeckney AKA "Melo-D" (20022004, 2006), Stuart Baker AKA "Reepa" (20022004, 2006), Sam Foulkes AKA "Spike-E" (20022004, 2006), James Murray AKA "Flava" (20022004, 20052006, 2009), Mustafa Omer AKA "Strider" (20022004, 20052006, 2009), This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 22:17. 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He has also become a music mogul writing tracks for the likes of Leona Lewis, Emeli Sande and Professor Green. Ten teenagers from Chingford who enjoyed a brief, but indeed blazing, time in the limelight in the early Noughties. The remaining few (Rocky-B, Reepa, Spike-E, Melo-D and MC Vyper, who had changed his alias from Danny-B), announced they would be reforming as Blazin' Squad in the summer of 2006. The problem with TikToks Bold Glamour filter, Who has Dua Lipa dated? The album spawned the singles "We Just Be Dreamin'", "Flip Reverse" and "Here 4 One". In July 2006, Rocky-B, Reepa, Spike-E and Melo-D made an announcement that they were going to reform as Blazin' Squad, and record and release a new album under Peach Records. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. While doing pretty well behind the scenes, Flava is one of the Blazin' boys who tends to keep out of the spotlight himself, and is seemingly impossible to track down on social media. The tricky second album. Alongside his various stints on reality shows, James McKenzie now works as a personal trainer. Blazin' Squad were an English hip hop group. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Some of still in the biz, while others lead quieter lives. He's pretty unrecognisable these days with cropped hair and a thick beard. They reunited briefly in 2011 and represented Great Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest in Germany, where they came in 11th place with their song, I Can, and they've done other reunion shows too. Lovely jubbly. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Incredibly, Lee Bailey hasnt changed a day although recent pictures of the singer are hard to come by. While some of the fresh-faced group went back to their day jobs, others have continued to court the limelight. He continues to be proud of his Blazin' Squad roots, writing in his Twitter bio that he's a member of the band. Stay up-to-date with all the news from the Love Island villa this summer with our regular newsletter. Cosmopolitan, Part of the Hearst UK Fashion & Beauty Network. So far he's basically spent the entire time telling people he was in Blazin' Squad. After leaving the music industry and his zany nickname behind, Freek - better known as Oliver Georgiou - embarked on a career in corporate banking. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. After spending some time with the experts, the inking was updated to a more spectacular tribute to their efforts - complete with a smoking microphone. articles across the internet. The man sacrificed his adolescence to the slings and arrows of the pop industry's outrageous fortune only to wind up as an unrecognisable and, seemingly, unfanciable contestant on ITV2's dating reality television show, Love Island. Chris remains loyal to his roots as a Blazin' Squad original and still performs their songs at various reunion gigs. He and partner Bayley Hatson share a daughter. He was part of a supergroup called 5th Story, compiled while he was appearing on ITV's Big Reunion. He still performs with the band when they get together for reunions and still lists himself as a member on his Instagram, but he's ditched the gelled hair and shaved eyebrows in favour of grown-out locks and stubble. Even die-hard fans might have trouble recognising a now 35-year-old Kenzie given he's now a beefed-up personal trainer at Studio 23. He's uploaded a handful of original rap tracks to his official Soundcloud page, and still tours nightclubs with half of the Blazin' Squad crew. He also worked as a window fitter after the band went their official separate ways. As trio Friday Hill (a housing estate in Chingford), Kenzie, Strider and Flava signed with Polydor records and even managed to stay in the Top 10 for a month with debut single Baby Goodbye. Yes, that's him. In 2005 the Chingford lad came second on Celebrity Big Brother aged 19, and made headlines that same year when he began dating former glamour model Jodie Marsh, 43. It also failed to re-ignite the low sales of the album. Spike-E is considerably less spiky these days which is probably for the best, but he does still proudly declare himself to be a Blazin' Squad star in his Twitter bio. Despite this, however, their debut album, In the Beginning achieved gold status in the UK and spawned two further top ten hits, "Love on the Line" and double A-side single, "Reminisce/Where the Story Ends". While he's back to being close with the boys these days, he also previously performed as a solo act called The Lee Bailey Project. He keeps away from the spotlight now, appearing in the occasional nostalgic performance with the band. BLAZIN' Squad are fondly remembered by nostalgic noughties pop fans. The most office-based of the lot is Reepa,who works as a media manager at the BBC. The rapper hilariously tried to keep his. Kenzie, who is also a personal trainer, shows off his toned figure and shredded abs on the social media platform as well as posts featuring his daughters. Jon O'Brien of AllMusic called them the "self-proclaimed pioneers of 'chav' culture". We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Something went wrong, please try again later. Are they okay? The group had six top ten hits, including "Crossroads", a cover version of the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony original. When they started, they had an average age of 16 and were known by a string of ridiculous nicknames:Kenzie (James McKenzie), Freek (Oliver Georgiou), Melo-d (Chris McKeckney), Reepa (Stuart Baker), Krazy (Lee Bailey), Spike-e (Sam Foulkes), Flava (James Murray), Tommy-B (Tom Beasley), Plat'num (Marcel Sommerville)andStrider (Mustafa Omer). Most have kept a finger in the musical pie, from artist management (Freek, formerly a corporate banker) and songwriting (Flava and Strider) or DJing (Tommy-B). The year was 2002. In his day job, he's a media manager at the BBC. He now works as a media manager at the BBC and is married to Welsh-born wife Zoe. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. After recording a demo, "Standard Flow," at a nearby . Where is Reepa now? The boyband/hip-hop collective, made up of 10 fresh-faced teens, went straight in at No.1 with their debut single, a cover of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's Crossroads, exactly 20 years ago today (August 31). Their catchy tunes including Flip Reverse and number one song Crossroads were dancefloor staples in nightclubs across the country. Pela Peach Records, eles lanaram seu primeiro single desde a reforma, "All Night Long", em . FRET NO MORE. Blazin' Squad were an English hip hop group. These days Freek, 35, continues to work in music as a music manager, but after initially leaving the band he had quite the alternative career working in a corporate bank for a few years. He. With the facial hair and jawline structure came a very sensible and grown up job, too. The 10-piece boyband from London went on to achieve seven Top 10 hits in various flip-reversed line-ups (remember the Friday Hill reboot circa 2005/2006? "We want to say a massive thank you to everyone we've collaborated with this year, from in the room, to behind the scenes, we're very greatful [sic] for all your passion & hard work. Blazin' Squad - angielski zesp hiphopowy. Even the BBC gave them one star for their debut album In The Beginning, grimly (and, as it happened, falsely)predicting: "Sorry boys, the only Crossroad you'll be meeting at in a couple of yearsis one with a Job Centre on the corner.". When he wasnt reliving his childhood music dreams, he was working as a window fitter. According to social media, the pair enjoy nothing more than jetting off on exotic holidays abroad. When their second album failed to reach the dizzying heights of their first, they were dropped from their label and forced to split in 2003. Strider has now written songs for top-selling UK artists including Leona Lewis, Emili Sande, KSI, Naughty Boy and Professor Green. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). A debut album In The Beginning was also a huge success and they went on to release a further six top ten hits. Now or Never is the second studio album released by British ten-piece hip hop group Blazin' Squad. He got Blazin Squads first number one and the date they signed their record contract on his arm but after spending time with experts, the ink was updated to a more spectacular tribute to their efforts - complete with a smoking microphone. The single was heavily criticised by the media, some of whom claimed their rap skills were 'not to be taken seriously', and others sidelining them to a younger audience. Easily the most high-profile member of the band after their split, little Kenzie transformed into a beefcake after his stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2005. In May 2014 Kenzie was injured in a "serious car crash", but escaped with injuries. This single was the first to reach the UK Top 40, and debuted in the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart of 31 August 2002. He was vocal about supporting his pal Marcel when he appeared on the third series of Love Island and proudly declares his membership with the 00s boyband in his Twitter bio. Despite ditching the hair gel and growing a beard, the 36-year-old does not look too different from the group's heyday. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Currently he is still involved in the entertainment industry and works as a music manager for ESG Management. Before Somerville had to explain his earlier life in the fast lane to other people on Love Island, he competed in local athletics and launched a record label. Speaking of plans for a reunion, Chris had previously said: It has to be done in the right way but were not against it. Somerville, a 31-year-old musician and self-confessed heart breaker from London, was one of 10 young men who comprised Blazin' Squad, agroup from Chingford, North East London, who achieved considerable chart success despite being widely ridiculed by both the music industry and general public. The Crossroads hitmakers have announced a headline show at KOKO London on 26 November 2017 with seven members of the original line-up returning. Members Flava, Plat'num, Strider, Freek, Krazy, Tommy-B, Melo-D, Spike-E, Reepa, and Kenzie all met at Higham Park School in Chingford, London where they bonded over a love of hip-hop. Blazin' Squad were the laughing stock of nearly all serious music magazines. Even though the releases were issued as underground white labels, "Standard Flow" sold enough copies to chart as Blazin' Squad's first Top 100 chart entry, peaking at number 78 on the chart of 17 August 2002 with three weeks in the countdown. In a previous interview with Manchester Evening News he said: "I might have a solo career or start to write. Melo-d seems to be the member who's proudest of his Blazin' Squad roots, remaining a solid member of the band and appearing up and down the country at various reunion gigs for a bit of a 'Crossroads' sesh. Real name, Chris McKeckney, he's believed to be working as an Engineer these days after leaving the music world behind. He also worked as a window fitter after the band went their official separate ways, but is currently enjoying retweeting a LOT of support for bandmate Marcel on Love Island. Here, we've have taken a deeper dive into what the original Squad members have been up to over the past two decades. Rocky B is now widely known for his appearance on ITV's Love Island and his romance with Liverpudlian Gabby Allen. For other inquiries, Contact Us. He's now the kind of bloke you'd see in trendy wine bars using the Clarendon filter on Instagram to show off hisPinot. He also dated former glamour model Jodie Marsh around the same time. As well as occasionally performing with other former Blazin' Squad members, Sam works in the import/export industry now. Blazin' Squad were an English hip hop group. Most importantly, Reepa could arguably be the Blazin' Squad member who's experienced the biggest glo up in terms of hotness. Stuart Baker has continued to appear on stage with some of his former bandmates for Blazin' Squad shows over the past few years, while juggling his proper job as a media manager for the BBC. Where are the original Loose Women hosts now? Some members valiantly carried on, and with limited success. Viewers have been taking the Mickey out of him for constantly mentioning that he was in Blazin' Squad. Blazin' Squad are reckoned to be the next big pop sensation, so just who are they? Mostly, appear in "What happened to Blazin' Squad?" She introduced me to new pleasures and all kinds of different positions.". Although he doesnt seem to use his Twitter account much, he supported Marcel when he was in Love Island. He appeared on ITVs Love Island where he never missed a chance to drop the fact he was one of the Blazin Squad members. He's also now a father to two daughters, Wynter and Wyllow. Kenzie (James MacKenzie) Doug Peters / Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment Kenzie is. "Flip Reverse" was subsequently used to re-launch Top of the Pops, with a special performance recorded outside the BBC Television Centre with 100 or so hooded back-up dancers. Despite his career change, he has shared pictures with the other Squad members and proudly declares his membership in the noughties boyband. In the eighth of the Blazin' Squad diaries, Reepa, aka Stuart tells us what he's been up to this . The 31-year-old faced controversy after he allegedly cheated on Gaby Allen while the pair were on holiday together in Mexico. ", (Image: The Sun/Getty/Buzzfeed/Mirror Online). After years away from the limelight, Marcel appeared on the third series of Love Island and came in fourth place with Gabby Allen. He is now married to wife Karina and the couple share two kids. Back in The Squad's glory days, Olivier got the date of his band's first number one and the date they signed their record contract on his arm. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Their comeback single Let's Start Again only peaked at number 51 on the UK Singles Chart and the band went their separate ways soon after. "I might have a solo career or start to write. "Its [sic] been a lot of fun & we're and looking forward to sharing what we've been working on for 2022. James appears to have ditched his infamous Blazin' Squad gold chain and diamond earrings for a more laidback look. Although he didnt win the show in 2017, he was one of the finalists along with his co-star and ex-girlfriend Gabby Allen. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Poor MarcelSomerville. In July 2006, Rocky-B, Reepa, Spike-E and Melo-D made an announcement that they were going to reform as Blazin' Squad, and record and release a new album under Peach Records. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. If you watch reality TV, theres a chance you already know what Marcel has been up to since the band split. It's been almost 20 years since Blazin' Squad were riding high in the UK charts with their debut single Crossroads heading straight for the Number One spot. Immediately after his time in the group, Marcel Somerville had a run of reality show stints on CelebAir, The Games and The Weakest Link and he's back on reality telly now as a cast member on Love Island. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. The limited UK success of Crossroads, a number byUS hip-hop group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, gave them inspiration to do a loose cover. He also still has those majestic eyebrows. Stuart has now ditched the gelled hair and shaved eyebrows of his youth in favour of a grown-out locks and designer stubble. These days he works as a DJ, but absolutely loves a bit of cycling in his spare time. What Blazin' Squad look like now: here's what the 10-piece boyband did next 1 The Mandalorian's Pedro Pascal on season 3 2 Call the Midwife star breaks down season 12 finale 3 Angela Bassett. His curly ginger locks are gone, replaced with a bald head and bushy beard. But thanks to the unexpected arrival of Marcel aka Rocky B on 2017's Love Island - and his constant need to subtly mention his prestigious musical past - the squad is back in our lives in a big way, and we've rediscovered the need to Flip Reverse things every now and again. They released a single, "All Night Long", in August 2006, however, it only peaked at #54, which resulted in their record deal being scrapped and a further disbandment. Well, it seems the band's bucket of hair gel has long been abandoned, the gold bling taken to the charity shop and the sick rhymes swapped for blue collar jobs. He's now working as a BBC media manager, but does also still pop up at a reunion gig every so often. Hull City disciplinary situation as 37th-game amnesty looms large, Two City players are breathing a little easier after Friday night's game, New artisan dessert restaurant to open in Hull city centre, Heavenly Desserts has restaurants across the nation, Anger at irresponsible dog owners after pregnant sheep chased at East Yorkshire beauty spot, It follows an incident in Yorkshire where a sheep was bitten in the throat, George King explains argument with referee after Hull KR's defeat to Leigh Leopards. He appeared on a number of reality shows including the third series of Celebrity Big Brother, The Weakest Link, and CelebAir. Toukokuussa 2006 ilmoitettiin, ett Rocky-B, Reepa, Spike-E ja Melo-D aikovat uudistua ja esiinty neliosaisena versiona Blazin 'Squadista. At the time, Blazin' Squad's story was ripe with the home-grown authenticity integral to all garage and grime success; schoolmates, they had overcome their rivalries to form one group from two previously warring crews, before forming their own record label, Weighty Plates, upon which they released their first single Standard Flow, covering the costs by chipping in 20 each. Mustafa Omer aka Strider and James Murray aka Flava are still very much involved in music. They've had considerable success working on Sam Smith's hits 'La La La' and 'Like I Can', as well as songs for Emeli Sand and Naughty Boy. Real name Tom Beasley, hes not been involved in any of the reunions as so far. Can this young prodigy bring back the age of the wild virtuoso violinist? Assuming it was Marcel. After the end of the group, he pursued a new career as a window fitter and is still close to his former bandmates. [5] The song was highly re-recorded and hardly contained any lyrics of the original. Oh, and he makes occasional squad reunion appearances with a few of the other lads too. You'll have to find the ghoul in under 11 seconds, so can you do it? However, he has now returned to his first love and works as a band manager. Love Island 2017: who are this years contestants. He also often shares snaps of him and the band hanging out abroad or in swanky venues (pre-pandemic of course). The group had six top ten hits, including "Crossroads", a cover version of the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony original. THEY burst onto the music scene with baggy clothes, excessive hair gel and a crew that would put the biggest Stateside rapper's entourage to shame. Lee (Krazy) has gone solo and is currently working on his solo album in the US called the 'Lee Bailey project'. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Their comeback single 'Let's Start Again' peaked at No. Here we take a trip down memory lane as we revisit their lives 20 years on from their glory days. What Blazin' Squad look like now: here's what the 10-piece boyband did next, DIGITAL SPY, PART OF THE HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK. Pop Idol judge Pete Waterman chokes up over death of friend Darius Campbell Danesh, Beatles' star Paul McCartney devastated as brother-in-law John Eastman dies. More recently in 2013, he gave the pop game another shot by teaming up with Adam Rickitt, Gareth Gates, Dane Bowers and Kavana for ITV2's The Big Reunion for new manband 5th Story. As well as becoming a music mogul writing tracks for the likes of Leona Lewis, Emeli Sande and Professor Green, Strider also now has a wife and a cute baby son too. This is false- Corleta Somerville is Rocky B's mum! Digital Spy participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. He's also engaged though, so try not to let your early 2000s feelings ignite all over again. Marcel and partner Rebecca are now on MTV Celebrity Bums: Famous and Pregnant. Reepa's mum is called Corleta. Hooray. 22 photos of Disney Channel stars then and now. DJ Tommy, who is a fan of cycling, has not been seen with the group during any of their reunion gigs. His debut single "Crossroads" with the Blazin' Boys hit the #1 spot on the UK music charts when he was 15 years old. That's all we can tell you really as he's kept away from the big Blazin' reunions. It's been a long time since we've thought about Blazin' Squad. Before lockdown, Tommy worked as a DJ. He now appears to have completely disappeared from the spotlight. The singer is now married and has a baby. The single fared slightly better than the previous single but could only peak at #51 on the UK Singles Chart. He's eating ice cream in his Twitter picture though, so he must also enjoy some occasional dessert based snacking. The group's split spelled the end of Oliver's music career as he pursued a new profession in corporate banking. There's too many to tag but you know who you are. Watch: Take a look around the Love Island villa in 2017. In 2005, Strider, Flava and Kenzie signed a record deal with Polydor records, and began recording an album under the name Friday Hill, named after a location in their hometown in Chingford. Following the show, Marcel and Gabby were together for almost a year before announcing their split amid reports of infidelity on his part. But despite their feeble rapping skills and worse vocals, Blazin' Squad captured the nation's imagination and managed to release four albums.
