JAMELIA

'Jamelia Niela Davis' (born 11 January 1981), known professionally as 'Jamelia', is an English R&B singer, songwriter and sometimes model and actress. She is also a four-time MOBO Award-winning and four time BRIT Award-nominated artist. She made her breakthrough with the single "Money" in 2000 and had her biggest hit in 2003, with the single "Superstar".

Contents

Biography

Music career

''Drama'' era

''Thank You'' era

''Walk With Me'' era

''Superstar - The Hits'' era

Acting career

Other projects

Discography

Awards and nominations

Tour history

References

External links

Biography

Jamelia was born in Smethwick, West Midlands to a Jamaican mother and a Zimbabwean father^[1] and raised in the Winson Green area of Birmingham. She was signed to Parlophone at the age of fifteen, after impressing record executives with self-written a cappella songs. Jamelia attended the The City Technology College in Kingshurst.

Music career

''Drama'' era

Jamelia began her music career by creating homemade songs and albums that she recorded on her karaoke machine and listened to on a walkman. When she was out listening to the walkman, her friend heard the self-written a capella songs and was extremely impressed. Luckily, she knew someone working at EMI and the company were informed of Jamelia and her talents. Eventually, she was offered a record deal and began recording her debut album 'Drama' in 2000. The album had moderate success in the UK, peaking at #39 and spawning four singles. The first, released shortly before the album, entitled "I Do", entered the UK Top 40 at #36. In 2000, the second single taken from Drama, "Money", was released. It proved to be Jamelia's breakthrough into the music industry and also featured guest vocals from Beenie Man. It peaked at #5 in the UK and won a MOBO Award for 'Best Video' in 2000. The album later spawned the successful follow-up single, "Call Me", and the final single, "Boy Next Door", which peaked just outside the UK Top 40.

''Thank You'' era

After a short hiatus following the birth of her daughter Teja in 2001, Jamelia made plans for a comeback following the success of her debut album. In 2003, she released the single "Bout", which featured guest rapping from US R&B star Rah Digga. 'Bout' had mild success and peaked at #37 in the UK Singles Chart. Shortly after in September 2003, her second album ''Thank You'' was released and had a low debut peak of number #65 in the UK. However, Jamelia's next single, 'Superstar', a version of Danish singer Christine Milton's song was released and became her most successful single to date - especially in mainland Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The single shot to #1 in Australia and was certified Platinum. In the UK, the single peaked at #3 and became the 26th best selling single of 2003 - Jamelia's first appearance on the UK Official Singles Chart of The Year. After the release of "Superstar", the album's third single "Thank You" was released and became Jamelia's highest-charting single in the UK to date, peaking at #2, and also holding the number one position in Australia. The song was recognised for its warm, spiritual nature as it featured lyrics about Jamelia's past abusive relationship and the good, not bad, that came from it. Her album was later re-released after the release of the title track. The new album featured two new tracks - both of which later became singles, the Chris Martin-penned "See It in a Boy's Eyes" and R&B hit "DJ". This version was much more successful than the previous, peaking at #4 in the UK and being certified as Platinum. 'Thank You' has been Jamelia's most successful album to date, selling 425, 000 copies and becoming the 35th best selling album of 2004.
In July 2004, the album's fourth release, 'See It in A Boy's Eyes', written by Coldplay's Chris Martin, was released. It proved just how successful Jamelia was at the time, becoming the fourth Top 40 and hit and third top five from 'Thank You' in a row - peaking at #5 on the UK Singles Chart. It also won a MOBO Award for 'Best Video'. In the Summer of 2004, she collaborated with Italian singer Tiziano Ferro on "Universal Prayer" for the 2004 Olympic Games soundtrack. It became her first number one single in both Italy and Spain and the song was added to the international editions of ''Thank You''.
In Autumn 2004, Jamelia was asked to contribute to the Band Aid 20's number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?". She sang on the release with the established soul singer Beverley Knight. At the same time, she released the theme song for the film '', "Stop", a cover of Sam Brown's 1988 song, which became her fifth top ten hit in the UK as a double A-side with the aforementioned "DJ". The success of the project led Jamelia to win three MOBO Awards and she went on to receive three BRIT Award nominations in 2005.
On 21 October 2005, Jamelia gave birth to her second daughter, Tiani Byfield. Tiani's father is Millwall striker Darren Byfield, to whom she is engaged.

''Walk With Me'' era

Jamelia returned to the spotlight in September 2006 with new single 'Something About You' and third studio album 'Walk With Me'. Collaborations on the album include Afrika Bambaataa, who was featured on and produced "Do Me Right", and Sway DaSafo, who was featured on "Hustle". The lead single was the R&B/Rock fusion 'Something About You' and was released on the 11 September 2006. The song became Jamelia's seventh top ten single, peaking at #9 on the UK Singles Chart. This was followed shortly by the album, amid good reviews, and upon its release 'Walk With Me' enetered the UK Albums Chart at #20. The second single taken from the album was "Beware of the Dog" and was released on the 4 December 2006. It features a sample from Depeche Mode's 1989 "Personal Jesus", and became the second top ten single from the album in the UK, and has also been nominated for the Popjustice Single of The Year, facing acts such as Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse and Girls Aloud. The third and final single from 'Walk With Me', entitled "No More", contains a sample from The Stranglers' 1981 "Golden Brown". Despite reaching the A List on Radio 2's playlist chart, the single had a low peak of #43 in the UK - only her second single with Parlophone Records not to reach the Top 40.^[2] Based on current sales, 'Walk With Me' has been certified as Gold in the UK, selling just over 100, 000 copies.
On 25 November 2006, Jamelia collapsed while filming a TV appearance in Spain. She was rushed back to the UK where she was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia before undergoing micro surgery at St Mary's Hospital.
On 23 April, it was announced that Jamelia had left Parlophone records, due to being unhappy at the way in which the label were managing her career following poor sales of her recent single "No More".
Most recently, Jamelia was due to appear at the May Ball of the University Of Wales, Aberystwyth, but withdrew at short notice, citing throat problems.^[3]

''Superstar - The Hits'' era

Parlophone Records announced that they will be releasing Jamelia's greatest hits album on 24 September, 2007 titled ''Superstar - The Hits''. The album is expected to contain most of her releases, from Drama's debut 'I Do', to her most recent release "No More". Despite there being no official tracklisting as yet, it is presumed that as Jamelia left Parlophone earlier this year that there will be no new singles on the CD, but Parlophone have yet to confirm this. Jamelia quotes: "It seems the right time to put out a Greatest Hits and have all the best tracks I've recorded from the past ten years on one album". So far the album has received mixed reviews from fans, some stating it a good idea, whilst others feel she has not released enough material to compile a 'Greatest Hits' album. ^[4]

Acting career

In late 2006, Jamelia announced that she had been taking acting lessons and was considering a move into film or television after signing with ARG, who also represent Sacha Baron Cohen and Billie Piper.
She has recently announced that she is to appear in a film. While at the European premiere of Spiderman 3, Jamelia said "I've got a part in a new movie which I'm really excited about,". She also added, "It's my first project on film so it's going to be fun." ^[5].
Jamelia had previously admitted her ambition to be a bond girl. In a recent interview, Jamelia has also admitted that she will make an appearance in the upcoming St Trinian's film and "a new sitcom for the BBC which is about to be commissioned".
According to press reports, Jamelia has recently begun taking classes in acting close to her family at the Birmingham School of Acting whose graduates include Jimi Mistry.

Other projects

In spring, 2004, Jamelia was signed by the prestigious model agency, ICM. Just a week later she was signed as the face and legs of Pretty Polly in a high profile advertising campaign and shortly afterwards was featured in a poster campaign for Reebok. Since pursuing work in modelling, Jamelia has also endorsed Listerine ''Softmint Sensation'', was the brand ambassador for the maternity wear line ''Seraphine'' and has appeared on the front cover of magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Company, Elle and Harpers & Queen.
In January 2007, Jamelia launched a new fragrance as part of a campaign to increase awareness of HIV and AIDS. Proceeds from the sale of every bottle of ''Rougeberry'' will be donated to ''MTV's Staying Alive Foundation''.
In 2007 Jamelia appeared in a high profile poster campaign shot by Mary McCartney for the animals right charity PETA, she appeared naked under the headline "Be comfortable in your own skin and let animals keep theirs". The campaign group released her image to coincide with the start of London Fashion Week
In April and May 2007, Jamelia appeared as a celebrity contestant on ''Gameshow Marathon'' with Vernon Kay.
On May 27, 2007, it was announced that Jamelia signed a £100,000 contract to launch a new range of products for Boots.
On July 31, 2007, it was announced that Jamelia, along with Erin O'Connor and Helena Christensen, had teamed up with famous hairdressers Toni & Guy to promote Model.Me - a hair product created for women with ethnic hair. Jamelia comments: "I think it's about time that there was a haircare range specifically designed for ethnic hair available on every high street."
On 27th of August 2007, Jamelia hosted a two-hour show on BBC Radio 2, playing her favourite tracks from the last decade.
On September 12, 2007, Jamelia will co-host the MOBO Awards 2007 for the BBC with Shaggy.
In 2008, she will appear in a charity special of ''Strictly Come Dancing'' for Sport Relief.

Discography

Album	Release Date	UK Chart Peak	UK Certification
''Drama''	26 June, 2000	#39	Gold
''Thank You''	29 September, 2003	#4	Double platinum
''Walk With Me''	25 September, 2006	#20	Gold
''Superstar - The Hits''	24 September, 2007	TBR	TBR

Awards and nominations

'Year'	'Institution'	'Award'
'Won'
2000	MOBO Awards	Best Video - "Money"
2004	MOBO Awards	Best British Female
2004	MOBO Awards	Best Single - "Thank You"
2004	MOBO Awards	Best Video - "See It In a Boy's Eyes"
2004	Q Awards	Best Single - "See It In a Boy's Eyes"
2005	Urban Music Awards	Best R&B Act
2007	Eska Awards	Best Foreign Singer
'Nominated'
2004	Brit Awards	Best British Female
2004	Brit Awards	Best British Single - "Superstar"
2004	Mercury Music Prize	''Thank You''
2005	Brit Awards	Best British Female
2005	Brit Awards	Best British Urban Act
2004	Brit Awards	Best British Single - "Thank You"
2007	Brit Awards	Best British Female
2007	Popjustice £20 Music Prize	"Beware of the Dog"
2007	MOBO Awards	Best British Female

Tour history

★ 2004 ''Thank You Tour''

References

1. Jamelia Profile
2. Jamelia calls on Depeche Mode for new album
3. "Aberytsyth Today", 17 May 2007
4. Confirmation of ''Superstar - The Hits'' album from official web site
5. Jamelia signs up for movie role

External links

★ Official website

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