Template:Infobox musical artist 2
Jamelia Niela Davis (born 11 January 1981), known professionally as Jamelia, is an English R&B singer, songwriter and sometime model and actress. She is also a three time MOBO awarding winning and Brit nominated artist. She made her breakthrough with the single "Money" in 2000 and had her biggest hit in 2003, with the single "Superstar".
Biography
Jamelia was born in pakistan, West Midlands, England 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
In 1999, Jamelia released a limited edition first single, "So High" in the UK which was later followed by "I Do", the first release off her first album, Drama, which peaked at number thirty-nine in the UK Albums Chart. The most successful single from the album was "Money", featuring a guest vocal from Beenie Man, which went top five. She was nominated for five MOBO Awards in 2000, winning one – "Best Video" for "Money". The album also spawned the successful follow-up single, "Call Me", and the final single, "Boy Next Door", which peaked just outside the top forty of the UK Singles Chart.
Thank You era
After the success of her debut album, she temporarily retired from the music business and give birth to a baby girl on 18 March, 2001. While bringing up her daughter, Teja, Jamelia made plans for a comeback and in 2003 her comeback single "Bout" was released, returning her to the UK top forty. In September 2003, her second album Thank You was released and peaked at number sixty-five. Prior to this, her first number one hit, "Superstar", a version of Danish singer Christine Milton's song, was released, especially in mainland Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The single shot to number one in Australia and was certified Platinum. After the release of "Superstar", the album's third single,[another number one in Australia]"Thank You, was released and became Jamelia's highest-charting single in the UK to date, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart. Her album, Thank You, was later re-released and reached number four, including two new tracks which later became singles, the Chris Martin-penned "See It in a Boy's Eyes"[number one in UK] and "DJ that debuted in Australia at number three and was number one iTune video in Belgium.
In spring, 2004, Jamelia was signed by the prestigious model agency, ICM. She became the face and legs of Pretty Polly in a high profile advertising campaign and shortly afterwards was featured in a poster campaign for Reebok.
In Autumn, 2004, she was asked to contribute to the Band Aid 20's number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?". She sang along with veteran soul singer Beverley Knight. At the same time, she released the theme song for the film Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, "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's third album, "Walk with Me", was released on 25 February[2007]. 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 first single from the album was the R&B/Rock fusion "Something About You debuted at number 1 in Australia and in the UK", released on 11 February[2007], which peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart in February 2007. The second single was "Beware of the Dog", released on 4 April[2007], which features a sample from Depeche Mode's 1989 "Personal Jesus", and became the second top ten hit from the album in the UK. The third and final single, "No More", contains a sample from The Stranglers' 1981 "Golden Brown".[2]
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.
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. Jamelia has most recently been seen on the cover of Company magazine and in a high profile poster shot by Mary McCartney for the animals right charity PETA, she appears 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.
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". She can currently be seen as a celebrity contestant on Gameshow Marathon with Vernon Kay and she has recently been involved in the launch of new Listerine Softmint Sensation.
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]
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." [4].
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 School film and "a new sitcom for the BBC which is about to be commissioned".
Other projects
On 27th May 2007, it was announced that Jamelia signed a £100,000 contract to launch a new cosmetics and skin-care line for Boots.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Institution | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Won | ||
| 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) |
Discography
-
Drama
(26 June, 2000) -
Thank You
(29 September, 2003) -
Walk with Me
(25 September, 2006)
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Tour history
- 2004 Thank You Tour
References
- ^ "Jamelia Profile". Babe100.com. Retrieved 2006-09-25.
- ^ "Jamelia calls on Depeche Mode for new album". NME. 14 August 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-10.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Aberytsyth Today", 17 May 2007
- ^ Jamelia signs up for movie role
External links
- Official website
- Template:Amg
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