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. 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. Family Life. 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. For the past five or so years, though, he's worked as an engineer for Virgin Media. Kenzie arrives at the UK Premiere of new animated film "Valiant" at the Odeon West End on March 20, 2005. He ilmoittivat mys julkaisevansa uuden albumin uudella levy-yhtill, Peach Records. The Love Island boys reunited in early August 2017, Young Kenzie, with his then girlfriend Jodie Marsh, Now he's a buff personal trainer with a penchant for reality television shows, Chris McKeckney was a fresh faced young boy in 2002, Stuart Baker was all spiked hair and chains, Now he's got a proper haircut and a proper job working for the Beeb, Freek had one of the biggest transformations, He ended up being a suave banker who sipped wine and used Instagram filters, Cutie Marcel didn't stray far from his Blazin Squad roots, He does however look infinitely cooler now, Looking like butter wouldn't melt back in the day, Tommy B is also a keen cyclist who loves a vanilla cone, Krazy's hair sadly isn't the reason he was given that moniker, He's not been seen recently but did keep to his love of music, Sam Foulkes left his curls in the early noughties, But he's kept up with his music and still works with Blazin Squad on reunions, Mustafa Omer learnt a lot in his Blazin Squad days, And he's penned some huge hits for some massive names with James. 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. Oh, and he makes occasional squad reunion appearances with a few of the other lads too. Like Marcel, he also had a stint on a reality show in 2017 - E4's Tattoo Fixers. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Jon O'Brien of AllMusic called them the "self-proclaimed pioneers of 'chav' culture". The Voice UK 2018 duo on Team Jennifer who met at Brighton University, Mariah Carey reveals she's back in the studio working on 15th album, Stephen Mulhern casts doubt on Britain's Got More Talent return as he continues to battle 'nasty' illness, Jon Fratelli gave his coveted Brit award to random plumber - as a TIP, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click here. We've not heard much from Lee Bailey after his solo musical effort The Lee Bailey Project failed to take off. Its no surprise that Blazin Squads only DJ is still active in the music career as he still works as a DJ. When not in the studio he can usually be found on the running track hanging out with Strider and Krazy. 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 . Friendship goals. Alongside James, Mustafa has penned some massive hits as part of their duo. Their album, entitled Times Like These, was also released in February 2006, but only peaked at #67 on the UK Albums Chart, and such, were soon dropped from their label.[8]. Assuming it was Marcel. The former Blazin' Squad member has stayed in media, but a different kind; he is now a media manager at the BBC. As MC Reepa he is best recognized for having been a member of the rap group Blazin' Squad. Mustafa Omer aka Strider and James Murray aka Flava are still very much involved in music. Kenzie appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2005 and he was one of the youngest contestants to ever enter the house. And are they getting back together? Where are the Sabrina the Teenage Witch cast now? Fans may be shocked to know that the likes of Reea, Freek and Melo-d have gone back to their birth names. Mostly, appear in "What happened to Blazin' Squad?" Lee's trademark spiky blonde hair made him stand out from the group. If you watch reality TV, theres a chance you already know what Marcel has been up to since the band split. James Murray stayed close with his bandmate Mustafa Omer (Strider). 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). Marcel and Rebecca are set to share the details of the pregnancy and the birth in new MTV show Celebrity Bumps: Famous and Pregnant. 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 is now married to Welsh-born wife, Zoe, and the pair are often seen jetting off abroad to exotic and mountainous locations. Some of still in the biz, while others lead quieter lives. "Wishing everyone a very happy, prosperous new year.". They decided to call it a day in 2006. Tell us about your album, In The Beginning It's got an R&B, chilled-out vibe.. Lat year Marcel revealed vile trolls had targeted his son with cruel racist remarks. But their album, Times Like These, struggled in the charts. 51 in the UK and basically ended it again. According to his LinkedIn, Chris, who had a spell with peroxide blond hair and nose ring, has worked in double glazing. It's been a long time since we've thought about Blazin' Squad. The hair gel loving lads resurfaced in the spotlight when Marcel Somerville, aka Rocky B, went into the Love Island villa and was at the centre of reality romance. In 2005 along with Strider and Flava, he signed a record deal with Polydor records, and began recording an album under the name Friday Hill. 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. The pair co-wrote and co-produced Sam Smith and Naughty Boy's smash hit La La La, and worked on Jess Glynne's debut album. He was a vocal supporter of Marcel during his Love Island villa stint. Reepa, or Stuart Baker as he's known to colleagues these days, was an original Blazin' Squad member. 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. "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. Probably what it says on the tin tbh. Each portion of delicious takeaway buys a meal for someone in need - win-win! Hes got a really grown up job working at the BBC as a media manager. Since then he has continued to appear on television and radio shows, including appearing on Celebrity Come Dine With Me last year. Kenzie now shares his luxury lifestyle, wearing designer clothes, and jet setting to Dubai, whilst supporting a rock hard pair of abs. The trio released their debut single, "Baby Goodbye" in October 2005. Reepa's mum is called Corleta. Now a far cry from his skinny days, Kenzie is buff thanks to his work as a personal trainer, and is an international DJ according to his social media profile. Unlike many of his former bandmembers, Lee retreated from the limelight after Blazin' Squad ended. Flava is now seemingly married with two kids. The most office-based of the lot is Reepa,who works as a media manager at the BBC. He is reported to be a successful cyclist and over the years has taken part in a string of races including the CC Hackney Road Race in April. After dipping his toe into the music scene hes now moved into imports and exports. Hope you're well, Flave. 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. Although he doesnt seem to use his Twitter account much, he supported Marcel when he was in Love Island. He keeps away from the spotlight now, appearing in the occasional nostalgic performance with the band. Where is Reepa now? Since the Squad broke up, he's also appeared with some of his old bandmates in nightclubs. Sign up to the Hull Live newsletter for daily updates and breaking news. Back in 2002, the young lads dressed in matching white tops, sported blingy chains around their necks and didn't scrimp on the wet look gel to keep their spikes in place. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Reepa, or Stuart Baker as he's known to colleagues these days, was an original Blazin' Squad member. He now has a. Cosmopolitan participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. After the short-lived comeback in 2009, Freek known as Oliver Georgiou to family and friends founded his own music management company. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. He's since found love with current girlfriend Rebecca Vieira and they welcomed a son together called Roman in 2021. Le migliori offerte per SMASH HITS MAGAZINE April 2004 BUSTED Peter Andre PINK Lemar RACHEL STEVENS sono su eBay Confronta prezzi e caratteristiche di prodotti nuovi e usati Molti articoli con consegna gratis! Incredibly, Lee Bailey hasnt changed a day although recent pictures of the singer are hard to come by. He's also engaged though, so try not to let your early 2000s. ", Well no, of course not. Since the good ol' days, Strider has gone on to even bigger and better things than Blazin' Squad. The Crossroads hitmakers have announced a headline show at KOKO London on 26 November 2017 with seven members of the original line-up returning. After leaving the music industry and his zany nickname behind, Freek - better known as Oliver Georgiou - embarked on a career in corporate banking. 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. All 10 bandmates met up for drinks once Marcel, now 36, returned to the real world. This is false- Corleta Somerville is Rocky B's mum! The ten members of 00s' boyband Blazin' Squad are living very different lives as it approaches the 20th anniversary of their debut single Crossroads topping the charts. Lee's voice is instantly recognisable as he sang the incredibly catchy chorus on the band's number two hit, Flip Reverse. To sign up for the Hull Live newsletter, click here. This content is imported from YouTube. But while the miniature gangsters have grown into adult-sizedyuppies, they probably still live by the laws of the street, and we bet they all remember the lyrics to Flip Reverse It, too. "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. He and best band pal Flava formed a songwriting and production team called Mojam. Ten teenagers from Chingford who enjoyed a brief, but indeed blazing, time in the limelight in the early Noughties. Blazin' Squad also had a number two single, the really quite rude chat-up banger Flip Reverse, in 2003. The former Blazin' Squad member has stayed in media, but a different kind; he is now a media manager at the BBC. 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. Melo-D is a member of the band, but 'Melody' isn't. Strider, Rocky B, and Krazy are all members. Blazin' Squad were an English hip hop group. Watch: Take a look around the Love Island villa in 2017. Kenzie dated Katie Price's arch nemesis Jodie Marsh in 2005 - the same year he also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother. As you may have noticed from the past and present picture comparison, Krazy literally looks exactly the same as he did back in the day, with his long blonde hair still in tact. He is now married to wife Karina and the couple share two kids. But, he is also a father to daughters Wynter and Wyllow with girlfriend Frankie Evans. The former Squad member has also gone under the aliases Primetime Pro-Juice, Plat'num and Bezzle (to his friends) in recent years. What ever happened to the Blazin' Squad boys? Can this young prodigy bring back the age of the wild virtuoso violinist? articles across the internet. 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. Outside the villa, fans were reliving the group's glory days which led to some members of the band doing the nightclub PA rounds over summer. 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). And as Marcel frequently mentioned in the Love Island villa the group are still good friends. Reepa's spiked hair has now been replaced by luscious long locks instead. We caught up with Marcel over the summer, but where are the rest these days? What's more, they're doing pretty well for themselves. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. 22 photos of Disney Channel stars then and now. Although hes mysteriously disappeared hes been spotted working on solo music as The Lee Bailey Project. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. In his Blazin' Squad days, it's fair to say Kenzie wasn't exactly hench - but he is now! But Blazin' Squad proved they weren't just a Noughties novelty act - producing a number one hit, six top 10 singles and two top 40 albums. He also often shares snaps of him and the band hanging out abroad or in swanky venues (pre-pandemic of course). He's also now a father to two daughters, Wynter and Wyllow. A LONG time. Di. Here we take a trip down memory lane as we revisit their lives 20 years on from their glory days. But what happened after the band split in 2005? Freek also appears to be a Tottenham Hotspur fan judging from his tweets. [5] The song was highly re-recorded and hardly contained any lyrics of the original. Answer: False. Clearly very proud of his achievements with the band, Sam, 36, still reminds people he is a member of Blazin' Squad in his Twitter bio - though these days he doesn't post often. Their break up turned bitter when he in turn accused her of cheating with Towie star Dan Osborne, a claim she's fiercelydenied. The album was released on 20 November 2003 in the United Kingdom, and peaked at #37 on the UK Albums Chart. But despite their feeble rapping skills and worse vocals, Blazin' Squad captured the nation's imagination and managed to release four albums. Speaking of plans for a reunion, Chris had previously said: It has to be done in the right way but were not against it. 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. He is from England. "Here 4 One" was issued as the third single from Now or Never in early 2004, peaking at #6 on the UK Singles Chart, but sales failed to be strong enough to warrant a third album deal. They released a single, and their the group's fourth, and final, record deal dumping followed. And the Love Island gang were often caught singing Crossroads in between their dating dramas. While he and Flava had their biggest hit co-writing and co-producing Sam Smith and Naughty Boy's hit La La La. Please review our, You need to be a subscriber to join the conversation. Also known as Tom Beasley, the former boyband member is still working the decks up and down the country as a DJ. He also dated former glamour model Jodie Marsh around the same time. But when the band disbanded, he retreated from the limelight - despite initially telling the media he would like to carry on with a career in the industry. There's too many to tag but you know who you are. He now has a wife called Zoe and often shares snaps of their luxurious holidays. Blazin' Squad were an English hip hop group. After recording a demo, "Standard Flow," at a nearby . Em maio de 2006, foi anunciado que Rocky-B, Reepa, Spike-E e Melo-D iriam se reformar e se apresentar como uma verso de quatro integrantes do Blazin 'Squad. These days, Kenzie, a dad to Wynter and Wyllow, is still active in the music industry and is a UK and International DJ according to his Instagram bio. Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? He's also grown biceps bigger than the average human head, and is a father of two daughters called Wynter and Wyllow, splitting his time between New York and London while working as a personal trainer. Lovely jubbly. He's now working as a BBC media manager, but does also still pop up at a reunion gig every so often. 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Reepa - Stuart Baker Reepa - Stuart Baker from Blazin Squad then and now Stuart has now ditched the gelled hair and shaved eyebrows of his youth in favour of a grown-out locks and designer. Find yourself among people of a certain age today and chances are they'll be able to sing the chorus of Crossroads. The Squad's Reepa tells Leigh Mytton all about it. James appears to have ditched his infamous Blazin' Squad gold chain and diamond earrings for a more laidback look. His corkscrew curls have been ironed out and now Sam Foulkes is all grown up. Even the BBC gave them one star for their debut album. Since his days in the band, he has certainly grown up and is now a personal trainer, inevitably still making fans droll over him. Aim for the stars and if you miss at least you will land on the moon.. #gooner. Something went wrong, please try again later. 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. They co-wrote and co-produced Sam Smith and Naughty Boy's tune 'La La La', and also worked on Jess Glynne's debut album. "I might become an actor or do something similar - I've always wanted to be an entertainer from being a small boy. He's apparently working in the import/export industry now (similar to flipping/reversing) but still does the occasional gig with Blazin' Squad and has been showing his Team Marcel Love Island support online, too. Jon O'Brien of AllMusic called them the "self-proclaimed pioneers of ' chav ' culture". After spending some time with the experts, the inking was updated to a more spectacular tribute to their efforts - complete with a smoking microphone. While continuing to do pretty well in the music industry, 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, but he hasn't changed much from the '00s. The 31-year-old faced controversy after he allegedly cheated on Gaby Allen while the pair were on holiday together in Mexico. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. They have been massively successful, writing for artists including Emeli Sande, Leona Lewis, KSI, and Naughty Boy. He now works as a media manager at the BBC and is married to Welsh-born wife Zoe. Over their brief career the lads celebrated two gold records and sold-out arena tours - including a headline set at Wembley. Marcel's busy having a swell time with Gabby, but what ever happened to the rest of the boys? "I might have a solo career or start to write. We take a look at what the likes of Kenzie, Strider, Freek and Rocky B are up to now One of the most recognisable members of the group ( who could forget that gel-slicked hair ) baby-faced Kenzie went on to become a tabloid favourite after the band split thanks to his high profile romances. The album was released to general critical censure.[6][7]. Sam is said to work in the import/export industry these days but still does the occasional reunion gig with the Blazin' Squad boys when called for. 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. 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. The London group had seven hits in the Top 10 before one by one they slowly exited from the spotlight -but where are they now? Read more: 'Simon Cowell is powerful b****** but shouldn't bring back X Factor' says ex star. About Blazin' Squad. Now a father-of-two, he splits his time between London and New York. 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? Comeback Despite their record label wanting to drop them following the lack of success of the single, they had signed a binding contract to release an album. 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. Before Fame. He tweeted: "I've used so much hand sanitiser I can see through my hands.". The pair co-write Sam Smith and Naughty Boy's hit single La La La - which went on to be the sixth best selling single in the UK in 2013 and even made a splash on the US charts peaking at number 19. Arsenal fan Sam Foulkes now works in the import and export industry, while re-teaming with some of his bandmates for the odd Blazin' Squad show. Where are Hollyoaks' missing McQueens now? After the end of the group, he pursued a new career as a window fitter and is still close to his former bandmates. I think the first thing is, weve been doing a few shows, so to up that to a tour, if we were to do anything that would be the first point of call, see how that goes then who knows. Kenzie has certainly grown up since his band days, Reepa has ditched his spikes since the '00s. Before lockdown, Tommy worked as a DJ. Despite ditching the hair gel and growing a beard, the 36 . . This week Reepa gives us the the latest on what Blazin' Squad have been up to. Find out more, The latest offers and discount codes from popular brands on Telegraph Voucher Codes, Blazin' Squad, in their baggy-trousered heyday, Blazin' Squad backstage at Party In The Park, 2004, Dry Cleaning: the British band with the strangest lyrics in music, The Edge: Its going to be very difficult to break up U2, Punk star Slowthai provides a breath of fresh air from self-help platitudes the weeks best albums, A Wagnerian superstar forgoes her helmet and spear, plus the best of Marchs classical concerts, How Daisy Jones & the Six faked Fleetwood Mac. Their debut album featured three hit singles, including Love on the Line and Where the Story Ends, and their follow up, Now or Never, had another, Flip Reverse. 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He has also become a music mogul writing tracks for the likes of Leona Lewis, Emeli Sande and Professor Green. The singer is still close to his band mates, and offered a lot of support for Marcel when he appeared on Love Island. . While some of the fresh-faced group went back to their day jobs, others have continued to court the limelight. Their comeback single 'Let's Start Again' peaked at No. Did they meet at the Crossroads after their breakup? Mojam were reported to have signed a major deal with Sony/ATV's Naughty Words joint venture with Naughty Boy in 2014. He is also on a Podcast called Its Not All Dad with co-stars Jamie Jewitt and Jake Quickenden.