Some members valiantly carried on, and with limited success. Despite ditching the hair gel and growing a beard, the 36-year-old does not look too different from the group's heyday. From Blazin' Squad, that's where. Trivia. . 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. I might become an actor or do something similar - I've always wanted to be an entertainer from being a small boy." 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. 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. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. We've not heard much from Lee Bailey after his solo musical effort The Lee Bailey Project failed to take off. Reepa, or Stuart Baker as he's known to colleagues these days, was an original Blazin' Squad member. But what happened after the band split in 2005? After bandmate Marcel's stint on Love Island, Oliver was invited to appear on E4 show Tattoo Fixers where he hoped to update the inking on his left bicep. They hit the big time back in 2002 but now 15 years has passed and a lot has changed. Self-proclaimed pioneers of "chav" culture, ten-piece pop/rap act Blazin' Squad scored an impressive six consecutive Top Ten hits in just two years. Reepa's mum is called Corleta. 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. 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. He has also become a music mogul writing tracks for the likes of Leona Lewis, Emeli Sande and Professor Green. 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. This content is imported from YouTube. What ever happened to the Blazin' Squad boys? As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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. Releasing new music wouldnt be off the table either.. However, he's not given up on music altogether. Eles tambm anunciaram que iriam lanar um novo lbum pela nova gravadora, Peach Records. Jon O'Brien of AllMusic called them the "self-proclaimed pioneers of 'chav' culture". In his free time he enjoys cycling and enjoying ice creams on a hot day. But their album, Times Like These, struggled in the charts. He is from England. Did they meet at the Crossroads after their breakup? Chris McKeckney was a major player in the Blazin Squad reunion tour two years ago. Turn on your telly at 9pm and you'll currently find Rocky B / Plat'num (depending on your Blazin' era) starring on the new series of Love Island. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. He's also now a father to two daughters, Wynter and Wyllow. The huge success of the gelled-haired, shaved-eyebrowed teen heartthrobs spawned RnB inspired album The Beginning and a further six top ten singles. He's also engaged though, so try not to let your early 2000s feelings ignite all over again. He appeared on a number of reality shows including the third series of Celebrity Big Brother, The Weakest Link, and CelebAir. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. 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. Keeping well? He appeared on ITVs Love Island where he never missed a chance to drop the fact he was one of the Blazin Squad members. 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. They then stormed the charts with their debut single Crossroads - which reached number one in 2002. Ollie, or Freek as he was known in his Blazin' Squad days, embarked on a major career change after leaving the music industry and launched a career in corporate banking. Since the good ol' days, Strider has gone on to even bigger and better things than Blazin' Squad (if that's actually possible). Answer: Melody. Blazin' Squad were an English hip hop group. 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. They have been massively successful, writing for artists including Emeli Sande, Leona Lewis, KSI, and Naughty Boy. 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. 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. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Marcel and partner Rebecca are now on MTV Celebrity Bums: Famous and Pregnant. Kenzie, 35, is one of the most famous members of Blazin' Squad following his former romance with bodybuilding reality star Jodie Marsh. 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. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. "I might become an actor or do something similar - I've always wanted to be an entertainer from being a small boy. The chances are that Kenzie is the boy you remember the best, as he went on to appear on a couple of different reality TV shows like Celebrity Big Brother and The Big Reunion, and now lives a very lavish Insta-lifestyle. Assuming it was Marcel. 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.". Incredibly, Lee Bailey hasnt changed a day although recent pictures of the singer are hard to come by. Something went wrong, please try again later. "Its [sic] been a lot of fun & we're and looking forward to sharing what we've been working on for 2022. Despite ditching the hair gel and growing a beard, the 36 . The group had six top ten hits, including "Crossroads", a cover version of the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony original. 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. After spending some time with the experts, the inking was updated to a more spectacular tribute to their efforts - complete with a smoking microphone. Most notably, they worked with Sam Smith on his hit track La La La. Lovely jubbly. Kenzie has certainly grown up since his band days, Reepa has ditched his spikes since the '00s. Blazin Squad rapper Kenzie is ripped these days, Kenzie posed with his ex-girlfriend Jodie Marsh, Mustafa aka Strider now runs a successful production company, James Murray works alongside his former bandmate Mustafa Omer, Lee Bailey who looks unrecognisable has retreated from the limelight, Stuart Baker aka Reepa has a sensible job these days, Ollie Georgiou, aka Freek, opted for a change of career, Spike-E aka Sam Foulkes is said to work in the import/export business, Melo-d has worked as a double glazing specialist. He now has a wife called Zoe and often shares snaps of their luxurious holidays. Blazin' Squad were an English hip hop group. Another member of the band who has had a change in career is Sam Foulkes, aka Spike-E. Where is Reepa now? DJ Tommy, who is a fan of cycling, has not been seen with the group during any of their reunion gigs. It reached the top of the charts in August 2002, a year after So Solid Crew gained their Number One. Desperate Housewives: Where are they now? 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. 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. Kenzie of Blazin Squad and model Jodie Marsh attend "FHM's 100 Sexiest Women In The World Party" hosted by the men's monthly magazine, at Umbaba on. Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. 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. 5. articles across the internet. He's still loving life in the slightly smaller, reunited version of the band and is probably popping up at a student union near you soon. To date, he still occasionally performs with a few members of the group but also works in the import/exportindustry. About Blazin' Squad. But perhaps it'll all. The 31-year-old faced controversy after he allegedly cheated on Gaby Allen while the pair were on holiday together in Mexico. Speaking of plans for a reunion, Chris had previously said: It has to be done in the right way but were not against it. Poor MarcelSomerville. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Occasionally, he ditches the suit to join his bandmates on stage during reunion performances. Blazin Squad released two albums in their original line-up (Picture: PA) In 2005, members Kenzie, Flava and Strider formed Friday Hill and released two singles - Baby Goodbye and One More Night. Even the BBC gave them one star for their debut album. The Squad's Reepa tells Leigh Mytton all about it. Real name Stuart, Reepa loves sprinting when he's not mixing music. The star has also dyed his natural dark locks peroxide blond and is rocking a nose and facial piercing. 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. Lee's trademark spiky blonde hair made him stand out from the group. 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. Their representative told The Telegraph: "There are no major plans apart from the band performing a few shows up and down the country". Blazin' Squad In 2001 Vs. 2017 Featuring Kenzie, Freek, and Melo-d. by Tabatha Leggett BuzzFeed Staff, UK 1. 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. The label issued a Greatest Hits compilation via digital download and thereby ended the contract with the group. Real name, Chris McKeckney, he's believed to be working as an Engineer these days after leaving the music world behind. Blazin' Squad did consist of Marcel (MC Plat'num), Stuart (MC Reepa), Sam (MC Spike-E) & Chris (MC Melo-D). The Crossroads hitmakers have announced a headline show at KOKO London on 26 November 2017 with seven members of the original line-up returning. In a previous interview with Manchester Evening News he said: "I might have a solo career or start to write. 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". Here, we've have taken a deeper dive into what the original Squad members have been up to over the past two decades. "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. 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. Probably what it says on the tin tbh. At home he hashis own record label but occasionally performs on stage with other bands, andspecialises in electronic and house jams. he said. His corkscrew curls have been ironed out and now Sam Foulkes is all grown up. The former Blazin' Squad member has stayed in media, but a different kind; he is now a media manager at the BBC. The singer is now married and has a baby. Associated With To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. 51 in the UK and basically ended it again. Their break up turned bitter when he in turn accused her of cheating with Towie star Dan Osborne, a claim she's fiercelydenied. Since then he has continued to appear on television and radio shows, including appearing on Celebrity Come Dine With Me last year. In his Blazin' Squad days, it's fair to say Kenzie wasn't exactly hench - but he is now! 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. "We Just Be Dreamin'" reached number three in July 2003, and "Flip Reverse", which was co-written by former member Liam D'Souza reached number two in November. But Blazin' Squad were infamous for their pretentious attempts to seem "street", their love of oversized clothing and enjoyably preposterous interviews at the hands of Simon Amstell, then-co-host of T4 showPopworld, who famously asked them, "So, how's puberty going? He keeps away from the spotlight now, appearing in the occasional nostalgic performance with the band. Oliver wanted to update a tattoo on his left bicep which depicted the date the band got their first number one song and the day they signed their record contract. Rocky B is now widely known for his appearance on ITV's Love Island and his romance with Liverpudlian Gabby Allen. Toukokuussa 2006 ilmoitettiin, ett Rocky-B, Reepa, Spike-E ja Melo-D aikovat uudistua ja esiinty neliosaisena versiona Blazin 'Squadista. He also dated former glamour model Jodie Marsh around the same time. Kenzie appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2005 and he was one of the youngest contestants to ever enter the house. 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. After some intense detective work and a lot of 'Crossroads' on repeat, we've gathered a roundup of where all ten of the Blazin' Squad boys are now - and some handy past and present photos to help decide whether you still fancy your fave. A new member, Joe-E, was added to the group in a failedattempt to revive interest. He's pretty unrecognisable these days with cropped hair and a thick beard. Actually known as Stuart Baker, the spiked hair has now been replaced with soft, brunette locks. Ten teenagers from Chingford who enjoyed a brief, but indeed blazing, time in the limelight in the early Noughties. 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. Hope you're well, Flave. Is that Marcel, from Love Island? But, he is also a father to daughters Wynter and Wyllow with girlfriend Frankie Evans. They decided to call it a day in 2006. They also joined Kenzie, Rocky B and Freek to form a five-piece Blazin' Squad reunion in 2009. 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. Their catchy tunes including Flip Reverse and number one song Crossroads were dancefloor staples in nightclubs across the country. Currently he is still involved in the entertainment industry and works as a music manager for ESG Management. . 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Lee's voice is instantly recognisable as he sang the incredibly catchy chorus on the band's number two hit, Flip Reverse. Spike-e is considerably less spikey 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 so don't get too sad. Melo-D, or Chris McKeckney, still dabbles in the music biz, uploading rap tracks to his Soundcloud page. With the facial hair and jawline structure came a very sensible and grown up job, too. The album was released to general critical censure.[6][7]. 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. [2], The band released a number of white label singles on the Weighty Plates label featuring remixes of the track "Standard Flow" from their album In the Beginning. 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. Sign up to the Hull Live newsletter for daily updates and breaking news. A live recording of a concert in Liverpool was released on DVD for Christmas 2003 but failed to achieve any commercial success. Following the show, Marcel and Gabby were together for almost a year before announcing their split amid reports of infidelity on his part. Most importantly, Reepa could arguably be the Blazin' Squad member who's experienced the biggest glo up in terms of hotness.