Mag pages penulti

Melody December 2013

ISSUE 1 £2.10

Rihanna

TOP

Rocks Rio

50

Ashanti's

RAPPERS

tour a

SUCCESS

BET Awards Nominations

Nicki Minaj HOT hits & collabs

kim j

‘

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

’

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE R ISING YOUNG R&B STAR ON HER JOURN EY TO THE MUSIC INDUSTR Y

I want to show my personality through my own music

+

Eminem Beyonce Usher's Confessions Destiny's Child Top Ten Diva's

0 1256536590 TREY SONGZ | CHRIS BROWN | SHONTELLE

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Melody INSIDE DECEMEBER

Issue 1

EXCLUSIVE

Editor's Note

Our exclusive guest talks about her jouney in the music industry and how it it all started. interviewed by Geeta Gohil

Hi guys, It’s been one crazy month at Melody HQ’s. We received news that we won the best debut R&B music magazine at the MOBO awards. How exciting! We caught up with artists like Rihanna, R.Kelly, Fuse ODG and our home town mate Dizzie Rascal.

In this month’s issue, we are jam packed with information you don’t want to miss out. The Latest Albums, reviews and Hot News will be in your hands. We will also update you with the top lists of the best rappers to the artist of the month.

Each Month, Melody will give our readers exclusive gold chances to enter competitions and special article of our artists in ‘demand’.

We have the one and only Kim J (Grammy award winner) as our main cover story in this issue. She talks about her fearless journey into the crazy and witted music industry. Kim J talks about her friendship with top artists and rappers like Nicki Minaj, Ciara and Nelly.

Enjoy!

contents

Geeta Gohil

Melody Fashion

&

Style

78

JT's Suit&Tie

A sleek and shiny suit with a Patterned Tie, Are we going to bid farewell to the baggy jeans and snapbacks.

Nothing But Your Style

107

Shontelle is back to tell you top tips on how to style yourself with your everyday clothing.

www.melody.co.uk

Regulars 113 Competition Don’t miss your chance to win an

exclusive pair of ticket to the unmissable gig of the month – Usher’s Climax Tour.

Reviews 8 New This months we put in place Nelly’s upcoming single by our very own ‘Melody’ critics.

Chart 90 Download We update our readers with the top 40 most downloaded music of the month.

1

99 Gig

Review: Ashanti's 'Brave Heart' tour

29

Our very own Natasha Petal talks about her fab time at Ashanti’s gig in London.

84 Gigs

& Tours

110 Artist

Fact File

1

84

Top Ten Diva’s of R&B - Is Georgia Leaper one of them?

37 Exclusive

Features

Rocks Rio 10 Rihanna 14 Usher Exclusive Behind the Scene’s Footage Rihanna shines brighter than a diamond in her last show of her Diamond World Tourwhich kicked off in the US in May 2013.

52 Plans are going ahead with the BET BET Awards 2014

Awards 2014 to be greater and outstanding than any other award show in history.

Back In Time 28 Travel We go back in time to find out who

were the biggest R&B artists in the 80’s and 90’s.

Battle 96 Rap Upcoming Rappers join forces to ‘Rap it all out’ for a charity which provides aid and support to young ill patients.

Child 36 Destiny's Wait… Is it True? Really? Beyoncé confirms rumours that Destiny’s Child will reunite. Something is up their sleeves.

J 123 Kim 'The music

industry is not what you expect it to be'

We talk with Grammy Award Winner for Breakthrough artist – Anna J. We get to know the good, the bad and the ugly side of her.

Minaj 122 Nicki She’s back… fiercer, brighter and crazier.

She is all ready to launch her brand new album. – ‘I’m grateful for my barbies and Ken-barbs for their crazy support.

of Usher’s Performance at the EMA’s.

Ten Diva's 37 Top Check out on who the top ten striking Diva’s are, who snapped their way to the list.

103 Artist

of The Month

22 Top

50 Rappers in History

Artist Index 10 Rihanna 42 Bruno Mars 50 Chris Brown 101 R.Kelly 46 Trey Songz 25 Jay Sean 67 Ashanti 118 Arjun 95 Beyonce 55 Musiq 80 Jason Derulo 85 Alicia Keys 14 Usher 22 Mariah Carey 130 Justin Timberlake 122 Nicki Minaj 63 Eminem 107 Shontelle 68 Kanye West 98 Ciara 117 Robin Thicke 77 Drake 123 Kim J 88 Conor Maynard 15 Destiny Childs

Social Media Want to be feautured in our magazine?

Want to tell us your views on a certain article? or Want anything in particular in our magazine to be featured? Contacts us on the following social media network sites.

Tweet us @MelodyMag

63 Eminem We caught up with Eminem on how

he is preparing for his upcoming world tour.

118 Arjun

fb.co.uk/melodymagazine Instagram.com/melody_mag

it Up

YouTube Musical Sensation Arjun, shares his influences on how he mashed up Popular R&B and Bollywood tunes.

77 Other

Side of Drake

81 Jason

Derulo

Youtube.com/melodymagazine

The ‘Started From the Bottom’ rapper shares his inspirational story of how he reached to the top of the charts.

I rather give up my career for my family and health’

Subscribe to Melody Magazine for just £4.00

Get the UK’s first ever R&B dedicated music magazine for just £1.50 each and you will recieve the latest news on events and artists right at your doorstep.

3 | Contents | Melody

Melody | Exclusive

Photography by Geeta Gohil

www.melody.co.uk

KIM J

KIM J One Normal Teenager – makes history as being the first youngest British artist to win a golden shiny grammy.

Stealing the hearts of the world with her outstanding surprised performance dedicated to the one and only ‘I’ll always love you’ singer Whitney Houston. Her successful journey and amazing talent got her into the world of music. >>

5 | Exclusive | Melody

Melody | Exclusive

Photography by Geeta Gohil

www.melody.co.uk

Taking a walk down success lane, Kim J shows her talent in singing to the whole world at one of the biggest stages in musical history.

“A

Prank WON me Grammy KIM J

Kim J was just a normal teenager when a breath taking performance flipped her life around – the rich and famous life, however recently she has been having issues with the music industry. Melody’s very own Geeta Gohil caught up with the young star to discuss about her entry to the musical world and what created this tense between the rising star and the competitive industry.

We have exclusive interview with the young breakthrough artistKim J. Spilling beans on her crazy and unexpected entry to the world of music which lead her to the big-

when her friends uploaded a cheeky video of Kim J singing.

The star reveals that if her friends didn’t do this funny but worthy prank on her then she wouldn’t have been sitting with us for her

“Expect the unexpected, no matter how wacky it sounds” gest stage of musical history – The Grammy Awards Stage, where musical legends like Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, and Rihanna have all performed to their best.

Kim J is the first British young singer to be awarded with a Grammy Award for the best breakthrough artist of 2013. She broke the record by being the first young British singer to be awarded with one.

Impressive!

Despite being at a young age of 17, Kim J has achieved so much since day 1, she worked her butt off which at the end it all paid off by bagging herself with a shiny, golden Grammy award.

Kim J is her stage name and is more recognisable compared to her real name Kimberly Jane Ford. Kimberly was only 9 years old when she started to have a passion to sing and perform.

Joining the school choir in primary school got her loving to perform.

You must be wondering on how she got famous? Well it all started

first ever exclusive interview and bag herself a grammy. ‘It’s funny how a prank won me a grammy, My friends are to be credited the most, without them I would’ve have been here’ The star confessed ‘My friends cheekily recorded me belting out in my room to ‘Halo’, uploaded it on YouTube and the next day I get a call from Amber, my best friend who told me that my video hit over 3 million views, and that Beyoncé herself tweeted the video, I like had a panic attack as firstly they put a video of me without my permission and secondly BEYONCE TWEETED ABOUT ME, my mind was blank and all the possible things that could happen when you receive good news’

”

Queen of R&B… Beyoncé. Kim J shares her thoughts that she never expected Beyoncé to be surfing the YouTube. That’s a right shocker for us too.

Kim was followed by an invite to UK’s biggest R&B and Urban Radio station – Kiss FM. She became a controversial topic within 2 days… Beat that Miley Cyrus!

Little did she know that the visit to the Kiss FM studios would be a one in a million chance for her life to do a roly-poly. The one and only Queen B met Kim J in person and offered a recording contract to Jay –Z’s Record label where stars like Rita Ora, Calvin Harris and Alexis Jordan. Now that’s called destiny.

Not only does Queen B influence Kim J, but top notch artists like Rihanna, Alicia Keys, and the mother of all R&B artists Whitney Houston were also Kim J’s influence. Their tough journey into stardom had become Kim’s one strong influence on how to come to the top of the charts.

Kim J took this chance as she knew performing was her passion and she wanted to share her musical talent of singing with the world. She had already had a soaring fan club starting on twitter with over 1.5 million followers on twitter, 1 million likes on Facebook and what not. She is living the dream… or shall we say best of both worlds.

follow us @Melodymag and @Kim_J

@lizzy_xo: What is your favourite song and album currently?

Rihanna - What Now, it’s such a beautiful song and very catchy of course. I love Tattoos by Jason Derulo, this album has been repeat on my iPod for the past few weeks. I love it!

@sofiaspring: Who would you want to collaborate with in the future?

Timbaland and Alicia Keys.

I love Timabalands music, it has such a good vibe to it and Alicia Keys is just perfect and it would be an honour to sing with her. @Jazon54: Any Artist in particular you love?

BEYONCE IS NUMBER 1.

She is my inspiration and I look up to her. I follow the same type of music as her, the same style and the same attitude! @Natz_97: Do you think you’ll be nominated for a BRIT Award in 2014?

You never know... I’ve got my fingers crossed. I will be delighted if I even got an invitation to attend the show.

Kim is mainly known here in the UK as she released her first single ‘Paradize’ 2 weeks ago which immediately hit No.1 in the UK charts, selling over 410,000 copies on the first day, topping the record made

by Drake with his single ‘Hold on, We’re going home’.

After reaching Number 1, Kim J told us how she celebrated for her debut single to be No.1 in her home country UK. ‘I ate

>>

“I didn’t want to embarass myself in front of millions”

Being discovered by her idol,

Twitter Questions

@ohsnapitsray: What does your tour have for the fans? ohh... My shows will amazing, watch out guys, tickets will be on sale soon, you can only find out if you attend my show.

Pre-order Kim J’s Debut Single ‘Paradize’ now.

Available on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.

>> 7

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Exclusive | Melody

Melody | Exclusive food… lots and lots of food, I also performed at a restaurant in London where I was having my celebration meal with my family, friends and crew’.

Melody’s journalist Geeta Gohil also got told by the young star that she is soon going to tour around UK and get a chance to meet her fans and thank them for all their support.

‘I have already started my planning dates for my tour in the UK, i’m spuer excited to trave and meet everyone who has given me extreme support throughout my hectic journey. I am also deciding who will be my openeing act.’

her performance live on TV. Not that, but her tribute performance to Whitney Houston got her over 4 million hits on YouTube in just under 48 hours. Can you smell that sweet success of hers?

“Recording with Justin Timberlake is like winning the lottery”

Kim loves to perform whether its singing or it’s just presenting a failed magic trick, she likes to see the smiles she brings to the audience’s face, and indeed she is doing it again. By her own fan base ‘Kimmies’ who have put a smile on her face and treating her like the Queen. Kim J reveals about her fans being the best in the world.

‘My fans are so supportive’ ‘Kimmies’ are cool and not dramatic. I’m glad they like my music and appreciate my talent’.

Now that’s pure bond between the upcoming star and the fan base.

Back to her Grammys Performance where she won the hearts of the world, Kim J was one nervous pea. ‘I’m glad it’s over’. Kim J had many sleepless nights before the actual performance, now every music artist would know how she would feel as they must’ve felt the same… well maybe some do.

The young star revealed that she was so nervous and scared. She added on ‘I didn’t want to embarass myself infront of millions who were watching live!’

Kim J responded that she never performed in front of a large crowd

“I was too busy being a troublemaker” of 150,000 people while the rest of the world in millions watched www.melody.co.uk

started writing her own songs and to be ready to record. ‘I’m hoping that o n c e

Check out her outstanding performance on MelodyMagazine. co.uk/ Kim J

Back to the h not only talks life in LA how f

Little did she know that after this performance her mad journey to the music industry will go even crazier and unbelievable. Her managers and producers were chasing after her to get into the American charts as quickly as possible. Kim J told us ‘The Music industry is not what you expect it to be.’

Kim J exposed the truth of her music was all made last minute and she never got a chance to record her own songs. The tension between her and the industry began from her.

l i f e without one havi you aroun lowing you mum used daughter to in music, sh daughter wo tential to g now look, words cam ‘The wor about ta don’t ta sacrifice know t succee everyth a reas for me family go to A them pro You woul hind this a pranksta tells us tha single dres night of th played kno came in f the Gram I couldn’t busy bein er, my ass ing me dow practice unt perfect, w was comin

‘I wish I could bring out my own personality then the music industries personality’ Her debut album is just around the corner, Fans have been waiting impatiently however Kim J has started to give out small clues on each track on her album. ‘My album is different; it has a mixture of R&B and Soul. I’ve been told that my voice is perfect for that combination. I’ve have quite an experience recording this album and I’m just hoping my fans and everyone appreciates the hard work I put in even though I didn’t get a chance to express my thoughts and feelings through the songs written by me’.

There are 4 tracks which have a catchy beat to it and there are 2 ballads in which one is with the only and one Mr Sexy Back – Justin Timberlake. ‘Recording with Justin Timberlake is like winning the lottery’.

Kim J stated that she got too excited about recording her album that she already

pure talent I’ with my fans Throughout young Kim J’ has helped in as at a youn ceived a lot critics to per charts, but w there, we’re a

everything is solved out, I can release an EP with all my songs and

To impress that you fort on. B it for Ki tension with

Kim J is o

’m willing to share s’. the struggle of ’s career, Beyonce n mentoring Kim J, ng age she has ret of pressure from rform well on the when Queen B is all fine right?

happy note, Kim J s about her exciting A, but goes back to w she misses her family and friends back home, the good old normal

anying to boss nd and no one folu around. Kim J’s to encourage her pursue a career he knew that her ould have the poget to the top and I think Mama J’s me out right. rd of music is all aking risks, if I ake any risks or es then you will that you will not ed.

Anyways hing happens for son, in this case e I had to leave my and friends to America and make oud.’ ldn’t think that beinnocent face is ar. Kim J cheekily at she went to every ssing room at the he Grammy’s and ock down ginger. ‘I for rehearsals for mmy Awards, and focus, I was too ng a troublemaksistant kept trackwn and make me til everything was when I knew she ng I used to hide’

everyone, means need to put an efBut was it all worth im J after her h the industry?

KIM J young age she has achieved so much that no other teenage girl must have done. We are so proud of her and hoping her best for the future.

‘It’s been such a privelage to be here at my first magazine interview, I really enjoyed it, I loved every minute and sharing the story behind my success with everyone is truly amazing.

I want to say a big thanks for Melody for having me and all my fans who are reading this article, I love you lots and thank you for you immense support. I’m definately taking the left over cake... shhhh’ Tweet @MelodyMag to get behind the scenes of this exclusive interview.

Kim J will be online on our twitter page on the 30th December 2013, she will be answering your questions. If you guys have any questions for Kim J, drop her tweet o n @ MelodyMag. In the meantime check out her current music video to ‘Paradize’ on our website.

Follow her on twitter - @KimJ to catch up on recent events and tweets of the stars.

The singer confesses that she never used to take her first days of her music career very seriously. Trouble-free Kim J believes that being crazy and witty makes life more bearable.

Kim J strikes a pose at the camera, before she goes and prepares for her UK Leg Tour

one lovely girl, at a 9

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Exclusive | Melody

Melody | Exclusive

Special Edition Extended Interview.

By Fiona Wong

I’m here with the young and talented Kim J for an extended interview. We caught up with her at the Melody HQ with a cuppa.

So Kim J, you’ve been having a right good year and I’ve heard that next year will be even more successful?

‘Yes, you’ve finally heard something true and no stupid rumours. Next year will be a bomb, I am going to be kicking off my UK tour with special guests performing and giving my fans a treat. I’ve also got many award shows to attend and hopefully launch my new album in the later months of the year.’

Photography by Geeta Gohil

That’s amazing, talking about rumours, how do you try and communicate with your fans to make sure that they don’t believe in them?

‘As I’m a honest girl I would tell them upright, I wouldn’t lie to anyone, especially my fans, they are the reason for my success and the support they have continued to give me even with those pointless rumours shows that they care.

It’s important to have a strong and trustworthy relationship between an artist and their fans, It’s because they dedicate nearly their whole life, and I feel like if I give them back something and treat them as loyal fans then I’m sure that they would be amazing at supporting me.’

What was the funniest rumour you’ve heard about yourself? ‘oh god, the funniest rumour had to be when the paps were taking picture of me and Macklemore, thinking we were www.melody.co.uk Photography by Geeta Gohil

actually going out… oh come just because we walked out of the recording studio at the same time doesn’t mean we are going out!’

Will Macklemore be featuring in your future album? ‘ahh you got me! Yes we were in the studio writing the song and composing it. It was one long day. I’m hoping the fans will love it.

Getting personal here, but how did it feel like growing up with your mum, We know you’ve lived in rough areas and kept on moving homes and schools, how much did it affect you?

‘To be honest with you, my childhood had to be a unique one, it wasn’t the greatest but it wasn’t the worst. Me and my mum had our memories and we made sure we put the effort in taking care of each other. Concerning about the locations I’ve lived in, Yes they have been an impact on me, it was not really a neighbourhood, every is a stranger of their own, hiding in their houses. The only thing good about the areas I’ve lived in is the shelter, right now I just think I’m blessed to living my life to fullest and make my mum proud.

School never affected me, I never liked school. The schoolchildren weren’t the nicest friends; they teased me and bullied me. I always was the quiet girl sitting in the corner of the classroom.’

If you could go back to change one moment in your life, what would it be?

That’s a tough one, I may need to think about that. There are many moments I would change. I have a reason for them to change.

“

Everyone is a stranger We’ve heard that you have had struggles with people in the music industry, will there be a way to solve this problem? Do you think it’s going affect your career?

‘I don’t want to get too personal into this. All I’ve got to say is that there are problem between people everyday, it’s a common and natural. They only way to solve it is to be mature and solve it, not complain and think negative. I am a positive thinker and I really like to think about the good outcome and not panic. My career has just started, I don’t to end it that quick!

Is it hard to communicate with fans while doing your work?

‘Very hard of course, I always get told off by my manager for not getting the work completed on time, it’s like high school all over again. I love my fans and I always try my best to respond to everyone, it’s just that some things need to be completed in order for them to be happy, all my hard is for

”

them.

What your favourite social network site to communicate with your fans?

It’s obvious going to be Twitter. It’s so in right now. It easy and very interesting as well.

I’m not really into Facebook and other socal networks as it’s not as popular as Twitter.

Like there is over a billion accounts, like woahhh!!!

Thank you very much for taking your time out for answering some our questions. So where are you going to go from now on?

‘It was great of you to tell us some of your personal things with us. From me and the melody magazine team, we wish you all the best for your career.

‘Thank you so much, I’ve had a great day at Melody HQ and I’m hoping to come back soon.

Well in a few weeks time, I’m off to New York to visit my mentor Beyonce and plan about my album. EXCITED!’

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SPECIAL | Melody