Jodie Connor
Encyclopedia
Jodie Melanie Connor is an Barbadian British
R&B and soul recording artist, lyricist, fashion model and goodwill ambassador
for Charles, Prince of Wales
's The Prince's Trust
.
Connor rose to fame in 2010 after featuring as a guest vocalist on Roll Deep
's number-one single "Good Times
". She was later signed by Polydor Records
and Takeover Entertainment Ltd
and released her debut solo single "Now or Never
" on 16 January 2011, which peaked at number 14. A second single, "Bring It
" featuring Tinchy Stryder
was released on 20 February 2011 following its first play on BBC Radio 1
and debuted at number 11 on the UK R&B Chart
.
for her high school education before attending The Oldham College
where she studied Performing arts
and graduated. Connor worked as receptionist in a sports club by day and gigged
and performed in the evenings and on weekends. In 2003, Connor appeared as a contestant on the second series
of the hit British television talent show Pop Idol
. She was an early favourite of the judges, and made it to the final fifty of the competition, earning her the chance to perform live to the nation, but was eliminated after failing to finish in the top two in her group, instead placing fourth of ten. Connor was given a second chance by the judges, and was invited back for the Wildcard round, but again was unsuccessful in making it through to the next round, and was eliminated for good.
collective Roll Deep
's comeback single "Good Times
"; which she helped to co-write. On 2 May 2010, the single debuted on the UK Singles Chart
at number 1, where it remained for three consecutive weeks. The single not only marked Connor's first chart performance, but also Roll Deep's first top 10 hit. Connor then continued her breakthrough, appearing on videos "Electric Boogaloo (Find a Way)" and "Higher State" by Wiley
and Bailey respectively. Following the success of Connor's breakthrough, she was signed to Polydor Records
and Takeover Entertainment Ltd
, spending the remainder of 2010 recording material for her debut album. On 16 January 2011, Connor released her debut single, "Now or Never
" featuring Wiley, in the UK, which debuted at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart
and number 6 on the UK R&B Chart
. On 20 February 2011, Connor released her second single, "Bring It
" featuring Tinchy Stryder
, also in the UK, which debuted at number 11 on the UK R&B Chart following its first play on BBC Radio 1
.
In December 2010, Connor announced that she is to be spending time between Los Angeles
and New York City
working in the studio with Roc Nation
-Songwriter
's Makeba Riddick
and James Fauntleroy II
on her debut album, and that the album would be scheduled for release in the fourth-quarter of 2011.
's Star in the Hood (company)
female clothing line. In March 2011, Connor was appointed as a goodwill ambassador
for Charles, Prince of Wales
's The Prince's Trust
.
singer-lyricist who was born on Friday, May 8, 1981 in Oldham, Greater Manchester
, northern England
. Connor's family are of Afro
-Barbadian
/White Barbadian
and half-English
descent, her mother is named Kathleen, and she has three sisters who are named Becky, Leoni and Sofie.
Barbadian British
Barbadian British people, or Bajan-Brits are citizens or residents of the United Kingdom whose ethnic origins lie fully or partially in the Caribbean island of Barbados...
R&B and soul recording artist, lyricist, fashion model and goodwill ambassador
Goodwill Ambassador
Goodwill Ambassador is a collective term sometimes used as a substitute honorific title or a title of honor for an Ambassador of Goodwill; but, most appropriately for a generic recognition, it is a job position or description that is usually indicated following the name of the individual recognized...
for Charles, Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
's The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust is a charity in the United Kingdom founded in 1976 by Charles, Prince of Wales to help young people. They run a range of training programmes, provide mentoring support and offer financial grants to build the confidence and motivation of disadvantaged young people...
.
Connor rose to fame in 2010 after featuring as a guest vocalist on Roll Deep
Roll Deep
Roll Deep are an Urban Music Awards-winning London-based grime music collective. They were founded in 2002, by a group of MCs including Wiley. Roll Deep were also closely associated with Boy Better Know with members in both. Their debut album, In at the Deep End, was released in June 2005...
's number-one single "Good Times
Good Times (Roll Deep song)
-Chart performance:"Good Times" first debuted on the Irish Singles Chart on 29 April 2010 at number 42. The following week the single rose 11 places to number 31...
". She was later signed by Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
and Takeover Entertainment Ltd
Takeover Entertainment
Takeover Entertainment is an independent record label, talent agency, musician management company, producer, and publisher of music, currently based in the United Kingdom. The company was founded in 2006 and is run by Kwasi Danquah III , Archie Lamb IV and Jack Foster...
and released her debut solo single "Now or Never
Now or Never (Jodie Connor song)
-Charts:...
" on 16 January 2011, which peaked at number 14. A second single, "Bring It
Bring It (song)
-Charts:The song debuted at 87 on the UK Singles Chart before dropping out the following week. On the 27 March, 2011, the song re-entered at number 98 and rocketed to number 48 the following week. The song then leaped 11 positions to 37, Marking her second top 40 hit.-Release history:...
" featuring Tinchy Stryder
Tinchy Stryder
Kwasi Danquah III , better known by his pseudonyms Tinchy Stryder and Star In The Hood, is a Ghanaian British recording artist, music executive, A&R executive, and businessman...
was released on 20 February 2011 following its first play on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
and debuted at number 11 on the UK R&B Chart
UK R&B Chart
The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week...
.
Early career
Early in Jodie Connor's career, she attended Saddleworth SchoolSaddleworth School
Saddleworth School is a mixed-sex secondary school for 11-16 year olds and is located in Uppermill, in the civil parish of Saddleworth in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, England. The school contains approximately 1300 students and 80 teachers....
for her high school education before attending The Oldham College
The Oldham College
The Oldham College, is a government funded further education college =in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England. In 2008 the college had over 8,000 students, making it the largest centre of further education in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham. It is a Centre of Vocational Excellence for...
where she studied Performing arts
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
and graduated. Connor worked as receptionist in a sports club by day and gigged
Gig (musical performance)
Gig is slang for a musical engagement in which musicians are hired. Originally coined in the 1920s by jazz musicians, the term, short for the word "engagement", now refers to any aspect of performing such as assisting with performance and attending musical performance...
and performed in the evenings and on weekends. In 2003, Connor appeared as a contestant on the second series
Pop Idol (series 2)
The second series of British reality television show Pop Idol was broadcast on ITV in the United Kingdom during the autumn and winter months of 2003. The show was a singing competition for singers aged 16–26, with the winner receiving a £1 million recording contract to release their debut album...
of the hit British television talent show Pop Idol
Pop Idol
Pop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003...
. She was an early favourite of the judges, and made it to the final fifty of the competition, earning her the chance to perform live to the nation, but was eliminated after failing to finish in the top two in her group, instead placing fourth of ten. Connor was given a second chance by the judges, and was invited back for the Wildcard round, but again was unsuccessful in making it through to the next round, and was eliminated for good.
2010-present: Breakthrough and first studio album
Connor returned to spotlight in 2010, when she featured on grimeGrime (music)
Grime is a style of music that emerged from Bow, East London, England in the early 2000s, primarily as a development of UK garage, dancehall, and hip hop...
collective Roll Deep
Roll Deep
Roll Deep are an Urban Music Awards-winning London-based grime music collective. They were founded in 2002, by a group of MCs including Wiley. Roll Deep were also closely associated with Boy Better Know with members in both. Their debut album, In at the Deep End, was released in June 2005...
's comeback single "Good Times
Good Times (Roll Deep song)
-Chart performance:"Good Times" first debuted on the Irish Singles Chart on 29 April 2010 at number 42. The following week the single rose 11 places to number 31...
"; which she helped to co-write. On 2 May 2010, the single debuted on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at number 1, where it remained for three consecutive weeks. The single not only marked Connor's first chart performance, but also Roll Deep's first top 10 hit. Connor then continued her breakthrough, appearing on videos "Electric Boogaloo (Find a Way)" and "Higher State" by Wiley
Wiley (rapper)
Richard Kylea Cowie , better known by his stage name Wiley is a prolific British music producer, MC and recording artist, and rapper with roots from Trinidad...
and Bailey respectively. Following the success of Connor's breakthrough, she was signed to Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
and Takeover Entertainment Ltd
Takeover Entertainment
Takeover Entertainment is an independent record label, talent agency, musician management company, producer, and publisher of music, currently based in the United Kingdom. The company was founded in 2006 and is run by Kwasi Danquah III , Archie Lamb IV and Jack Foster...
, spending the remainder of 2010 recording material for her debut album. On 16 January 2011, Connor released her debut single, "Now or Never
Now or Never (Jodie Connor song)
-Charts:...
" featuring Wiley, in the UK, which debuted at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and number 6 on the UK R&B Chart
UK R&B Chart
The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week...
. On 20 February 2011, Connor released her second single, "Bring It
Bring It (song)
-Charts:The song debuted at 87 on the UK Singles Chart before dropping out the following week. On the 27 March, 2011, the song re-entered at number 98 and rocketed to number 48 the following week. The song then leaped 11 positions to 37, Marking her second top 40 hit.-Release history:...
" featuring Tinchy Stryder
Tinchy Stryder
Kwasi Danquah III , better known by his pseudonyms Tinchy Stryder and Star In The Hood, is a Ghanaian British recording artist, music executive, A&R executive, and businessman...
, also in the UK, which debuted at number 11 on the UK R&B Chart following its first play on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
.
In December 2010, Connor announced that she is to be spending time between Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
working in the studio with Roc Nation
Roc Nation
Roc Nation is an American management, music publishing and entertainment company founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter.-History:In April 2008, Live Nation partnered with Jay-Z to create Roc Nation...
-Songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
's Makeba Riddick
Makeba Riddick
Makeba Riddick is a singer-songwriter who has been active since 2005. She is originally from West Baltimore, United States. Currently she is managed by Jay-Z's record label and production house, Roc Nation...
and James Fauntleroy II
James Fauntleroy II
James Edward Fauntleroy II is an American R&B singer-songwriter signed to Roc Nation. Formerly a member of The Underdogs, Fauntleroy currently works with the production group The Y's, and is the acting president of entertainment conglomerate "1500 Or Nothin"...
on her debut album, and that the album would be scheduled for release in the fourth-quarter of 2011.
Other ventures
In February 2011, Jodie Connor was signed to be the new face of Tinchy StryderTinchy Stryder
Kwasi Danquah III , better known by his pseudonyms Tinchy Stryder and Star In The Hood, is a Ghanaian British recording artist, music executive, A&R executive, and businessman...
's Star in the Hood (company)
Star in the Hood (company)
Star In The Hood Unltd. is a international mid-range to luxury clothing company founded by Kwasi Danquah III, better known as Tinchy Stryder in September 2006...
female clothing line. In March 2011, Connor was appointed as a goodwill ambassador
Goodwill Ambassador
Goodwill Ambassador is a collective term sometimes used as a substitute honorific title or a title of honor for an Ambassador of Goodwill; but, most appropriately for a generic recognition, it is a job position or description that is usually indicated following the name of the individual recognized...
for Charles, Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
's The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust is a charity in the United Kingdom founded in 1976 by Charles, Prince of Wales to help young people. They run a range of training programmes, provide mentoring support and offer financial grants to build the confidence and motivation of disadvantaged young people...
.
Personal life
Jodie Connor is an Barbadian BritishBarbadian British
Barbadian British people, or Bajan-Brits are citizens or residents of the United Kingdom whose ethnic origins lie fully or partially in the Caribbean island of Barbados...
singer-lyricist who was born on Friday, May 8, 1981 in Oldham, Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
, northern England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Connor's family are of Afro
Black people
The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a...
-Barbadian
Barbadian people
Barbadians are people originating on the Caribbean island of Barbados whether they live there or in the Barbadian diaspora.Rihanna is by far the most popular Barbadian on the planet.-Diaspora:...
/White Barbadian
White Barbadian
White Barbadians or White Bajans are citizens or residents of Barbados of European descent. The majority of White Barbadians are descended from English, Irish, Portuguese, and Scottish settlers, who arrived during the British colonial period; however people of Syrian, Lebanese and Jewish ancestry...
and half-English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
descent, her mother is named Kathleen, and she has three sisters who are named Becky, Leoni and Sofie.
Singles
As lead artist & As featured artist| Year | Single | Chart positions |
Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
UK R&B UK R&B Chart The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week... |
SCO Scottish Singles and Albums Chart The Scottish Singles Chart and Scottish Albums Chart are charts compiled by The Official Charts Company, based on physical and digital sales in the STV North, STV Central and ITV Border regions.... |
|||||
| 2011 | "Now or Never Now or Never (Jodie Connor song) -Charts:... " (featuring Wiley Wiley (rapper) Richard Kylea Cowie , better known by his stage name Wiley is a prolific British music producer, MC and recording artist, and rapper with roots from Trinidad... ) |
14 | 6 | 11 | TBA To be announced To be announced, To be confirmed, and To be determined are placeholder terms used very broadly to indicate that although something is scheduled or anticipated to happen, a particular aspect of that thing remains to be arranged... |
||
| "Bring It Bring It (song) -Charts:The song debuted at 87 on the UK Singles Chart before dropping out the following week. On the 27 March, 2011, the song re-entered at number 98 and rocketed to number 48 the following week. The song then leaped 11 positions to 37, Marking her second top 40 hit.-Release history:... " (featuring Tinchy Stryder Tinchy Stryder Kwasi Danquah III , better known by his pseudonyms Tinchy Stryder and Star In The Hood, is a Ghanaian British recording artist, music executive, A&R executive, and businessman... ) |
37 | 11 | 32 | ||||
| 2011/2012 | "Living My Life" (featuring TBC To be announced To be announced, To be confirmed, and To be determined are placeholder terms used very broadly to indicate that although something is scheduled or anticipated to happen, a particular aspect of that thing remains to be arranged... ) |
TBR Release (music) In the music industry, a release is usually a term referring to the creative output from an artist available for sale or distribution; a broad term covering the many different formats music can be released in, and different forms of pieces .The word can also refer to the event at which an album or... |
|||||
| As featured artist | |||||||
| 2010 | "Good Times Good Times (Roll Deep song) -Chart performance:"Good Times" first debuted on the Irish Singles Chart on 29 April 2010 at number 42. The following week the single rose 11 places to number 31... " (Roll Deep Roll Deep Roll Deep are an Urban Music Awards-winning London-based grime music collective. They were founded in 2002, by a group of MCs including Wiley. Roll Deep were also closely associated with Boy Better Know with members in both. Their debut album, In at the Deep End, was released in June 2005... featuring Jodie Connor) |
1 | — | 1 | Winner Stays On Winner Stays On -Charts:-Release history:... |
||
| "—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. | |||||||
Guest appearances
| Year | Single | Chart positions |
Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
|||||||
| 2008 | "Love Of My Life" (Dawood & Knight featuring Jodie Connor) |
— | Single only release | ||||
| 2010 | "Electric Boogaloo (Find A Way)" (Wiley Wiley (rapper) Richard Kylea Cowie , better known by his stage name Wiley is a prolific British music producer, MC and recording artist, and rapper with roots from Trinidad... featuring J2K & Jodie Connor) |
— | Single only release | ||||
| "Higher State" (Bailey featuring Jodie Connor) |
— | Higher State | |||||
| "—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. | |||||||
Music videos
| Title | Year | Director | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Electric Boogaloo (Find A Way)" (with Wiley Wiley (rapper) Richard Kylea Cowie , better known by his stage name Wiley is a prolific British music producer, MC and recording artist, and rapper with roots from Trinidad... & J2K) |
2010 | Charles Henrie Belleville | |
| "Good Times Good Times (Roll Deep song) -Chart performance:"Good Times" first debuted on the Irish Singles Chart on 29 April 2010 at number 42. The following week the single rose 11 places to number 31... " (with Roll Deep Roll Deep Roll Deep are an Urban Music Awards-winning London-based grime music collective. They were founded in 2002, by a group of MCs including Wiley. Roll Deep were also closely associated with Boy Better Know with members in both. Their debut album, In at the Deep End, was released in June 2005... ) |
Rock Jacobs | ||
| "Now or Never Now or Never (song) "Now Or Never" is the debut single by the German winner of the fourth season of Deutschland sucht den Superstar, Mark Medlock. It was written and produced by Dieter Bohlen... " (with Wiley Wiley (rapper) Richard Kylea Cowie , better known by his stage name Wiley is a prolific British music producer, MC and recording artist, and rapper with roots from Trinidad... ) |
2011 | Johny Mourgue | |
| "Bring It Bring It (song) -Charts:The song debuted at 87 on the UK Singles Chart before dropping out the following week. On the 27 March, 2011, the song re-entered at number 98 and rocketed to number 48 the following week. The song then leaped 11 positions to 37, Marking her second top 40 hit.-Release history:... " (with Tinchy Stryder Tinchy Stryder Kwasi Danquah III , better known by his pseudonyms Tinchy Stryder and Star In The Hood, is a Ghanaian British recording artist, music executive, A&R executive, and businessman... ) |
Luke Biggins & Yasha Malekzad | ||
Cameo appearances
| Title | Year | Director(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "In My System In My System "In My System" is a single by Ghanaian British electro hop vocalist, Tinchy Stryder. It was the first single from his third studio album Third Strike. It was released on August 8, 2010 as a digital download and on August 9, 2010 as a CD single. The single features uncredited vocals from co-writer... " (Tinchy Stryder Tinchy Stryder Kwasi Danquah III , better known by his pseudonyms Tinchy Stryder and Star In The Hood, is a Ghanaian British recording artist, music executive, A&R executive, and businessman... ) |
2010 | Kwasi Danquah III & Emil Nava | |
| "Gangsta? Gangsta? (Tinchy Stryder song) "Gangsta?" is a song by Ghanaian British recording artist Tinchy Stryder. It was produced by TMS and Co-written by Stryder and TMS, for Stryder's 2010 album, Third Strike... " (Tinchy Stryder Tinchy Stryder Kwasi Danquah III , better known by his pseudonyms Tinchy Stryder and Star In The Hood, is a Ghanaian British recording artist, music executive, A&R executive, and businessman... featuring Tinie Tempah Tinie Tempah Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu , better known by his stage name Tinie Tempah, is a British rapper. He made his first mixtape in 2007 with 28 songs, freestyles and remixes, the album features Mz Bratt, Chipmunk and G-Unit... ) |
Kwasi Danquah III & Adam Powell | ||