N-Dubz
Encyclopedia
N-Dubz are a British hip hop
group from Camden Town
, London
. The group consists of members Dappy
, Tulisa Contostavlos
and Fazer.
N-Dubz were previously signed to Polydor Records
before joining All Around the World Records
. They have had eight top 40 hits on the UK Singles Chart
, the most successful being "I Need You
", which charted at number five.
Their debut album Uncle B
was released on 17 November 2008 and debuted at number eleven on the UK Albums Chart
. It was announced via their official Myspace
page and various websites that it has since been certified platinum for shipments of over 300,000 in the UK. Their second album Against All Odds
was released on 16 November 2009, which debuted at number 6 in the UK. It went platinum within approximately two months of release.
, North London
, and two of them are of Greek heritage
. They each attended several different schools, meeting together for the first time when they were about 13 at Haverstock School, and coming together as a group for the first time at about this age under the management of Dino's father, Byron Contostavlos (formerly of Mungo Jerry
), who died on 12 April 2007. They had a hard upbringing, living on tough estates and experienced a lot first-hand as teenagers, including violence
, depression
, drug abuse
, extreme financial difficulty, bullying, and gang culture.
stations.
After Lickle Rinsers Crew, they then became NW1, after the area they hail from, making their first music video in 2005 for the track "Everyday Of My Life", which received airplay on Channel U, recording more demos as NW1 such as "Don't Feel Like Moving", "Girl On Road" and "Livin Broke". Their first single to be released was "You Better Not Waste My Time
", which was available for download only until their 2006 self-released single, "I Swear
", which gained them their first mainstream notice. It wasn't until 2007's "Feva Las Vegas
" (also self-released) that the group appeared on the UK charts, peaking at No. 57. Each member appeared on the second series of Channel 4
's Dubplate Drama after they began to get noticed as a group.
After winning a MOBO Award for Best Newcomer, the group signed to Polydor Records
and re-released their first single "You Better Not Waste My Time
" on the label, which debuted at No. 26 on the UK singles chart
. In mid-2007, Dappy released "Love for my Slum" with fellow UK artist Baker Troble. This song was number one on Channel U
for many weeks and was a big hit with the UK underground rap scene but was heavily criticised by the media for a scene in which Dappy is stood outside a block of expensive luxury flats with a "rich kid" who is trying to look like a gangster. The Independent
wrote, "His lyrics combine jealousy with anger: 'You got too much to lose / You're in a great position... You wouldn't last a minute where I'm from / You'd go missing / So appreciate what you got / 'cos I'm still wishing.' And then he grabs the rich kid by his coat, pulls him toward him, and punches him in the face. The silent boy falls instantly to the pavement..."; they then went on to put "Do scenes like these suggest that music videos are encouraging their viewers to indulge in criminality?". Dappy appeared on the television show Never Mind the Buzzcocks
on 29 November 2007, on Phill Jupitus's team, and wore a trademark "Dappy hat", also giving one to Simon Amstell
to wear as part of the gag. Despite vowing he would not return to the show, he appeared for a second time on the guest team on 4 December 2008 and for a third time, on Phill's team, which was broadcast on 18 November 2009.
" surfaced along with a music video. The video for "Ouch" attracted over 4 million viewers on networking site YouTube
in just over a month after release. On 6 August 2008, it was announced that the group had left Polydor Records
and had signed to All Around the World records
. The label predominantly specializes in dance music; however, they have occasionally released hip hop records such as Ice Cube
's You Can Do It
. The press release stated that the label would be releasing "Ouch" as the group's first single on the label in September 2008. The group's first album, Uncle B
, was released on 17 November 2008. The album includes "You Better Not Waste My Time", "I Swear", "Feva Las Vegas", "Love for My Slums", "Ouch", "Defeat You" and "Papa Can You Hear Me?". "Strong Again
" was touted as the third single to be released from the Uncle B
album on 16 February 2009 and a music video was made, before the physical CD released of the song was cancelled for unknown reasons. The song charted for five weeks in the UK Singles Chart
, peaking highest at number 24. Group member Dappy was featured in Tinchy Stryder's 2009 No. 1 single tentatively titled "Number 1", the video also featured cameo appearances from all N-Dubz's members. Due to the success of their debut album, the group embarked on their first headlining tour, Uncle B Tour
. The tour was originally planned for 16 dates but due to high demand 5 extra dates were added. The tour was supported by Stevie Hoang
and Tinchy Stryder
with whom N-Dubz collaborated with on his No. 1 single "Number 1". The tour sold out within days. During one performance, Tulisa fainted on stage. Multiple news sources reported that it was due to suspected swine flu
. Jonathan Shalit, the group's manager, stated that Tulisa "was taken ill on the flight out to Greece on Thursday" and that "her bandmates are all very worried about her." The group were due to perform at Radio 1's Big Weekend on 10 May 2009, but their participation was placed in doubt while Tulisa was hospitalised. It was later confirmed that Tulisa had tested negative for swine flu and the group did perform.
The song "Wouldn't You
" was then announced to be the seventh, and last, single to be released from the Uncle B debut album. The song was released digitally on 25 May 2009 and peaked at No. 64 in the UK.
. The story for the third series was mainly set around Laurissa's (Tulisa) relationship with her music manager and lead singer of an R&B group while tackling a drug addiction to cocaine
. Dubplate Drama finished with Laurissa kicking her addictions and leaving in a taxi for a new life with her child.
N-Dubz appeared with other artists, including Tinchy Stryder
and Pixie Lott
, to record a charity song for War Child
. The Noisettes
, Chipmunk
, MPHO, Ironik and Kid British
also signed up for the project under the name The Young Soul Rebels. The music stars released "I Got Soul", a rewritten version of The Killers' "All These Things That I've Done
", to raise money for marginalised children in war zones. Tulisa admitted she felt privileged to record the charity song. "It's an issue that hasn't been looked at enough. And you know, even until I found out about this event, I didn't really know that much about it, and that's saying something you know. And the fact that I'm only finding out now is not really good enough. So that was every reason for me to get involved." She told BBC Newsbeat
.
The group embarked on a Christmas Party Tour beginning on 17 November 2009. They visited 10 cities across the UK performing songs from both albums Uncle B and Against All Odds, as confirmed by their official MySpace page. The tour was originally to be a taster of their new album, but it was announced that the album Against All Odds
would be released a day before the tour starts.
The lead single from the group's second album titled "I Need You" was released on 9 November 2009 and charted at No. 5 in the UK Singles Chart
. The album Against All Odds
, was released on 16 November 2009, and charted at No. 6 in the UK Album Chart. The album went platinum within approximately 2 months of release. The second single, "Playing with Fire
" features R&B/pop musician, Mr Hudson. The song reached No. 15 in the UK Charts on album downloads alone; however, when the single was released, it fell to No. 16, reaching a new peak at No. 14 the week after.
The music video for the third single taken from the album, "Say It's Over
", was released on 5 March 2010 on Channel AKA. It was announced that the single will be released on 25 April, it reached No. 27 on album downloads alone before the single was released. In late 2009, N-Dubz announced that they will tour their current album, Against All Odds in spring 2010, making it their third tour in two years, starting on 31 March and finishing on 20 April. It included 17 shows with supporting acts Skepta
, Talay Riley and Ultra. On 1 April 2010, they released their first book, N-Dubz – Against All Odds: From Street Life to Chart Life, which they described as "the answer to the critics, there is a lot of bad press about N-Dubz at the moment and this is going to put the record straight about who we really are and what we're about!", saying they want to put "everything out there", and Fazer also adding "It's going to surprise you!". The book also gives access to a secret N-Dubz website.
, which premiered on 21 June 2010 on 4Music
, and was later renewed for a second series in 2011. Dappy: 'We bullied our way in' The Guardian. 19-09-11. Accessed 20-09-11 After much speculation, it was confirmed that US label Def Jam
signed the group. The first release was the album Love.Live.Life
, N-Dubz's third studio album. It was released in the UK on 29 November 2010.
Five singles were released from Love.Live.Life. The first, "We Dance On
", had previously been released in May 2010 from the StreetDance
soundtrack
. On 1 September 2010, N-Dubz announced via Facebook that their first new single from the album would be "Best Behaviour
", which was eventually released on 17 October. The music video premiered on Channel AKA and Clubland TV
on 8 September and was uploaded on YouTube
by AATW Records later that day.
The final three singles from Love. Life. Live were "Girls
", "So Alive
" and "Morning Star
". Love. Life. Live became N-Dubz' third platinum selling album.
of The X Factor
and Dappy releasing his solo single "No Regrets
", N-Dubz' gig on 18 September 2011 was described as "their final gig for the foreseeable future".
In November, Contostavlos confirmed that N-Dubz are undergoing a two-year hiatus as Dappy and herself pursue solo careers. Contostavlos also confirmed the release of a Greatest Hits album released November 28, 2011
. Since early 2010 Dappy and Fazer have both been struggling to secure U.S. visas due to their past convictions.
In December 2008, Dappy pleaded guilty to two counts of assault at Chelmsford Magistrates Court, Essex
after reportedly spitting in a girl's face while drunk on a night out. He received four weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, to run concurrently and 100 hours community service. He was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to the girl and her friend and £300 costs.
On 29 January 2009, Dappy was arrested and bailed after he was accused of making death threats with a gun. He denied the allegation. His home in Camden was raided following the incident by police looking for a firearm. On 31 January he and fellow N-Dubz performer Fazer
were escorted from a BA flight from Edinburgh
to London
by police after it touched down, after allegedly threatening other passengers. A source told The Sun "They were swearing at kids on the plane, being foul and threatening passengers. Cabin crew called ahead to the police, who were waiting when the plane landed. They were taken away by armed officers."
In late 2009, a feud started between Tulisa and Elly Jackson
of La Roux
who stated that all the females that do hip hop
music dress up like prostitutes
. Contostavlos took offence saying "she shouldn't talk about people's jobs that way... it's just wrong, where was she brought up – in a barn?", calling Jackson a "twat".
In November 2009, Fazer was caught without car insurance in St Albans, Hertfordshire
, while driving his BMW and was banned for 6 months. This has since meant that he has been refused an American visa
.
Later that month it surfaced that N-Dubz's DJ Maze had allegedly raped a young fan after a show N-Dubz had done at Butlins
holiday camp in Skegness. They instead had BBC Radio 1Xtra
's Twin B as their Christmas Party Tour DJ.
On 12 January 2010, N-Dubz appeared on The Chris Moyles Show
on BBC Radio 1
. The show received a text message from a Chloe Moody in Boston, Lincolnshire
complaining that Dappy was "vile" and "a little boy with a silly hat" and that N-Dubz were "losers". Dappy secretly copied Moody's phone number from the studio console and, the following day, tried calling her and sent threatening messages including: "Your [sic] gonna die. U sent a very bad msg towards Ndubz on The Chris Moyels [sic] show yesterday Morning and for that reason u will never be left alone!!! u say sorry I will leave u alone u ****." Moody claimed that she continued to receive messages after declining to apologise but N-Dubz management later apologised on his behalf and offered free tickets to one of his concerts, although Dappy has not apologised to Moody personally. The rapper had appeared with the then-Schools Secretary Ed Balls to launch pop single "RU Cyber Safe" in November 2009, but was dropped from the campaign with Mr Balls saying: "This text message was totally unacceptable. There is no excuse."
In March 2010, a dispute then started between N-Dubz and Lethal Bizzle
, who claimed he had written and produced N-Dubz's hit "I Need You
" for them and so should be acknowledged in the credits for it, with Tulisa hitting back on Twitter
that "he's jus triena boost his status, ...wat an unbelievable loser!" and N-Dubz later posted a video on their official YouTube
channel through Twitter with the caption: "THE PROOF WE DIDNT STEAL S**T, WE MAKE OUR OWN HITS!" of when he had sent them the finished song and when they had actually finished the song, implying that their version was over 2 months older than his.
N-Dubz hit the headlines again in early April 2010 on the front page of The Sun
and other newspapers after Dappy and Fazer were caught firing at passers-by and fans, with toy paintball guns, outside the O2 Academy in Newcastle
, with Dappy hitting a girl on the bottom, who called the police. The guns were confiscated and Northumbria Police
confirmed: "We were called to the court car park at the rear of the O2 Academy in Fenkle Street just before 8pm on Saturday following complaints pellets were being fired from a coach at the location. Officers spoke to two persons who had been firing plastic toy guns at each other, discharging small 6mm pellets."
Dappy was also exposed live on GMTV
on 28 April 2010 after he was on that day's front pages with CCTV pictures of him, snorting the since banned recreational drug Mephedrone in an Essex
nightclub. He tried to apologise, insisting "It's just not a thing to be doing. I've learnt my mistake. I'll never do such things again", going on to say, "I was just a bit tipsy and it just fell into the wrong place at the wrong time", and also issued a public apology.
Just a day later, Dappy was removed from Alton Towers
theme park hotel in Staffordshire
, for allegedly smoking cannabis
. Contostavlos and his two other companions, who were suspected to be Kaye Vassell and fellow hip-hop musician Fearless, were kicked out after guests complained about a "funny smell" coming from his room, according to reports. An Alton Towers spokesperson told Sky News: "We can confirm a guest was asked to leave."
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
group from Camden Town
Camden Town
-Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The group consists of members Dappy
Dappy
Costadinos Contostavlos better known by his stage name Dappy, is a British singer-songwriter, rapper, actor of Greek descent. He is best known for being the lead singer of the Camden-based Grime/hip hop/R&B trio N-Dubz, with his cousin Tulisa and their friend Fazer...
, Tulisa Contostavlos
Tulisa Contostavlos
Tula Paulinea "Tulisa" Contostavlos is an English singer-songwriter and actress of Greek and Irish descent. She is best known for being a member of the Camden-based hip hop group N-Dubz, with her cousin Dappy and their friend Fazer...
and Fazer.
N-Dubz were previously 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...
before joining All Around the World Records
All Around The World (record label)
All Around the World Productions Limited is a record label from Blackburn, England. The label specialises in Dance Music and most recently R&B.-History:AATW was founded by directors Matt Cadman & Cris Nutall in 1991....
. They have had eight top 40 hits 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 ...
, the most successful being "I Need You
I Need You (N-Dubz song)
"I Need You" is a song performed, written and produced by MOBO Award-winning English hip hop trio, N-Dubz. The song was written by all the group members: Dappy, Fazer and Tulisa. Dappy and Fazer have been noted as the track's producers...
", which charted at number five.
Their debut album Uncle B
Uncle B
Uncle B is the debut album released by N-Dubz. It was released on 17 November 2008. The album is dedicated to former N-Dubz manager and father of Dappy, Byron Contostavlos, who died shortly before the band were signed to their second record label All Around the World. It entered the official UK...
was released on 17 November 2008 and debuted at number eleven on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
. It was announced via their official Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page and various websites that it has since been certified platinum for shipments of over 300,000 in the UK. Their second album Against All Odds
Against All Odds (N-Dubz album)
Against All Odds is the second platinum selling studio album by N-Dubz. The album was released in Ireland on 13 November 2009 and was released on 16 November 2009 in the UK.-Background: given by tulisa conastovlos...
was released on 16 November 2009, which debuted at number 6 in the UK. It went platinum within approximately two months of release.
Early life
All of the members of N-Dubz were born in Camden TownCamden Town
-Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in...
, North London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and two of them are of Greek heritage
Greek diaspora
The Greek diaspora, also known as Hellenic Diaspora or Diaspora of Hellenism, is a term used to refer to the communities of Greek people living outside the traditional Greek homelands, but more commonly in southeast Europe and Asia Minor...
. They each attended several different schools, meeting together for the first time when they were about 13 at Haverstock School, and coming together as a group for the first time at about this age under the management of Dino's father, Byron Contostavlos (formerly of Mungo Jerry
Mungo Jerry
Mungo Jerry is an English rock group whose greatest success was in the early 1970s, though they have continued throughout the years with an ever-changing line-up, always fronted by Ray Dorset. They are remembered above all for their hit "In the Summertime". It remains their most successful and most...
), who died on 12 April 2007. They had a hard upbringing, living on tough estates and experienced a lot first-hand as teenagers, including violence
Violence
Violence is the use of physical force to apply a state to others contrary to their wishes. violence, while often a stand-alone issue, is often the culmination of other kinds of conflict, e.g...
, depression
Depression (mood)
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless...
, drug abuse
Drug abuse
Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, refers to a maladaptive pattern of use of a substance that is not considered dependent. The term "drug abuse" does not exclude dependency, but is otherwise used in a similar manner in nonmedical contexts...
, extreme financial difficulty, bullying, and gang culture.
2000–2007: Group formation and Polydor Records
Performing as the Lickle Rinsers Crew, they released the singles "Bad Man Riddim" and "Life Is Getting Sicker by the Day", which became hits on English pirate radioPirate radio
Pirate radio is illegal or unregulated radio transmission. The term is most commonly used to describe illegal broadcasting for entertainment or political purposes, but is also sometimes used for illegal two-way radio operation...
stations.
After Lickle Rinsers Crew, they then became NW1, after the area they hail from, making their first music video in 2005 for the track "Everyday Of My Life", which received airplay on Channel U, recording more demos as NW1 such as "Don't Feel Like Moving", "Girl On Road" and "Livin Broke". Their first single to be released was "You Better Not Waste My Time
You Better Not Waste My Time
"You Better Not Waste My Time" also known as "Better Not Waste My Time" is the debut single by English MOBO-award winning hip-hop group N-Dubz. It was released on 19 August 2006 as a digital download only single, whilst the group was still self-funded...
", which was available for download only until their 2006 self-released single, "I Swear
I Swear (N-Dubz song)
"I Swear" is the second overall single released by English hip hop trio, N-Dubz under their self-funded record label. It was released on September 12, 2006 as their first mainstream release. The maxi single is the only single by N-Dubz that is available on the US iTunes store...
", which gained them their first mainstream notice. It wasn't until 2007's "Feva Las Vegas
Feva Las Vegas
"Feva Las Vegas" is the third single by English hip hop trio, N-Dubz. The song was included on their debut album Uncle B. The single's B-side, "N-Dubz vs. NAA", helped promote the single with a music video being released to YouTube. This was the only single not to be featured on the bands 2011...
" (also self-released) that the group appeared on the UK charts, peaking at No. 57. Each member appeared on the second series of Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's Dubplate Drama after they began to get noticed as a group.
After winning a MOBO Award for Best Newcomer, the group 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 re-released their first single "You Better Not Waste My Time
You Better Not Waste My Time
"You Better Not Waste My Time" also known as "Better Not Waste My Time" is the debut single by English MOBO-award winning hip-hop group N-Dubz. It was released on 19 August 2006 as a digital download only single, whilst the group was still self-funded...
" on the label, which debuted at No. 26 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 ...
. In mid-2007, Dappy released "Love for my Slum" with fellow UK artist Baker Troble. This song was number one on Channel U
Channel U TV
Channel AKA is a British digital satellite TV channel, owned by Mushroom TV Ltd, available through Sky within the UK and Ireland on channel 370...
for many weeks and was a big hit with the UK underground rap scene but was heavily criticised by the media for a scene in which Dappy is stood outside a block of expensive luxury flats with a "rich kid" who is trying to look like a gangster. The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
wrote, "His lyrics combine jealousy with anger: 'You got too much to lose / You're in a great position... You wouldn't last a minute where I'm from / You'd go missing / So appreciate what you got / 'cos I'm still wishing.' And then he grabs the rich kid by his coat, pulls him toward him, and punches him in the face. The silent boy falls instantly to the pavement..."; they then went on to put "Do scenes like these suggest that music videos are encouraging their viewers to indulge in criminality?". Dappy appeared on the television show Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Never Mind the Buzzcocks is a comedy panel game television show with a pop music theme, currently without a permanent presenter. It stars Phill Jupitus and Noel Fielding as team captains. The show is produced by Talkback Thames for the BBC, and is usually aired on BBC Two...
on 29 November 2007, on Phill Jupitus's team, and wore a trademark "Dappy hat", also giving one to Simon Amstell
Simon Amstell
Simon Marc Amstell is a BAFTA nominated, award-winning English comedian, television presenter, screenwriter and actor, best known for his roles as former co-host of Popworld, former host of Never Mind the Buzzcocks and co-writer and star of the sitcom Grandma's House.-Early life:Amstell was born...
to wear as part of the gag. Despite vowing he would not return to the show, he appeared for a second time on the guest team on 4 December 2008 and for a third time, on Phill's team, which was broadcast on 18 November 2009.
2008–09: All Around the World records and Uncle B
In May 2008, a song entitled "OuchOuch (song)
"Ouch" is a song performed, written and produced the by English hip hop group N-Dubz. It was released as the group's fourth overall single, first single with the record label All Around The World and the first official single for their debut Platinum-selling album, Uncle B.-Background:The single...
" surfaced along with a music video. The video for "Ouch" attracted over 4 million viewers on networking site YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
in just over a month after release. On 6 August 2008, it was announced that the group had left 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 had signed to All Around the World records
All Around The World (record label)
All Around the World Productions Limited is a record label from Blackburn, England. The label specialises in Dance Music and most recently R&B.-History:AATW was founded by directors Matt Cadman & Cris Nutall in 1991....
. The label predominantly specializes in dance music; however, they have occasionally released hip hop records such as Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
's You Can Do It
You Can Do It
"You Can Do It" is a single by Ice Cube featuring Mack 10 and Ms. Toi. It appeared on Ice Cube's War & Peace Vol. 2 as well as the soundtracks for the 1999 motion picture Next Friday and the 2001 motion picture Save the Last Dance....
. The press release stated that the label would be releasing "Ouch" as the group's first single on the label in September 2008. The group's first album, Uncle B
Uncle B
Uncle B is the debut album released by N-Dubz. It was released on 17 November 2008. The album is dedicated to former N-Dubz manager and father of Dappy, Byron Contostavlos, who died shortly before the band were signed to their second record label All Around the World. It entered the official UK...
, was released on 17 November 2008. The album includes "You Better Not Waste My Time", "I Swear", "Feva Las Vegas", "Love for My Slums", "Ouch", "Defeat You" and "Papa Can You Hear Me?". "Strong Again
Strong Again
"Strong Again" is a song by English hip hop trio, N-Dubz. It is the sixth single from their debut album Uncle B and was produced by Kano and Fraser T Smith. The song was featured on the album advert before it was confirmed to be a single. This song features on the UK compilation album Now That's...
" was touted as the third single to be released from the Uncle B
Uncle B
Uncle B is the debut album released by N-Dubz. It was released on 17 November 2008. The album is dedicated to former N-Dubz manager and father of Dappy, Byron Contostavlos, who died shortly before the band were signed to their second record label All Around the World. It entered the official UK...
album on 16 February 2009 and a music video was made, before the physical CD released of the song was cancelled for unknown reasons. The song charted for five weeks in 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 ...
, peaking highest at number 24. Group member Dappy was featured in Tinchy Stryder's 2009 No. 1 single tentatively titled "Number 1", the video also featured cameo appearances from all N-Dubz's members. Due to the success of their debut album, the group embarked on their first headlining tour, Uncle B Tour
Uncle B Tour
The Uncle B Tour was N-Dubz's first tour as a signed band. The tour was in support of their debut album, Uncle B.-Set list:* N-Dubz Backstage * I Swear* You Better Not Waste My Time* Feva Las Vegas** Costume Change...
. The tour was originally planned for 16 dates but due to high demand 5 extra dates were added. The tour was supported by Stevie Hoang
Stevie Hoang
Stevie Hoang is a Chinese-British RnB singer / producer signed toMercury Records and AVEX Stevie started his musical career as a producer, working from his parents house...
and 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...
with whom N-Dubz collaborated with on his No. 1 single "Number 1". The tour sold out within days. During one performance, Tulisa fainted on stage. Multiple news sources reported that it was due to suspected swine flu
Swine flu
Swine influenza, also called pig influenza, swine flu, hog flu and pig flu, is an infection by any one of several types of swine influenza virus. Swine influenza virus or S-OIV is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs...
. Jonathan Shalit, the group's manager, stated that Tulisa "was taken ill on the flight out to Greece on Thursday" and that "her bandmates are all very worried about her." The group were due to perform at Radio 1's Big Weekend on 10 May 2009, but their participation was placed in doubt while Tulisa was hospitalised. It was later confirmed that Tulisa had tested negative for swine flu and the group did perform.
The song "Wouldn't You
Wouldn't You
"Wouldn't You" is a single by English hip hop trio, N-Dubz. The song was released as the seventh and final single from their platinum debut album Uncle B.-Track listing:* Digital Download # "Wouldn't You"...
" was then announced to be the seventh, and last, single to be released from the Uncle B debut album. The song was released digitally on 25 May 2009 and peaked at No. 64 in the UK.
2009–10: Against All Odds
Tulisa and Dappy reprised their roles in the third and final series of the Channel 4 show Dubplate DramaDubplate Drama
Dubplate Drama is a UK television series which started in 2005.It has run for three series.It has been called "the world's first interactive drama series", since it was letting viewers vote on the outcome of each episode's ending....
. The story for the third series was mainly set around Laurissa's (Tulisa) relationship with her music manager and lead singer of an R&B group while tackling a drug addiction to cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
. Dubplate Drama finished with Laurissa kicking her addictions and leaving in a taxi for a new life with her child.
N-Dubz appeared with other artists, including 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...
and Pixie Lott
Pixie Lott
Victoria Louise "Pixie" Lott is an English singer-songwriter, dancer and actress. Her debut single "Mama Do" was released in June 2009 and went straight to number one in the UK Singles Chart. Her second single "Boys and Girls", also topped the UK charts in September 2009. Her debut album Turn It...
, to record a charity song for War Child
War Child (charity)
War Child is a non-governmental organisation founded in the UK 1993, which focuses on providing assistance to children in areas of conflict and post-conflict. They use their film and entertainment background to raise money for aid agencies operating in former Yugoslavia...
. The Noisettes
The Noisettes
Noisettes are an English indie rock band from London, comprising singer and bassist Shingai Shoniwa, guitarist Dan Smith, and drummer Jamie Morrison...
, Chipmunk
Chipmunk (rapper)
Jahmaal Noel Fyffe known by his stage name Chipmunk, is a British hip hop rapper and songwriter from Tottenham, London....
, MPHO, Ironik and Kid British
Kid British
Kid British, often stylised as KiD BRiTiSH, are a British band from Manchester, United Kingdom. The band is composed of Adio Marchant, James Mayer, Sean Mbaya, Simeon McLean, Dominick Allen, Mykey Wilson and Matt Herod.-History:...
also signed up for the project under the name The Young Soul Rebels. The music stars released "I Got Soul", a rewritten version of The Killers' "All These Things That I've Done
All These Things That I've Done
"All These Things That I've Done" is a song performed by The Killers, and written by lead vocalist Brandon Flowers. The song appears on their debut album Hot Fuss. It was released as the third single in 2004 in the United Kingdom and as the fourth single in the United States...
", to raise money for marginalised children in war zones. Tulisa admitted she felt privileged to record the charity song. "It's an issue that hasn't been looked at enough. And you know, even until I found out about this event, I didn't really know that much about it, and that's saying something you know. And the fact that I'm only finding out now is not really good enough. So that was every reason for me to get involved." She told BBC Newsbeat
Newsbeat
Newsbeat is the flagship news programme on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra. Newsbeat is produced by BBC News but differs from the BBC's other news programmes in its remit to provide news tailored for a specifically younger audience....
.
The group embarked on a Christmas Party Tour beginning on 17 November 2009. They visited 10 cities across the UK performing songs from both albums Uncle B and Against All Odds, as confirmed by their official MySpace page. The tour was originally to be a taster of their new album, but it was announced that the album Against All Odds
Against All Odds (N-Dubz album)
Against All Odds is the second platinum selling studio album by N-Dubz. The album was released in Ireland on 13 November 2009 and was released on 16 November 2009 in the UK.-Background: given by tulisa conastovlos...
would be released a day before the tour starts.
The lead single from the group's second album titled "I Need You" was released on 9 November 2009 and charted at No. 5 in 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 ...
. The album Against All Odds
Against All Odds (N-Dubz album)
Against All Odds is the second platinum selling studio album by N-Dubz. The album was released in Ireland on 13 November 2009 and was released on 16 November 2009 in the UK.-Background: given by tulisa conastovlos...
, was released on 16 November 2009, and charted at No. 6 in the UK Album Chart. The album went platinum within approximately 2 months of release. The second single, "Playing with Fire
Playing with Fire (N-Dubz song)
"Playing with Fire" is a song by English hip-hop trio, N-Dubz featuring Mr Hudson. The song is the second single taken from N-Dubz' second album, Against All Odds. The meaning of the song is a girl realizing that her boyfriend is cheating on her and trying to get him to confess. It shows both the...
" features R&B/pop musician, Mr Hudson. The song reached No. 15 in the UK Charts on album downloads alone; however, when the single was released, it fell to No. 16, reaching a new peak at No. 14 the week after.
The music video for the third single taken from the album, "Say It's Over
Say It's Over
"Say It's Over" is the third single from N-Dubz's second studio album Against All Odds, released on 25 April 2010. The song is based around grappling with the difficulties of ending a relationship. It reached #20 in the UK Singles Chart.-Music video:...
", was released on 5 March 2010 on Channel AKA. It was announced that the single will be released on 25 April, it reached No. 27 on album downloads alone before the single was released. In late 2009, N-Dubz announced that they will tour their current album, Against All Odds in spring 2010, making it their third tour in two years, starting on 31 March and finishing on 20 April. It included 17 shows with supporting acts Skepta
Skepta
Joseph Junior Adenuga , better known as Skepta, is an English rapper from London. Originally from and born to Nigerian parents he moved to London aged three....
, Talay Riley and Ultra. On 1 April 2010, they released their first book, N-Dubz – Against All Odds: From Street Life to Chart Life, which they described as "the answer to the critics, there is a lot of bad press about N-Dubz at the moment and this is going to put the record straight about who we really are and what we're about!", saying they want to put "everything out there", and Fazer also adding "It's going to surprise you!". The book also gives access to a secret N-Dubz website.
2010–2011: Def Jam deal & Love.Live.Life
The group filmed a 6 part documentary, Being... N-DubzBeing... N-Dubz
Being... N-Dubz is a 6 part documentary of English hip hop group N-Dubz. It is sponsored by Adidas Originals A new episode airs at 9:00pm on 4Music, it gets repeated again on Channel 4 on the same day at 11:15...
, which premiered on 21 June 2010 on 4Music
4Music
4Music is a music and entertainment channel in the United Kingdom and available on some digital television providers in the Republic of Ireland - its web component can be found at with its own and pages. It is the only channel within the Box Television Network to be branded under Channel 4 and...
, and was later renewed for a second series in 2011. Dappy: 'We bullied our way in' The Guardian. 19-09-11. Accessed 20-09-11 After much speculation, it was confirmed that US label Def Jam
Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings is an American record label, focused primarily on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group...
signed the group. The first release was the album Love.Live.Life
Love.Live.Life
Love.Live.Life is the third studio album by British hip hop group N-Dubz, released on 29 November 2010, as a collaboration by All Around the World and Island Records.-Background:...
, N-Dubz's third studio album. It was released in the UK on 29 November 2010.
Five singles were released from Love.Live.Life. The first, "We Dance On
We Dance On
"We Dance On" is a song performed by British hip hop group N-Dubz, released as the group's eleventh overall single and the lead single from their third studio album, Love.Live.Life. The song was also the second single released from the soundtrack to the film StreetDance .-Background:The song...
", had previously been released in May 2010 from the StreetDance
StreetDance 3D
StreetDance 3D is a British dance film which was released on 21 May 2010. The film was released in RealD 3D, XpanD 3D, and Dolby 3D with Max Giwa and Dania Pasquini directing it. Britain's Got Talent stars George Sampson, Diversity and Flawless made their debut appearances to the big screen...
soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
. On 1 September 2010, N-Dubz announced via Facebook that their first new single from the album would be "Best Behaviour
Best Behaviour
"Best Behaviour" is a song by British hip hop group N-Dubz. The song was produced by Dappy and Fazer and co-written by Tulisa, Mr Hudson, Tony Dixon, Fazer and Dappy. It was released on 17 October 2010 as the second single from N-Dubz's third studio album, Love.Live.Life. Musically, the song is a...
", which was eventually released on 17 October. The music video premiered on Channel AKA and Clubland TV
Clubland TV
Clubland TV is a music channel broadcasting on Sky channel 383 and Freesat channel 514 in the United Kingdom. It features dance music videos and is based from the Clubland compilation albums...
on 8 September and was uploaded on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
by AATW Records later that day.
The final three singles from Love. Life. Live were "Girls
Girls (N-Dubz song)
"Girls" is a song by British hip hop group N-Dubz. It is the third overall single taken from their third studio album, Love.Live.Life. The single was released as a digital download on December 12, 2010. The song was produced by Jim Jonsin and written by Tulisa, Dappy and Fazer, Jim Jonsin, Danny...
", "So Alive
So Alive (Skepta and N-Dubz song)
"So Alive" is a song by British MC Skepta and British trio, N-Dubz. It was released as an official single on 6 February 2011. It is the fourth single released Skepta's third album Doin' It Again and N-Dubz's third album Love.Live.Life...
" and "Morning Star
Morning Star (song)
"Morning Star" is a song by British hip hop group N-Dubz. It is the fifth and final single to be taken from their third studio album, Love.Live.Life. The song was released via digital download on 14 March 2011. The song was produced by Free School and written by Jean Baptiste, Ryan Buendia, Nick...
". Love. Life. Live became N-Dubz' third platinum selling album.
2011–Greatest Hits and hiatus
In August 2011, it emerged that N-Dubz had parted company with record label Def Jam, stating that they were "Never going to co-operate with them when they decided to change what we are". With Contostavlos taking up a role as a judge on series 8The X Factor (UK series 8)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. The eighth series began airing on ITV on 20 August 2011. Louis Walsh is the only judge from the previous series to return, as the other three, Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole, all left to join other...
of The X Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
and Dappy releasing his solo single "No Regrets
No Regrets (Dappy song)
"No Regrets" is the debut solo single by British hip hop artist Dappy. The song was produced by TMS and was written by Dappy, TMS, and Ayak Thiik . It was released in the United Kingdom on 18 September 2011. This was Dappy's first solo number 1 single in the UK...
", N-Dubz' gig on 18 September 2011 was described as "their final gig for the foreseeable future".
In November, Contostavlos confirmed that N-Dubz are undergoing a two-year hiatus as Dappy and herself pursue solo careers. Contostavlos also confirmed the release of a Greatest Hits album released November 28, 2011
Controversy
N-Dubz have been involved in much media criticism and publicised controversy mainly to do with DappyDappy
Costadinos Contostavlos better known by his stage name Dappy, is a British singer-songwriter, rapper, actor of Greek descent. He is best known for being the lead singer of the Camden-based Grime/hip hop/R&B trio N-Dubz, with his cousin Tulisa and their friend Fazer...
. Since early 2010 Dappy and Fazer have both been struggling to secure U.S. visas due to their past convictions.
In December 2008, Dappy pleaded guilty to two counts of assault at Chelmsford Magistrates Court, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
after reportedly spitting in a girl's face while drunk on a night out. He received four weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, to run concurrently and 100 hours community service. He was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to the girl and her friend and £300 costs.
On 29 January 2009, Dappy was arrested and bailed after he was accused of making death threats with a gun. He denied the allegation. His home in Camden was raided following the incident by police looking for a firearm. On 31 January he and fellow N-Dubz performer Fazer
Richard Rawson
Richard Rawson , better known by his stage name Fazer, is a British rapper, producer, DJ and actor. He is popularly known as a member of hip hop trio N-Dubz.-Early life:...
were escorted from a BA flight from Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
by police after it touched down, after allegedly threatening other passengers. A source told The Sun "They were swearing at kids on the plane, being foul and threatening passengers. Cabin crew called ahead to the police, who were waiting when the plane landed. They were taken away by armed officers."
In late 2009, a feud started between Tulisa and Elly Jackson
Elly Jackson
Eleanor Kate "Elly" Jackson is an English singer-songwriter and the lead singer of the electropop duo La Roux. She is well known for her red hair and androgynous style.-Biography:...
of La Roux
La Roux
La Roux are an English electropop duo made up of singer, keyboardist, co-writer and co-producer Eleanor Kate Jackson, and co-writer and co-producer Ben Langmaid. Jackson describes their relationship as "very much a half and half sharing situation... not like a singer producer outfit", but also...
who stated that all the females that do hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
music dress up like prostitutes
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
. Contostavlos took offence saying "she shouldn't talk about people's jobs that way... it's just wrong, where was she brought up – in a barn?", calling Jackson a "twat".
In November 2009, Fazer was caught without car insurance in St Albans, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, while driving his BMW and was banned for 6 months. This has since meant that he has been refused an American visa
United States visas
United States Visas were issued to 6.6 million foreign nationals visiting the United States and to 470 thousand immigrants in 2008.A foreign national wishing to enter the U.S...
.
Later that month it surfaced that N-Dubz's DJ Maze had allegedly raped a young fan after a show N-Dubz had done at Butlins
Butlins
Butlins is a chain of large holiday camps in the United Kingdom. Butlins was founded by Billy Butlin to provide affordable holidays for ordinary British families....
holiday camp in Skegness. They instead had BBC Radio 1Xtra
BBC Radio 1Xtra
BBC Radio 1Xtra is a digital radio station in the United Kingdom from the BBC specialising in new black music, sometimes referred to as urban music. Launched at 18:00 on 16 August 2002, it had been codenamed Network X during the consulation period and is the sister station to BBC Radio 1...
's Twin B as their Christmas Party Tour DJ.
On 12 January 2010, N-Dubz appeared on The Chris Moyles Show
The Chris Moyles Show
The Chris Moyles Show is the current BBC Radio 1 breakfast show in the UK, and has been since Chris Moyles became the station's breakfast show presenter on 5 January 2004. From 2004 to 2007, the show was broadcast 6:55–10:00 am each weekday, but since 15 October 2007 it has started from...
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...
. The show received a text message from a Chloe Moody in Boston, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
complaining that Dappy was "vile" and "a little boy with a silly hat" and that N-Dubz were "losers". Dappy secretly copied Moody's phone number from the studio console and, the following day, tried calling her and sent threatening messages including: "Your [sic] gonna die. U sent a very bad msg towards Ndubz on The Chris Moyels [sic] show yesterday Morning and for that reason u will never be left alone!!! u say sorry I will leave u alone u ****." Moody claimed that she continued to receive messages after declining to apologise but N-Dubz management later apologised on his behalf and offered free tickets to one of his concerts, although Dappy has not apologised to Moody personally. The rapper had appeared with the then-Schools Secretary Ed Balls to launch pop single "RU Cyber Safe" in November 2009, but was dropped from the campaign with Mr Balls saying: "This text message was totally unacceptable. There is no excuse."
In March 2010, a dispute then started between N-Dubz and Lethal Bizzle
Lethal Bizzle
Lethal Bizzle, also known as Lethal B , is a Ghanaian British rapper. His songs are known to satirise modern Gangsta rap; much of the humour comes from the adoption of hip-hop style and language...
, who claimed he had written and produced N-Dubz's hit "I Need You
I Need You (N-Dubz song)
"I Need You" is a song performed, written and produced by MOBO Award-winning English hip hop trio, N-Dubz. The song was written by all the group members: Dappy, Fazer and Tulisa. Dappy and Fazer have been noted as the track's producers...
" for them and so should be acknowledged in the credits for it, with Tulisa hitting back on Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
that "he's jus triena boost his status, ...wat an unbelievable loser!" and N-Dubz later posted a video on their official YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
channel through Twitter with the caption: "THE PROOF WE DIDNT STEAL S**T, WE MAKE OUR OWN HITS!" of when he had sent them the finished song and when they had actually finished the song, implying that their version was over 2 months older than his.
N-Dubz hit the headlines again in early April 2010 on the front page of The Sun
The Sun (newspaper)
The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
and other newspapers after Dappy and Fazer were caught firing at passers-by and fans, with toy paintball guns, outside the O2 Academy in Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, with Dappy hitting a girl on the bottom, who called the police. The guns were confiscated and Northumbria Police
Northumbria Police
Northumbria Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the areas of Northumberland and Tyne and Wear in North East England. The service is the sixth largest police force in England and Wales. The current Chief Constable is Sue Sim who was appointed by Northumbria Police...
confirmed: "We were called to the court car park at the rear of the O2 Academy in Fenkle Street just before 8pm on Saturday following complaints pellets were being fired from a coach at the location. Officers spoke to two persons who had been firing plastic toy guns at each other, discharging small 6mm pellets."
Dappy was also exposed live on GMTV
GMTV
GMTV was the national Channel 3 breakfast television contractor, broadcasting in the United Kingdom from 1 January 1993 to 3 September 2010. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of ITV plc. in November 2009. Shortly after, ITV plc announced the programme would end...
on 28 April 2010 after he was on that day's front pages with CCTV pictures of him, snorting the since banned recreational drug Mephedrone in an Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
nightclub. He tried to apologise, insisting "It's just not a thing to be doing. I've learnt my mistake. I'll never do such things again", going on to say, "I was just a bit tipsy and it just fell into the wrong place at the wrong time", and also issued a public apology.
Just a day later, Dappy was removed from Alton Towers
Alton Towers
Alton Towers is a theme park and resort located in Staffordshire, England. It attracts around 2.7 million visitors per year making it the most visited theme park in the United Kingdom. Alton Towers is also the 9th most visited theme park in Europe...
theme park hotel in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, for allegedly smoking cannabis
Cannabis
Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that includes three putative species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. These three taxa are indigenous to Central Asia, and South Asia. Cannabis has long been used for fibre , for seed and seed oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a...
. Contostavlos and his two other companions, who were suspected to be Kaye Vassell and fellow hip-hop musician Fearless, were kicked out after guests complained about a "funny smell" coming from his room, according to reports. An Alton Towers spokesperson told Sky News: "We can confirm a guest was asked to leave."
Discography
- Uncle BUncle BUncle B is the debut album released by N-Dubz. It was released on 17 November 2008. The album is dedicated to former N-Dubz manager and father of Dappy, Byron Contostavlos, who died shortly before the band were signed to their second record label All Around the World. It entered the official UK...
(2008) - Against All OddsAgainst All Odds (N-Dubz album)Against All Odds is the second platinum selling studio album by N-Dubz. The album was released in Ireland on 13 November 2009 and was released on 16 November 2009 in the UK.-Background: given by tulisa conastovlos...
(2009) - Love.Live.LifeLove.Live.LifeLove.Live.Life is the third studio album by British hip hop group N-Dubz, released on 29 November 2010, as a collaboration by All Around the World and Island Records.-Background:...
(2010)
Tours
- 2009: Uncle B tourUncle B TourThe Uncle B Tour was N-Dubz's first tour as a signed band. The tour was in support of their debut album, Uncle B.-Set list:* N-Dubz Backstage * I Swear* You Better Not Waste My Time* Feva Las Vegas** Costume Change...
- 2009: N-Dubz Christmas PartyN-Dubz Christmas PartyN-Dubz Christmas Party was the second U.K. tour by English hip hop trio, N-Dubz.-Background:The tour was originally to be a taster of their second studio album, "Against All Odds", but it was later revealed that the album would be released one day before the tour starts...
- 2009: Clubland Live (supporting act)
- 2010: The Against All Odds TourThe Against All Odds TourThe Against All Odds Tour is the third UK and Ireland tour by hip hop trio, N-Dubz. The tour will support the group's second studio album, Against All Odds. All the tickets for every show was sold.-Background:...
- 2011: Love.Live.Life.Tour
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | MOBO Awards | Best UK Newcomer | |
| 2008 | Urban Music Awards Urban Music Awards The Urban Music Awards is a HipHop, R&B, Dance and soul music awards ceremony launched in 2003 and now held in six countries annually.The awards ceremony is held annually by Invincible Media Group. The UMA's is now held in 6 countries annually... |
Best Group | |
| Best Music Video ("Ouch") | |||
| 2009 | O2 Silver Clef Awards | The Digital Award | |
| MOBO Awards MOBO Awards 2009 The 2009 MOBO Awards took place on 30 September 2009 at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow, Scotland. This was the first time the awards took place outside London. A tribute performance was dedicated to Michael Jackson, who was honoured with the MOBO Lifetime Achievement... |
Best UK Act | ||
| Best Album (Uncle B) | |||
| 2010 | BRIT Awards 2010 BRIT Awards The 2010 BRIT Awards took place on Tuesday 16 February 2010. It was the 30th edition of the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The awards ceremony was held at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London. The ceremony was broadcast live on ITV1, hosted by Peter Kay with Fearne... |
British Single ("Number 1") | |
| MOBO Awards | Best Song ("Playing With Fire£") |