Abramorama has acquired the global theatrical rights — with the exception of the U.K. and Ireland — and direct-to-consumers rights to “Getting It Back: The Story of Cymande,” the award-winning music documentary directed by Tim MacKenzie-Smith. Abramorama will launch its U.S. and Canadian theatrical release in early April, following its upcoming U.K. theatrical release.
“Abramorama is honored to bring Tim MacKenzie-Smith’s heartfelt documentary about the band Cymande to fans around the world. Their music has influenced artists of all genres and is as impactful today as it was when first released. Cymande continues to reach new fans and I think 2024 is going to be a huge year for the band, with sold out concerts around the world, a new record coming out soon, and the global release of their documentary,” Abramorama’s president and head of international distribution Evan Saxon said in a statement.
A group of Black...
“Abramorama is honored to bring Tim MacKenzie-Smith’s heartfelt documentary about the band Cymande to fans around the world. Their music has influenced artists of all genres and is as impactful today as it was when first released. Cymande continues to reach new fans and I think 2024 is going to be a huge year for the band, with sold out concerts around the world, a new record coming out soon, and the global release of their documentary,” Abramorama’s president and head of international distribution Evan Saxon said in a statement.
A group of Black...
- 2/8/2024
- by Caroline Brew
- Variety Film + TV
Roll on up!
Dax Shepard and wife Kristen Bell enjoyed a fun-filled date night at a roller skating rink on Saturday night.
The couple hit the Moonlight Rollerway rink in Glendale, California, with pals including Bell’s former Veronica Mars co-star Ryan Hansen.
“Tonight @daxshepard rent[ed] a roller skating rink. And I had one of the best nights of my life,” Bell, 37, wrote alongside a photo with Shepard on her Instagram stories.
The Frozen star also shared an adorable pic from her “incredible night” with Shepard on Instagram.
Shepard also shared the fun on social media, posting a cute video of the pair enjoying a “couples skate,” then another clip of the group vibing on wheels to Soul II Soul’s “Back to Life.”
The couple have been together for 10 years and have two daughters: 4-year-old Lincoln and 2-year-old Delta.
See more cute moments from their romance in the video below.
Related Content:
Exclusive:...
Dax Shepard and wife Kristen Bell enjoyed a fun-filled date night at a roller skating rink on Saturday night.
The couple hit the Moonlight Rollerway rink in Glendale, California, with pals including Bell’s former Veronica Mars co-star Ryan Hansen.
“Tonight @daxshepard rent[ed] a roller skating rink. And I had one of the best nights of my life,” Bell, 37, wrote alongside a photo with Shepard on her Instagram stories.
The Frozen star also shared an adorable pic from her “incredible night” with Shepard on Instagram.
Shepard also shared the fun on social media, posting a cute video of the pair enjoying a “couples skate,” then another clip of the group vibing on wheels to Soul II Soul’s “Back to Life.”
The couple have been together for 10 years and have two daughters: 4-year-old Lincoln and 2-year-old Delta.
See more cute moments from their romance in the video below.
Related Content:
Exclusive:...
- 12/4/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Following in the footsteps of Tom Jones, Keith Richards and Boy George, legendary Soul II Soul frontman Jazzie B took BBC Two viewers on a trip back in time last fall, exploring his 80s memories – sharing his experiences, what… Continue Reading →...
- 4/17/2017
- by shadowandact
- ShadowAndAct
Legendary Soul II Soul frontman Jazzie B takes viewers on a trip back in time and explores his 80s memories – sharing his experiences, what the decade meant to him and exploring some of the key moments in his musical and… Continue Reading →...
- 12/18/2016
- by shadowandact
- ShadowAndAct
Following in the footsteps of Tom Jones, Keith Richards and Boy George, legendary Soul II Soul frontman Jazzie B will be taking BBC Two viewers on a trip back in time and exploring his 80s memories – sharing his experiences,… Continue Reading →...
- 11/2/2016
- by shadowandact
- ShadowAndAct
Cue Soul II Soul's "Back to Life" now. After spending a (what we would assume) glorious and heavenly week at the private Parrot Cay resort on the Turks and Caicos Islands for her honeymoon, Sofia Vergara stepped back into reality and headed back to work on Modern Family. The newlywed was snapped on set of the popular TV series in denim jeans and a purple top, while showing off her golfing skills on the green. And, as you may have already noticed, the Colombian beauty was also rocking a fresh sunkissed glow from her time on the tropical beach with hubby Joe Manganiello. Although her beachy getaway with her hunky husband seemed like paradise, Vergara didn't seem too bummed to head back to work....
- 12/2/2015
- E! Online
Edith Bowman has said that Top of the Pops shouldn't return.
The BBC radio DJ was one of the presenters of the show from 2003 to 2006, and co-hosted the farewell episode broadcast in July 2006.
Top of the Pops: Why it should return to TV
"I don't think there's a space for Top of the Pops as such, but I do think that broadcasters need to embrace live music a bit better," Edith told Digital Spy.
"Whether that's looking at another type of show that is about a real mix of music - it's not about a specific genre of music.
"Top of the Pops? I don't think it should come back. I think it's very lazy to regenerate something.
"Surely we can be a bit more creative and come up with something new and give it the time and space to grow and build an audience?"
She added: "Sometimes I...
The BBC radio DJ was one of the presenters of the show from 2003 to 2006, and co-hosted the farewell episode broadcast in July 2006.
Top of the Pops: Why it should return to TV
"I don't think there's a space for Top of the Pops as such, but I do think that broadcasters need to embrace live music a bit better," Edith told Digital Spy.
"Whether that's looking at another type of show that is about a real mix of music - it's not about a specific genre of music.
"Top of the Pops? I don't think it should come back. I think it's very lazy to regenerate something.
"Surely we can be a bit more creative and come up with something new and give it the time and space to grow and build an audience?"
She added: "Sometimes I...
- 10/12/2015
- Digital Spy
Lovebox festival just got a whole lot more provocative...
Us hip hop queen Lil Kim has joined the line-up for the East London music event.
In the first of her announced UK festival appearances in 2013, the 'Jump Off' rapper will play the Sunday night of Lovebox.
On the same bill as Lil Kim is one of the female rap stars for whom she paved the way, Azealia Banks. It will be the first time she has played a show in London since 2001, on her Notorious K.I.M world tour.
Of course, you may not recognise Lil Kim from the days when she had her big break during the '90s. To get up to speed, join us on a surgical journey as we turn back the hands of time on a voyage across Lil Kim's ever-changing face...
Lovebox runs from 19-21 July Victoria Park, check out the full...
Us hip hop queen Lil Kim has joined the line-up for the East London music event.
In the first of her announced UK festival appearances in 2013, the 'Jump Off' rapper will play the Sunday night of Lovebox.
On the same bill as Lil Kim is one of the female rap stars for whom she paved the way, Azealia Banks. It will be the first time she has played a show in London since 2001, on her Notorious K.I.M world tour.
Of course, you may not recognise Lil Kim from the days when she had her big break during the '90s. To get up to speed, join us on a surgical journey as we turn back the hands of time on a voyage across Lil Kim's ever-changing face...
Lovebox runs from 19-21 July Victoria Park, check out the full...
- 5/9/2013
- by The Huffington Post UK
- Huffington Post
Soul II Soul singer Kym Mazelle leads the second round of blind auditions in tonight's episode of The Voice UK.
Mazelle - perhaps best known for her cover of the song 'Young Hearts Run Free' from Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet - is seen hoping to win over Tom Jones, will.i.am, Jessie J and Danny O'Donoghue.
"I took some time out of the music industry, but I just loved the audience so much - don't call it a comeback!" says the star.
Other auditionees include 52-year-old Lorraine Crosby - the female vocalist on Meatloaf's number one hit 'I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)' and 25-year-old Welsh singer Alys Williams, who returns for a second shot at stardom after nerves got the better of her last year.
Thriller Live singer Alex Buchanan and Les Miserables star Liam Tamne also make...
Mazelle - perhaps best known for her cover of the song 'Young Hearts Run Free' from Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet - is seen hoping to win over Tom Jones, will.i.am, Jessie J and Danny O'Donoghue.
"I took some time out of the music industry, but I just loved the audience so much - don't call it a comeback!" says the star.
Other auditionees include 52-year-old Lorraine Crosby - the female vocalist on Meatloaf's number one hit 'I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)' and 25-year-old Welsh singer Alys Williams, who returns for a second shot at stardom after nerves got the better of her last year.
Thriller Live singer Alex Buchanan and Les Miserables star Liam Tamne also make...
- 4/6/2013
- Digital Spy
Soul II Soul have been added to the lineup of Channel 4's House Party, a six-hour late night special that will feature DJs taking over the channel. Annie Mac and Grandmaster Flash were previously confirmed for the event. Channel 4 has promised that the transmission will provide a "clubbing experience like no other". "This is not a programme about clubbing; this is the club," said the broadcaster. There will be no ad breaks, no studio audience and no commentary during the broadcast, which turns the television into the ultimate DJ booth. Channel 4 arts commissioner Tabitha Jackson said: "There are four things about this all-nighter that excite me. Firstly, almost every element is uncharted territory: from the visual artists having to transform our screens by responding live to the (more)...
- 8/3/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Danny Boyle's track selections for the Olympics opener ranged from the Sex Pistols to Elgar, and all points in between
A wide variety of different British musical styles provided the soundtrack to the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.
Here are some of the tracks on the playlist, both as part of the pre-show and main event:
• Abide With Me
• All Day and All of the Night – The Kinks
• A Message to You Rudy – The Specials
• Arrival of the Queen of Sheba – Handel
• Back to Life – Soul II Soul
• Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
• Bonkers – Dizzee Rascal
• Born Slippy – Underworld
• Chariots of Fire – Vangelis
• Dambusters March
• EastEnders theme tune
• Enola Gay – Omd
• Firestarter – The Prodigy
• God Save the Queen – Sex Pistols
• Going Underground – The Jam
• Hey Jude – The Beatles
• I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor – Arctic Monkeys
• I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
• In Dulci Jubilo – Mike Oldfield
• James Bond theme...
A wide variety of different British musical styles provided the soundtrack to the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.
Here are some of the tracks on the playlist, both as part of the pre-show and main event:
• Abide With Me
• All Day and All of the Night – The Kinks
• A Message to You Rudy – The Specials
• Arrival of the Queen of Sheba – Handel
• Back to Life – Soul II Soul
• Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
• Bonkers – Dizzee Rascal
• Born Slippy – Underworld
• Chariots of Fire – Vangelis
• Dambusters March
• EastEnders theme tune
• Enola Gay – Omd
• Firestarter – The Prodigy
• God Save the Queen – Sex Pistols
• Going Underground – The Jam
• Hey Jude – The Beatles
• I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor – Arctic Monkeys
• I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
• In Dulci Jubilo – Mike Oldfield
• James Bond theme...
- 7/27/2012
- The Guardian - Film News
Alexandra Burke's mother Melissa Bell has revealed how the star's brother reacted when a Twitter user said they wanted to kill her. The family were enjoying a meal together in a London restaurant when they noticed the tweet from a fellow diner. Speaking on Nick Ferrari's Lbc 97.3 show, Bell said: "We were in the restaurant and looked at Twitter to see my daughter's status and someone had written; 'I'm in a restaurant with Alexandra Burke. She's annoying me and I'm going to go over with my steak knife and stab her to death'." Explaining that they had used the Twitter user's profile picture to identify him, the former Soul II Soul singer said that her son David, a protection offer and strong supporter of his sister's career, "lost it" when he confronted the sender. "He was very sheepish (more)...
- 3/21/2012
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
London, March 15: Singer Alexandra Burke will feature a duet with her mother on her new album.
The 23-year-old says she is close to completing the song for her untitled second album with mother Melissa Bell, who was a member of 90s group Soul II Soul.
"She is a big influence. She does backing vocals on it already. Now I want a duet with her," contactmusic.com quoted Burke as saying.
"I have to be careful because my mummy's not too well. She can't get up and sing as much as I want her to. But I'd like her on a track. It's not finished until she's on it," she added.
Ians...
The 23-year-old says she is close to completing the song for her untitled second album with mother Melissa Bell, who was a member of 90s group Soul II Soul.
"She is a big influence. She does backing vocals on it already. Now I want a duet with her," contactmusic.com quoted Burke as saying.
"I have to be careful because my mummy's not too well. She can't get up and sing as much as I want her to. But I'd like her on a track. It's not finished until she's on it," she added.
Ians...
- 3/15/2012
- by Anita Agarwal
- RealBollywood.com
Alexandra Burke has revealed plans to record a duet with her mother. The singer will record a collaboration with mum and Soul II Soul star Melissa Bell for her second studio album, which is due out later this year. Burke told the Daily Star: "She is a big influence. She does backing vocals on it already. Now I want a duet with her. "I have to be careful because my mummy's not too well. She can't get up and sing as much as I want her to. But I'd like her on a track. It's not finished until she's on it." The star also revealed that the remainder of her new record is heavily inspired by dance music, much like her latest single (more)...
- 3/14/2012
- by By Lewis Corner
- Digital Spy
When news of Whitney Houston's tragic death broke from Los Angeles over the weekend, both her fans and peers began mourning her loss. In remembering the iconic singer, stars including Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna and Tony Bennett shared their emotion on social networking websites including Twitter and Facebook. Writing for Digital Spy, Melissa Bell, a former member of Grammy Award-winning group Soul II Soul and mother of X Factor champion Alexandra Burke, recalls how she first came to hear Houston's much-loved voice, the time she shared a stage with her, and the legacy she leaves behind. Remembering Whitney, by Melissa Bell. Whitney Houston has been a major influential factor for my daughter and me. I was in a Bahamas hotel nightclub when I first heard (more)...
- 2/13/2012
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Lover's rock influenced the Police and Sade, and gave women a voice in reggae – so why was it sidelined in its native Britain?
In 1979, Janet Kay's piercing falsetto was one of the defining sounds of the summer. Silly Games, her bittersweet ode to a faltering relationship, enjoyed heavy radio play, thanks in part to a subtle arrangement by songwriter/producer Dennis Bovell, a distinctive drum pattern from Aswad's Angus Gaye and distribution on a Warners subsidiary. The song reached No 2, the highest chart placing for a black, British woman at that point. It also signalled a coming of age for lover's rock, the softened, British reggae sub-genre that focused on romance, but, as noted in Menelik Shabazz's documentary The Story of Lover's Rock, involved so much more than setting teenaged heartbreak to a reggae beat.
Though a primarily underground phenomenon, lover's rock influenced pop acts such as the Police,...
In 1979, Janet Kay's piercing falsetto was one of the defining sounds of the summer. Silly Games, her bittersweet ode to a faltering relationship, enjoyed heavy radio play, thanks in part to a subtle arrangement by songwriter/producer Dennis Bovell, a distinctive drum pattern from Aswad's Angus Gaye and distribution on a Warners subsidiary. The song reached No 2, the highest chart placing for a black, British woman at that point. It also signalled a coming of age for lover's rock, the softened, British reggae sub-genre that focused on romance, but, as noted in Menelik Shabazz's documentary The Story of Lover's Rock, involved so much more than setting teenaged heartbreak to a reggae beat.
Though a primarily underground phenomenon, lover's rock influenced pop acts such as the Police,...
- 9/22/2011
- by David Katz
- The Guardian - Film News
Sony have today revealed for the first time, a full list of the unforgettable tunes you will be reliving on PlayStation3, this autumn with SingStar: Back To The ’80s. The track list is full of the most treasured tunes that the ‘80s era had to offer, including the incredible Soul II Soul, Kim Wilde, Elton John and melodic icon Jennifer Rush – so backcomb your hair, pull on your fingerless lace gloves and grab your neon legwarmers to sing along to original classic ’80s tunes. SingStar: Back To The ’80s from Sony’s London Studios, comes packed with 30 classic tracks from the ’80s that are guaranteed to throw you back to your school disco days – all complete with original videos where available… and bizarrely the tracklisting reads just like my iTunes account!
ABC Poison Arrow Beastie Boys (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party) Bros When Will I Be Famous?...
ABC Poison Arrow Beastie Boys (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party) Bros When Will I Be Famous?...
- 9/14/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Badly Drawn Boy, Patrick Wolf and The Magic Numbers are among the artists announced to perform at a new one-day London festival. The Apple Cart Festival in Victoria Park will be staged on August 7, and will be a mixture of live music, comedy, cabaret and interactive art. Saint Etienne, Steve Mason and Soul II Soul have also been confirmed to play. Comedians Tim Minchin and Mark Steel will appear too, (more)...
- 6/29/2011
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
Athlete, The Charlatans and Soul II Soul have been announced as the headline acts for this year's The Big Feastival. The music and food festival, which is in aid of The Prince's Trust and The Jamie Oliver Foundation, is to take place in London's Clapham Common between July 1 and July 3. Other acts confirmed to perform include The Mystery Jets, New Young Pony Club and Norman Jay Good Times. "The Big Feastival is something unique that we've wanted to try for a while. A really good festival (more)...
- 4/26/2011
- by By Lewis Corner
- Digital Spy
The Rio soundtrack. It might not have seemed like it at the time, but Sacha Baron Cohen’s actually-quite-funny turn as a megalomaniacal ring-tailed lemur in Madagascar set a new paradigm. I refer not to the tactic of casting talented comedians in supporting roles in family-friendly anthropomorphic animations and letting them run wild, although this practice has become more common since then. I refer to the short sequence in the middle of that film (and the brain-poundingly long closing credits) when Sacha Baron Cohen’s king lemur repeatedly sings the I Like To Move It Move It chorus from Soul II Soul’s early 90s dancefloor classic. Those of you who do not have small children may have heard from those gape-eyed sleep-deprived friends of yours how the maniacal infant overlords of their newly toy-strewn homes took to this like repetitive quacking ducks to particularly annoying water. Strangely Soul II Soul...
- 4/23/2011
- by Chris Neilan
- Movie-moron.com
The 53rd Grammy Awards are upon us, and music's biggest, most prestigious awards show will feature a number of killer performances, appearances and potential acceptance speeches from the likes of Eminem, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Cee Lo Green, Muse, Arcade Fire, B.o.B, Justin Bieber, Lady Antebellum, Jay-z and scores of others. In order to appreciate what's to come, every day the MTV Newsroom Blog will deliver a classic moment in the history of the Grammy Awards. Today's installment: Milli Vanilli raise questions and ire.
Though recent history has proven this myth to be something of a fallacy, the Grammy for Best New Aritst was considered a curse for many years. Admittedly, there was a pretty good streak in there where the winner was never really heard from again, but the past few years have seen winners like Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood and Norah Jones, all of whom have...
Though recent history has proven this myth to be something of a fallacy, the Grammy for Best New Aritst was considered a curse for many years. Admittedly, there was a pretty good streak in there where the winner was never really heard from again, but the past few years have seen winners like Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood and Norah Jones, all of whom have...
- 2/3/2011
- by Kyle Anderson
- MTV Newsroom
If you are a fan of film you no doubt have heard of a little company with an expansive movie collection, whose sole purpose is to present films as they were meant by the director/film-makers. Not to mention an outpouring of special features that would satisfy any film fan, like behind-the-scenes, short films, essays from film critics, deleted segments and commentaries.
As has been reported on this very website several times before, there is the classic film Black Orpheus which, as it turns out, in its initial release, was a bare bones disc, but now is featured in a beautiful Blu-Ray transfer, with loads of extras, which sparked a thought.
But in hindsight, it’s the beginning of the year and for the past 5+ years or so, since I stumbled upon the pricey expensive discs, I started to realize a bit of a trend. Much of their work was a bit obtuse in vulgarity,...
As has been reported on this very website several times before, there is the classic film Black Orpheus which, as it turns out, in its initial release, was a bare bones disc, but now is featured in a beautiful Blu-Ray transfer, with loads of extras, which sparked a thought.
But in hindsight, it’s the beginning of the year and for the past 5+ years or so, since I stumbled upon the pricey expensive discs, I started to realize a bit of a trend. Much of their work was a bit obtuse in vulgarity,...
- 1/26/2011
- by Tony
- ShadowAndAct
Black Music Month Playlist: House Party"Nuttin' But Love" by Heavy D & The BoyzJune is here and summer is officially around the corner. Besides being an amazing month filled with warm weather and backyard BBQs, it's also Black Music Month. And while we all agree that every month is the right time to celebrate Black music, we've pulled together some amazing playlists that we'll be featuring three times a week on Essence.com. This week we're getting the party started with the hottest hits for a house party."Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" by McFadden & White"Runaway" by Nuyorican Soul"Before I Let Go" by Maze"Back to Life" by Soul II Soul"Yeah" by Outkast"Go" by Common"Get Busy" by Sean Paul"Public Service Announcement" by Jay-z"Electric Relaxation" by A Tribe Called Quest"One More Chance" by Notorious B.I.G."You're All I Need" by Mary J. Blige...
- 6/11/2010
- Essence
Outkast's Big Boi loses his head over, what else, a girl in the video for “Shutterbugg,” from his upcoming solo album “Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty.” The video is seems deceptively simple upon first viewing, but it has some very fun image, such as the puppet band members and the nice cameo from Soul II Soul’s Caron Wheeler. We also get to see the Big Boi fall apart, literally. We like that they have fun creating a bar scene with only a few kegs, lots of red plastic cups, and a girl and the scene where he...
- 5/27/2010
- Hitfix
British singer Alexandra Burke has reportedly fallen out with her mother following her claims the star hasn't given her family "a penny" since she shot to fame. The "Bad Boys" hitmaker became a household name in Britain when she won Simon Cowell's reality TV contest "The X Factor" in 2008, and has subsequently enjoyed two chart-topping singles, as well as a number one album.
But her success has been tainted by arguments with her mum Melissa Bell - a one-time singer with British group Soul II Soul - who is planning to release a tell-all book about her tumultuous relationship with her daughter. In a recent interview, Melissa claimed she had received no financial help from her famous offspring, and that she was the "better singer" of the two.
And the catty comments have led to a furious fall-out between the pair, according to Britain's People newspaper. A source tells the publication,...
But her success has been tainted by arguments with her mum Melissa Bell - a one-time singer with British group Soul II Soul - who is planning to release a tell-all book about her tumultuous relationship with her daughter. In a recent interview, Melissa claimed she had received no financial help from her famous offspring, and that she was the "better singer" of the two.
And the catty comments have led to a furious fall-out between the pair, according to Britain's People newspaper. A source tells the publication,...
- 5/10/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Alexandra Burke's mother has reportedly claimed that The X Factor winner's success is all down to her. Melissa Bell, whose pop career flopped after she quit Soul II Soul in 1997, claimed that Burke, 21, would never have won the ITV1 singing contest without her help. She added that her daughter would be "dropped like a stone" by Simon Cowell if she put on weight. "To be honest, I'm a better singer than she is. But she is thinner than me - maybe too thin. I was 18st in my heyday. But it's all about image these days, more than talent," she said. Burke's mum added that her daughter, who releases her new single 'All Night Long' on May 17, hasn't given her any money since finding fame. "She's rich but we're poor. She hasn't given me a penny and I'm (more)...
- 5/2/2010
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
Alexandra Burke and her mum certainly have a complicated relationship. The X Factor winner may have gotten her amazing vocal skills from her mother who once sang in British band Soul II Soul, but it seems like the pair are constantly at war on a very personal level.
In an interview with The Sunday Mirror, 46 year old Melissa Bell slams her successful daughter, claiming that she hasn’t given her any of the £150,000 advance that she got from Simon Cowell and admitting that while Alex does pay for her weekly shopping, she orders it from Asda and not Waitrose as she would prefer.
She also claims that her daughter owes her fame to her, saying that she is a much better singer than Alexandra and it was only through her help that she won the X Factor in 2008.
She said:
“Alex owes it all to me. She would never have...
In an interview with The Sunday Mirror, 46 year old Melissa Bell slams her successful daughter, claiming that she hasn’t given her any of the £150,000 advance that she got from Simon Cowell and admitting that while Alex does pay for her weekly shopping, she orders it from Asda and not Waitrose as she would prefer.
She also claims that her daughter owes her fame to her, saying that she is a much better singer than Alexandra and it was only through her help that she won the X Factor in 2008.
She said:
“Alex owes it all to me. She would never have...
- 5/2/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Today's installment of Scenes (Songs) We Love is going to give us two for the price of one, because in the opening scene of Hype William's crime fable Belly, you not only get a slick credit sequence (and a possible contender for Credits Report), but a perfect example of how the right song and visual combination can instantly draw you in. I love a movie opening that sets the tone for what's to come, and the opening heist set to an a cappella version of Soul II Soul's "Back to Life" gets you ready for one of the slickest crime flicks in film history .
Belly was written by Williams along with his star, the rapper Nas, and the rest of the cast included other musical big names like T-Boz from Tlc, Dmx, Method Man and Vita, and the dancehall artist, Louie Rankin. The story revolved around a pair of childhood friends,...
Belly was written by Williams along with his star, the rapper Nas, and the rest of the cast included other musical big names like T-Boz from Tlc, Dmx, Method Man and Vita, and the dancehall artist, Louie Rankin. The story revolved around a pair of childhood friends,...
- 4/30/2010
- by Jessica Barnes
- Cinematical
Alexandra Burke has claimed that reports of a difficult relationship between her and her mother have been "exaggerated". Earlier this year, the X Factor winner admitted that she "clashes" with her mother and suggested that the former Soul II Soul singer was jealous of her success. Her mother later responded to the interview, describing Burke's comments as "upsetting". Speaking to Fabulous, Burke said: "It's been drama, drama, drama. A lot of things have been blown out of proportion. Yes, me and my mum rowed. We've always had a very sparky relationship. We shout and scream, but we always make up and she remains the most important person in my life." The 'Broken Heels' singer described her mother as "amazing" and explained that (more)...
- 12/20/2009
- by By Catriona Wightman
- Digital Spy
'Tis the season for jaunty holiday soirees, which naturally got me inspired to create some new iPod playlists. One that I'm particularly happy with is called "Cocktail Hour," a hodge-podge of dance-club classics, electronic oddities, and underrated diva tracks that's festively upbeat, yet not so propulsive that inebriated guests will be threatening to push my kitchen table against the wall in an effort to get their boogie on. After the jump you'll find my 21-song party-starter (best played in "shuffle" mode). Once you're done reading, post your own recent playlist creations, be they for hosting get-togethers, surviving the treadmill, commuting to the office,...
- 11/30/2009
- by Michael Slezak
- EW.com - PopWatch
Alexandra Burke’s mum has hit out at her daughter for claiming that she is jealous of her singing career. Last week, Alex gave an interview to Marie Claire in which she said: “Soul II Soul didn’t last as long as she wanted. Then I get this big new show, I win it and it’s weird for her.” But [...]...
- 10/4/2009
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Alexandra Burke has said that her mother Melissa Bell is proud of her success but still finds it hard to cope with her X Factor win. Bell was a former member of British group Soul II Soul and appeared on the group's 1993 single 'Wish'. Burke told Marie Claire: "I think we're too alike because we clash. We both sing. She had Soul II Soul but it didn't last as long as she wanted it to last. "Then I get this big new show, I win it, and it's weird for her to see this. Although she's proud, it's like she wants to rewind time to when she was younger, when she didn't (more)...
- 9/30/2009
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
Alexandra Burke's mother Melissa Bell is being investigated for suspected benefit fraud. The former Soul II Soul singer admitted that she is "outraged" after London's Islington Council launched an investigation into whether she has been cheating the system. Bell claims disability and income support for her severe diabetes but has been accused of receiving money for performing at a number of gigs. "I rang the council and they have admitted I am under suspicion of benefit fraud. I am absolutely outraged," (more)...
- 1/26/2009
- by By David Balls
- Digital Spy
Blur drummer Dave Rowntree and solo singer Kate Nash are among the acts leading a new union for rock and pop stars. Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Mc Master Shortie and Soul II Soul's Jazzie B are also involved in the Featured Artists' Coalition [Fac], which will act as a lobbying group for musicians. "As the rules of the business are changing and as artists are having to step up to take on more responsibility for their own careers, there's a requirement for them to know (more)...
- 1/21/2009
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Alexandra Burke's mother has opened up about how her daughter saved her life. Melissa Bell, herself a Grammy-winning artist with Soul II Soul in the 1980s, said that she fell ill with kidney problems in July last year but only received important medical help at the insistence of the X Factor winner. "I had gone to bed feeling tired and ill and on the Sunday morning, I just couldn't get up. I assumed that it was flu, because I didn't even have the energy to lift my head from the pillow. Alexandra came in and sat on my bed. She said, 'Mum, you need to see a doctor', but I disagreed. She wanted to call an ambulance, but I was insistent she should do no such thing," she (more)...
- 1/3/2009
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
Joss Stone is lending her support to X Factor hopeful Alexandra Burke, reports The Sun. The British soul star met Burke when they appeared together on the TV show Star For A Night and they have remained friends ever since. Burke's mother Melissa Bell, formerly of '90s group Soul II Soul, said: "Alex still visits her at her home in Devon and Joss has jetted her out to New York and Barbados for holidays." (more)...
- 10/1/2008
- by By Simon Reynolds
- Digital Spy
Joss Stone is lending her support to X Factor hopeful Alexandra Burke, reports The Sun. The British soul star met Burke when they appeared together on the TV show Star For A Night and they have remained friends ever since. Burke's mother Melissa Bell, formerly of '90s group Soul II Soul, said: "Alex still visits her at her home in Devon and Joss has jetted her out to New York and Barbados for holidays." (more)...
- 10/1/2008
- by By Simon Reynolds
- Digital Spy
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