August 19, 2002 - the beginning of the biggest week in the lives of Kenzie and 9 other 16-year-old school friends from North London. The boys - 9 MCs and a DJ - released their debut single, Crossroads, a cover of the Bone, Thugs n' Harmony hit, on the Monday. On Thursday, they learned that they'd achieved an impressive 66 GCSE passes between them. By Sunday, Blazin' Squad had scored their first number one single.
Kenzie, Strider, Freek, Melo-D, Reepa, Spike-e, Krazy, Rocky B, Flava and Tommy B have known each other since they were babies. Inspired by a mutual love of hip hop, garage and all the sounds of the underground, they began MCing and DJing four years ago, aged 13. Blazin' Squad began as two crews, Incredible Crew and Blazin' Squad, and a star (or several) was born when they joined forces in early 2000.
Blazin' Squad soon established themselves as one of the UK's most successful home-grown acts. The band's critically and commercially acclaimed debut album In The Beginning, released in 2002, included the smash hit No. 1 single 'Crossroads' and two further Top 10 singles, 'Love On The Line' and 'Reminisce'/'Where The Story Ends'. Blazin' Squad also found themselves gracing the covers of countless magazines, and built a notoriously fanatical fanbase that followed their every move. In May 2003 the band completed a sell-out UK tour, which saw them play 21 dates at 17 different venues around the country, showcasing the sounds of this talented teenage ten-piece from north-east London.
Blazin' Squad's second album Now Or Never, was released to rave reviews in November 2003. The first two singles from Now Or Never, 'We Just Be Dreamin'' and 'Flip Reverse', were both Top 3 hits for Blazin' Squad followed by 'Here 4 One' which became their 6th Top Ten hit in just 18 months.
BLAZIN SQUAD - THE FACTS :
- Over 200 performances at Under 18 events.
- Over 125 Magazine Interviews including 25 front covers - Smash Hits Magazine's biggest selling issue last year was the edition with Blazin Squad on the cover.
- 12 weeks touring schools all over the country performing to 8 - 16 year olds.
- Over 125 TV appearances including 25 on CD:UK/SMTV, 20 on The Saturday Show, and 7 on Top Of The Pops.
- Won Award for 'Best Newcomer' at The Pop Music Factory Awards.
- Performed at the Closing Ceremony of The World Indoor Games.
- Performed on Children in Need and at the Childline Concert in Dublin.
- Various signing tours all over the country.
- Over 100 performances at Radio Roadshows.
- Performance at 'Party In The Park' in aid of The Prince's Trust
- Sugar Magazine Models Tour.
- Single 'Flip Reverse' featured in the AOL TV Advert.
- Performance at all the 2003 Smash Hits Roadshows, including the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party at London Arena.
- First Live Tour in May 2003 including 2 sell-out dates at the Hammersmith Apollo, London.
- Live Arena Tour in April 2004 finishing at Wembley Arena.
- May 2004 sell out Irish Tour.
- 2 gold albums in the UK
- 6 Top Ten Singles Including no.1 with Crossroads.
- Gold Album in the Far East.
In January 2005, Kenzie became a household name after coming second in Celebrity Big Brother. Kenzie emerged from the house to a flurry of TV, press and radio requests. He also had an autobiography published by Harper Collins even though he was only 19 on the day that he went into the Big Brother house.
Kenzie along with 2 other members of Blazin Squad (Mus and James) formed a new band 'Friday Hill' who's first release 'Baby Goodbye' went straight into Number 5 in the UK Charts in October 2005.
They are now busy in the studio writing & producing songs for their brand new album.
Kenzie was a contestant in Sky 1's Cirque De Celebrite in October through to December 2006, where he came third, and has also been in very high demand in the funky house DJ circuit.
Kenzie was recently one of the participants on ITV2's high profile show CelebAir.