Just by the law of averages, at least a couple of Blazin’ Squad’s 10 members should still be making music – ands they are.
The boyband/hip-hop collective, made up of 10 fresh-faced teens, went straight in at No.1 with their debut single, a cover of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony’s Crossroads, exactly 20 years ago today (August 31).
Back in 2002, the young lads dressed in matching white tops, sported blingy chains around their necks and didn’t scrimp on the wet look gel to keep their spikes in place.
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Their debut album featured three hit singles, including Love on the Line and Where the Story Ends, and their follow up, Now or Never, had another, Flip Reverse.
(Image: Press Association)
But what happened after the band split in 2005?
They reunited briefly in 2011 and represented Great Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest in Germany, where they came in 11th place with their song, I Can, and they’ve done other reunion shows too.
Here, we’ve have taken a deeper dive into what the original Squad members have been up to over the past two decades. Some of still in the biz, while others lead quieter lives.
Marcel Sommerville AKA Rocky B
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
If you watch reality TV, there’s a chance you already know what Marcel has been up to since the band split.
He appeared on ITV’s Love Island where he never missed a chance to drop the fact he was one of the Blazin’ Squad members.
Although he didn’t win the show in 2017, he was one of the finalists along with his co-star and ex-girlfriend Gabby Allen.
Since then he has appeared in other shows such as The Games and Celebrity Come Dine With Me. He is also on a Podcast called It’s Not All Dad with co-stars Jamie Jewitt and Jake Quickenden.
Marcel, 36, is engaged to Rebecca Vieira and they have a beautiful baby boy together called Roman. The doting dad regularly shares snippets of his life to his 615k followers on Instagram.
James MacKenzie AKA Kenzie
In his Blazin’ Squad days, it’s fair to say Kenzie wasn’t exactly hench – but he is now!
Kenzie appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2005 and he was one of the youngest contestants to ever enter the house. He also dated former glamour model Jodie Marsh around the same time.
These days, Kenzie, a dad to Wynter and Wyllow, is still active in the music industry and is a “UK and International DJ” according to his Instagram bio.
(Image: Stuart Atkins/REX/Shutterstock)
Kenzie, who is also a personal trainer, shows off his toned figure and shredded abs on the social media platform as well as posts featuring his daughters.
In 2005 along with Strider and Flava, he signed a record deal with Polydor records, and began recording an album under the name Friday Hill.
They had hits including Baby Goodbye and One More Night Alone, but they were dropped from the label the following year after their album Times Like These peaked at number 67 on the UK Albums Chart.
Mustafa Omer AKA Strider and James Murray AKA Flava
Mustafa Omer aka Strider and James Murray aka Flava are still very much involved in music.
What’s more, they’re doing pretty well for themselves.
After Blazin’ Squad, they became the successful production duo Mojam.
They have worked with artists such as Emilie Sande, Sam Smith, Ella Eyre and Professor Green.
The pair co-wrote and co-produced Sam Smith and Naughty Boy’s smash hit La La La, and worked on Jess Glynne’s debut album.
Mojam were reported to have signed a major deal with Sony/ATV’s Naughty Words joint venture with Naughty Boy in 2014.
At the end of 2021, they posted on the Mojam Instagram: “In a year full of ups and downs, somehow we had one of our best years to date.
“We want to say a massive thank you to everyone we’ve collaborated with this year, from in the room, to behind the scenes, we’re very greatful [sic] for all your passion & hard work. There’s too many to tag but you know who you are.
“Its [sic] been a lot of fun & we’re and looking forward to sharing what we’ve been working on for 2022.
“Wishing everyone a very happy, prosperous new year.”
Flava is now seemingly married with two kids.
Lee Bailey AKA Krazy
After the band split, Krazy, real name Lee Bailey, along with Strider, Flava, Kenzie, and Rocky B announced that they would be reuniting.
Their comeback single Let’s Start Again only peaked at number 51 on the UK Singles Chart and the band went their separate ways soon after.
Lee has stayed away from the limelight since but judging by his social media posts, he has two sons and is also married.
Tom Beasley AKA Tommy-B
It’s no surprise that Blazin’ Squad’s only DJ is still active in the music career as he still works as a DJ.
He is reported to be a successful cyclist and over the years has taken part in a string of races including the CC Hackney Road Race in April.
Although he doesn’t seem to use his Twitter account much, he supported Marcel when he was in Love Island.
Stuart Baker AKA Reepa
Reepa, or Stuart Baker as he’s known to colleagues these days, was an original Blazin’ Squad member.
He still performs with the band when they get together for reunions and still lists himself as a member on his Instagram, but he’s ditched the gelled hair and shaved eyebrows in favour of grown-out locks and stubble.
In his day job, he’s a media manager at the BBC. He’s also married, referring to himself as a newlywed on Instagram, where he shares pictures of their holidays to far flung and exotic locations.
Ollie Georgiou AKA Freek
Ollie, or Freek as he was known in his Blazin’ Squad days, embarked on a major career change after leaving the music industry and launched a career in corporate banking.
He has since returned to the industry but now works as a band manager instead.
Ollie, who is reportedly Marcel’s best friend, is married and is also a dad. He’s pretty unrecognisable these days with cropped hair and a thick beard.
He keeps out of the limelight for but after Marcel’s stint on Love Island, Oliver was invited to appear on E4 show Tattoo Fixers to get the ink on his left bicep updated.
He got Blazin Squad’s first number one and the date they signed their record contract on his arm but after spending time with experts, the ink was updated to a more spectacular tribute to their efforts – complete with a smoking microphone.
Sam Foulkes AKA Spike-E
Another member of the band who has had a change in career is Sam Foulkes, aka Spike-E.
He is reported to work in the import and export industry.
Despite his career change, he has shared pictures with the other Squad members and proudly declares his membership in the noughties boyband.
His Twitter account bio states: “One of the many from Blazin Squad… Aim for the stars and if you miss at least you will land on the moon.. #gooner”
Chris McKeckney aka Melo-D
Melo-D, or Chris McKeckney, still dabbles in the music biz, uploading rap tracks to his Soundcloud page.
Since the Squad broke up, he’s also appeared with some of his old bandmates in nightclubs.
But he’s apparently had a couple of normal jobs too.
According to his LinkedIn, Chris, who had a spell with peroxide blond hair and nose ring, has worked in double glazing.
For the past five or so years, though, he’s worked as an engineer for Virgin Media.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
