Emanuel(JPM)

Singer/songwriter Emanuel hails from east London, but like many of his musical counterparts on the JPM label, he feels a strong link to his Caribbean roots. Though his childhood was spent around Stratford, he spent a lot of time on his native island of St. Lucia. Only fitting then that he confesses his heart belongs to reggae, though he can turn his hand to RNB, garage, easy listening - even gospel.
He used to play piano, and spent most of his time as a child practising and jamming in the school music room. He first realised he could hold a note when he was asked to put down some sounds at a friend’s recording studio.
A good friend of his, renowned club DJ Dave Morris, spotted his potential back when Emanuel used to rave at his clubs. He laughingly remembers grabbing the mic from Morris and singing to the crowd. Not long after, Morris begot his brainchild: the celebrated entertainment package, Starlight Crew. Morris’s formidable reputation meant the group began touring immediately, and they performed in front of more than 50,000 people in their first year, and went on to perform in front of thousands more during the 6 year period that Starlight Crew exsisted. Starlight Crew also supported legends such as Destiny’s Child, Macy Gray and many more named artists.
“My life was the stage.”
The group of MCs, DJs, and singers headlined various West End club nights such as Equinox, Sound for KISS FM and Metro. As the lead vocalist, Emanuel was exposed to many other like-minded producers and record labels, and can also count top radio DJs like Trevor Nelson, Tim Westwood and Ras Kwame among people he has worked with.
He’s also featured on a track called “Hypnotic Hiplife” with Ghanaian superstar Reggie Rockstone, which skyrocketed to the top of the West African charts back in 2001. Sadly, he never got the chance to perform with Rockstone, but this only further encouraged him to carve out a solo career for himself. Through Sam Addo of “No Bling TV”, and also his rapper brother Slanye, Emanuel joined forces with Malarchi and Darkjoint of JPM in November 2005.
He admits that during the last years of his Starlight glory, he was itching to produce his own sounds, and though he met many producers, no one seemed really right for what he wanted to do.
“But when Roy showed me what he had already done with JPM, it was like music to my ears – because I’m a perfectionist, and if I want to do something, it’s gotta be done properly.”
Emanuel and JPM are preparing for the release of the new single “You got that”. The video will be shot later this month in various locations around the capital, and you can catch it soon on the JPM website. An EP has also been completed, and a full album is in the pipeline for 2008.
Emanuel is thoughtful, energetic, handsome and definitely one to watch. So look out because:
“I’m the type of artist who makes music to make people think.”
Words by Hayley R Coyle Plain MySpace Layouts by Iron Spider