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Selwyn's story is the stuff you can only imagine of. Born in South Africa, raised in Perth, Western Australia, Selwyn's trip from the streets to the studio began when African-born producer Audius, heard him singing whilst pushing shopping trolleys at a suburban Perth supermarket. Soon after meeting, the two began writing pulling together the myriad of ideas that had formed throughout Selwyn's teenage years. Selwyn auditioned for Popstars, becoming an audience favorite and expected winner, only to be harshly cast aside by the series-two (2002) judges in the final. The then 17-year-old passionate R&B artist proved he had what it took to overcome "reality tv rejection". Within a week of Sony Music hearing his demo CD, they rushed to sign him to a worldwide deal and made Sony Epic his home label.
MEANT TO BE (2002)
"Buggin' Me" the first single released from "Meant To Be", was instantly embraced by Australian radio and went on to sell in excess of Gold status, peaking at 19 on the national ARIA singles chart. A combination of smooth R&B rhythms, teen anthem lyrics and state of the art production, "Buggin' Me" was the perfect introduction of Selwyn's world-class sound.
Six months later the second cut, another infectious R&B groove, "Way Love's Supposed To Be" once again saw Selwyn at the song-writing helm with co-conspirators Audius and Paul Begaud, while hip hop mixer Rich Travali (Nelly/Jay-Z/R.Kelly) was brought in to add the finishing touches. The track hit the streets and rocketed into the Australian ARIA chart at &035; 9 and also came in at &035;14 on the end of year Top Australian Singles Chart.
His third single " Rich Girl " was one of the most played songs on Australian radio and also sold record numbers for an R & B act in Australia.
Billed as Australia’s hottest new R&B sensation, Selwyn launched his debut album Meant to Be on Father’s Day, Sunday 1 Septemer 2002. It became the highest selling R&B album by an Australian artist and has not had another aussie artist in the urban genre sell more since.
ONE WAY (2004)
Australia's champion of R&B came back in 2004 and was determined to officially put the country's growing urban music scene on the global map with his sophomore album, 'One Way'!!
More accomplished and diverse than his debut 'Meant To Be', 'One Way' was the culmination of three years dedicated hard work spent honing his songwriting, developing his sound on the live front, and expanding his artistic direction after the whirlwind that was the success of the first album.
Featuring an arsenal of the hottest writers and producers around including Paul Rein (Christina Aguilera's "Come On Over"), Skillz & Fingaz (Big Brovaz), Red Zone (Mya, Blu Cantrell), garage/R&B guru K-Warren (Christina Aguilera, Samantha Mumba), long-time collaborator Audius and Israel and BNA, Selwyn flexed his skills beyond performing on 'One Way', co-writing and co-producing many of the tracks.
The ambitious 12-track collection merged his effortless, soulful vocals with a myriad of fresh, dynamic beats and gritty attitude for a world-class urban album with a distinctive flavour all of its own. Revolving around themes of love, relationships and destiny, the album kicked off with the killer hooks and deluxe pop sensibilities of opening track "Satisfactual" before gliding seamlessly into the sexy garage and soul grind of "Breathe" and his well-perfected silky croon on the sublime acoustic flavoured "Hey Babe".
While the club anthem "Boomin" and the irresistible groove of "Rockstar" packed a serious punch and notched things up a gear, the seductive and mischievous odes to ladies everywhere on slow jams "Cutie" and "Could Be You" bring the pace back down for smooth cruising and round out a complete and varied listening experience. He even gave nods on the way to his heritage on the brilliant African-inspired, harmonica-loaded "King Of The Jungle" and "Just Let Me Know" - one his personal favourites - with its traditional South African pop (aka Kwaito) vibe.
Selwyn came into his own as an artist, stepping up to the plate and delivering a sophisticated album loaded with vitality and personality. However the ever changing music industry and merging of Sony & BMG had a catasrophic effect on Selwyn's success with the second album. After just one video and a lack of focus by the label due to an overhaul in the company, saw Boomin' get lost in the mix and did not get a follow up single. Although well recieved by fans & critics alike, ONE WAY, wasnt the success that it should have been.
3 years on, 2008 and Selwyn is in a great place. After having spent a year overseas with some of the US best writers and producers Selwyn has gone another level with his music. Fresh having had a couple of years away from the spotlight, Selwyn is ready to restake his claim as the King of R&B in Australia. Already with a couple of tracks in the can for the new album, Selwyn is currently working with Australia's best producers to get a new couple of hot jams out by mid 2008 and an album ready in time for Christmas.
UNTITLED (2008)
New music, new heat & a new era of r&b bout to begin. A reality tv series about Sel's "Comeback" is already in the works. So Selwyn's not finished yet, hold on.
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