Blazin' Squad
| Company type | Collective |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Hip hop music, albums, singles |
Blazin' Squad was a British hip hop collective that achieved six Top 10 hits in the UK, notably including their rendition of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's "Crossroads".
In The Beginning: 2002
Initially, the group put out white label singles through the Weighty Plates label, which featured remixed versions of "Standard Flow" from their album In the Beginning. These remixes were crafted by Ras Kwarme and Origin Unknown, with one version incorporating Jamaican dancehall performer Elephant Man. Although these releases were underground, "Standard Flow" managed to reach number 78 on the UK Singles Chart in August 2002.
Their official first single was a significantly reimagined cover of "Crossroads", launched via East West Records, which debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart in August 2002. Despite facing criticism from media concerning their rap abilities and intended audience, their debut album In the Beginning achieved gold certification in the UK and yielded two additional Top 10 singles: "Love on the Line" and the double A-side "Reminisce/Where the Story Ends". Critical reception of the album was largely unfavorable; Jon O'Brien from AllMusic characterized them as self-proclaimed trailblazers of 'chav' culture.
Now or Never: 2003–2004
The band maintained chart momentum in 2003 with two singles reaching the top five: "We Just Be Dreamin'" peaked at #3 in July, and "Flip Reverse" climbed to #2 in November. The latter track was co-written by former member Liam D'Souza and was featured prominently during the relaunch of Top of the Pops, including a notable outdoor performance. Despite these successful singles, their sophomore album, Now or Never, only reached #36 on the UK Albums Chart. A live concert DVD released late in 2003 failed to generate commercial interest or boost album sales. Their third single from this period, "Here 4 One", attained #6 in early 2004 but did not generate sufficient sales to secure a contract for a third studio album.
Friday Hill and Times Like These: 2005–2006
In 2005, members Strider, Flava, and Kenzie formed a new act called Friday Hill under Polydor Records, named after their Chingford area. Their debut single "Baby Goodbye" reached #5 on the UK Singles Chart, selling over 80,000 units. The follow-up track "One More Night Alone" peaked at #13 in February 2006. Their album Times Like These peaked at #67 on the UK Albums Chart, which led to their departure from Polydor.
Later, in July 2006, Rocky-B, Reepa, Spike-E, and Melo-D announced a Blazin' Squad reunion signed to Peach Records. Their August release "All Night Long" stalled at #54 on the charts, resulting in the loss of their record contract and eventual disbandment.
Greatest Hits: 2009
In June 2009, Strider, Flava, Kenzie, Krazy, and Rocky B regrouped as a five-member lineup and issued a comeback single titled "Let's Start Again". This track reached #51 on the UK Singles Chart, slightly outperforming their prior effort. Although the record label intended to drop them due to modest sales, a binding contract obligated an album release. Consequently, the label issued a Greatest Hits compilation digitally, thereby fulfilling their contractual commitments with the group.
Members
- James MacKenzie, known professionally as "Kenzie" (active periods: 2002–2004, 2005–2006, 2009)
- Ollie Georgiou, performing under the name "Freek" (2002–2004)
- Marcel Somerville, also referred to as "Rocky B" (2002–2004, 2006, 2009)
- Chris McKeckney, who goes by "Melo-D" (2002–2004, 2006)
- Stuart Baker, nicknamed "Reepa" (2002–2004, 2006)
- Lee Bailey, stage name "Krazy" (2002–2004, 2009)
- Sam Foulkes, alias "Spike-E" (2002–2004, 2006)
- James Murray, known as "Flava" (2002–2004, 2005–2006, 2009)
- Tom Beasley, recognized as "Tommy-B" (2002–2004)
- Mustafa Omer, also called "Strider" (active during 2002–2004, 2005–2006, 2009)
Albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Positions | Certifications (sales criteria) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | GER | ||||||||
| In the Beginning |
|
33 | — |
| |||||
| Now or Never |
|
37 | 57 |
| |||||
| Greatest Hits |
|
– | – | ||||||
| Dash ("—") indicates albums that did not enter the charts | |||||||||
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Peak Chart Positions | Associated Album | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | GER | IRE | |||||||
| 2002 | "Crossroads" | 1 | 82 | 13 | In the Beginning | ||||
| "Love on the Line" | 6 | — | 28 | ||||||
| 2003 | "Reminisce / Where the Story Ends" | 8 | — | 28 | |||||
| "We Just Be Dreamin'" | 3 | 75 | 31 | Now or Never | |||||
| "Flip Reverse" | 2 | 22 | 15 | ||||||
| 2004 | "Here 4 One" | 6 | — | 18 | |||||
| 2006 | "All Night Long" | 54 | — | — | Greatest Hits | ||||
| 2009 | "Let's Start Again" | 51 | — | — | |||||
| Dash ("—") indicates singles that failed to chart | |||||||||
Blazin' Squad - Weighty Plates Singles
- Weighty Plates Volume 1: Standard Flow Remixes (peaked at UK Top 100 #78 in 2002)
- Weighty Plates Volume 2: Standard Flow Ras Kwame Mixes (collaboration with Ras Kwame and Elephant Man)
- Weighty Plates Volume 3: Standard Flow: Origin Unknown & DND Remixes
Albums
| Album Title | Information | Highest Chart Positions |
Certifications (sales criteria) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | GER | |||
| Times Like These |
|
67 | – | |
Singles
| Year Released | Single Title | Highest Chart Positions |
From Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | GER | IRE | |||
| 2005 | "Baby Goodbye" | 5 | — | — | Times Like These |
| 2006 | "One More Night Alone" | 13 | — | — | |