User:N-Dubz Biography

N-Dubz are a British hip hop group from Liverpool, based around Whiston. Their first record deal came from Polydor Records in 2006, but left in 2008 to sign with Epic Records. They have had 13 UK top 40 singles, 10 of which have made the top 20 and 5 made the top ten. Their most successful single is I Need You which charted at #5.

Their debut album, Uncle B, was released on November 17th 2008 and debuted at number eleven on the UK Albums Chart. It was announced by the group's official website that the album had been certified platinum for shipments of over 300,000 in the UK. Their second album, Against All Odds, was released on November 16th 2009 and debuted and peaked at number six. It has also been certified platinum in the UK.

Group Formation (2002)
When N-Dubz was formed, they were a 6 person group named L35 after their postcode. The original line-up comprised of current members Dappy, Tulisa and Fazer, but were joined by Jason Mitchell, Richard Rawson and Aimee Bailey. The released a self-titled EP in April 2002, selling copies of the album to school colleagues, which caused both Dappy and Mitchell to be suspended from school for two weeks. A year later, the released a second EP entitled "All Around The World". Their third EP was released in 2004. Jason Mitchell decided he didn't want to be involved with the album, entitled "Wouldn't Again" after fighting with Dappy. Fazer was then promoted to the second male lead vocalist.

In April 2006, the group changed their name to N-Dubz and released their final EP, "N-Dubz". This would be the last EP released by the group before signing to Polydor Records. It would also be the last album to feature Rawson and Bailey who were scrapped from the group when they were signed to Polydor. Despite only being between 13 and 15 when their debut EP was released to pirate radio, the group became huge stars around the Liverpool music scene and performed at many undergroup hip hop shows.

Signing To Polydor Records (2006)
In June 2006, the group were signed to Polydor Records. Polydor decided there were too many members in the group and decided to axe Rawson and Bailey from the group despite protest from Dappy, Fazer and Tulisa. It was decided the group would use songs from their fourth EP, "N-Dubz", in which the tracks were re-recorded by the new line-up.

Signing & Leaving Polydor (2006-2008)
After re-recording the "N-Dubz" EP, the group released their debut single "You Better Not Waste My Time" on August 21st 2006. The single didn't manage to crack the UK top 40, instead peaking at #90 on the chart. On the UK R&B Singles Chart, the single fared better peaking at #17. The second single from the group was "I Swear" which peaked at #19 when it was released in September 2006. The group's final Polydor release was "Feva Las Vegas" which became their second UK top twenty single, peaking at #17 on the UK Singles Chart and #11 on the UK R&B Singles Chart.

After releasing the single, the group were angry at Polydor who were refusing to pump any money or promotion into the group. Their music videos were not being picked up by music video channels due to "low standards". The group decided to end their contract with the record label.

Signing To Epic Records (2007)
After 6 months away from the public spotlight, the group were signed to Epic Records. The group reportedly signed a two album deal, with a £250,000 advance on each album as well as each of the group recieving £300,000 from the record label per year, as Epic signed them as salaried employees. This made them at least £25,000 each month for two years. Epic also paid £250,000 for the rights to the group's unreleased Polydor album and singles from Polydor Records. Epic Records now own 10% of these rights, as Dappy, Fazer and Tulise bought a 90% share of them for an undisclosed sum.

Uncle B (2008-2009)
Since they had rights to their first album, the group decided they would still release that as their first recording. In June 2008, the group rreleased their debut Epic single, and lead single from their debut album, "You Better Not Waste My Time" to the UK. It managed to peak at #26, a 64 place leap from it's 2006 position. It also jumped 5 places on the UK R&B Singles Chart, gaining a new peak of #6. The second single from the album was "Ouch" which peaked at #22 in the UK. Over 4 million people viewed the video within a month of it being uploaded to YouTube. The album's third single "Papa Can You Hear Me" peaked at #19 and #5 on the UK Singles Chart and UK R&B Singles Chart respectively. A week after the single release, the group released their debut album "Uncle B", which debuted and peaked at #11 in the UK. The fourth single was "Strong Again" which became the group's fourth UK top twenty single. The fifth and final single was a download only single entitled "Wouldn't You" which peaked at #16 in the UK and at #15 on the UK R&B Singles Chart.

Group member Dappy was featured in Tinchy Stryder's 2009 #1 single tentatively titled "Number" 1, the video also featured cameo appearances from all N-Dubz's members. Due to the success of their debut album, the group embarked on their first headlining tour Uncle B Tour. The tour was originally planned for 16 dates but due to high demand 5 extra dates were added. The tour was supported by Tinchy Stryder with whom N-Dubz collaborated on his #1 single "Number 1". The tour sold out within days. During one performance, Tulisa fainted on stage. Multiple news sources have reported that it was due to suspected swine flu.Jonathan Shalit, the group's manager, stated that Tulisa "was taken ill on the flight out to Greece on Thursday" and that "her bandmates are all very worried about her.". The group were due to perform at Radio 1's Big Weekend on 10 May 2009, but their participation was placed in doubt while Tulisa was hospitalised. It was later confirmed that Tulisa had tested negative for swine flu and the group did perform.

Against All Odds (2009-2010)
The lead single from the group's second album titled "I Need You" was released on 9 November 2009 and charted at #5 in the UK Singles Chart. The album Against All Odds, was released on 16 November 2009, and charted at #5 in the UK Album Chart. The album went platinum within approximately 2 months of release. The second single, "Playing with Fire" features R&B/pop musician, Mr Hudson. The song reached #15 in the UK Charts on album downloads alone, however, when the single was released, it fell to #16, it reached a new peak at #14 the week after.

The music video for the third single taken from the album, "Say It's Over" was released on 19 April 2010. It reached #27 on album downloads alone before the single was released. In late 2009 N-Dubz announced they will tour their current album, Against All Odds in Spring 2010, making it their 3rd tour in two years, starting on the 31st March and finishing on the 20th April. It would include 17 shows with supporting acts been Skepta, Talay Riley and Ultra. On 1 April 2010, they released their first book, "N-Dubz - Against All Odds: From Street Life to Chart Life", which they described as "the answer to the critics, there is a lot of bad press about N-Dubz at the moment and this is going to put the record straight about who we really are and what we're about!", saying they want to put "everything out there", and Fazer also adding "It's going to suprise you!" The book gives access to a secret N-Dubz website.

Signing To Def Jam (2010)
On Thursday, May 20 2010, it was announced the group had signed to US label Def Jam Records. According to The Sun, the group's new contract ties them down to release five albums with the company, which also has Rihanna and Kanye West on its books.

Confirming the deal, Def Jam's senior vice-president of A&R Max Gousse said: "I signed N-Dubz because they're great entertainers and speak to London's youth unlike any other band. We want to bring their message to the rest of the world."

Meanwhile, band member Fazer commented: "We are really excited to be signing with Def Jam. Getting a US deal is something we've been working towards for a while and we can't wait to get out to the States and have our music heard globally. It's turning into a monster year for us."

N-Dubz had been tipped to secure a contract with Def Jam for some time after meeting label bosses earlier this year.

It is thought that the stars are now planning to fly out to Los Angeles in August to record with top songwriters Dr Luke and Jim Jonsin.