Kenzie
| Kenzie | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | James Victor MacKenzie |
| Born |
6 January 1986 London, England |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | Rap, pop |
| Occupations | Singer, businessman |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, percussion |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Columbia Records |
| Associated acts | Blazin' Squad, Adam Rickett, Gareth Gates, Dane Bowers and Kavana, 5th Story |
James Victor MacKenzie (born 6 January 1986, London, England), better known as Kenzie or James Kenzie, is a DJ and celebrity personal trainer, formerly a member of 10-piece UK hip-hop group Blazin' Squad.
Early life
Kenzie grew up in Highams Park, East London and attended Highams Park School. His father, Victor Mackenzie, taught at the local girls' school Walthamstow School for Girls for over 20 years before retiring.
Blazin' Squad
Blazin' Squad were a ten-piece UK hip hop vocal group. Despite avoiding the typical 'boy band' image, they appealed to a similar pre-teen female fanbase. They enjoyed moderate success in the UK, achieving six consecutive Top 10 hits, including a UK number one single "Tha Crossroads"; a cover version of the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony original. They released two albums which just made the UK Top 40 album chart. While in the Blazin' Squad, he went by the name MC Kenzie.
The group subsequently split in 2005. MC Kenzie, MC Flava and MC Strider went on to form the group Friday Hill (as Kenzie, James and Mus). Friday Hill split up and on 14 June 2009 five of the original Blazin' Squad members released a single ("Let's Start Again") after reforming. It peaked at number 51 on the UK Singles Chart. One of their first performances after their reformation was at Walthamstow School for Girls, a school in the group's local area.
Work outside music
In 2005, Kenzie appeared in Celebrity Big Brother 3 and finished as the runner up, losing out to dancer and musician Bez. At the time he was the youngest contestant to ever enter the house. He appeared in a "Rock and Pop Special" edition of The Weakest Link, alongside Kelli Young and Rick Wakeman.[1] He also appeared on that show's 1,000th episode, but was voted off in the fourth round for answering too many questions incorrectly. Kenzie also appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks in March 2005 and again in March 2006. M.C from Surrey is a very good friend of Kenzie's, he was part of the original band before they found fame. M.C was their style icon and was the main dancer in the group.
Kenzie released his autobiography in April 2005, published by HarperCollins, titled Kenzie: My Life.[2] The book was somewhat a "damp squib" with one reviewer saying "it's full of incredibly dull revelations."[3]
In autumn 2006, Kenzie appeared in the Sky One reality show Cirque de Celebrité. In week ten of the show he was eliminated, coming third (losing out to model Emma B and Big Brother 7 housemate Grace Adams-Short). In September 2008, he was a contestant on the ITV reality show CelebAir. He was eliminated in the second episode, shown on 9 September. He also appeared on an episode of Ready Steady Cook which aired originally on 12 March 2009. He competed against, and defeated, Chico Slimani.[citation needed]
Kenzie is also a fully qualified personal trainer for Studio 23 gym, and stars in The Active Channel's Star Trainer. He trains celebrities such as Professor Green and many of the cast of The Only Way Is Essex.[citation needed]
On 23 September 2010, he appeared on ITV2's Celebrity Juice programme, alongside Keith Lemon and Verne Troyer.[citation needed]
5th Story
In December 2013, it was revealed that Kenzie would be joining forces with Adam Rickett, Gareth Gates, Dane Bowers and Kavana to form the supergroup 5th Story for the second series of ITV2's The Big Reunion.
See also
References
- ↑ "The Weakest Link". IMDb.
- ↑ Kenzie: My Life. HarperCollins Entertainment. 2005-04-09. ISBN 0-00-721149-X.
- ↑ McCarthy, James (18 June 2005). "Pop bio a damp squib". Coventry Telegraph. Archived at The Free Library. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
External links
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