Platnum

Platnum are a British three-piece bassline vocal group from Manchester, UK, consisting of male vocalist Aaron Evers and female vocalists Mina Poli and Michelle McKenna.^[1] The trio are best known for providing the vocals on H "Two" O's 2008 single, "What's It Gonna Be?", which reached number two in the UK Singles Chart in February 2008.^[2] Platnum, who formed around 2004, have worked with DJs Jamie Duggan and Q as well as producers Virgo, H "Two" O and Nastee Boi.^[3]

The groups highly anticipated second single, "Love Shy (Thinking About You)" was released on 29 September 2008 and they have also started work on their debut album which became a mixtape. They were touring, supporting N-Dubz, in the UK in Autumn 2009.

Formation and early success

The group formed for a local talent show. The selected name for the new band was Urban Superstars, in around 2004.^[3] They did not win the competition, they then used their entry track Over the Heartache to showcase their talents to established members of the UK Bassline scene.^[4] The track proved popular, and a remix, by DJ Jamie Duggan, was awarded Bassline Heaven's Tune of the Year Award in 2006,^[5] In fact, Damien Thompson (A.K.A. D-Tox) engineered and co-produced the track, but was not credited as he was signed to the 'Reflective' label. Nocturnal records released the track, on vinyl, in the same year. The group have met many other singers and producers such as Sacha and S.U.D.^[6]

2012 and onwards

Teaming up with the Black Eyed Peas Producer DJ Poet, the Mancunian trio Aaron Evers, Michelle McKenna and Mina Poli are growing through the UK Bassline Scene in 2012. Having already created an album called ‘Lost In The Music’, the group have released the first song, ‘Solar System’, on 6 May 2012 by All in Recordings.

Back in the day when Michelle was a solo rapper and Aaron and Mina a duo, the three formed at a talent contest in Manchester at a young age. The song that they chose to sing in the final, ‘Over the Heartache’, went on to become one of the most played Bassline tracks of all time, combining a love song with a heavy bass. After touring nationwide with N-Dubz and entering the UK singles charts with What’s It Gonna Be (feat. H “Two” O) – a blast from the past in 2008 – Platnum did not want to stop there.

After a coincidental meeting, Michelle was able to hand will.i.am, front man of The Black Eyed Peas, a demo of their work. In the not so glamorous setting of her car, she then played another to produced DJ Poet, and the deal was sealed. Who knew that one day they would be adding the finishing touches to their very own debut album?

‘Solar System’ fuses a mix of universal dance with a house beat, and is sure to be making its way into clubs all over the UK. Being compared to the likes of the Black Eyed Peas, not unexpectedly, and Far East Movement, it is no wonder that the trio have more to reveal. “I haven’t heard a sound or seen a group as original and exciting since the Peas” says DJ Poet himself, and Platnum will be heading onto our radio airwaves within the next few months.^[7]

Singles

References

Platnum Interview @ Mobo

External links

• Platnum's Myspace Page