Simon Britton

Simon Britton

Performing at the Eska Awards, Poland 2008
Background information
Birth name Simon John Britton
Origin Bristol, England
Genres Pop, synthpop, dance, R&B, hip hop, soul
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, record producer, actor
Instruments Vocals, piano, keyboards
Years active 1980s–present
Website www.simonbritton.tv

Simon Britton is an English record producer, songwriter and actor. He has sold over 50 million singles and albums worldwide.[1][2][3]

Music

Red Rhythm

Britton is one half of Red Rhythm, the production, songwriting and remix team[4] whose credits include: Ashanti, Aaliyah, Boyz II Men, Sean Paul, Tara McDonald, Run DMC, Liberty X, Kool & The Gang, Eminem, Aggro Santos, Kimberly Wyatt, Electric Giant Beatz,[5] Chaka Demus & Pliers, Beverley Knight, Melanie C, Michelle Williams[6][7] Jimmy Cliff, Glenda Benevides, Ginuwine, Missy Elliott, Sting, Talib Kweli, Timbaland, Usher, Michael Jackson, Leona Lewis and the US R&B hit "Da' Dip" by Freak Nasty.

Red Songs

In 2001, Red Rhythm signed a joint venture publishing deal (Red Songs) with Kim Glover.

Awards

As Red Rhythm, they have been recipient to multiple platinum, gold and silver sales. Britton won the 2010/11 British Television Advertising Awards for Best Use of Recorded Music in the PUMA "Hardchorus" television advertising campaign created by the Droga5 Advertising Agency, New York.[8] The video became a worldwide internet hit, landing 130 million media impressions[9] and spawning an international singing competition between France, England, Germany and Italy, which was also named "Hardchorus".

Aggro Santos & Kimberly Wyatt

Britton was Instrumental in bringing Aggro Santos and Kimberly Wyatt together on "Candy"[10][11][12]

"We were working with Aggro and Kimberly at our studio on alternate days. Aggro was an emerging talent that was raw and cool and Kimberly was a name and an ex. Pussycat Doll that needed to emerge from the shadow of the Dolls and work on something that was cutting edge, so we set up a writing and recording session at the studio. They got on well and the rest is history".[13]

Early years

Having been signed as an artist to two record labels in the 1980s and 1990s, Britton retired at the age of 28 years to concentrate on production, songwriting and remixing. His second record deal was with M&G Records.

TV commercials and modeling

Britton in "Alien: Deadly Returns"

Car commercial

Britton played Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's boyfriend in the car commercial where he slapped her backside.

"Alien - Deadly Returns"

He played John Hurt's character of Kane in "Alien - Deadly Returns" in the Firetrap viral advertising campaign.

Advertising campaigns

During the 1990s, Britton modelled in photographic advertising campaigns for Benetton, (World-Wide photographic), Jean Paul Gaultier, Dexter Wong and L'Oréal.

Television and film

"Last Quarter"

His first acting performance was in 2004 in the movie Last Quarter (UK/US Title) Japanese Title: Kagen No Tsuki, where he played the role of Evil Eye Bassist.

Other notable appearances

Prime Suspect, The Commander, and EastEnders.

Britton featured in Persona by App Media>[14] This was the first drama series created entirely for the iPhone and Smart Phone, directed by Don Allen and Sheena Holliday. He played the role of Ben Roberts, the faded 1990s sitcom star and love interest of Samantha, played by Alexis Strum.

Forthcoming feature films

The award winning Throw of a Dice, (CVS Films) where he played the role of Dr. Gould, a geneticist,[15] alongside Wil Johnson and Ruby Sahota.[16]

Dumar, (Fruit District Films) where he played the key role of Thomas Grant, a corrupt and sinister head of a financial institution, who incarcerates a member of his staff for his own gain. The film also featured Leee John and Gianluca Vialli.

Reality TV

Performing at Scala - on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy

In 2004, Britton appeared in the NBC America/Bravo TV show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, a popular reality television show in America. It was the first time the show had gone outside of the United States and they came to the UK for a one-off special. The makeover was drastic as it included a haircut at Harvey Nichols, where Britton had his trademark locks cut off. In the show Britton met up with Graham Norton outside Buckingham Palace and then went shopping, learned how to cook gourmet Indian food with Cyrus Todiwala. He also came out of retirement for a one-off gig at the Scala in London for a CD release launch party, featuring the single "Someone Call The Doctor".

Philanthropy

Britton co-wrote the track "Flyaway" with Talib Kweli which featured on True to the Game.[17] Along with Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Akon, T-Pain, Rick Ross, Chingy, Ludacris, Big Boi of Outkast Yung Joc, and Macy Gray, they came together to work on the album where a percentage of the proceeds was donated to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to help fund a $15 million education and research centre.

Britton and Paul McCartney at LIPA, Liverpool

He is affiliated with LIPA (Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts), the charity, through working with the students in the Dance & Music Department.[18]

References

  1. ↑ Matt Bailey. "Simon Britton & Cliff Randall @ Red Rhythm: Use of Recorded Music – Gold Award". Britisharrows.com. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  2. ↑ "Industry @ Rare | Rare Dance Studios". Rarestudioliverpool.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  3. ↑ "News". SourceEcreative. 2010-11-23. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  4. ↑ "Red Rhythm: Simon Britton and Cliff Randall - Bucks Music Group". Cubesoundtracks.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  5. ↑ Team Michelle Williams. "Michelle Williams | Lorraine interview | December 2011". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  6. ↑ "EGB featuring Michelle Williams | On The Run". Egbmusicpro.com. 2011-11-27. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  7. ↑ Team Michelle Williams. "Michelle Williams | Chartshow Chat | 7 December 2011". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  8. ↑ Puma Football: HARDCHORUS. ""HARDCHORUS" Online Advert for Puma Football by Droga5". Coloribus.com. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  9. ↑ "International - PUMA - 'HARDCHORUS' : ZenithOptimedia | Live ROI | Live Return on Investment Marketing". ZenithOptimedia. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  10. ↑ ITN Music Channel 411 (2010-05-05). "Kimberly Wyatt talks Candy with Aggro Santos!". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  11. ↑ "Music News: "On the Run" to be released in the UK on 10/31". ATRL. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  12. ↑ Team Wyatt (2010-03-17). "Kimberly Wyatt talks Candy". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  13. ↑ "Kimberly Wyatt talks Candy with Aggro Santos - Video Dailymotion". Dailymotion.com. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  14. ↑ "App-Media home page". App-media.com. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  15. ↑ British Council Film (2011-11-22). "British Council Film: Throw of a Dice". Film.britishcouncil.org. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  16. ↑ The MVSA Channel (2011-11-14). "Wil Johnson and Simon Britton Win Best Festival Film at the M Visas". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  17. ↑ "Welcome - True to the Game". Truetothegamemusic.com. 2009-03-24. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  18. ↑ "BBC News - Echo Arena Liverpool holds singer boot camp auditions". Bbc.co.uk. 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2012-01-09.

External links

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