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Episode Ten: Retrospective
The tenth episode of The Hollyoaks Music Show with Matalan.co.uk was a lovely retrospective one that took a look at the highlights of the first series. The below pop artistes featured. Read all about 'em...
N-Dubz
You might not know this, but N-Dubz make music for your Mum, your Dad and your Nan. It's true! It says so on their website! So, the next time your Nan's knitting you a jumper and her gramophone's booming out some dirty urban beats, well, you now know she's listening to the tunes of London's finest hip-hop/R&B three-piece.
The trio - with a sound suitable for all generations – have now featured on five (that's FIVE) top 30 hits. They've achieved this most admirable achievement through a potent concoction of hard work and hats. Of course, the group are known for songs like 'Ouch', 'Papa Can You Hear Me?', and their cameo on Tinchy Stryder's number one 'Number One', but just after the hits come the hats.
The Chullo's a Peruvian/Bolivian hat known as 'The Dappy hat' - named after none other than rap-slinging N-Dubz member Dappy. Now, there's not many other pop stars who can claim to have had that honour bestowed upon them, apart from maybe Beanie Man...
N-Dubz perform without a 'Dappy hat' in sight in our Episode Ten Gallery!
The Saturdays
Back in July 2009, Girls Aloud announced that they were taking a year off to concentrate on solo projects. Tremors were felt reverberating around the pop world. "Who's gonna fill our girl group void?" said many a pop observer. Solution: The Saturdays. That's who.
The Saturdays, arguably formed from the ashes of S Club 8 (Frankie and Rochelle being one-time members), are unarguably an unashamedly brilliant all-dancing, all-sexy, pop quintet.
After scoring an impressive four top ten hits from their debut album 'Chasing Lights', the girls have made a return with their second album 'Wordshaker', which, at this rate, may have Girls Aloud rethinking their sabbatical. Who knows, when The Aloud eventually do return, the pop throne they left may no longer be theirs...
Read our interview with The Saturdays in which they discuss those S Club Juniors reforming rumours!
Check out the sassy ladies perform in our Episode Ten Gallery
Taio Cruz
Handy tips on how to pronounce the name of number one selling artist Taio Cruz: Combine the words "tie" (as in the garment of clothing that a gent such as Taio Cruz may deploy around the collar of a shirt), "oh" (as in, "Oh yeah, I love Taio Cruz. He writes lovely MOBO nominated R&B pop!") and "cruise" (as in, "My nan's gone on a cruise ship with Taio Cruz"). And that is how you pronounce Taio Cruz. But other than having an interesting name, Taio's achieved a few more notable things...
Since 2006, Taio's had six top 30 hits, including the chart-topping 'Break Your Heart'. His talents have been noted, most notably by the noteworthy Simon Cowell. The flat-haired music honcho has hired Cruz to write for Alexandra Burke, Leona Lewis and Shayne Ward ("whoooooo!?").
Finding time between drafting up pop masterpieces for any old Tom, Dick and Shayne, Taio also has also founded his own fashion brand, Rokstarr. 'Rokstarr' also happens to be the name of his latest album. Now that's what I call cross-promotion!
Look out Taio man! You're about to be attacked by Lil' GaGa in the Episode Ten Gallery!
Pixie Lott
You may look at Pixie Lott's gorgeous elfin or, more aptly, pixie-like face and think, "That girl... She may be utterly beautiful, but she's just the pretty veneer of a cold music industry's song writing team". You may think this, but you'd be wrong (apart from the bit about Pixie being pretty, which is most definitely true).
In a world of manufactured pop puppets, it's quite an impressive feat that Pixie writes her own tunes. It's even more impressive considering that each one of these tunes released as singles ('Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)' and 'Boys and Girls') have cruised to the top of the charts.
Alexandra Burke and Girls Can't Catch will be hoping that Pixie's Midas touch rubs off on them, as the angelic blonde's just penned the 2008 X-Factor winner and girl group a ditty each. How very kind of her! Karma's rewarded her with a couple of MTV Europe Music Awards and has also let her turn on Leeds' Christmas lights. Go, karma!
We talk to Pixie Lott about our idea of ending the credit crunch. It involves her legs.
Like Pixie Lott's style? Get her look now on the Matalan Hollyoaks Music show microsite
Paolo Nutini
Here on The Hollyoaks Music Show with Matalan.co.uk there's nothing more we like than a good fact. I'd go as far as to say we're fact fans. One such fact that we’re very impressed with is thus: Paolo Nutini's second album, 'Sunny Side Up', is the third biggest selling album of the year. The only artists who have sold more albums than him this year are Kings of Leon and Michael Jackson.
Other Paolo facts:
Fact 1) He got his big break by filling in for one time reality TV singer David Sneddon.
Fact 2) His family own a chip shop.
Fact 3) His debut album, 'These Streets' sold over a million.
Fact 4) Paolo has been linked to bigger names than David Sneddon (see fact 1, fact fans) when he played with The Rolling Stones at The Isle of Wight festival in 2007 and then supported Led Zeppelin at the 02 Arena.
These facts, even fact number two, have all helped Paolo to become a very popular Scotsman indeed!
Paolo Nutini introduces us to his merry band of Howard Moons in our Episode Ten Gallery!
Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris is so popular these days that on a Sunday evening, when the rest of us are getting stuck into a back-to-back Come Dine With Me marathon, he casually performs in front 70 odd thousand people at Wembley Stadium all in the name of half-time NFL entertainment. In fact, Calvin works so damn hard he probably even sees that as procrastination.
It's this hard working ethic that's transformed Calvin from a man who less than ten years ago was making demos in his bedroom to a man who can now afford to pass up the opportunity to work with Lady Gaga. With a number one album and two number one singles in his arsenal, Calvin is a much sought after man.
Having previously lent a helping hand to Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Kylie Minogue, and, of course, Dizzee Rascal, Calvin will finally receive some home help himself. And donning the home helper's sexy grey uniform before popping round to Calvin's humble abode to remix Harris' next single, 'Flashback', is none other than fellow number one-r David Guetta. Number-one-me-do-times!
Episode Ten Gallery
N-Dubz perform without a 'Dappy hat', The Saturdays are sassy, Taio's attacked by Lil' GaGa, Pixie Lott looks like an eskimo, Paolo Nutini has a merry band of Howard Moons and Calvin has Christmas lights...
Episode Ten Interviews
N-Dubz have social networking woes, The Saturdays discuss S Club Juniors rumours, Taio has some shocking truths, Pixie Lott talks the credit crunch and Calvin rejected Lady GaGa...