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By Simon Nash

The headlines are beckoning in Big Brovaz struggle from anonymity. After years of watching others, now Big Brovaz are ready to take centre stage. They are the latest in a crop of talented, and individual, UK urban artists making their way into thes mainstream. This south London based collective, whose roots span the globe, have carved their niche with a fusion of hip hop and RnB, along with a positive vibe and a chemistry that is very evident. In fact the six members of the group, three girls, Cherise, Nadia, Dion, and three guys, Flawless, J. Rock, Skillz, all get on so well, they share a house in Brixton together. Hailing from across the world, their different backgrounds' and influences are for them, one of their greatest assets They bring together a fresh and open minded attitude which is certainly evident in their music. Their first single, Nu Flow, is an introduction to each of the Big Brovaz crew.

Twenty two year old RnB singer Nadia, from Reading, puts it simply, 'It's introducing ourselves and our skills.' J. Rock adds in his assured and laid back manner, 'We are trying to take over. We've been working at it for five years. We had to let everybody know who we are, where we're coming from.' Originally from Washington D.C. J. Rock brings the main US influence, with groups like NWA and Public Enemy inspiring him early on. His skills were sharpened from an early age battling against his sisters, 'They'd always win, so I'd sit down and practice, until people started to say, 'wow you're kinda good,' so I kept at it, and fifty million years later here we are.' At 24 he his one of the senior members of the group. The daddy however, is Skillz, The production guru behind Big Brovaz. The 25 year old Nigerian unfortunately could not make it for the majority of the interview, apparently due to a misunderstanding on the drivers behalf. He was responsible for the original Big Brovaz album. It was a compilation that featured thirteen different hip hop and RnB artists. Out of it, the six current members emerged, and they have been recording and performing for about a year ago now. J. Rock explains, 'We were doing collaborations and definitely had the chemistry, we just decided to stick together.' Cherise, the bubbly 19 year old, unsigned MOBO winner, from Shepherds Bush goes on to say, 'All six of us found we worked really well on stage together, most importantly, and that we were dedicated and worked really hard, and here we are.' The belief in themselves as a collective is most striking.

Despite varying influences and ideas, they feel it sets them apart, rather than sparking creative conflicts. Dion, who grow up in Woolwich, cites her musical roots as being from her gospel singing days in church. She is the slightly more laid back of the three girls, but insists, 'That's what makes Big Brovaz so different, cos we're all different and have our own styles and we bring them all to the table. You need to know how to incorporate.' J. Rock agrees, 'Working with so many people, with so many different influences, it makes you open up your creative mind, you have to move up a gear.' The result is an album that incorporates not only hip hop and RnB, but also salsa, gospel and rock among it's styles. It's very worldly,' J. Rock proudly announces, 'There's a gang of different music the average hip hop and RnB group wouldn't even touch on. But we're doing it and it comes across really well.' Possibly the most unusual track on the album is a hip hop version of 'Favorite Things,' from the musical, 'The Sound Of Music.'

While the album has no release date, the current single is generating huge interest, reaching the top five in the UK charts. Once again they feel it's the fusion of sounds and influences that makes the track appealing to a wide audience. The bouncy hip hop track has been likened to some of Outkast's material, and they don't seem bothered by this. 'They are a wacky kinda group, so we don't mind the comparison.' explains Flawless, another Nigerian born member. The twenty one year old moved to south London when he was ten, and later joined Big Brovaz in place of the basketball career he was pursuing at the time. He continues, 'What we do mind is the video. Our video is not influenced by the Outkast video. Our video is influenced by the track. You listen to the track, it has a circusy kinda feel to it, a waltzy feel. So the director came with the treatment for it.' Cherise is adamant, 'The video had to be something to suit the track, and coincidentally it looked like Outkast, but we were not copying Outkast .' The lyrics of Nu Flow, as with all their tracks, are written by the individual members. Their creative influence extends to the production, with them presenting ideas and themes which Skillz and part time member, and producer Fingaz, can work on.

The album has been kept firmly within the Big Brovaz family. Cherise says, 'There's no collaborations for the simple fact that everyone wants to concentrate on Big Brovaz for now, then maybe later we can break out.' Their focus and determination has been bolstered by their recent signing to Sony's Epic label. They are convinced this can only be positive for them, with the exposure and promotion such a major label can offer, Cherise insists on it's importance, 'If you don't have good promotion no one will remember you for a second. The reason why they have a lot of people on the label is because they do things right.' The ultra posh Sony boardroom, in which the interview is taking place, is certainly testament to this success. However, they have no fear of being used by the commercially successful Sony empire, Nadia says, 'At the time we were excited, but aware of what might happen, so not really worried.' As J. Rock outlines, 'We had like a plan before we started, we had an album already finished and another album on the way to being finished. We had a whole gang of ideas so defiantly there's longevity in our plan. So we don't expect to be chewed up and spat out any time soon.'

The current climate in UK music has helped pave the way for exposure and interest for hard working, and talented, acts like Big Brovaz, and they provide a fresh take on the UK urban scene. They are pushing an individual avenue, rather than following the tried and tested styles that are currently dominating UK sounds. Their introduction must be applauded, but remember, Big Brovaz, we will be watching you.