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By Selina Thompson

Any Reality T.V junkie who watched ITV1’s Popstars the Rivals in 2002 would remember many shocked faces inside the London studio as Davina MaCall announced Javine had not made it into the girl band: Girls Aloud. In a cruel twist following weeks of success for the 20 year old West Londoner; it seemed the viewers at home voted instead for the other hopefuls - believing Javine’s place was already a dead cert. However the aftermath showed a complete turnaround as disillusioned viewers started nationwide rumours that the result was a fix. This continued endless media coverage about Javine which in turn prompted several record labels to offer a solo deal to the ‘robbed’ favourite. In early 2003, Javine signed to Virgin’s label Innocent Records for a reported £1 million and the rest as they say is history!

In the present, Javine sits relaxed in the basement of Virgin Records H.Q. Wearing a pair of casual trousers, Topshop’s must-have Brooklyn t-shirt and a large straw hat. She is optimistic that the new single Best of My Love will attract both Pop and R&B audiences because of its edgy slant towards the latter. ‘R&B is the vibe of it with a twist of Pop and the then there’s the soulfulness in my voice so it has that crossover’. The formula is already proving a hit with the likes of Radio 1 DJ Trevor Nelson who featured the track on his R&B Chart Show play list. Plus there are numerous guest performances that include MTV Base Lounge, the launch night of Nu-Soul at Central London nightspot Sound Republic and T4’s Pop Beach Festival. If that wasn’t enough, Javine mentions that after we’ve finished she’ll be getting ready to sing at the MTV Base 5th Birthday bash at Ministry of Sound.

Since her plunge into the limelight, Javine has made no secret of the fact her musical preference lies in Soul and R&B citing favourite artists as Mary J Blige and Aaliyah. However being recognized as a Pop Diva because of her association with Pop Stars the Rivals is a regular music journo misconception. Javine therefore points out that for the debut album Surrender, we can expect more of the crossover appeal. ‘It ranges from tracks where Aretha Franklin really inspired me, and then Destiny’s Child from their album ‘The Writings on the Wall’ because I thought that album was amazing, through to Whitney Houston and production wise on one of the tracks Marvin Gaye. Then you’ve got the more pop side like the singles Real Things and Surrender’.

Javine says these influences stem from growing up with mixed race heritage in the diverse community of Ladbroke Grove. ‘I grew up with my mum who is white but she didn’t try and cut me off from my culture. She would play Soul music because that’s what she’s into and my dad would play lots of Reggae, but I think even if I had of grown up somewhere else listening to more mainstream music, eventually I would have made up my own mind and chosen to listen to these sounds because that’s what appeals to me’.

Now complete with sultry vocals and a decent mix-bag of pop/soul beats, it’s understandable why Javine waited a further 6 months before releasing her album debut. ‘It was put back because I wanted to make the album a little better and because it’s the first album, I feel it’s the most important’. Aware of today’s fickle music industry where artists struggle to establish and maintain their territory; Javine tells me she is frequently compared to two Black females currently holding the reigns in UK Pop. ‘A lot of people compare me to Jamelia and Beyonce. Jamelia especially because who else would you put us up against? We’re the only ones doing the Pop side of things at the moment.’ Javine continues with a sarcasm that plays on the industry’s apparent need to stereotype Black talent. ‘We’re the names (British) people know the most and we both begin with J and people even say we look like each other, you know a quick glimpse and apparently we’re the same person (at this point we both start laughing) but I think once people hear my album they’ll be able to tell us apart’.

Getting a record deal from a major UK label is still like goldust - especially if your music style differs from the manufactured ‘quick buck’ sound. So what’s Javine’s perspective on signing with Innocent? ‘It was something new for them to do after having artists like Atomic Kitten, Blue and Billie Piper. They were also willing to start from scratch with my sound whereas other offers I had didn’t feel right because they wanted to get something out quickly’.

Speaking about her experience on ITV’s high profile talent contest, Javine is less positive about using this avenue to kick start a singing career in R&B/Hip Hop? ‘It’s probably not a good idea. I was lucky by not getting into Girls Aloud - in order for me to do what I’m doing and be seen as more credible; especially as I write my own stuff. When you go on those shows you don’t write anything, they give you songs, they give you outfits to wear and that’s basically it!’ She continues, ‘and if you’re willing to go through that as I was: to get a name and then go and do my own thing, then maybe I may have been able to influence the band into doing more R&B but I would of had to compromise.’

Following Performing Arts School, Javine had an impressive career start as a dancer in music videos for artists including the Honeyz and Tom Jones. But even with a West End debut, she decided finding fame on T.V would be a quicker solution. ‘I didn’t really make any contacts when I was dancing but when I was in The Lion King performing the lead as Nala, I met a guy who used to manage Damage and he put me in touch with a few people. From that I managed to get in a studio and put my own money into producing a demo, but they were like in a year’s time you’ll get a deal. I didn’t want to hear that…. I wanted it now! Who knows, maybe I would have got a deal, but this way was faster’.

Now 21, all of Javine’s musical experiences will serve her well as she continues to make her mark in the mainstream. Her debut single Real Things charted at No.5 and the decision to take time and develop her own sound should ensure the same level of success seen by Fame Academy’s Lemar. Certainly an Urban Diva in the making – Javine’s talents won’t be mizunderstood for a long time to come.

New Album – Surrender- Out Now

Links: www.officialjavine.com