Kenzie
Encyclopedia
James Victor MacKenzie better known as Kenzie or MC Kenzie, is a British rapper and former member of 10-piece UK pop-rap band Blazin' Squad
. He now makes a living as a personal fitness instructor in Fairlop
.
was a ten-piece UK pop-rap vocal band. Despite avoiding the typical 'boyband' image, they appealed to a similar pre-teen female fanbase. They enjoyed moderate success in the UK, achieving six consecutive Top 10 hits, including a UK Number One single 'Crossroads', a cover version of the Bone Thugs-up Now or Never failed to reach the UK Top 40 Album Chart. While in the band, he went by MC Kenzie.
The group subsequently split in 2005. MC Kenzie, MC Flava and MC Strider, went on to form the band, Friday Hill (as Kenzie, James and Mus). Friday Hill split up and on 14th June 2009 five of the original Blazin' Squad members released a single ('Lets Start Again') since reforming. It peaked at No. 51 on the UK Singles Chart
.
, alongside Kelli Young
and Rick Wakeman
. He also appeared on that show's 1,000th episode, but was voted off in the fourth round for answering too many questions incorrectly. Kenzie also appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks
in March 2005 and again in March 2006.
Kenzie released his autobiography in April 2005, published by HarperCollins
, titled Kenzie: My Life.
In autumn 2006, Kenzie appeared in the Sky One
reality show Cirque de Celebrité
. In week ten of the show he was eliminated, coming third (losing out to model Emma B
and Big Brother 7 housemate Grace Adams-Short). In September 2008, he was a contestant on the ITV reality show CelebAir
. He was eliminated in the second episode, shown on 9 September. He also appeared on an episode of Ready Steady Cook
which aired originally on 12 March 2009. He competed against, and defeated, Chico Slimani
.
Kenzie is also a fully qualified personal trainer for Studio 23 gym, and stars in The Active Channels "Star Trainer" where he trains celebrities such a John James (Big Brother), and Crispin Coulson, Senior Marketing Manager of POWER-GEN Europe Conference & Exhibition.
On September 23, 2010, he appeared on ITV2's Celebrity Juice programme, alongside Keith Lemon and Verne Troyer.
Blazin' Squad
Blazin' Squad were an English pop-rap vocal group. The group enjoyed significant success in the UK, achieving six top ten hits, including "Crossroads", a cover version of the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony original.-In The Beginning: 2002:...
. He now makes a living as a personal fitness instructor in Fairlop
Fairlop
Fairlop is a district of Ilford in the London Borough of Redbridge, just north of Barkingside. It mainly consists of fields, forestry and open land providing space for sport/ activity centres , a few houses, farmland and watersport/ fishing lakes . It also has a tube station....
.
Blazin Squad
Blazin' SquadBlazin' Squad
Blazin' Squad were an English pop-rap vocal group. The group enjoyed significant success in the UK, achieving six top ten hits, including "Crossroads", a cover version of the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony original.-In The Beginning: 2002:...
was a ten-piece UK pop-rap vocal band. Despite avoiding the typical 'boyband' image, they appealed to a similar pre-teen female fanbase. They enjoyed moderate success in the UK, achieving six consecutive Top 10 hits, including a UK Number One single 'Crossroads', a cover version of the Bone Thugs-up Now or Never failed to reach the UK Top 40 Album Chart. While in the band, he went by MC Kenzie.
The group subsequently split in 2005. MC Kenzie, MC Flava and MC Strider, went on to form the band, Friday Hill (as Kenzie, James and Mus). Friday Hill split up and on 14th June 2009 five of the original Blazin' Squad members released a single ('Lets Start Again') since reforming. It peaked at No. 51 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
Work Outside of Music
In 2005, Kenzie appeared in Celebrity Big Brother and finished as the runner up, losing out to dancer and musician Bez. At the time he was the youngest contestant to ever enter the house. He appeared in a "Rock and Pop Special" edition of The Weakest LinkThe Weakest Link
The Weakest Link is a television game show which first appeared in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 14 August 2000 and will end its run in 2012 when its host Anne Robinson ends her contract. The original British version of the show airs around the world on BBC Entertainment...
, alongside Kelli Young
Kelli Young
Kelli Young is an English pop singer. She was a member of British pop group, Liberty X which also consisted of Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, and Jessica Taylor....
and Rick Wakeman
Rick Wakeman
Richard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
. He also appeared on that show's 1,000th episode, but was voted off in the fourth round for answering too many questions incorrectly. Kenzie also appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Never Mind the Buzzcocks is a comedy panel game television show with a pop music theme, currently without a permanent presenter. It stars Phill Jupitus and Noel Fielding as team captains. The show is produced by Talkback Thames for the BBC, and is usually aired on BBC Two...
in March 2005 and again in March 2006.
Kenzie released his autobiography in April 2005, published by HarperCollins
HarperCollins
HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
, titled Kenzie: My Life.
In autumn 2006, Kenzie appeared in the Sky One
Sky One
Sky1 is the flagship BSkyB entertainment channel available in the United Kingdom and Ireland.The channel first launched on 26 April 1982 as Satellite Television, and is the fourth-oldest TV channel in the United Kingdom, behind BBC One , ITV and BBC Two...
reality show Cirque de Celebrité
Cirque de Celebrité
Cirque de Celebrité was a celebrity reality TV show broadcast on Sky One. The show features celebrities training for and then performing various circus acts. The winner of the 2006 series was Grace Adams-Short....
. In week ten of the show he was eliminated, coming third (losing out to model Emma B
Emma B (Blocksage)
Emma Blocksage, better known as Emma B , is an English model and TV presenter. Since her entry into the entertainment industry in 1995, she has appeared on numerous magazine covers and TV programs...
and Big Brother 7 housemate Grace Adams-Short). In September 2008, he was a contestant on the ITV reality show CelebAir
CelebAir
CelebAir is a reality TV series in which 11 celebrities performed the duties of cabin crew and check-in attendants. The series is presented by Angellica Bell and aired on ITV2 from 2 September 2008 until 23 October 2008, when Lisa Maffia was declared the winner.For the show, Monarch Airlines...
. He was eliminated in the second episode, shown on 9 September. He also appeared on an episode of Ready Steady Cook
Ready Steady Cook
Ready Steady Cook was a BBC daytime TV cooking programme it first debuted on 24 October 1994 and the last edition was broadcast on the 2 February 2010. The programme was hosted by Fern Britton from 1994 until 2000 when celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott became the new host...
which aired originally on 12 March 2009. He competed against, and defeated, Chico Slimani
Chico Slimani
Yousseph "Chico" Slimani is a Welsh born singer of Moroccan descent who rose to prominence in the United Kingdom after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2005 series of the talent show The X Factor. In 2006, he had a number 1 hit on the British charts entitled "It's Chico Time"...
.
Kenzie is also a fully qualified personal trainer for Studio 23 gym, and stars in The Active Channels "Star Trainer" where he trains celebrities such a John James (Big Brother), and Crispin Coulson, Senior Marketing Manager of POWER-GEN Europe Conference & Exhibition.
On September 23, 2010, he appeared on ITV2's Celebrity Juice programme, alongside Keith Lemon and Verne Troyer.