Platnum are a British
bassline
Bassline (also known as a bass line or bass part) is the term used in many styles of music, such as blues, jazz, funk, Dub music, dub and electronic music, electronic, traditional music, traditional, and classical music, for the low-pitched P ...
vocal group from
Manchester
Manchester () is a city and the metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It had an estimated population of in . Greater Manchester is the third-most populous metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, with a population of 2.92&nbs ...
, England. The original line-up consisted of male vocalist Aaron Evers and female vocalists Mina Poli and Michelle McKenna. The trio are best known for providing the vocals on
H "Two" O's
2008
2008 was designated as:
*International Year of Languages
*International Year of Planet Earth
*International Year of the Potato
*International Year of Sanitation
The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...
single, "
What's It Gonna Be?", which reached number two in the
UK Singles Chart in February 2008. Platnum, who formed around
2004
2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition (by UNESCO).
Events January
* January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...
, have worked with DJs Jamie Duggan and Q as well as producers Virgo, H "Two" O and Nastee Boi.
[RWDmag.com](_blank)
The group's highly anticipated second single, "
Love Shy (Thinking About You)" was released on 29 September 2008; they then started work on their debut album which became a mixtape and also toured, supporting
N-Dubz
N-Dubz are an English hip-hop trio from Camden Town, London, England, consisting of cousins Dappy and Tulisa, and their friend Fazer. After winning a MOBO Award for Best Newcomer in 2007, N-Dubz briefly signed with Polydor Records before j ...
, in the UK in Autumn 2009.
Formation and early success
The group formed for a local talent show. The selected name for the new band was Urban Superstars, in around 2004.
Although they did not win the competition, they used their entry track "Over the Heartache" to showcase their talents to established members of the
UK bassline scene.
The track proved popular, and a remix, by DJ Jamie Duggan, was awarded Bassline Heaven's 'Tune of the Year Award' in 2006.
[Escape Swansea](_blank)
/ref> Damien Thompson (a.k.a. D-Tox) engineered and co-produced the track, but was not credited, as he was signed to the Reflective record label at the time.
Nocturnal Records released the track on vinyl, in the same year. The track also had major interest from Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound or Ministry of Sound Group is a multimedia entertainment business based in London with a nightclub, shared workspace and private members' club, worldwide events operation, music publisher (popular music), music publishing busin ...
, with the prospect of a major release, but an agreement could not be made between the singers and producers as to whose name would be credited first in the title. The group have met many other singers and producers such as Sacha and S.U.D.Nocturnal Records
/ref>
2004 and onwards
Previously when Michelle was a solo rapper and Aaron and Mina a duo, the three formed at a talent contest in Manchester at a young age. The song that they chose to sing in the final, "Over the Heartache", went on to become one of the most played bassline tracks of all time, combining a love song with a heavy bass. The group toured nationwide with N-Dubz and entered the UK Singles Chart with " What's It Gonna Be" (with H "Two" O) in early 2008.
After a coincidental meeting, Michelle was able to hand will.i.am
William James Adams Jr. (born March 15, 1975), known professionally as will.i.am (pronounced "will I am"), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor. He is the frontman of the musical group Black Eyed Peas, which he ...
, front man of the Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American musical group formed in Los Angeles in 1995, composed of rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo (rapper), Taboo. Fergie (singer), Fergie was a member during the height of their popularity in the 2000s, and ...
, a demo of their work. In the not so glamorous setting of her car, she then played another to producer DJ Poet, and the deal was sealed.
Teaming up with the Black Eyed Peas producer DJ Poet, the group returned to the UK bassline scene in 2012. Having already created an album called ''Lost in the Music'', they released the first song, "Solar System", on 6 May 2012 via All In Recordings. "Solar System" fuses a mix of universal dance with a house beat, being compared to the likes of the Black Eyed Peas, not unexpectedly, and Far East Movement
Far East Movement (abbreviated FM) is an American Hip hop music, hip hop and electronic music group based in Los Angeles, composed of Kev Nish, Prohgress, J-Splif, Jon Street, Ray Ro, DJ Virman, and Jerm Beats. They signed with Martin Kierszenba ...
. "I haven't heard a sound or seen a group as original and exciting since the Peas" says DJ Poet himself, and "Platnum will be heading onto our radio airwaves within the next few months".
Discography
Singles
References
External links
Platnum's Myspace page
Platnum Interview @ Mobo
{{Authority control
UK garage groups
Bassline musicians
Musical groups from Manchester
Musical groups established in 2004
English musical trios
English musical duos
UK garage duos
English electronic music groups