Focus Music Notes. "Out of the Blues". Popular music through the decades

Last year The Prince of Grime scored two number one singles, (‘Number 1’and ‘Never Leave You’), released a critically acclaimed chart topping album, (‘Catch 22’), and notched up enough sales to make him the biggest selling British solo male artist of 2009 . He also performed at all the major festivals of the summer, supported Akon on tour, embarked on his own 18 date sold out nationwide headline tour, developed his Star in The Hood merchandise from T-shirts sold on eBay to a fully developed clothing range, and graduate with a degree in Digital Arts and Moving Imagery from The University of East London. This year has seen Tinchy Stryder complete a second sold out headline tour in the UK, open the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury, expand his clothing range from online to in store (it is now stocked in over 60 stores nationwide) and start up a Joint Venture 360 music entertainment company with Jay Z (Takeover Roc Nation). All while writing and recording his third album ‘Third Strike’. Followi...

Olly Murs will release his debut single on August 29. The track ‘Please Don’t Let Me Go’ is co-written by Olly along with Steve Robson and Claude Kelly. A major radio network has already added the single to their playlist, 9 weeks upfront of release. The single will be available as a CD and download, with b-side/extra track ‘ This One’s For The Girls ’. Following his appearance on the X Factor, Olly signed a deal with Epic, who are responsible for the phenomenal success for JLS, and Syco Music. Olly said “ I’m so excited to be releasing this track which I co-wrote with Steve and Claude. It was important to me to be releasing an original song, and you can blast this one in the car with the windows down and the sun shining ”. Olly is currently working on his debut album due for release later this year. He is collaborating with Roy Stride from Scouting For Girls, John Shanks (Take That), Eg White (Adele, James Morrison, Duffy), Claude Kelly (Jason Derulo, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson), S...