Nil
Point, Never Again!
Eurovision:
Making Your Mind Up - the artists
Enrap-ture
- Weekend (Gotta Work)
 Kelly
(22), Mercedes (21) and Stacey (23) are Enrap-ture who describe
their sound as "a mixture of R&B, hip-hop, funk, rock and
pop". The trio have an abundance of music industry experience.
They list Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson, Diana Ross and Missy Elliott
as their musical influences.
Kelly
hails from Nottingham, has appeared in videos alongside Westlife
and Beverley Knight and performed with Shaggy and Ali G at the Brit
Awards two years ago.
Although
born in London, Mercedes grew up in Copenhagen and has toured with
Robbie Williams, performed at the MOBOs with LL Cool J and appeared
on the big screen in Ali G in Da House.
Stacey
was born in San Francisco, but spent her childhood in Oslo, where
she went on to model and perform in musicals.
Since
moving to London she has appeared with Cher in her video for Believe
and danced with Westlife at the Brits.
Enrap-ture's
favourite past Eurovision entry is Love City Groove from 1995.
Kelly:
"I thought it was great to see an urban act with a rapper in
the competition. I feel it is an honour to represent your country
in whatever talents you have."
James
Fox - Hold on to Our Love
 Cardiff
born singer-songwriter James Fox (27) began his musical career at
the age of eight by learning piano and this led to pub and club
circuits in Wales, cruise ships and eventually to the bright lights
of Blackpool.
James
hooked up with Kevin Simm and the duo formed band Force 5 who took
up residency on the Golden Mile.
Kevin
went on to join Liberty X and recommended James to their management
company Hyperactive.
He
was swiftly signed up and went on to entertain British troops in
Kosovo, The Falklands and Afghanistan.
James
made his television debut last year on the second series of Fame
Academy where his guitar-playing and performance skills helped him
achieve a respectable fifth placing.
James
is a talented singer/songwriter, guitarist and now drummer.
He
has an appreciation for all types of music but, with influences
such as Sting and Billy Joel, likes to describe his music as classic
pop.
"After
Fame Academy, I thought I'd have to be mad to put myself through
the voting ordeal again but this time I'm pleased to say I absolutely
love the chosen song and that's what made me decide to go for it,"
he says.
Haifa
- Me Without You
 Haifa
(24) started entertaining early pretending to be a DJ and play her
Mum's Michael Jackson and Police singles.
She
went on to study music and drama and, already in her career, has
performed for the Princess Royal and recorded an acclaimed dance
single.
It
was while singing freestyle vocals in clubs that Haifa was spotted
by a scout from Public Demand Records.
This
led to collaborations with top dance producers Artful Dodger, the
team who launched Craig David's career.
Her
track Forever went on to appear on Artful Dodger and Public Demand
hit dance compilation albums.
Her
cover of Toni Braxton's Unbreak My Heart was a club smash here and
a hit in Spain where Haifa promoted it on many television and radio
shows.
She
has also supported Liberty X on their UK tour playing to packed
arenas around the country.
Although
respected for her R&B and garage style, Haifa also loves pop
and took part in the first series of Pop Idol alongside Eurovision
performer Jessica Garlick.
Although
Mr Cowell was a big fan of Haifa's, she narrowly missed out on a
place in the final ten but learnt a lot from the whole experience.
Haifa
is excited about her involvement with Eurovision: Making Your Mind
Up as she has grown up watching the Eurovision Song Contest.
"It
was definitely a family thing where we would look at artists singing
in different languages but the sentiments could still be understood,"
she says.
"To
be part of this event which was a childhood memory is a dream come
true."
Hyrise
- Leading Me On
 Hyrise
- Matt (18), Maxwell (18), Ben (22) and Anthony (21) - are set to
storm the music scene with their talent, strong personalities and
good looks.
All
four band members are used to the limelight as individuals but,
as a group, feel stronger and would love to represent their country
at the world's biggest music competition.
Matt
left his native Birmingham a year ago to pursue his ambition of
being part of a band.
He
hooked up with Maxwell as both had worked together in the past.
Chilled out Maxwell is a Windsor lad who's currently juggling Hyrise
with his A levels and modelling.
Ben
comes from South London and is nearing the conclusion of his degree
in English Literature and Drama.
Anthony
comes from Rhyl in Wales and scored two hit singles with his brothers
in the band 3SL. He's been busy establishing himself as a DJ for
the past year and is playing regular sets at London's top clubs.
Hyrise
have a broad range of artists who've influenced them - from Queen
and Bob Dylan to Outkast and Alicia Keys.
"This
is such a great and exciting project for us to be involved in. We've
all grown up with Eurovision and are eager and ready to represent
our country," they say.
Haydon
- With You I Believe
 Although
aged just 21, Haydon Eshun is already a veteran of the pop business.
Signed
up by Simon Cowell in 1992 at the grand old age of nine, Haydon
was frontman of the successful pop band Ultimate Kaos.
After
supporting Take That on their UK tour, they secured chart hits such
as Casanova and Some Girls not just in the UK but also in Germany,
Austria, Sweden and France.
Haydon
returned to the limelight when he appeared in television series
Reborn In The USA alongside Eurovision veterans Gina G and Sonia.
Haydon
proved a firm favourite with viewers and finished fourth in the
competition.
Recently,
Haydon has been busy working on a solo album and considers his music
to have mellowed from his Ultimate Kaos days to a more cool R&B
sound.
With
his good looks, strong voice and his experience on stage and television,
Haydon is looking forward to being part of Eurovision: Making Your
Mind Up.
He
says: "As a child I watched the contest with my brothers and
sisters - it's been there for as long as I can remember and now
I have the chance to be part of it which is both fantastic and frightening!"
Madison
Taylor - It Just Gets Better
 Madison
Taylor (18) comes from South Wales and has been studying dance since
the age of seven.
Adopting
her parents' love for Motown and influenced by singers such as Aretha
Franklin and Marvin Gaye, her soulful contemporary vocal style offers
something different to the current music scene.
Madison
moved to London with her mother three years ago and has been working
with producers such as Eight Jam of 3LW fame, Fink of Ninja productions
and Rez Safina who has also worked with Kylie Minogue.
Music
commitments don't take up all of Madison's time however and she
managed to finish in the top 3% of Welsh pupils who took GCSE exams
in her year.
She
is thrilled about the opportunity to perform live on a prime time
television show and loves the upbeat song It Just Gets Better.
Madison
is a refreshing mature artist with natural talent and strong views
about all aspects of her music and career.
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