Jess Glynne signed by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in bid to crack America
JESS Glynne has one of America’s biggest stars on board to turn her into a huge star over the pond.
I have been told the Hold My Hand singer has signed with Jay-Z’s record label Roc Nation in a bid to break the States after scoring seven UK No1s.
I revealed in January that Jess had split from Atlantic Records over disagreements about her future sound and, in a complete overhaul of her career, had also ditched her management.
She then flew to Los Angeles, where she spent time meeting key players in the industry and is now teaming up with Jay-Z’s hugely successful team.
With them guiding her career, it should lead to huge things for her third album.
A music insider said: “There is no doubt that Jess is a force to be reckoned with in British music. Her songs have been wildly successful.
"But there hasn’t been a massive pick-up outside Europe. Now she feels like it is the time to branch out.
“She wanted to change up her sound and people should expect something different from her when she returns.
“But given her obvious talents when it comes to singing and songwriting, Roc Nation is confident there are even bigger and better things on the horizon for Jess.”
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As well as 13 Top Ten singles, both of her albums have been big sellers. Her debut I Cry When I Laugh hit No1 in 2015 then Always In Between followed suit in 2018.
She has been quiet for the past few years, with her her most recent release being a cover of This Christmas, which reached No3 in 2020.
Her last series of high-profile shows before that were supporting Spice Girls on their 2019 reunion tour in stadiums across the UK and Ireland.
Jess deleted her Instagram account in April last year and went off the radar as she worked on new music. She recently returned to the site, suggesting it isn’t far away.
With an incredible track record and great pipes, there is plenty of promise for Jess — especially with the backing of one of the world’s greatest rappers.
Roc Nation also counts Christina Aguilera, Rihanna and Megan Thee Stallion as clients. She is in good hands.
Glasto's new cook
WOODY Cook is following in the footsteps of his parents Fatboy Slim and Zoe Ball with a gig at Glasto.
His dad has DJed and his mum has presented from the festival many times and now their lad has been booked to show off his skills on the decks there this summer.
Woody, who appeared in the second series of TV game show The Circle in 2019 and has since been on Celebrity Gogglebox with Zoe, will appear on Thursday June 23.
A music insider told me: “Woody has been working really hard on his DJing over the past year and it’s not gone unnoticed by organisers.
"Obviously he loves his mum and dad but he’s keen not to live in their shadow. Hopefully his Glastonbury set will help to open even more doors.”
It’s sure to be a full-circle moment for Zoe and Fatboy Slim — real name Norman Cook — who enjoyed wild weekends at the festival before splitting in 2016.
There is no place quite like Worthy Farm, and with this year’s bumper line-up, it’s going to be well worth the wait.
Dua sued
DUA Lipa is being sued by a reggae band who claim her hit single Levitating is a rip-off of one of their songs.
Artikal Sound System have accused the British pop star of using their 2017 single Live Your Life for the tune, which featured on her second album Future Nostalgia and was the biggest-selling song in the US last year.
The Florida-based group, who have been performing together for a decade, have filed a lawsuit in the US seeking a claim on profits from the track because they believe Dua and her team heard their song before coming up with Levitating.
After giving it a listen, there are certainly similarities between the two choruses, but proving that it isn’t coincidental may be tough.
Dua, who is on tour in the US, played New York’s Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, where Mark Ronson and Arlo Parks were in the crowd.
Talking about Levitating in 2020, she said: “This is the first song I wrote where I really felt I had everyone on board with the concept of the album.
"It’s about having fun and meeting someone and falling in love. It’s the feeling when love makes you feel like you’re levitating. It’s otherworldly.”
Let’s see if she feels so buoyant after this lawsuit.
Taking a 'bow
NOMINATIONS are now open for the Rainbow Honours on June 1.
The awards bash, which will be hosted by Victoria Scone from TV’s Drag Race UK, celebrates the LGBTQI community, including businesses, charity and celebrity members, as well as allies.
Olly Alexander and Westlife's Markus Feehilly are expected at the event, sponsored by the Bank of London, at London hotel 8 Northumberland Avenue.
Posh has a crystal thrall
VICTORIA Beckham has taken her love of crystals to the next level — by sleeping with them.
It comes after she filled her London store with them in 2019.
The former Spice Girl said: “I love crystal energy. I have quite a few by the side of my bed, I hold them. And I like to meditate. I have an eye mask, as I need complete darkness.”
It is not her only lifestyle change.
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She added in Porter Magazine: “Rather than coming home and spending the evening lounging around in your pyjamas, train your mind to put on your pyjamas later and then get into bed, so it becomes your routine — and I like my routines.”
I hope she manages to squeeze some fun into those routines.
Maya's 'escapism'
I couldn't take my eyes off the view in Maya Jama's latest Instagram snap. And I'm not talking about the ocean.
Maya - who is fast becoming the most in-demand woman in British showbusiness - posed for a picture in a yellow bikini which she wore with a denim bucket hat.
In the caption she wrote: "Escapism," hinting that she had quit the UK for warmer shores.
And who could blame her? Since lockdown started Maya's feet have barely touched the ground.
As well as appearing on Peter Crouch's BBC show Save Our Summer, Maya has been working on launching her own high-end cosmetics collection.
I exclusively revealed in August how the telly star was creating her own brand, due out later this year.
Enjoy the break, Maya. You more than deserve it.