Jodie Connor
{{short description|English recording artist, lyricist and goodwill ambassador}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Jodie Connor
| image =
| caption =
| birth_place = Oldham, England
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1981|5|8}}{{cite magazine
| title = Jodie Connor — Magical urban popstress
| url = http://www.fhm.com/girls/covergirls/jodie-connor
| magazine = FHM
| access-date = 22 September 2011}}
| genre = R&B, soul, neo soul, dance, hip hop
| occupation = Singer, lyricist, dancer, Goodwill ambassador
| instrument =
| years_active = 2003–present
| label = Polydor Records
(UK) (2010–present)
Takeover Entertainment (Worldwide) (2010–present)
All Around the World
(Europe) (2012–present){{cite web
| title = 3beat Artists – Jodie Connor
| url = http://www.3beat.co.uk/artists/jodie-connor.html
| publisher = 3 Beat Records
| access-date = 31 July 2012}}
| associated_acts = Tinchy Stryder
Roll Deep
Wiley
| website =
}}
Jodie Melanie Connor (born 8 May 1981){{cite web| title = england & wales births 1837-2006 search results (Jodie Melanie B Connor)| url = http://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/england-and-wales/results?recordType=GRO&route=X&event=B&fromYear=1837&toYear=2006&forenames=Jodie&surname=Connor&includeSurnameVariants=false&includeForenamesVariants=false| publisher = Findmypast.com}} is an English singer, songwriter and Goodwill ambassador.{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/pop-dreams-hang-in-the-balance-1151366|title=Pop dreams hang in the balance|date=19 June 2005|website=Manchester Evening News}}
Connor's first number-one charted song was as a guest vocalist on Roll Deep's number-one single "Good Times". She was later signed by Polydor Records and Takeover Entertainment and released her debut solo single "Now or Never" on 16 January 2011, which peaked at number 14. A second single, "Bring It" featuring Tinchy Stryder was released on 20 February 2011 following its first play on BBC Radio 1 and debuted at number 11 on the UK R&B Chart. Connor's latest release was in 2018 on Solo Suspex's single “Back To You”.
Music career
=Early career=
Early in Connor's career, she attended Saddleworth School for her high school education before attending Oldham College where she studied performing arts and graduated. Connor worked as receptionist in a sports club by day{{cite news|url=http://menmedia.co.uk/oldhamadvertiser/news/s/465412_my_pop_bubbles_not_burst/|title=My pop bubble's not burst!'|last=Richardson|first=Anne|date=17 September 2003|work=Oldham Advertiser|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112180038/http://menmedia.co.uk/oldhamadvertiser/news/s/465412_my_pop_bubbles_not_burst|archive-date=12 November 2012}} and gigged and performed in the evenings and on weekends. In 2003, Connor appeared as a contestant on the second series of the hit British television talent show Pop Idol. She was an early favourite of the judges, and made it to the final fifty of the competition,[http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news/40902/jodies-hit-the-good-times/ Jodie’s hit the Good Times]. Chronicle Online, 11 May 2010. earning her the chance to perform live to the nation, but was eliminated after failing to finish in the top two in her group, instead placing fourth of ten.{{Cite web |last=Wilkes |first=Neil |date=2003-09-20 |title=Another two through to Idol's top twelve |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a11821/another-two-through-to-idols-top-twelve/ |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}} Connor was given a second chance by the judges, and was invited back for the Wildcard round,[http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/70/70003_second_time_lucky_for_pop_idol_jodie.html/ Second time lucky for Pop Idol Jodie?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403053338/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/70/70003_second_time_lucky_for_pop_idol_jodie.html |date=3 April 2011 }}. Manchester Evening News, 14 October 2003. but again was unsuccessful in making it through to the next round, and was eliminated for good.[http://www.digitalspy.ie/tv/s98/pop-idol/news/a12044/sam-susanne-complete-idols-final-lineup.html/ Sam, Susanne complete Idol's final lineup]. Digital Spy, 18 October 2003.
=2010–present: Breakthrough and first studio album=
Connor returned to the spotlight in 2010, when she featured on grime collective Roll Deep's comeback single "Good Times"; which she helped to co-write.{{cite news |last=Nissim |first=Mayer |date=14 January 2011 |title=Jodie Connor: 'No.1 raises the bar' |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/a297907/jodie-connor-no1-raises-the-bar/ |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}} On 2 May 2010, the single debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 1,[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a217842/roll-deep-claim-first-ever-uk-number-one.html/ Roll Deep claim first ever UK number one]. Digital Spy, 2 May 2010. where it remained for three consecutive weeks.[http://menmedia.co.uk/oldhamadvertiser/tv_and_showbiz/s/1404390_expop_idol_contestant_jodie_connor_set_for_chart_success_eight_years_on Ex-Pop Idol contestant Jodie Connor set for chart success eight years on] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112180103/http://menmedia.co.uk/oldhamadvertiser/tv_and_showbiz/s/1404390_expop_idol_contestant_jodie_connor_set_for_chart_success_eight_years_on |date=12 November 2012 }}. Oldham Advertiser, 5 January 2011. The single not only marked Connor's first chart performance, but also Roll Deep's first top 10 hit. Connor then continued her breakthrough, appearing on videos "Electric Boogaloo (Find a Way)" and "Higher State" by Wiley and Bailey respectively. Following the success of Connor's breakthrough, she was signed to Polydor Records and Takeover Entertainment,[http://www.polydor.co.uk/group_artists.php?id=162 Artists – Jodie Connor]. Polydor Records.[http://www.jodieconnormusic.com/?page=news&id=13 1stBlog] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306083249/http://www.jodieconnormusic.com/?page=news&id=13 |date=6 March 2011 }}. jodieconnormusic.com , 2 December 2010. spending the remainder of 2010 recording material for her debut album. On 16 January 2011, Connor released her debut single, "Now or Never" featuring Wiley, in the UK, which debuted at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and number 6 on the UK R&B Chart. On 20 February 2011, Connor released her second single, "Bring It" featuring Tinchy Stryder, also in the UK, which debuted at number 11 on the UK R&B Chart,Official Charts Company. 16 April 2011. Retrieved Thursday, 22 September 2011. following its first play on BBC Radio 1.{{cite web| title = Bring It Interview - Jodie Connor|url =http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/interviews/a310666/jodie-connor.html| last = Corner| first = Lewis| website = Digital Spy| date = 30 March 2011| access-date = 22 September 2011}}
In December 2010, Connor announced that she is to be spending time between Los Angeles and New York City working in the studio with Roc Nation-Songwriter's Makeba Riddick and James Fauntleroy II on her debut album, and that the album would be scheduled for release in the fourth-quarter of 2012. The third single from the album entitled "Take You There" and featuring American rapper Busta Rhymes was released on 29 July 2012.[https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/dec/07/new-band-jodie-connor Jodie Connor (No 925)]. The Guardian. Thursday, 7 December 2010. Retrieved Thursday, 14 September 2011.
Other ventures
In February 2011, Connor was announced as the new face of Tinchy Stryder's Star in the Hood female clothing line.{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/music/2011/04/01/jodie-connor-interview-the-good-times-roll-115875-23030746/|title=Jodie Connor interview: The good times roll|work=Daily Mirror|date=1 April 2011|accessdate=15 September 2011}} In March 2011, Connor was appointed as a goodwill ambassador for Prince Charles' The Prince's Trust.
Personal life
Connor's family are of Afro-Barbadian/White Barbadian descent.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3ZQsrfwkfE&t=7m1s|title=Jodie Connor Interview With Mitch and Suave|author=kritikalsworld|date=15 January 2011|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=15 September 2011}} Her mother is named Kathleen. Connor lived in Shaw and Crompton.
She has two sons, one born in 2014 and one born in November 2016.{{cite tweet|number=807726472693764096|user=JodieConnor|first=Jodie|last=Connor|title=The last few weeks have been so difficult but I'm lay here in bed tonight with my 2yr old boy and my 2wk old boy feeling super blessed!!! 💙💙 |date=10 December 2016}}
Discography
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | ||
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Single ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Chart ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album | ||
|---|---|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| UK Peak positions in the United Kingdom:
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| UK
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| SCO
| ||
| rowspan="2"| 2011
! scope="row"| "Now or Never" | 14 | 6 | 18
| rowspan="5" {{n/a}} |
| scope="row"| "Bring It" (featuring Tinchy Stryder) | 37 || 11 || 32 | ||
| rowspan="2"| 2012
! scope="row"| "Take You There" | — | — | — |
| scope="row"| "Talk" (featuring Stylo G) | — || — || — | ||
| rowspan="1"| 2016
! scope="row"| "Good Lovin" | — | — | — |
| colspan="8" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. |
==As featured artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Single ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Chart ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album | |
|---|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| UK ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| SCO | |
| 2010
! scope="row"| "Good Times" | 1 | 1 |
| 2018
! scope="row"| "Back To You" | — | —
| Single only release |
| colspan="8" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. |
=Guest appearances=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Single ! scope="col"| Album |
|---|
| 2008
! scope="row"| "Love of My Life" | Single only release |
| rowspan="2"| 2010
! scope="row"| "Electric Boogaloo (Find a Way)" | Single only release |
| scope="row"| "Higher State" (Bailey featuring Jodie Connor) | Higher State |
=Music videos=
=Cameo appearances=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Director(s) ! scope="col"| Ref. |
|---|
| rowspan="2"| 2010
! scope="row"| "In My System" | Kwasi Danquah III & Emil Nava |
| scope="row"| "Gangsta?" (Tinchy Stryder featuring Tinie Tempah) | Kwasi Danquah III & Adam Powell | [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX5f7opdVrs Tinchy Stryder - Gangsta? (Game Over feat. Tinie Tempah)]. tinchystrydertv/YouTube. Video uploaded on 26 May 2010. Retrieved Monday, 10 October 2011. |
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Jodie Connor}}
{{Pop Idol}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Connor, Jodie}}
Category:Takeover Entertainment artists
Category:English people of Barbadian descent
Category:21st-century Black British women singers
Category:21st-century English women singers