When the band “Blazin’ Squad” gained notoriety, Kenzie, Rocky B, Freek, Melo-D, Spike E, Reepa, Krazy, Flava, Tommy-B, and Strider were the first to join the group. But where are they currently all?
Blazin’ Squad made their debut single Crossroads in August 2002. Before officially splitting in 2005, the hip hop group managed to rank six of the top ten songs in the UK singles charts and two of the top 40 albums.
The Beginning, an RnB-inspired album, and six more top ten singles were the result of the enormous success of the gelled-haired, shaved-eyebrowed teen heartthrobs. The young men broke two gold records and staged sold-out arena shows, including a Wembley headline show.
The ten people who met through secondary school all came together because they both adore music. However, the Squad ended up taking completely different paths after their successful careers in the show business. We examine the recent work of Rocky B, Freek, and Kenzie.
James MacKenzie, better known as “Kenzie,”
Kenzie was one of the most prominent members of the group, and after they split he made a number of high-profile TV appearances. In 2006 he came second on Celebrity Big Brother and was propelled further into the spotlight when he started dating former glamour model Jodie Marsh. He went on to appear on shows including The Weakest Link, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Celebrity Juice – and even published an autobiography.
He collaborated with Adam Rickitt, Gareth Gates, Dane Bowers, and Kavana to form the supergroup 5th Story in 2014 and participated in ITV’s Big Reunion, which featured bands from the 1990s and ‘noughties.
Kenzie has undergone a significant physical transformation since then. He trains as a personal trainer and bodybuilder, posting his impressive results on social media. He is also a renowned DJ. Additionally, Mackenzie is a devoted member of his family. With his long-term girlfriend, he has two daughters, Wynter and Wyllow.
Rocky B, also known as Marcel Somerville
Kenzie wasn’t the only group member to venture into reality TV. After years away from the limelight, Marcel appeared on the third series of Love Island in 2017, finishing in fourth place with Gabby Allen. He was known on the show for his dating advice, and was quick to write his own book, Dr. Marcel’s Little Book of Big Love, soon after leaving the villa. He and Gabby were together for almost a year before announcing their split – amid reports of infidelity on his part.
Marcel made his way back to reality TV in January 2025 when the Love Island villa hosted its South African All Stars series. Before being fired from the show, he lasted just over a week.
Marcel fell in love with Rebecca Vieira a distance from the small screen. In Portugal, they tied the knot in August 2022, and they welcomed Roman as their son in January 2021.
After it became clear that Rebecca had been having an affair with American rapper Slim Jxmmi in 2024, they split up. Rebecca later apologized in full and thanked her for her “foolish” deeds. They are currently going through a divorce.
Ollie Georgiou, better known as “Freek,”
Ollie turned his back on the music industry after Blazin’ Squad hung up their microphones and began working in corporate banking. He now works as a music manager to promote the careers of other emerging artists, though.
He’s also appeared on reality TV, just like Kenzie and Marcel. He requested that a tattoo on his left bicep be updated in 2017, asking the experts to do so and the day the band received their first number one song and signed their record deal.
Ollie has a daughter Emilia, who, he previously joked has his band posters on the wall. “She’s not allowed anyone else,” he joked. “Just One Direction.”
Chris McKeckney, better known as “Melo-D,”
Chris has tried his hand at two very different careers since they were legally split, but he still regularly performs at reunion shows with the band. He started his own business, Stronghold Glazing Ltd., in January 2017 and began his career as a window fitter for a double glazing company.
However, it was only a short-lived endeavor. By January 2018, Chris had already left as the company’s director in May 2017. According to his LinkedIn profile, Chris has been employed by Virgin Media as a Field Services Engineer since February 2017.
Reepa, Stuart Baker aka “Reepa”
Stuart might have ditched the hair gel but he is still working in the media industry as a manager at the BBC, and he also occasionally appears along with his bandmates for reunion performances. He is married to wife Zoe.
Lee Bailey, also known as “Krzy,”
Speaking to Manchester Evening News way back in 2004, Lee said he’d like to stay in the industry if the band ended. “I might have a solo career or start to write. I might become an actor or do something similar – I’ve always wanted to be an entertainer from being a small boy.” he said.
Since the band’s dissolution, Lee has kept a low profile and has largely shunned the spotlight. The singer, who sang the extremely catchy chorus on the band’s number two hit, Flip Reverse, is married to wife Karina, and they have two children, both of whom are daughters.
Sam Foulkes, also known as “Spike-E,”
Sam has also shied away from the spotlight, but he is obviously very proud of his accomplishments with the band, with a number of photos shared on his X page despite not posting since 2017. He is believed to currently work in the import/export sector, but he still occasionally performs with a select few group members.
Flava, James Murray, aka “Flava”
After Blazin’ Squad ended, James and his bandmate Mustafa Omer (Strider) formed a songwriting and production duo called Mojam. Working with an impressive roster of artists, including Emeli Sandé, Sam Smith, and Naughty Boy, they have been very successful. Paid co-wrote Sam and Naughty Boy’s hit single La La, which went on to become the sixth best-selling single in the UK in 2013, the song was the sixth best selling single in the country overall.
A son and daughter are the parents of James and Leah Jade Stowell, their long-term partner.
Mustafa Omer, also known as “Strider,”
Through Mojam, Mus and James have made significant strides in the music industry. Additionally, the duo has collaborated with Khalid, KSI, Aitch, Sam Ryder, David Guetta, and Anne-Marie. Mus is reportedly married and has at least one child, despite having a down-low personal life.
Tommy-B, or Tom Beasley,
Tom has left the music industry to pursue a career in the arts and culture sector and held leadership positions at companies like Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He reportedly held the positions of Executive Director for the Nibley Music Festival and CEO of Active Gloucestershire. Tom is a devoted father as well.
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply