JASMINE WITH BRITISH OLYMPIAN WEIGHT LIFTER ZOE SMITH AT THE SOLA AWARDS!
Its Christmas week and no doubt by now most of us are sick of the endless rounds of office and social parties and just want to tuck into that big Christmas dinner! I have already had 6 consecutive Christmas dinners in a row so I’m already sick of it. Why do restaurants do this-save it for the 25th!
DAVID GUETTA, IDRIS ELBA AND WILL AT WILL’S LATEST BRAND MONEY MAKING PARTY FOR HIS IPHONE5 PICTURE TAKING GADGET APP.
FUN WITH THE BOYS AT WILL’S PARTY!
It’s been all GO, GO, GO for me with one event after another! I’ve been singing Kanye/ Jay Z’s ‘’on to the next one…’’ over and over in my head whilst rushing from one venue to another and slipping from one frock to another….from Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, to attending St Pauls cathedral for Christmas carol services, to record label Christmas parties, to Will I Am’s latest party-he definitely takes the crown from Puffy as liking any excuse to get with a brand and throw a party!
JASMINE WITH BBC LONDON’S TOP BROADCASTER EDDIER NESTOR FOR THE MEDIA DEBATE AT BBC BROADCASTING HOUSE.
I began the week hosting a breakfast debate for Media Trust at BBC NEW BROADCASTING HOUSE for a very select group of media editors (BBC, ITV, ITN, THE VOICE, local press), journalists, London funders and organisations (Amy Winehouse foundation, Isis young offenders prison, transport for all, blind sport, Lambeth dads and many more) . The debate was chaired by the ever-articulate broadcaster Eddie Nestor who proved why he’s the best thing on BBC RADIO LONDON. Like a true verbal choreographer he ran the debate better than Dimbleby on Question Time asking all the right questions, goading and cajoling where needed and controlling the conversation if it got too heated. A great moment in an amazing new building (that’s open to the public from April next year!).
JASMINE WITH ACTOR/DIRECTOR ADAM DEACON AND THE WINNERS OF THE SOMEWHERE_TO BRAZIL FILM COMPETITION AT THE BRAZILIAN EMBASSY
ADAM WITH THE SOMEWHERE_TO WINNERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE BRAZILAN EMBASSY
Next I attended the very opulent Brazilian embassy on the strand where youth organisations Livity and Somewhere_to were holding their Christmas party and screening a short film directed by Adam Deacon. Adam had chosen some winners from a competition for Somewhere_to, to direct a video in Rio, Brazil for the group. The evening highlighted that as well as carnival dancers, lovely vibes and of course loads of lush nibbles and plonk.
JASMINE WITH HER LADIES TALK TEAM AND ACTING LEGEND COLIN SALMON!
JASMINE WITH THE LADIES TALK TEAM AND SOUL LEGEND JOCELYN BROWN.
Midweek it was off to the Battersea studios to record our weekly show for LADIES TALK (SKY 218) where this week we had the acting legend Colin Salmon and soul legend Jocelyn Brown (somebody else’s guy) join us on the panel. Both were hilarious fun for the Christmas special and revealed some great anecdotes! Make sure you catch it.
JASMINE WITH A COUPLE OF THE MCFLY BOYS ON THE RED CARPET AT THE SOLA AWARDS-02 ARENA
Then it was off to the 02 Arena in Greenwich for this years Spirit of London Awards which is one of my favourite events of the year. Last years was held at the Royal Albert Hall and was an amazing evening of celebrating young peoples amazing achievements in front of an audience of celebs from many walks of life. This year I felt the show lacked the spark of last years. The 02 was too large a venue and not all seats were sold. It felt flatter than previous shows even though they had a brilliant all star line up. As well as that, this year the young winners weren’t allowed to make an acceptance speech due to time constraints, which was a pity as it lacked the ‘ahhh’ factor that last years ceremony had. we wanted to hear from the kids-that’s the main focus right!?
Having said that, the night was still lots of fun with a cold, yet busy outdoor red carpet where we caught up with presenters like Noisettes and Olympian Zoe Smith, as well as performers like Angel, Labyinth and McFly. (Special shout out to Zoe and McFly who spent ages waiting on the freezing red carpet with the LONDON360 team to feed to a live BBC broadcast- true professionals!) During the show we heard wonderful, many unbelievable stories about the young people across the country doing amazing things for their communities as well as mind blowing personal achievements. an evening that left us secure in the knowledge that contrary to belief the youth of the UK are great and doing things that we should all be really very proud of!
JASMINE WITH BOXER DAVID HAYE
Other people that I want to commend from the scene that have really made their mark this year despite obstacles are boxer David Haye, east London duo Rudimental and west London’s Rita Ora.
David had some controversy over the Derek Chisora drama but made it back into everyone’s hearts by showing just what a lovely guy he is on I’m a Celebrity. I know he will achieve his ambition of making it in the acting world too- he’s a grafter.
JASMINE WITH 2012’S BIGGEST LONDON SUCCESS STORY-MS RITA ORA!
Rita Ora needs a special salute. I remember her grafting all the way back in 2007 many years ago when she duetted with Craig David on the single ‘’Where’s your love’’. Since then she’s had her ups and downs. She managed to get Jay Z to sign her to the Roc, and believe you me; life on a label that big is not easy. Competing with stable mates like Rihanna and dealing with press intrusion at the level at which she did this past month with the Rob Kardashian drama takes balls. She has remained sophisticated and quiet on the controversy front and I really believe that she’s put West London on the map in a great way! She really is really one to watch for 2013 alongside east London duo Rudimental.
They currently have a track which features Angel Haze called Hell Could Freeze. Their Feel The Love is a monster SMASH anthem, certified platinum in the UK and is one of the biggest selling records of 2012. The track is also platinum in New Zealand and Australia. I think the number 1 they already have under their belt is testament to the fact that things can only get bigger for them in 2013…. they even squeeze in time to mentor young people…now that’s good karma.
I hope you’ve all balanced out your good karma for the year, its never too late. Apologize to someone if you need to, remind someone else that you love him or her. Invite in a lonely person for a hot drink. Happy holidays to you all! Tomorrow is never guaranteed so live life hard!
JASMINE’S JUICE featuring RUDIMENTAL. DIANE ABBOTT ON LADIES TALK AND THE UK YOUTH PARLIAMENT!
JASMINE WITH MP DIANE ABBOTT!
Started the week at the sold out Rudimental gig at Hackneys Chats Palace. The Venue is a beautiful old Victorian churchy looking building which was full of a really young crowd of fans gagging to see their hero’s-the duo that are Rudimental.
Rudimental’s band and vocalists were really on point, particular salute to the red haired female vocalist, who was feeling it and letting out some passionate tones.The band had so much energy onstage that the crowd couldn’t help bouncing up and down all night too.This band is SO good when in a full live show. That’s what people should see otherwise folk have them down as a drum n bass outfit when they are more of a band, more musical than that. They all play instruments and they are at the core of this ‘thing’ which includes session singers, vocalists, trumpeters, drummers etc etc. definitely a great act to see if you want to dance hard and leave the venue having taken part in a very energetic interactive gig!
JASMINE WITH THE LADIES TALK TV CAST AND MP DIANE ABBOTT!
Next it was time to record the Ladies Talk weekly TV panel show (SKY 218), which has been swimming with celebs this fortnight! On last weeks show we had actor David Harwood MBE on and this week its Colin Salmon! My recent favourite has got to be MP Diane Abbott though-she was SO ENTERTAINING and real!
Diane is the first black woman to be elected to the House of Commons. In 2010, she became Shadow Public Health Minister after unsuccessfully standing for election as leader of the Labour Party. That’s how big her balls are-she stood for leader of the labour party!
I have to confess I wasn’t that bothered either way when I first heard she was our guest a few weeks back. I’ve seen her on various TV shows over the years. Thought she didn’t really engage with me and was like most politicians a little out of touch.
Could I have been more wrong!? On the show she was dynamic, intriguing and hilarious with her fast wit and anecdotes and kept it very real when discussing her personal life, controversy in her 25 years career and more. She certainly proof of the black doesn’t crack theory; she’s 59 yet still looks 40 at the most! she dropped a few patois slanguage phrases into the interview as well as sharp funny responses to questions and was really very intriguing as a person. Can you imagine the struggles she’s had to go through to get this far? And she’s probably revealed none of the real controversy to date. Surely there’s a great book waiting to be written here?
JASMINE PREPARES FOR THE UK YOUTH PARLIAMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS GREAT HALL.
From one generation of politicians to another I then popped my formal attire on to brave the cold corridors of Parliament and the House of Commons where I accompanied the LONDON360 reporters and young people from all across the UK gathered for the UK Youth Parliament annual meeting.
Youth from all across the country had voted on 5 areas that they think are most important for their parliament to focus on for the next year. This day in the chambers was for all to debate for and against each motion and choose a winning campaign that would be the focused on priority for all youth in the near future.
The 5 topics which had been voted in were; Make public transport cheaper, better and accessible for all’, ‘Getting ready for work’, ‘Marriage for all’, ‘An equal national minimum wage for all’, and ‘A curriculum to prepare us for life’.
The day began in the great hall where teas, coffees and pastries were provided. I don’t know why but of all of us picking pastries the waiter leans over to me and says loudly ‘’its only one each ma’am!’’
JASMINE IS WARNED ITS ”ONLY ONE PASTRY EACH!”
It was fascinating to see so many young, politically engaged, ridiculously articulate people gathered eager to take on the days topics and I noted that these youth would be running our country one day. The biggest thing that impressed me was that unlike generations ago where politicians were of a certain sex, class and background-usually male, white and Oxbridge educated, this gathering had youth from absolutely every possible background regardless of sex, class and background and it was refreshing!
I spoke to a young lady representing Essex- she looked Essex-but was also a carer for her mother so all political decisions affected her.
Once breakfast was over we all made our way from the Great Hall to the Chambers.Along the very tiny narrow steep staircases and I inwardly scoffed ‘’surely the adult fat pouch MP’s can’t get through these daily?’’
Every young person had made the greatest effort to look smart and appropriate in their surroundings …and then I spotted her. A single female that had assumed wearing nothing on her legs would be a good idea. I also spotted another girl in high wedge raving heels-come on ladies!
CAN YOU SEE MISSY WITH ALL HER LEGS OUT?
The Principal doorkeeper of the House of Commons hosted and introduced us all and then the actual speaker of the HOC the Rt Hon John Bercow MP welcomed us and directed us on the running order of the day. Other adults present and supportive were Rt Hon Andrew Lansley MP and the Shadow Leader of the House, Angela Eagle MP.
The speaker said ‘what a joy it is to preside over such a calm and orderly chamber for the 4th annual UKYP!. I welcome you to this, our chamber, and hope your day is a success, look and remember the day you spoke and sat at the British hoc. We meet in a free society to debate what others globally cannot. One day the torch will pass from my hand to yours. Nurture it and protect it and pass it down to those that come after you. Before speaking stand and indicate your desire to speak, pause, say your name and the region you represent before beginning. Make your arguments succinctly; don’t interrupt your own speech as an MP this year did with his musical tie so please ensure your gadgets are all on silent. And thank you for being interested in your society- I always say ‘’If YOU don’t DO politics, then you have it done to you’!
THE LONDON UKYP MEMBERS ALL EAGER TO GET A CHANCE TO SPEAK.
Then a Message from the Prime Minister was read before the debates began.
Callum Crosier from North England,Northumberland introduced the Public Transport debate. He had clearly taken tips from Obama as his style of speech included repetitive phrasing at regular intervals “no no no”. He ended strongly with ‘’Divided we are weak, one nation, one notion, one campaign-better public transport”
Then from the East of England Amish Brown pleaded with us not to vote for public transport again ‘‘we haven’t achieved our goal this year. Let’s not vote again for this to be our most important campaign again this year. London already has discounts for youth public transport and there’s a national rail card”
The final speaker in conclusion for 1st debate summarized the motion in a very dynamic comical manner-remember him for the future-his name is Matthew Wilson.
The 2nd debate was about ‘Getting youth ready for work’ and covered areas like work experience, equal minimum national wage for everyone. There were a numerous that stood to speak with clear, confident voices and it was touching to see that whilst their vocals didn’t let them down, if you looked closely their hands were trembling! (After all this was also being aired live on the BBC’s Parliament channel too-no pressure!)
My assistant Rosa nudged me and whispered ‘”My belly pot feels sooo warm. I’m in awe. AND IM NEVER IN AWE. Brave confident and beautifully eloquent!’’
JASMINE WITH UKYP MEMBERS Chante Joseph FROM BRENT AND MICHAELLA PHILPOT FROM ESSEX.
The 3rd debate was Marriage for all led by Essex’s very own Michaella Philpot who looked beautifully groomed with full blonde head of hair and tan and really fought vocally for this motion. She had a little resistance from other youth who retorted ‘’it’s a Great motion but will the UK’s youth think this is a priority for their generation?
The male speaking against her motion added “Mr Speaker, as a person who’s not yet had my 1st proper snog yet- I’m not sure this is as much a priority as transport and work exp. I’d rather be well informed and travelled than well married- especially considering the annual number of married couples is at its lowest ever. We should focus on reducing the UKs high divorce rate. Love is love regardless of marital status”
Someone arguerd back “in a few years we’ll all be over 18 and married!” (my assistant Rosa, sharp as ever leaned over to me again and whispered ‘’that’s optimistic! Good luck with that lol!)
After lunch we had the final 2 debates, which were a ‘’minimum national wage for youth’’ where a very classy looking young black female Amaka Uchegbu- protested for the motion…
THE VERY BEAUTIFUL AND ARTICULATE UKYP MEMBER AMAKA UCHEGBU
‘‘The wage is so low its a disincentive for young people to work! It also discriminates against people from a lower socio economic background’’. ‘Will we look back and feel disgusted at the lower minimum wage for the young as we did for the slights against slaves and suffragettes?’ argued another young lady.
In the end it was the 5th debate that won as next years youth campaign and it was led by Sumaiya Karim for a ‘curriculum for life education’. This was a clear winner from my point of view as all youth should have lessons in how to run their financial affairs, sex education, mortgages, and much more.
I was a bit miffed that the adult members of parliament hadn’t all been made to sit and watch all these debates so they could see what’s important to young people and that how articulate they can be. only Simon Hughes MP and a few others popped in and out. Very poor.
So many youth stood out during the day including Chante Joseph from Brent who was an eloquent speaker and a passionate character full of personality who summed up the reason this motion was the right winner as she told the whole of the Commons about her ‘’”Dad who now works for spring studios with acts like Beyonce and Coldplay but always wishes he had life skills lessons as for years he didn’t understand so much of what he needed in society’’
LONDON360 reporter Eliot Goward had the young people queuing enthusiastically to speak to him on camera about how amazing and empowering their day had been and once again I mused ‘’young people , don’t let the media pigeonhole all of you as being unruly rioting layabouts- so many of you are world leaders!-the futures bright!’’
JASMINE’S JUICE featuring BRITISH YOUTH PARLIAMENT, SOLA AWARDS, ULTIMATE SEMINAR!
JASMINE AT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS FOR THE YOUTH PARLIAMENT ANNUAL DEBATE!
Young uns these days have it easy. Honestly. I feel so strongly about this that in the next few weeks I’m going to film myself having a rant on youtube. All I hear these days is how hard life as a young person is, but all I see around me are doors open wide to let them in- we can open doors but you have to walk through them yourselves!
As a youth I was working after school teaching ballet and streetdance, whilst at college I had summer jobs in Selfridges and Liberty. Whilst at university I was teaching aerobics in my local community as well as teaching jazz dance classes at Pineapple Dance Studios. I worked night shifts in my first TV job and I did it all with a smile cos I loved learning. There are media placements and workshops and courses that are free these days and I have young people calling in with excuses like ‘’its raining so I’m late’’, ‘’I didn’t know where I was going’’, ‘’I feel ill can I come another day’’. Really!? The internet tells you all you need to know about directions, rain ain’t never stopped me doing a damn thing and you don’t want to take opportunities that are handed to you on a plate? Really? Then you deserve to be miserable and unemployed at home!
This week I’ve witnessed amazing young people from the UK Youth Parliament speak at the House Of Commons, watched and met engaged youth at Media Trust take part in community journalist mentor sessions, seen hundreds of youngsters turn up to the Ultimate Seminar and next week I cannot wait to attend the Sprit Of London Awards (SOLA).
There are now more avenues than ever for youth to get involved with huge organisations and get connected on that first step of their career ladders!
I attended THE SPIRIT OF LONDON AWARDS last year at the Royal Albert Hall-it was an experience equal to the BRITS and MOBOS and even more satisfying as it honours and champions young people doing great things!
This years awards in association with PlayStation is on MONDAY DECEMBER 10TH at the O2 ARENA in NORTH GREENWICH.
Now in its 4th Year the awards were launched by the Damilola Taylor Trust in 2009 as a legacy project to Damilola and all the other young people lost to youth violence on streets of London through the Years. The aim of SOLA is to demonstrate to young people just how much their positive endeavours matter and how much they are valued. Looking to emulate the great celebrity awards events like BRITS and MOBOS with the only difference being that it is the young unsung heroes of London that become the celebrities for this event!
This years line- up is both amazing and eclectic and includes Labrinth, Diversity, Maverick Sabre, Chase & Status, Stooshe, Angel, Noisettes, ACM Choir feat Mizz Camara ,Mcfly and no doubt many more! Last year there were celebs, sports stars, everyone dressed in black tie and the show was produced beautifully!
The award categories cover virtually every aspect of interest and engagement for young people. The awards are open to young people aged 15 to 25 unless stated. Categories include Young London heroes (5-15), London Community Champions, Achievement through Music, Achievement through Sport, Achievement through the Arts, Achievement through Education, Achievement through Media, Achievement through Fashion, Young Business Entrepreneur, UK National Young Campaigner of the Year (5-15).
One final award is that of LONDON LEGEND – This award is voted for by young people and is given to an iconic Londoner they feel has graced London as a positive adult role model. In 2009 it was Sir Michael Caine – 2010 Barbara Windsor – 2011 Harry Redknapp! I can’t wait to see who wins this year!
In an arrangement with UK Athletics and Team GB London 2012 all the awards on the night will be presented by medallists from the Olympic and Paralympic squads- how exciting and incentivising for the young winners!.
Olympian Christine Ohuruogu told us “The Spirit of London Awards is such an important event and I have been lucky enough to have been involved every year from the start. This has been a fantastic year for London but the inner city areas still face huge challenges and so we should not lose sight of how important a project like this is – Putting the spotlight on the positive things young people are doing is not just refreshing it is vital if we are not to allow the small negative faction get all the attention – This is unfortunately what has tended to happen and SOLA brings some much needed balance in this respect”
SOLA Ambassador Dean Atta who is a very active voice for young people enthused “getting nominated for SOLA changed my life as it gave me so much more confidence in not just my poetry but also my ability to inspire others – The SOLA Foundation is now like a huge collective family of like -minded young people all of whom want to see positive change where negative issues effect young people – The Wall of Silence project shows just what we can achieve as a cohesive unit and it was great to see the police recognise this”
JASMINE WITH SOLA SUPPORTER LABRINTH!
Music star Labrinth who also performed at SOLA 2010 stated, “I love this event and all that it stands for. In 2010 I played an acoustic version of Bob Dylan’s timeless classic ‘Times They Are A-Changin’ as I think that it’s relevant to the project, and how it illuminates the positive things young people are doing in London”.
Ashley Banjo of Diversity said, “We performed at the inaugural event at the Alexandra Palace back in 2009 and then again at the Royal Albert Hall last Year. It truly is an amazing show and it is largely the unsung heroes that light up the stage with their stories – Diversity are so proud to be part of the SOLA family and cannot wait to get on The O2 stage this year to do our bit for the cause”
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson added, “The Spirit of London Awards represents everything that is great about London and it is so refreshing to see young people being rewarded for their positive contributions on such a grand scale”
Finally David Cameron – Prime Minister said, “These awards represent everything that is great about the young people of our Country. They are a credit to their community and to their city and I am delighted to see what a fantastic job the Damilola Taylor Trust has done in the way the project now has the young people who have come through the awards actually running the event. An extraordinary achievement and a fitting finale to what has been an amazing Year for our Capital City”
Every year I settle down with the Adidas family and my young reporters to watch this brilliant event and I will be front and centre cheering this years young winners on!
For Community Group Discount tickets tickets@solafoundation.org.uk
For all other tickets
https://tickets.axs.com/eventShopperV3UK.html?wr=29295a9a-4b28-4f5e-917c-9ac54efc1da8&skin=theo23
For press enquiries press@solafoundation.org.uk
MOVERS AND SHAKERS IN THE UK MUSIC INDUSTRY AT THE ULTIMATE SEMINAR.
Next it was time for the annual Ultimate Seminar. I used to attend this as a new young buck in the music game way back in 1997. Back then it was called the Urban Seminar it taught me a lot about the industry and how it works. It also help me set up my network of peers in the industry I would claim as my own in future years. This event goes from strength to strength and this year saw a great turn out. Basically it’s a weekend event where hundreds of youngsters who want to work in some area of the music industry gather to hear a variety of special panels and speakers talk about the industry, how to do things, the highs and the lows. This years event at the University of Westminster saw a multitude of team UK players like singer Delilah, DJ Manny Norte, Island Records president Darcus Beese and many more come and share their specialist knowledge with the audience.
JASMINE WITH ULTIMATE SEMINAR FOUNDER KWAME!
My mate Kwame Kwaten- Co – founder, The Ultimate Seminar told me ‘’We started The Ultimate Seminar because there was a need to bridge that gap from classroom to boardroom – the music industry can be a treacherous sea for a person to swim in and sometimes you just need a heads up, someone to say I’m going through that too, and here’s how I got around it and dealt with it. This year we’ve had a great turn out and some real pearls of wisdom come from the stage and I think there are a lot of people that will leave today better off for it’’.
JASMINE WITH ULTIMATE SEMINAR SUPPORTER WRETCH32
Producer/songwriter Lucas Secon emphasized ‘’I feel it’s important to be able to relay to budding artists, producers and people in the industry how to break out worldwide from England, as England is now seen as a musically trend setting place and I feel like with my background in producing and songwriting with Christina Aguilera, Sugababes, Kylie, Britney, Mos Def all the way to alternative Gym Class Heroes, I’d be able to shed some different light on it’’.
ULTIMATE SEMINAR FOUNDER KWAME WITH ISLANDS RECORDS HEAD HONCHO-DARCUS!
One of my peers from many years ago, a great UK music man- Tim Blacksmith (Stargate Productions) smiled and looked proud as he stated ‘’The Utimate Seminar is a great thing to have – it’s important to inspire young people to be a part of making great music and being involved in the industry, whether it’s being a publisher right through to being in A&R. It’s always good to give back, I was one of those faces once, so I know how inspirational it was for me to hear some of the people talk and it gave me ideas’’.
Current TEAMUK chart hottie Wretch 32 said ‘’I think people have learnt a lot at The Ultimate Seminar – I’ve learnt a lot, and I hope that everyone we’ve spoken to has learnt a lot, without this event it just wouldn’t have been possible’’.
DELILAH AT THE ULTIMATE SEMINAR
So you see people, there are so many things out there opening doors to us all-you just have to open your eyes, search for them and act!