Month: April 2014

JASMINE WITH ONE OF HER FAVOURITE UK VOICES- TERRI WALKER!

This is an act with legacy! Anyone who knows Terri, knows that a live show means you are going to be entertained by an artist who is undoubtedly one of the most respected and loved female vocalists in the UK, purely because she ooze’s experience and never fails to delivers an immaculate and seamless performance.

This past weekend, Saturday 26th April, the destination was Shoreditch House. Invited guests were gathered in what can only be described as a fabulous and very large drawing room with a DJ booth and bar.

The warmth in the room was clear, you were there to see a class act, and have probably supported her journey from the early days. The scene was set and Terri took to the stage.

Performing several tracks from her forthcoming Album ‘Entitled’, Terri completely engaged with her audience from get go. Every song was executed as if performing in an auditorium for thousands. Not even needing to take a sip of water between songs, she glowed with confident in a way only Mz Walker knows how…..smiles, conversation, improvisation, gestures……..all the things that compliment the personality of Mz Terri Walker.

Her longevity isn’t down to a million record sales, TV appearances, touring the world or compromising her music, but clearly because she commands attention and over the years has been endorsed by some key industry taste-makers. She is now taking ownership of her career path and choices, simply because she is gifted and royal and….she can!.

Pay attention people

Set List
1. Dry Your Eyes
2. Paranoia
3. Bad Boy
4. Thunderdom
5. Testify
6. Loose Twice
7. Feel It In The Water

Album release date TBC through The Orchard.

Also listen out for The Terri Walker EP produced by the almighty Joe Buhdha @joebuhdha.

I caught up with Terri afterwards to hear a bit more about the latest album title/style and tone….

”Oooh where do I start.Well I’ve decided to christen my 4th solo studio Album “Entitled”.The reasoning behind this was of the experience I have gained throughout the years.
My debut was 11 yrs ago and was entitled “Untitled”.I was fresh in the game and didn’t know much.Now through all the hurdles and different situations I put myself through to get here ,I believe I’m entitled to be here.
The style I would say is on a live hip hop rocky tip.Think Rick Ruben with a bit of Quincy Jones on production.
Im telling stories about how I felt or how I saw things and still see things at times.
The tone is definitely a serious one with undertones of wit.
Regardless of what track you hear the common denominator that pulls the whole project together is me.I just use different soundtracks to convey my stories”.

The latest album see’s Terri go back to being as real as can be.

”Its crazy when I listen to my 1st album ,I feel like I’ve come full circle.
I let a lot of opinions veer me off my ultimate goal.I always just wanted to make honest real music and not really focus on the hype. I think me experimenting with different genres has helped me become a more rounded artist who knows exactly who she is.
I see myself as an instrument but with the tools of a storyteller”.

The new Terri Walker Vibe, song content she describes thus;

”The vibe for me is more raw and less sugar coated.Ive become grittier in my development and I wanted to showcase that with my sounds and content. Hence why a lot of the album is live based.
Im writing about my life ,some of the things Ive been through.Things I get up too etc.A lot of the songs have multiple meanings which I purposely done.I want people to listen to it and take from it what makes sense to them.
They are ultimately written from my view point but people will always take from it what they want”.

We discssed that there are barely any females in the music charts that are soulful anymore. Where are they all? Do women get as fair a playing field as men?

”I’m going to be honest with you,I don’t really pay attention to the charts . When something excites me Ive usually seen it on a blog or heard it from word of mouth. Most things I love probably wouldn’t chart now a days.To be honest again Ive had to be tough and not listen to too much other artist’s as I don’t like to be influenced in any way unless I seek it out on purpose.
I think when you make great music there is no playing field between the sexes.Only if you are trying to compete and are running with a formula.Most artist I would have an interest in wouldn’t be focusing on getting that hit. Its obviously amazing to have one but the moment you make music geared towards that it usually is soulless . So to me music is alive and kicking from all angels. Just depends on where your looking”.

Last Words?
”Pay attention to my networks and have an open mind to listen.I may make you see yourself in me .Then we can vibes together!Ha!”

T: @therealmzwalker
Ig: @blessedbish

JASMINE WITH JASON LEWIS.

Dear all. Why can’t we stop making assumptions about everything based on race?
If a singer like Usher or Trey Songz is described in a national tabloid why do they describe him as a rapper?
When an ethnic commentator is seen on TV why can it be assumed they must to talking about an ethnic issue?

Up there in the top ten of our favourite, ridiculous racial stereotypes are; white people don’t have any rhythm, all African American’s can play really good basketball, all Asian kids are educated genius’, all black men are well endowed, all east Asians are skilled up in at least two martial arts techniques and of course the ever irritating- anything a black person does in media must include the words urban and/or diversity in the title.

At a TV screening for a new comedy show in London this week, one of the first things the show’s creator Jason Lewis said as he welcomed the audience of key influencers was ‘’this a comedy sketch show, not an urban sketch show, not a diversity sketch show, a simple comedy show’’.

Jason is a young, about to blow comedian, who has Trinidadian heritage, but his new comedy sketch show (Sniggers With Attitude) for London live TV is an inclusive comedy show for the new young pop culture demographic.

His show- Sniggaz With Attitude was described recently by industry bible Broadcast as ‘’an urban sketch comedy from Jason Lewis’’. Sigh.

The show aims to give out a dose of comedy, straight with no chaser! Created and written by Jason, the show also showcases many talents of fellow comedians and co-writers Marlon Davis, Ola The Comedian and Funmbi Omotayo as well as some very special guests including Javone Prince and Daniel Kaluuya.
A few years ago whilst I was heading up production at MTV Base, Jason came to my attention. He had released many music spoofs. Artists he parodied included Tinchy Stryder, N-Dubz, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.
In July 2009 Jason along with close friend actor Daniel Kaluuya released a parody of Boy Better Know’s Too Many Man, titled Too Many Weave which had young MTV fans gripped with laughter. It was based upon the fact they thought that nowadays too many women wear fake hair (hair extensions). The video was in Youtube’s Most Viewed for the 14, 15 and 16 July that year.
At MTV Base, this was enough for us to give Jason, who was already creating his own online media buzz, a break and a chance to make his own self-titled show The Jason Lewis Experience. This rated well with great feedback.
It’s often said that you have to be an insider to change the game. This remains true. But you also need the trust and co-sign from your bosses. Mine at the time was VP, Music Commissioning & Content, MTV Networks UK, Virginia Monaghan, gave me free reign, which was appreciated.

My friend who works at the BBC then passed this tape to her colleagues in the comedy department, who were also impressed enough by him to commission a pilot show – under the watchful, supportive eye of then Controller of BBC3, Danny Cohen.
During 2010 Lewis created and starred in his own BBC online sketch comedy pilot show called SWA (Sniggers With Attitude), which featured appearances from Paul Whitehouse, Noel Clarke, Rufus Hound, and Daniel Kaluuya. In June 2010 BBC announced that Danny Cohen, controller of BBC Three had commissioned Jason Lewis his own pilot titled The Jason Lewis Experience for the channel. The recently shot pilot featured Harry Enfield, Paul Whitehouse, Daniel Kaluuya, Trevor Nelson and David Schneider.
The same year, Lewis was a regular cast member in the third series of the BAFTA Award winning The Armstrong and Miller Show for BBC1 and featured in the BAFTA Award winning Harry and Paul, created by Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse. His talent and progression were clearly and openly being nurtured.
Alas not for long, as once Danny left the BBC and his replacement Zai Bennet took over, predictably Danny’s slate was wiped clean and Jason’s project was disappointingly stalled and shelved, going nowhere.

A true example of determination and tenacity meant that Jason – who was working as a store assistant at Banana Republic when I first met him – has persevered and finally today has got his foot wedged into yet another broadcasters door.
Jason has made the latest version of SWA with his production company Family Pictures, which he founded with fellow producer Jamie Cox.

To his relief, SWA now has a home at London Live (at least for now) and Jason humbly thanked his team as well as London’s Live’s Head of Programming/Commissioning Jonathan Bosely and Derren Lawford for the opportunity to keep his comedy screen dream alive. Jason said of Jonathan ‘’ he trusted me to make a show that was important to me and I was able to keep my artistic integrity and so I remain indebted to him’’

The show debuts this Friday and is on repeat for a few slots, it had the screening room audience at the Charlotte St Hotel laughing out loud and raucously. We witnessed brilliant laughs at the expense of teenage pregnancy cases, declined credit cards, the police, black music, Nandos, Jay Z, Destiny’s Child, Levi Roots, Didier Drogba and more.

A clever, cutting dig at TV development teams is seen in Jason’s TV diversity boardroom sketch (not surprising after all the pain they’ve caused him). However, a strong favourite for a through line of continuity who the viewers will grow to love and quote, is the Lord Snooty like Dr Leon Askwith who breaks down issues intermittently throughout the show.

Jason sat down with me and told me

”The first thing I did on TV was The Jason Lewis Experience for MTV Base. The great thing about that show was that it enabled me to reach a certain demographic that I had never previously reached. Just before that show was filmed my first spoof ‘Blackboys’ went viral so it was a good launch pad for us onto the MTV Base show.

From there I went on to feature in shows as: Miranda, The Armstrong & Miller Show, Harry & Paul, Bellamys People, Horrible Histories, Watson & Oliver and many others. In my career so far, I’ve been quite fortunate to be honest.

During that time I approached by the BBC to do an online pilot which we called ‘Sniggers With Attitude’. It quickly gathered views and included sketches that went viral so I was commissioned a BBC TV pilot, which we called The Jason Lewis Experience. Now throughout that period it was a very testing time because the BBC were still dealing with the aftermath of the Russell Brand/Jonathan Ross saga. So they were being extra careful with all of its content. But for me the ultimate obstacle was that all of the bosses were very far removed from the audience I was catering for. So who do you please? The bosses or the people? It’s a skill you have to master in order to survive in the entertainment industry. The channel bosses are the decision makers but if you please them you risk losing the audience who made you who you are in the first place.

I have honestly lost count of the celebs I have mimicked. I’ve done Alicia Keys, Jay Z, Prince Harry, Dappy, Wiley, Tinchy Stryder, Drogba Levi Roots to name a few. But they were all in the spirit of good fun and I hope that comes across. When I bump into celebs like Trevor Nelson (I spoofed him in my MTV show) we always have a good laugh about it. Imitation is a form of flattery. There has to be something that I like about the celeb for me to do a character about them.

I’ve had many moments in my career but my proudest one came recently when I set up my own production company ‘Family Pictures’ and produced my show ‘Sniggers With Attitude’ for London Live. In my opinion we have produced a pilot that was better than my BBC3 pilot and to me that gives me good satisfaction. Family Pictures started in 2006 when I approached my young uncle Jamie Cox to direct my sketches. At that time he had directed Bashy’s Blackboys and later went onto direct Bashy’s ‘Kidulthood to Adulthood’ video. So together with Jamie, we did all of my Youtube videos and he was with me during the BBC pilots. In fact there are quite a few people who worked on SWA that have been with us since 2008. Its very important to me that we keep good people on around us, those who understand how I work and with whom we have a great bond. The only difference is now all of those people are very experienced, young, professionals in the industry. So we called the team Family Pictures and after all these years we officially registered the company. That way we have more ownership over our content.

‘With regards to my asiprations for the show, I want SWA to make an imprint in the game. I want it to be as big as ‘Little Britain’ or ‘The Monty Python’ but doing so with our identity. I have a talented crew on that show with the likes of Funmbi, Marlon Davis, Daniel Kaluuya, Ola The Comedian, Javone Prince. But nothing comes without hard work and dedication and we shall be doing just that if we get the series. We simply want this show to be a very good show that stands the test of time. No more, no less.”

.

Jason’s had an average journey of struggle through the acting world so far. He started his career training at The Anna Scher Theatre as an actor for 6 years. He’s been cast as an actor and writer for BBC show Bellamy’s People, created by the BAFTA Award winning Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson. He’s also appeared in BBC2 hit sitcom Miranda and the second series of BBC Three sitcom Coming of Age
So you can see by his backlog of experience and content created, that he is a very broad and diverse young man. He just happens to also be black. This doesn’t make him ‘urban’ or ‘diverse’. He just wants you to view his show with the same open mind and playing field you would allow another newcomer. Remember, he’s a comedy writer and expressionist. Not an urban, diversity, box ticking stat.
Here’s the big caveat to his journey to this point. Its hopeful that the bigwigs at London Live do continue to support and champion Jason’s work, but a big factor remains on whether he can get enough eyeballs and profile for the show, which debuts Easter Friday evening on the channel.

Watch with an open mind. Welcome a new London loving, staunchly proud creator. But do it with an open mind.

IF YOU MISSED THE TV SLOT YOU CAN WATCH 24-7 HERE;
http://www.londonlive.co.uk/programmes/sniggers-with-attitude

About Sniggers With Attitude
Sniggers With Attitude (SWA) is a comedy sketch show made for London Live that aims to give out a dose of comedy, straight with no chaser!

Created by Jason Lewis, he brings along with him the many talents of fellow comedians and co-writers Marlon Davis, Ola The Comedian and Funmbi Omotayo as well as some very special guests including Javone Prince and Daniel Kaluuya.

With characters such as Jay Z, Football legend Didier Drogba, Ragga Ragga Sauce Chef ‘Ziggy Spice’ and Inspectors Harris and Dexter keeping the streets safe, this show is guaranteed to make you snigger.

Together, can we build a diverse music industry?

Did you know that 92% of the UK music industry is white? Does that matter? Who cares?

Does it matter when you consider that it’s totally unrepresentative of the music scene’s artist’s, promoter’s, record label’s worker’s and fan’s? It does matter. The music industry here in the UK is one of the last areas that up until 2012 didn’t have an active organization that champion’s equality within this world.

This past week a group of music industry leaders and key influencers came together at the House Of Commons to discuss how they could make a change in the national statistics, of the number of black and minority ethnic (BAME) people working within the music industry.

The event put on by Diaspora – Equality in Music, by their CEO Rose Nunu, saw a full room of passionate key influencers that wanted to unite to make a change in the shocking stats about BAME workers in the music industry.

Attendees included John Whittingdale OBE MP Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Ed Vaizey Minister for UK Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B, former SonyBMG head honcho Mervyn Lyn, AEG Live’s President of international touring Rob Hallet, former SonyBMG Head of Press Jodie Dalmeda, BBC marketing / former Def Jam/ Radio1Xtra key influencer Jay Davidson, Debbie ‘’Cookie’’ Pryce (Cookie from female hip hop Cookie Crew) and many more that are passionate about this issue. The round table was titled ‘‘together we can build a diverse music industry’’.

The round table was hosted and chaired by Rt Hon David Lammy MP for Tottenham, who revealed that he was often called upon to facilitate debates about diversity in many areas.

In the past few years there has been a huge focus on diversity within many organisations. These include the police force, the broadcast industry and the film industry to name a few. However, the figures for the music industry are much worse.

This becomes more of an imbalance when you consider that we now have a healthier number of British BAME faces in our charts than ever with the UK grime, hip hop, hip pop and other genres being the pop music of todays British generation.

Whereas once upon a time only American BAME talent reined the UK charts, now we have names like Dizzee Rascal, Tinie Tempah, Ms Dynamite, JLS, Leona Lewis, Estelle, Chip, Alexandra Burke, Tinchy Stryder and more making their marks. So the BAME community has a healthy representation front of house, but behind the scenes it’s a very different story. In fact, you will find that when we have more BAME staffers backstage in the industry, we have more BAME chart stars and vica versa.

There are still scarily low numbers of BAME workers behind the scenes. In the past two decades I have witnessed countless young BAME movers and shakers enter the industry to an underlying fanfare of celebratory trumpets (as its so rare for ‘’one of us’’ to make it in this corporate world). These tastemakers are bandied about as ‘’the new young bucks on the scene to look out for’’, but unless they keep their heads down and don’t rock the boat, their time is always limited and a few years down the line it’s the predictable case of ‘where are they now?’

Between us all we could only think of two prominent BAME heads in our industry. Darcus Beese, co-president of one of the UK’s most successful record labels, Island Records. The Guardian called him ‘the tea boy that became the boss – says it all really. The second – Sonny Takhar, Simon Cowell’s right hand man at Syco Music is the Managing Director.

Kicking off the roundtable speakers was Beverley Mason FRSA, who made the business case for increasing workforce diversity in the UK music scene. She stated what we know to be obvious. That inclusivity has an economical benefit. That black culture has always played a central part in growing trends in many areas.

We all agreed that in our own experience, thousands of organisations have initiatives that help young BAME people gain work experience or internships within huge music cooperation’s, to help open doors for BAME workers, but the legacy of progression to keep them within companies doesn’t exist. Even worse, I have seen many of my BAME peers find, break and make superstars for record labels, but there is no sign of these same behind the scenes taste makers after a few years. They’ve either been lost to redundancy, or lack of promotion has left them disillusioned with the game, and so they leave.

One attendee suggested that senior management simply did not trust young black males that looked like him, and this underlying racism would never leave the sector without a massive positive discrimination push.

Professor Monder Ram OBE, from the University of Birmingham, talked to us about enterprise and access to finance. He also spoke about strengthening the entrepreneurial prowess of diverse music industry business owners and entrepreneurs. Something powerful that stuck in my mind for hours afterwards was his observation that

‘’the music is diverse but the money and power behind it isn’t’’

He added that there were numerous unhealthy BAME stereotypes, like the corner shop owner or market stall trader, which media and onscreen dramas made worse. Surprisingly, he noted that in reality more Asians own pharmaceutical businesses than corner shops.

Nii Sackey, CEO of Bigga Fish, a not-for-profit events organisation who provide a performance platform for young creative and Advisor to The National Music Manifesto initiative, noted that much funding went to classical music projects as opposed to non classical. Jazzie B reminded us that there were countless projects existent across the UK but that the government needed to know about them all. He urged

‘’as a taxpayer, I don’t want anything new. Look at things that have already been going for 20 years and help support them to being bigger’’

Paulette Long (PRS for Music), said that making change had to happen from the inside’’. The BBC’s Jay Davidson noted that the intern and entry-level system was healthy, but the downfall was promotion and retention specifically with senior management positions.

We all noted that those sitting in the room were stalwart supporters of the cause and we were simply continuing to preach to the choir, as all the industry big hitters weren’t present for various reasons. Rob Hallet agreed,

‘’it’s simple! Get to people like me, and show me how diverse staff help make my business better’’

and plugged ‘Small Green Shoots’, an organisation that produces music projects, supporting creatives across London as well as providing platforms and opportunities for unsigned and emerging artists.

There has already been much work within the music industry to champion equality and diversity. The Equality & Diversity Charter for Music (launched in Feb 2012), is the industry’s own plan for extending this work in order to actively improve equality and diversity, and to benefit creatively and commercially from the inclusion of a diverse range of innovative creative and business talent.

We debated whether quotas for staff and diversity needed to be more thoroughly policed in music as they are in media sectors. David Lammy highlighted that there was no point in having charters if there are no targets and evaluation processes.

Ed Vaizey made closing comments and we were reminded that it takes a united society to ensure equality in all areas. For this, the second phase of Diaspora’s movement, they stated that they wish to receive the support and contributions of the music sector to continue to lead and sustain change over a ten-year plan to 2020.

In 1963 Sam Cooke told us ‘A Change Gonna Come’’. Equality changes have been big and small across this past century but with this challenge let’s hope it doesn’t take another 50 years.

London360, produced and presented by young Londoners, will reach more viewers in the capital when it is shown on new TV channel London Live strating THIS Sunday 9am!.

Starting this Sunday, London Live, the first 24-hour TV channel dedicated to the capital, will broadcast thirteen episodes of London360. The half-hour magazine style series was created by a team of diverse young Londoners aged 18-25 and shown on national television channel, Community Channel. Over the next three months, London Live will broadcast a series of specially-produced London360 episodes presented by Maleena Pone – a former London360 reporter and the London Live presenter who launched the channel on March 31st.

This series of London360 features the likes of Idris Elba, Jamelia and Labrinth talking on topics including domestic violence, social media and musical therapy in the capital as it uncovers incredible local stories and shines a light on compelling community-based campaigns. Each episode is produced and presented through the gaze of young Londoners aged 18-25 who are passionate about the area they live in, and who want to bring a fresh viewpoint to the capital’s news agenda.

Now in its third year, London360 is run by Media Trust, to give young people from a diverse range of backgrounds the opportunity to learn new skills, develop expertise and reach their potential. The undiscovered reporters are supported by media industry mentors in all aspects of production – from researching, and presenting to editing and compliance – and use their new found skills to create the regular half-hour show. Many of the London360 alumni are now working for companies such as London Live, BBC, MTV and Sky.

Jasmine Dotiwala, London360 Executive Producer, said: “London360 gives young reporters invaluable media training to identify and capture their community’s stories. I never cease to be amazed by the young people who we support through this initiative, all with a passion for their local area and a desire to make a positive difference. With London Lives acquisition of London360, the reporters are given another fantastic platform to have a voice and get their stories heard.”

MALEENA PONE, FORMER LONDON360 REPORTER, CURRENT LONDON LIVE REPORTER

Maleena Pone, video journalist for London Go at London Live & presenter for London360, said: “London360 gave me the opportunity to explore my passion and talents in a number of areas of news making. From producing to shooting, presenting to editing, I really learnt to cut my teeth in a challenging but incredibly supportive environment. It’s not always easy when starting out to find the confidence to do all of these things simultaneously and with so much conviction. But London360, at its essence, is a platform that champions the opinions of young people, credible journalism and unrepresented voices in the media. This state of mind was echoed in the editorial as well as in the planning and delivery of the content. I’m always promoting this opportunity to other young people I meet who are serious about earning their first experience in broadcasting.”

DERREN LAWFORD – LONDON LIVE COMMISSIONING EXEC.

Derren Lawford, Commissioning Exec at London Live said: “ London Live is pleased to be partnering with Media Trust to help give new and fresh voices a platform on TV in London. We’re hoping to uncover lots of new talent and stories”

London360 broadcasts on London Live on Sunday 13th April at 9am (with new episodes the same time each week).

For more information about London360 visit www.communitychannel.org/London360 or follow their latest new stories on twitter @London_360.

ENDS

Notes to editors
For further information contact Emma Roberts at emmar@mediatrust.org or on 0207 7871 5618

About London Live:
London Live is London’s first dedicated 24/7 TV entertainment channel, offering Londoners the latest in arts, news, current affairs, sports, and events. London Live is owned by ESTV. ESTV won the London television franchise auction in February 2013 and launched 31st March 2014. It is on on Freeview 8, YouView 8, Sky 117 and Virgin 159 as well as being available in non-linear digital formats. ESTV is 100% owned by Lebedev Holdings.

@londonlive Facebook: londonliveestv

About London360
London360 is Community Channel’s half-hour regular TV and online magazine show that champions local untold stories, London’s hidden quirky communities, compelling community-based campaigns and entertainment, while providing an alternative viewpoint on the capital’s news agenda. The show is created by a team of diverse young Londoners aged 18-25 who are trained by media industry mentors in researching, presenting, filming, editing and compliance in order to produce their own show for London about London. A network of 100 ‘stringers’ across the capital supports our reporters by feeding in stories from their communities. Community Channel is owned and run by Media Trust and available on Freeview 63 and Freeview HD 109, Sky 539, Virgin 233 and freesat 651.

ONE DIRECTION STAR ZAYN MALIK, SUPER PRODUCER/ARTIST NAUGHTY BOY, ACTRESS/SINGER PREEYA KALIDAS AND JASMINE.

Over the years I’ve been used to attending a myriad of fabulous functions, crammed full to the brim with celebrities, at various global music, movie and style awards. Mostly the attendees are famous faces that you’d recognize immediately that are big ballers in their respective fields. The London based Asian awards are all that, but on steroids.
The grand ballroom at the Grosvenor House Hotel was heaving this past week, with royalty, leaders of countries, politicians, music stars, screen icons and of course, the odd reality star bod that arrived feeling and looking totally out of place.I was invited this year as a guest of my pal Shahid Khan AKA Naughty Boy.

JASMINE WITH PRINCES MANAGER KIRAN SHARMA ON THE RED CARPET.

The 4th annual Asian Awards red carpet had a giant wall of paparazzi awaiting the likes of …(DEEP BREATH)..actor Idris Elba, culture secretary Jeremy hunt MP, independent newspaper editor Amol Rajan and his wife, fashion designer Karen Millen, MD of Simon Cowells SYCO music head Sonny Takhar and his wife, chart star Laura Mvula in a stunning green sari, singer Beverley Knight, fashion designer Elizabeth Emmanual, The Wanted band member Max George, super music producer to the stars and artist in his own right- Naughty Boy, TV presenter Gok Wan, One Direction band member Zayn Malik, Radio 1 broadcaster Nihal, actor Adil Ray, singer/broadcaster Cerys Matthews, actress Nina Wadia, film director Gurinder Chadha, Secretary General of the human rights organization Amnesty International Salil Shetty, Simon Hughes MP, broadcaster Tommy Sandhu, former English cricketer Mark Ramprakash, businessman Tim Campbell, broadcast journalist Maryam Nemazee, political commentator Yasmin Alibhai Brown, weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar, MOBO CEO Kanya King, actress/ singer Preeya Kalidas, Prince’s manager Kiran Sharma, music producer Rishi Rich who has just been signed to legendary producer Teddy Riley in Atlanta, news reader and business woman Tasmin Lucia Khan and many many more.

DESIGNER KAREN MILLEN ON THE RED CARPET

Hilariously of course, there are always the latest 15 minutes of fame candidates from a variety of TV reality shows. (There were quite a few of these. Mandatory at any event.) This night they arrived wearing bindis on their foreheads- much to my amusement. Many of them also chose to arrive fake tanned, in short, half naked, mini dresses and then looked most out of place surrounded by really articulate beautiful women in gorgeous jewel coloured long classy gowns.

The Asian Awards were born out of a simple vision; to create an event, which would honour only the very highest levels of achievement from within the worldwide Asian community; to create one of the most important events of its kind ever to be staged. A pioneering, unique and prestigious event,

JASMINE WITH LIZZY CUNDY.

The Asian Awards is the only event that pays tribute to Asian success across all walks of life; emphasising inspiring achievements and highlighting inspirational role models in the fields of business, sport, entertainment, philanthropy and popular arts and culture.

GROSVENOR HOUSE BALLROOM. THE CALM BEFORE THE ASIAN STORM.

Although in the first 2 years, the awards primary geographical focus was South Asia, it was always the intention to define the term “Asian” as one, which encompasses all Asian countries, i.e. both South Asia and Far Eastern Asia. As a result at the 3rd Asian Awards in 2013, excellence from ALL Asian countries was honoured and this continued this year.

JASMINE WITH RISHI RICH AND HIS WIFE.

The VIP reception on the balconies over looking the ballroom saw fancy Indian savory canapés and champagne cocktails flowing freely. I caught up with music producer Rishi Rich and his stunning wife who told me they were moving to Atlanta this week as he had been signed up by super producer Teddy Riley!.

JASMIN WALIA (TOWIE), NAUGHTY BOY AND JASMINE.

The networking going on was loud and buzzy and it was tough to get guests seated for dinner, they were having so much fun getting to know each other. I could sense that there were plenty of big ballers present and was reassured ‘’there’s more than $45bn of wealth in this room’’. This was highlighted further when later in the evening Hong Kong’s second richest man with an estimated worth of US$22 billion, Lui Che Woo picked up the Entrepreneur of the Year award.

ASIAN AWARDS FOUNDER PAUL SAGOO , AHMED KATHRADA AND IDRIS ELBA.

The ceremony was opened by The Asian Awards founder, Paul Sagoo, who welcomed us all and noted that he had asked the regular caterer to up the ante this year instead of the usual curry based dinner. Oh how disappointing. We were all really looking forwards to a good tasty curry (curry is the national dish of the UK don’t you know Paul!). Instead we were served a rack of meat that was impossible to eat comfortably at a black tie function without ruiing the whole elegant princess façade, so untouched carcasses were sat lonely on most plates (except on that of a manager of a huge chart star – who will remain nameless, who had four main courses!).

JASMINE WITH PREEYA KALIDAS

The Awards started with singer and actress Preeya Kalidas, who performed for the room full of A-list guests and thereafter joined my table which was uber fab with Naughty Boy sitting on one side of me (I was invited as his guest), SYCO Music don honcho Sonny and his gorgeous wifey Olivia, and Independent editor- the youngest in the country- Amol Rajan and his cute and clever missus Charlotte.

PREEYA KALIDAS, JASMINE AND TASMIN LUCIA-KHAN.

NAUGHTY BOY WITH TASMIN LUCIA-KHAN.

One of the first awards was the presentation of the prestigious Founders Award by Golden Globe winner Idris Elba who honoured South African politician, former political prisoner and anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada. In an emotional historic acceptance speech, to a standing ovation, Mr Ahmed dedicated the award to his brothers and sisters who did not live to see the freedom they fought for. We all stood and cheered hard for this living legend.

GOK WAN RECEIVES HIS AWARD.

FILM DIRECTOR GURINDER CHADHA PRESENTS AN AWARD.

The Outstanding Achievement in Television award went to Gok Wan who was overwhelmed at receiving the prestigious award. Gok dedicated the award to his father who he said, “Has taught me that being Asian is cool.” it was pretty refreshing to see Asians from all across the Asian diaspora unite to celebrate each others success.

NAUGHTY BOY PRESENTING AN AWARD ONSTAGE.

NAUGHTY BOY AND KIRAN SHARMA PRESENT THE MUSIC AWARD.

With a number of current pop music stars with Asian background heritages like Nicole Sherzinger, Nicki Minaj, One Directions Zayn Malik and more, the music category was always going to be a fiercely contested category and this year was won by Norah Jones who was awarded with the Outstanding Achievement in Music prize for her immense achievements in global music. I was told off as I didn’t know who Zayn Malik was and thought he might be an Indian actor. Can you tell I left MTV a few years ago? LOL

ASIAN SELFIE- WHO CAN YOU SPOT?

I was particularly chuffed at my fellow Zoroastrian, Parsi, Cyrus Poonawalla winning The Business Leader of the Year award. Vaccine billionaire, Cyrus Poonawalla owner of Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest producer of vaccines, and make more than one billion doses annually. As of March 2014, Forbes estimates Poonawalla’s net worth at $4.9 billion.

WITH ZOROASTRIAN CYRUS POONAWALLA- BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR WINNER.

The coveted Fellowship Award went to action man actor, director and martial artist Jackie Chan, who has been in the entertainment industry for 55 years and made an expected humble speech about his roots.
Legendary Indian actor, Irrfan Khan was awarded Outstanding Achievement in Cinema. Irrfan has famously crossed over into western cinema, becoming the first Bollywood actor to star in two films that won the Academy Award for Best Director Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and Life of Pi (2012).

Noble prize winning Sir Venkataraman Ramakrishnan was awarded Outstanding Achievement in Science; while the Outstanding Achievement in Sport award went to Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

PRIME MINISTER DAVID CAMRON ADDRESSES THE ASIAN AWARDS.

Finally, Prime Minister David Cameron addressed the audience acknowledging the awards had grown from strength to strength, recognising the Asian Awards are the only Pan Sector Pan-Asian award ceremony in the world and stating how proud he was that they were held in London. In conclusion he paid tribute to the Founders Award recipient Ahmed Kathrada. The awards partnered with charity Oxfam this year and no doubt and raised a significant sum for the foundation. (Asians are very charitably minded and raise money for causes the way I consume hot pepper sauce- with zeal!)

JASMINE AND RADIO 1’S NIHAL PHOTOBOMB THE EASTENDERS FIRST ASIAN FAMILY.

Paul Sagoo, looked pleased with the evening and at the after party told me ‘’my vision for these awards was simple- to create an event which would recognise exceptional achievers from those within the global Asian community, on a scale which had never been seen or done before. The awards are bout extraordinary people- about those who stand up for what they believe in and those who step forward to make a difference. Through these awards, people from every community around the world can learn, understand and be inspired by the lives and actions of these amazing people’’.
“This year The Asian Awards has truly lived up to its name, celebrating global Asian achievement in what is a triumphant night. We are honoured with the support of our guests and winners, including the amazing Ahmed Kathrada, Jackie Chan, and MP’s like Jeremy Hunt who join us for this magnificent gathering of some of the world’s most inspirational and powerful people.
At the end of the evening we all piled upstairs to the afterparty where I had a giggle with my pal MOBO CEO Kanya King before grabbing a Godiva goody bag and legging it out before 1am in case my ball gown turned into rags.

JASMINE WITH MOBO CEO KANYA KING.