BBC Three has announced Project Icon, a new six-part music competition from MultiStory Media and ITV America, featuring Jason Derulo, Becky Hill and Derulo’s long-term manager Frank Harris as mentors.
The series, which was created by Derulo and Harris in collaboration with MultiStory, invites eight aspiring recording artists to compete against each other to see whether they have what it takes to transform from a bedroom singer into an all-round music star in just a few weeks.
It is inspired by Derulo’s own career story, which took off when he realised that the music industry had changed and he reinvented himself to be more than just a singer. Derulo rebuilt his profile on social media and on films, gained a new legion of fans and his popularity soared. Now, Derulo wants to share his formula with eight rough diamonds and give one the chance to follow in his footsteps.
Jason Joel Desrouleaux, known professionally as Jason Derulo, is an American singer and songwriter. Since the start of his solo recording career in 2009, he has sold over 250 million singles worldwide. In June 2020, Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) by Derulo and Jawsh 685 went viral on TikTok, eventually peaking at number one in the UK, becoming Derulo’s 5th number one in the country.
BBC Radio 1 presenter, Jordan North will come on board to host the series, alongside UK pop singer Becky Hill as the show’s third mentor. Hill, with Derulo and Harris, will mentor the newcomers and put them through their paces with a number of real world challenges. The artists will all have a track record of posting about their music exploits on their social platforms but they haven’t broken into the mainstream, yet!
Experts
The series experts, Jason Derulo, Becky Hill and Jordan North, all know what it takes to make it in the cut-throat world of music, and the high-stakes challenges that the artists will be participating in all reflect the realities of the modern music business. Each week someone will be eliminated before the final three go through to a nail-biting finale.
At the end of the series, the winner will receive a US music deal with Jason’s label Future History, a collaboration with Jason Derulo, and a live performance at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2023.
Jason Derulo says: “The world of music has changed and being a superstar with staying power today requires a lot more than just singing. Project Icon is the first TV show that will challenge contestants on all realistic skills an artist today should have for a real shot at being an Icon.”
Becky Hill says: “As somebody with first-hand experience of a TV talent show, I know the struggles and stigma that surround trying to make it in the music industry. I want to change that narrative for other artists and show them that success in the music industry is about talent, but also and mostly about hard work. I feel like Project Icon is a bootcamp for artists, showing them the fun parts of this life, but also the real work that goes in to becoming a true icon. This is the training I wish I had all of those years ago.”
Thrilled
Frank Harris says: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be in partnership with the BBC and MultiStory Media on this exciting and unique project. There is so much incredible talent in the UK and we look forward to finding and creating the next generation of musical superstars.”
Host, Jordan North, says: “I’m well excited to be the host of Project Icon, there is so much fantastic talent in the UK! At Radio 1, it’s no secret that we love to champion and find fresh musical talent, so I can’t wait to be part of show that is hoping to uncover the next big music star.”
Ana de Moraes, MultiStory Media’s Chief Creative Officer, says: “It’s been fantastic to work with Derulo and Harris from the very early stages of development of this idea, and help turn their vision into reality by bringing together a first in class production team to deliver the series for BBC Three. We hope it will be the next turn of the dial in talent shows.”
Project Icon will air on BBC Three and iPlayer from March 26th.
MEET THE PROJECT ICON COMPETITORS
Barry Hendy
- London
- Glam-Pop
Describe your music style?
My music takes a lot of influence from the 70s and 80s glam-rock and rock-pop scene, the androgynous male image, the colours, the flashy outfits, the camper-y, the theatrics, big vocals, all of it! I just think when I am on stage, that version of me is like a separate entity, just using my words. Like an alien, from Mercury or something. But it’s just very gay to be honest.
What musical influences did you have growing up that inspired you?
Thanks to my nan, I grew up on country, Motown and rock ‘n’ roll and soon after that I started to educate myself on other music genres. My song writing influences started off with Fleetwood Mac and Carole King but when I got a bit older I instantly fell in love with glam-rock and the 70s as a whole. The REAL gender-defying era.
Who are your current musical icons?
My biggest musical icons are: David Bowie, Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Pete Burns and Jobriath. I’m an old-fashioned boy who loves the old gays! It’s a bit sad only one of them is still alive so I better act quick, meeting one is better than none! I guess I would love to emulate Bowie’s career the most, to be able to reinvent yourself countless times with a new look and sound and still be just as successful, that’s the ideal career.
What’s the dream?
I have already written/planned/styled/dreamt four albums, each with a different style and sound, showcasing a different side of me, so I’d love to be able to release them all eventually. Obviously we all want to tour the world to share moments with our ‘fans’. Oh and I would also LOVE to show off ALL the skills in my back pocket, I am a quintuple threat! I’m a singer, writer, dancer, actor and a funny man. I want an EGOT!
Charlie Baker
- Essex
- Pop/RnB
Describe your music style?
My style is a blend of pop and R&B, I try to create catchy pop lyrics but still in keeping to that cool and collected, sexy R&B feel to my music.
What musical influences did you have growing up that inspired you?
I have always been a massive fan of Bruno Mars and seeing his Superbowl performance was huge inspiration in giving me that push to start creating my own music. He is an unreal all-round performer and watching his performances would fill me with so much motivation. His energy on stage was crazy and would give me goosebumps just watching the man at work. Another influence of mine in terms of sound was Justin Bieber; I would always cover his songs and play them on guitar and when he created his R&B album I was driven to follow in his footsteps musically. A lot of my acoustic song writing was inspired by Shawn Mendes, so he is an honourable mention.
Who are your current musical icons?
I think again Justin Bieber continues to kill the game as he’s been producing hit songs for over a decade now. I think it would be amazing to create a legacy like he has in pop culture. Someone I’ve been massively looking up to recently is Harry Styles, this is purely because of the absolute insane journey he has been on. He began on a TV show with limited experience, fast forward to now and he’s one the biggest entertainers, winning multiple awards and breaking records for his albums. It just goes to show how far hard work can get you and I’m so ready to give it my absolute everything and continue to get stronger and better at what I do. I also am a massive fan of Drake, again an artists that has been incredibly successful over the last 10 years and continues to be a household name, getting to his level would be a dream!
What’s the dream?
The dream is to tour the world playing shows and continue to create music that just uplifts people’s moods and changes their day. Playing the Superbowl would be such an achievement and a full circle moment after being so motivated by Bruno’s performance.
Dylan And The Moon
- Originally from Cornwall, now living in London
- Indie-Pop
Describe your music style?
A singer-songwriter who plays guitar, writing big pop-hooks with big indie sounds.
What musical influences did you have growing up that inspired you?
Chuck Berry, Little Richard, David Bowie, The Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac and The Cure
Who are your current musical icons?
Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, The 1975 and Vampire Weekend
What’s the dream?
Travelling around the world, bringing people together through live music and writing for other artists too. My music is best for having a feel good time dancing at a festival in the sunshine. I just want to make people feel good.
EMELLE
- Wirral, Merseyside
- Alt Country
Describe your music style?
I’d describe my style as Billie Eilish vibes with country roots running through. I like to say it’s old school Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift with a modern pop twist.
What musical influences did you have growing up that inspired you?
I have always loved Fleetwood Mac, especially Stevie Nicks, I grew up amazed by her performances and style. I also love Miley Cyrus and her confidence, her voice and her ability to be unapologetically herself. I love her country roots and of course the fact her godmother is Dolly Parton.
Jay Scott
- Originally from Wolverhampton, now living in London
- R&B/Pop/Afroswing
Describe your music style?
Sean Paul mixed with Chris Brown and sprinkle of Bruno Mars charisma and Lil Nas X’s fearlessness.
What musical influences did you have growing up that inspired you?
Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, Justin Timberlake, Brandy, Chris Brown, Usher, Rihanna and Alicia Keys
Lillie-Jo
- North London
- R&B/ Pop/ Garage
Describe your music style?
I don’t really like to put myself in a genre or style, I’d like to be able to make whatever kind of music I want without being in a certain category.
What musical influences did you have growing up that inspired you?
I grew up in a North London pub listening to a mix of music from both my parents and customers on the juke box, old classics like Etta James, Timi Yuro and Frank Sinatra from my dad, and newer singers like Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys and Craig David from my mum’s taste in music. I’d always dance and sing in the pub when I was really young and ever since then I’ve always known I want to perform.
Mia Kirkland
- York
- Pop/Dance
Describe your music style?
My music style is a mix between dance and pop. I love the impact dance music can have and how much it can lift people, however I feel that sometimes the lyrics and meaning get undervalued as they are mostly played in clubs. I didn’t want to just focus on dance as I want my lyrics to be listened to and understood.
What musical influences did you have growing up that inspired you?
Growing up my musical influences were Adele and Ed Sheeran. I looked up to Adele because of how down to earth she was and that really inspired me to just keep being who I am and not mould my personality to be like anyone else. Ed Sheeran was a big inspiration to younger Mia, he taught me that it’s okay not to look like everyone else – I used to get bullied for my ginger hair and he was a big role model for me and I knew I could achieve whatever I wanted to and it was okay not to fit in
NNENNA KING
- East London
- Soul/ Jazz/ R&B with acoustic elements
Describe your music style?
Soul / Jazz R&B with relatable, honest and raw lyrics. I love singing about womanhood, confidence and relationships
What musical influences did you have growing up that inspired you?
My parents love soul and jazz music such as Anita Baker, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston and Miles Davis. They also used to listen to Nigerian artists like Fela Kuti. As a teenager I loved Lianne La Havas Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill. My mum is also obsessed with Queen!
Okeam Briscoe
- Birmingham
- R&B/Soul/Pop
Describe your music style?
Marvin Gaye meets Sisqo. I feel like vocally I bring a smooth soulful, velvety tone to my music that is met by a sonically R&B/pop rhythmic sound.
What musical influences did you have growing up that inspired you?
Anyone from the Motown era to the funk/disco era has inspired my sound. A few musicians that have stood out would be Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Lauryn Hill.
Xyzelle
- Bristol
- Alt RnB
Describe your music style?
Elements of hip-hop flows sneaked into R&B melodies and lyricism, I weave in and out of each genre and push the boundaries of what it means to be an R&B artist.
What musical influences did you have growing up that inspired you?
I looked up to a lot of the female artists that dominated the 2010s era such as Rihanna but grew into the hip-hop world by the time I was 13 years old. I was a big fan of Eminem, 50 cent, 2Pac and grew to love the new school hip-hop too such as J Cole, Kendrick Lamar and Chance The Rapper. I was also inspired by a lot of underground SoundCloud rappers.
See also: The Last Case for Endeavour Morse
