End of Year Round Up
JANUARY – MARCH
2011 started of well with a few days at the O2 in London taking pictures during The JLS Tour supported by one of the U.K’s most recognisable rappers, Tinie Tempah, followed by “MTV Brand New Band 2011″ at KOKO’s in Camden, London. Most of my concert work was possible as I was on an on-going project for BIG MOUTH ENTERTAINMENT & Polydor Records to takes shots of one of their up and coming acts.
This year, I was also fortunate enough to take pictures for talkSPORT Radio of guest to be interviewed Live On-Air. There has been a wide range of guest both native to the U.K and International varying from Sport’s Personalities to Actors and Authors. The majority of my work was done on the “Keys & Gray Show“, and the “H & J Show“.
With the arrival of Richard Keys and Andy Gray in Febuary, this gave me the opportunity for my first national paper exclusive after their controversial sacking from Sky TV.
March saw the beginning of the “James DeGale vs George Grove” saga with a press conference at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London, in anticipation of the 2 unbeaten fighters, both defending their belts.
APRIL – JUNE
The Press Conference for the most eagerly anticipated Heavyweight bout in recent history took place during May in London between Britain’s former Cruiser weight and Heavyweight Champion David Haye and World Heavyweight Champion Vladimir Klitschko. This was as close as i was going to be able to get to these fighters as it was not possible for me to go to Hamburg for the actual fight.
This was the second press conference that the fighters had done in a few days and to be fair, it probably turned out more exciting than the fight itself.
The O2 hosted the British Super-Middleweight Clash between James DeGale and George Groves, with both fighter unbeaten as professionals, the pressure was on to retain their titles as well as their pride. Both men had fought in the Amateurs during a time when they attended the same boxing gym in West London, so Groves already had the mental edge over Groves having previously beaten him.
Groves won a closely fought contest on points becoming British and Commonwealth Champion leaving the door open possibly for a rematch in the new year.
Nathan Cleverley vs Aleksy Kuziemski was also on the same bill after Juergen Braehmer pulled out on the week of the scheduled bout and subsequently, the WBO stripped him of the Light-Heavyweight belt. Cleverley won the fight by TKO but did not convince me that he is a World beater having been rocked a few times by the last minute replacement.
In June, not long before his hair transplant, Wayne Rooney joined talkSPORT pundits Richard Keys and Andy Gray ahead of the Euro 2012 England vs Switzerland qualifier.
The full interview can be heard at: Exclusive Wayne Rooney interview: 60 minute special with Keys and Gray
Former Girl Group RD, put out a track called “Do Myself” with Sneakbo featuring heavily on KISSFM, ChoiceFm and BangFM. The track would have been more successful if it had been pushed more by the label. Here’s a viral i put together:
JULY – SEPTEMBER
In July, The Klitschko Bros returned to London to rub salt in David Haye’s wounds by announcing the Vitali wanted to give Haye’s a smacking in a more convincing manner than his brother previously did by knocking out the former champ.
The Ukrainian brothers showed off their impressive collection of Super-Heavyweight title belts to the press and also hinted a possible match with British Heavyweight Derek Chisora.
The G-Shock East Session had been running for a year but I attended my first in July at the G-Shock Shop in Brick Lane, London hosted by Shadez The Misfit. It’s basically a Brand Awareness event where Urban UK Acts perform monthly to an in-the-know packed out audience. July’s Acts included Mdot-E, Rascals, Shadez, Roxxxan, Marvell, RD, Josh Osho, Sway and more.
Later that month, I did behind-the-scenes shots for MTV Brand New 2012 nominee “Angel” for the track “Ride Out” Featuring South London’s “Sneakbo“.
Fashion Label Kenema, who specialise in European style Designs made from African Fabric, asked me to do a photoshoot for their Mende Collection due to be released in 2012.
I’m behind-the-scenes again but this time for RD’s official debut single “Got me Burnin” filmed in Hackney with the London Riots going on 3 miles down the road.
talkSPORT presenter Andy Goldstein asked me to take pictures during his interview with former Oasis member and Man City fan, Noel Gallagher. All my negative pre-conceptions form from reading crap in the press were quickly dashed once we met and found him to be friendly and very witty.
The Katie Piper Foundation held their annual charity Model Fight Night in September at The Forum, Kentish Town, London, where 16 professionally-trained models fought eight physically gruelling bouts in a Clash of the Titans-themed night of entertainment to raise money for The Katie Piper Foundation.
Every year around the time of 9/11, BGC hold an annual fund raising day to raise money for a variety of charities. Celebrities representing their charities get on the phons selling stocks and shares with all profits making up the hefty donation.
OCTOBER – DECEMBER
Every now and then, I get to meet a true legend and up until now, most of them have been boxers or singers, but, in October I had the great Honour of attending a launch event for a football boot by the Greatest Footballer of all times, Pele. The event was attended by Man Utd’s Rio Ferdinand, his brother, QPR defender Anton Ferdinand and Arsenal’s young starlet Alex -Oxade-Chamberlain.
With new material in the pipeline, I did a photo shoot for G-Shock host and South London rapper Shadez the Misfit.
Unknown to many at the time, Girl Group “RD”, presented their final live performance as group at R&B singer Keri Hilson’s concert supported by Angel and Starboy Nathan.
November, I took ringside shots at Wembley Arena, as George Groves defended his Commonwealth Belt against Paul Smith. Ricky Burns also defended his WBO Interim Lightweight belt against the durable Michael Katsidis.
Girl Group “RD” split after being dropped by Polydor. Th egirls are now working on solo career’s so I’m sure we will hear them again in the future.
And Finally…
In December, I once again attended to G-Shock East Session featuring Asha D and Loick Essien.
So as you can see, it’s been a very busy year and hopefully next year will be even more properous!
Happy New Year
