Spek

Literally schooled on hip-hop, 'Spek' (qv) started swapping rhymes at the impressionable age of 14 in his hometown of Montreal and never looked back. Tutored through his tenure with world-recognized boombasters 'The Dream Warriors', he joined the band hot on the heels of their worldwide smashes "My Definition" and "Wash Your Face In My Sink." At the age of 17, he signed a worldwide record contract with EMI and toured the globe before eventually continuing his quest for knowledge settling in London. An incubator of sorts for his ideas, 'Spek' (qv) soon found himself touring again. Only this time with multi-million selling British Jazz-Rap crew Us3 across Europe at the height of their popularity. Hooking up with musical partner 'Brian Rose' (qv) (Longview/Robbie Williams), he made his mark through various collaborations with members of 'Jamiroquai' (qv) and 'Nitin Sawhney' (qv) (whose breakthrough album "Beyond Skin" featuring 'Spek' (qv) was highly touted by 'Sting' (qv) and 'Madonna' (qv), won the South Bank Album Award and went on to be nominated for the Mercury Music Prize). He appeared on the BBC's Later (with 'Jools Holland' (qv)), and was soon bestowed the honour of having his single "Smell The Coffee" featured several times in the Old Vic in the British mainstay "Eastenders."International recognition beckoned as his songs were picked up in Worldwide campaigns used by Nokia, Fox and DreamWorks Films' comedy _Envy (2004)_ (qv) (starring 'Ben Stiller' (qv) and 'Jack Black' (qv)), having what The Times described as, "a gentle and genial collection of dreamy love songs and street smart hip hop grooves." Loaded magazine went a step further by calling his album Don't Sweat The Small Stuff, "like 'Prince' (qv) and 'De La Soul' (qv) in a mucky mudwrestle. Exceptional" with a 10 out of 10 review. In 2003, 'Spek' (qv) was asked to Co-Host the Juno 'Awards' (qv) ceremony (Canada's version of the Grammys), a testament to the impact he made after releasing his debut album to rave reviews all round. Garnering hard to come by kudos (voted number one on MTV UK's "Daily Chart Live" for his Look Me Up video, scoring a Top 20 smash with his single I'm A Hippie in his native Canada). 'Spek' (qv)'s trippy Beatles holding court with 'De La Soul' (qv), 'Mazzy Star' (qv) and 'Paul Simon' (qv)-'Art Garfunkel' (qv) style of music left quite an impression.In 2005, 'Spek' (qv) was cast in a lead role in the UK/European feature film _Nefarious (2021)_ (qv), starring alongside Danish star, 'Kim Bodnia' (qv) among others. That film premiered in Cannes 2005. Playing a dual role, 'Spek' (qv) also provided the score and soundtrack to Wicked with his long time co-writer 'Brian Rose' (qv).2005 saw him developing several film projects in the UK. Most notably is the film project Fricky Khan. The real story of the daredevil Sri Lankan motorcycle racer and multiple Grand Prix winner who lived fast and died young.::GMW