BRITAIN’S Got Talent star Alesha Dixon has announced a brand new single, nearly a decade since her last hit.
Alesha, 45, recently appeared on The Receipts Podcast to discuss BGT and inform fans of the release date for her new single Ransom.
Alesha visited the The Receipts Podcast to discuss new music and her decision to leave Mis-Teeq
The Receipts Podcast presenters Tolly T (top) and Audrey shared in the excitement of music fans when Alesha confirmed the release date for her new single: Ransom
In April of this year, the pop superstar had been spotted in a red bikini top and jean shorts while on the set of the music video for the reggae-inspired new single.
A social media teaser of the new single last month left fans wondering the actual date the single would be released onto music platforms.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge put fans out of their misery when she told The Receipt Podcast hosts Tolani Shoneye, better known as Tolly T, and co-host Audrey Indome, the exciting news about Ransom.
Alesha told the podcast that her eagerly awaited new single will be released on the 31st of May.
Alesha said: “I can reveal that my new single is called Ransom, and it will be released on May 31st. We also have BGT live shows coming up and then I’m going to move onto a second single.”
The MOBO-award winner has had an array of platinum selling singles and albums both as a solo artist, and as 1/3 of the noughties UK garage, pop and r&b group Mis-Teeq.
However her fourth and most recent solo album, 2015’s Do It For Love, included the single The Way We Are which failed to chart. The album also peaked at number 81 on the UK singles chart that year.
ALESHA’S EARLY BEGINNINGS
The Hertfordshire-born singer-rapper formed the R&B, pop and garage outfit Mis-Teeq in 1999, when she met fellow singer Sabrina Washington, 45, in their dance school in Fulham, London.
They spotted their third member Su-Elise Nash, 42, as the singer auditioned for another group. They would soon form a quarter when they met fourth member Zena McNally, 45, in 1999.
Alesha alongside her former Mis-Teeq group members: Sabrina Washington (centre) and Su-Elise Nash (right)
The pop and r&b hopefuls signed to Telstar Records the following year.
Zena left the group in in early 2001, and only featured on their first single, Why.
The noughties group were known for their unique fusion of UK garage, R&B and rap. Mis-Teeq had seven consecutive top-10 singles and two top-ten albums across US, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Their debut album Lickin’ on Both Sides was released peaked at number three on the UK albums chart back in October 2001. The album featured five singles, with each entering the the UK top 10.
The album included the single Why. Their second album Eye Candy was released in March 2003, and proved to be even more greater success than their debut effort, reaching double platinum.
The success was due in part to Eye Candy’s standout first single, Scandalous, which became an international hit and the bands biggest song to date.
The song also reached number two in the UK top 40 back in 2003. Scandalous even charted stateside, reaching number two on the US Billboard dance chart.
Unfortunately, the excitement would be short-lived as their US success marked the beginning of the end for the group.
MIS-TEEQ SPLIT AND SOLO CAREER
Alesha showcased her dance skills back in 2004 as the video girl for US rap-rock group N*E*R*D’ hit song She Wants To Move
Mis-Teeq would split-up in February 2005 and Alesha and the other members of the group began carving out solo careers.
The rap queen even dazzled audiences as a video vixen in then US hip hop N*E*R*D’s video for She Wants To Move.
Alesha spoke of the split with the Receipts Podcast, telling the hosts: “We were working together everyday for eight years. You see each other more than your family.”
She continued: “Scandalous was a hit in America, but I wasn’t happy. I came back and I let my family know I didn’t feel good about being in the group anymore. We decided to end, but it was amicable.”
DIVORCE AND STRICTLY OPPORTUNITY
In 2007 Alesha became a Strictly contestant and partnered with professional dancer Matthew Cutler
Alesha released her debut solo album Fired Up in 2006. Her debut single Lipstick was released in August 2006 and charted at 14 on the UK singles charts.
The following year, news about an affair between her husband, Harvey, 45, from UK rap group: So Solid Crew, and British singer Javine Hylton, 42, began to surface.
Alesha and Harvey had been married since 2005, and divorced the following year due to the aftermath of the affair.
2007 would prove to be a year of highs and lows for the singer, when Strictly Come Dancing bosses came knocking on door as she began to figure out next steps after the breakdown of her marriage.
Alesha would be partnered with professional dancer Matthew Cutler, and go onto win the fifth season of the BBC One hit show, which set the foundation for an even greater solo career.
She soon signed to Asylum records after taking home the famed glitterball trophy.
In 2008, she release platinum-selling second album called The Alesha Show, and hit singles Breathe Slow and The Boy Does Nothing.
Breathe Slow would become her best selling solo single, and it would be nominated at the 2010 BRIT awards in the prestigious Best British single category.
In a full circle moment, in 2009 Alesha got invited to appear on Strictly as a judge, which coincided with the release of her third studio album: The Entertainer.
BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT GIG
The multi-talented star has been a judge on BGT since 2012
Alesha quit working on Strictly’s ninth series to become a judge on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent in 2012.
The vocalist replaced comedian Michael McIntyre, 48, on the hit variety show. She joined the judging panel which consisted of David Walliams, 52, Amanda Holden, 53, and Simon Cowell, 64.
CURRENT LIFE
Alesha married her dancer husband Azuka Ononye in 2017
In recent years, Alesha has settled into family life, balancing a thriving career with motherhood.
Alesha and her then boyfriend, former backing dancer Azuka Ononye, 43, welcomed their first child Azura Sienna back in 2013.
Inspired by motherhood, Alesha released best-selling novel series: Lightning Girl in June 2013.
Alesha and Azuka married four years later in 2017 and had their second daughter Anaya in August 2019.
The mother-of-two also told the Receipt Podcast hosts that she intends on focusing more on free time with her daughters; writing more children’s book stories as well as well as writing more music.
Alesha said: “I am going to take some time in the summer to be with my girls because it’s been a hectic six months, and then I’m back to the studio writing.”
She continued: “I’ve also just finished promoting my eighth children’s book ‘Luna Wolf 2: Code Danger’ ,and I’m writing its next part. If you don’t see me, I’m usually writing something or being with my kids.”
The TV host expanded her presenting repertoire to Eurovision Song Contest co-host last year in Liverpool alongside Graham Norton, 61.
