1 Let's start from the beginning - how did you break into the entertainment industry?

Gary: My first job was when I did a Cadbury's Diary Milk advertisment at the of age nine with Cilla Black!!!

TJ: I played Fizzy in a London stage version of Bugsy Malone

Je: I grew up in South Africa, and I won a singing competition in 1993 in Johannesburg. As a group: Our first gig as a band was when we performed at the War child charity gig at the New Connaght Rooms Covent Garden, London, England

2. We hear you have all performed in West End stage shows- tell us about that.

G: We've all done a lot of stage work as we all initially trained as dancers / singers at various Stage Schools. I'm in the West End production of Lion King still now (as was Je) so I never stop! It's hard to concentrate on both at once, but I'm determined.

3. Which do you prefer then - performing in a band or in a stage show?

J: They are so different- the buzz with doing our own thing as Dekoi is there's more freedom to explore our own talent….

G: As much as we love stage work, now the music is coming from us as opposed other people- it's good to be able to sing our own songs rather than what we are told to sing as part of a cast. T: We are unrestricted, its our buzz!

4. We hear one of you has danced with Kylie Minogue- what was she like to work with?

TJ: Yes it was me- I toured with Kylie as a backing dancer and I'm still doing shows with her when needed. As you can imagine, it's always a pleasure, never a chore! She's a fantastic lady; such a cool job!

5. Seeing as you are dancers, will choreography be an important part of any PA's you devise?

It will certainly be an element of the whole live performance but not the main focus. Obviously we want to show off all our talents, but the most important thing has to be the singing.

6. Where does you inspiration come from as group?

G: We all come from families and were brought up on the sounds of some of the greats… we love and admire good vocalists across the board from Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin. George Benson, and Bob Marley, through to current artists like Donnell Jones, Jodeci + Dr. Dre. Garage wise acts such as Architects and MJ Cole shine.

7. You've been labelled as 'the male Misteeq' - how do you feel about that?

G: Its flattering to be compared to a group who are doing so well!

T: Yeah, Misteeq have got it going on. Although I think we're more all round performers with the backgrounds we've come from.

J: If a major label came along and gave us a real cash injection, then you would see us shine like Misteeq. We have the ammunition to sit amongst all the major players in the business, and obviously commercial success is our dream.

8. How would you describe your sound and your image?

G: Versatile. Our sound encompasses UKG, R&B and Breakbeat. Obviously there's a vocal emphasis, with strong sounding beats no matter what genre.

J: Urban, something for the clubs, something for radio, something for your headphones. We are us, we've got talent, we aim to entertain and bring good music to the masses.

T: As for our image, we are coming from different angle than most because of our experience, which will make us stand out.

9. What styles of music are you into yourselves?

All: Anything urban really… we've been out raving since the beginnings! We love clubbing… we like to keep tabs on what's going on in the scene.

10. Who are you feeling on the UK Scene right now?

G: There's a lot out there but apart from Craig David with the first album, nothing has really stood out, so now we want to fill that gap!

J: Miss Dynamite has real star quality and Shaun Escoffery should be pushed more- he is an outstanding vocalist

11. Do you think UK urban music has anything distinct from the US scene to offer?

J: Yes we have a different sound that encompasses elements of US R&B but has an British edge, a more raw sound if you like. It was the same when US garage became it's own UK garage genre.

G: Vocally I think we're a little different too.

12. What can we expect from Dekoi in the future?

All: We are all round entertainers- dancers, singers and actors- we have no limitations. Expect No.1 hits and something to talk about!

13. Tell us about your debut single 'Naughty Naughty?

G: It's being promo'd at the moment… it's a double A side called 'Naughty Naughty' a real latino sounding vocal 2 step garage track, and the B side is called 'Mashdats**tup' and shows us at the other end of the market with tougher beats and us mc'ing on it. It's been getting a lot of support from the few we've sent out and people like EZ, Matt Jam Lamont, CK Flash, and Kenny Alan have all been playing it hard…. Look out for it!

14. Any shouts?

Yeah, to Eamonn and Iyare and all the Soul Of London crew - thanks for believing in us… and to all our supporters, past present and future!

Interview conducted by Jodie Stewart, London, England

All rights of the text and the images belong to Carl Brown, Ipswich, England, Jodie Stewart, London, England and DEKOI, London, England
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