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 K-Gee and Michelle Escoffery
Updated 30 June 2001
Producer-turned-singer K-Gee and Michelle Escoffery were Trevor Nelson's guests on the R&B Chart show live from Macronissos Beach on Saturday afternoon, performing their forthcoming single, 'Stay True'. We managed to drag them off the beach straight after their performance, for a quick chat about their music, and what they think of Ayia Napa.
K-Gee
How did your performance go?
It was quite scary actually, because I'm used to being in the studio most of the time. It's all pretty new to me, going on stage, and I always think I'm going to forget the words because there's a hundred things running through my mind. I think it went well though. The crowd was quite receptive, but most of them are out of it on drink, just chilling. There's lots of topless women out there as well, which is nice! The view was good from the stage!
Why did you choose to work with Michelle?
I've known her for about ten years, and I produced a track for her old group, Truce, 'Eyes Don't Lie', which went Top 20. Since then, we wrote another song together, 'Days Like That', which Fierce covered - actually, it just went No.1 in Canada for 5 weeks, for the Canadian Popstars! We've always had a good working relationship, so it made sense when I was doing the album for her to feature on most of the stuff.
What made you decide to move away from studio work into performing yourself?
I kind of toyed with the idea a little bit, and then I thought about making an album, but my initial thing was that it was going to be my album featuring other people, but the record company suggested I do the vocals myself, and I got really into it. It's been really good so far. Some people are wondering what my album's gonna be like, because I've done some many projects - All Saints, Lisa Roxanne, Carl Thomas, loads of different people. Basically it's just me having fun in the studio.
Do you enjoy the performance side of it now?
I'm getting used to it. I don't think I'm quite ready for a full show yet. I'll have to build up my confidence a bit. I'm used to being in the studio and letting other people perform, so it's still a new thing for me. I used to be in a rap group before, but I was always the DJ, so I didn't have to say anything. It's quite a daunting task!
 How many times have you been to Ayia Napa?
This is my fourth time, so I'm an Ayia Napa veteran. I've been here for the last three years.
Has it changed much during that time?
To be honest with you, I haven't really noticed a change. I came when it was relatively hot anyway, and a lot of people were coming. I always go to the hip hop clubs first, but after a couple of drinks, I always end up in the garage clubs! It's not like Ibiza, house in every single club - here there's a diverse mix of people, different races, different cultures and different music, not only garage, which is nice.
What are your favourite Napa clubs?
I really like Black and White - they've got really good r&b and hip hop nights there. Last night I went to P'zazz, which has a few good nights. There's a new club that I'm going to be DJing at next month called Abyss, which I'm going to go to tonight for The Dreem Teem. I feel much more comfortable behind the decks than on the stage, trust me.
How long do you think Ayia Napa will remain a popular club scene?
I think that it'll carry on, but the music might change a bit. With somewhere like Ibiza, house and dance music has been around forever and is always going to be around, but it seems like with garage, it's a new music, this is a new place, and it's hot right now, but if garage dies down, there'll always be hip hop and other music that'll take its place, so I think it'll always carry on for people who want to have a good time.
What else are you up to right now?
I've just finished some of Lisa Roxanne's album and I've actually produced and co-written her next single, 'Ex-Boyfriend'. I should be working on Shaznay's new album when I get back, and there's a few little bits and bobs in the pipeline, which I'm going to keep to myself, cause I've got a habit of jinxing myself! My single, 'Stay True', comes out on 30th July, and then after that I've got a single called 'Worldwide', which is a kind of hybrid of hip hop, two-step and Miami Bass!
Michelle Escoffery
 How did you enjoy the show?
It was great. Everyone was really laid-back, just taking in the sunshine. It was cool - we got a good response. You could see in the crowd that people knew the song, so I was pleased with that.
How did you hook up with K-Gee?
I've been working with K-Gee a little while now. We have the same management, and I've known him for about ten years. We always knew the same people on the scene. He really likes hip hop and I'm into r&b, so we'd have these little tiffs about which r&b or hip hop, but he's come round to my way of thinking now. We appreciate what each other do, and he kind of roped me in on his album. We've been on a school tour around the UK over the past couple of weeks and it's been brilliant.
What else are you up to right now?
I'm still working with Mark Hill from Artful Dodger. I'm about to fly out to the States next month, to work with him out there on some US artists. I'm also working with a few artists in the UK. I can't mention names at the moment, but they're major artists!
Any plans for a solo album?
If the right deal comes along, I'd definitely consider it. But right now I'm just enjoying myself, featuring on other people's stuff in the studio, working on vocal production, writing and arrangement. I'm having a blast.
How many times have you been to Ayia Napa?
This is my first time. I'm a Napa virgin! We came in yesterday and raved all night last night, and it was an absolute blast. We went to Black & White, P'zazz, Marinella's and The Castle Club. We staggered in this morning! There's a lot of r&b and a lot of mixtures of cultures, and everyone just gets on with, so I like that. We're scheduled to come back in August to do some PA's and possibly shoot a video for K-Gee's next single, 'Worldwide'.
What are you up to tonight?
I'm not really sure yet, but wherever the happening place will be, we'll be there!
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