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Jem

Jem Singer/songwriter dubbed the new Dido

Born:
1976
Place of Birth:
Penarth
School:
Stanwell Comprehensive
Famous For:
Singer/songwriter dubbed the new Dido
Trivia:
Jem's brother and sister are members of the band Weapons of Mass Belief.
Biography:
The singer/songwriter dubbed the new Dido is repeating her American success in her home country.

Jemma Griffiths grew up in Penarth and began writing songs while a pupil at Stanwell Comprehensive School.

She began working in the music scene while a student at Sussex University in Brighton, albeit mainly in behind-the-scenes activities like club and festival promotion.

Jem headed back to Wales in November 1999 to record a string of demos, some of which were broadcast by Radio 1's Session in Wales programme.

Moving to London to boost her chances, Jem's collaborations included the song Nothing Falls with producer Guy Sigsworth.

The track was subsequently recorded by Madonna and appeared on the American Life album.

But Jem's career really took off in 2002 when a demo version of Finally Woken won rave reviews from DJs and listeners of Los Angeles station KCRW.

The ATO label signed her and released the EP It All Starts Here in autumn 2003 followed by the album Finally Woken in March 2004.

Having won fame in the States, Jem is now a star in her native UK as the album and single They both hit the Top Ten shortly after their release in spring 2005.

  • Read a full biography on the BBC Wales Music site

  • Moment of Glory:
    Co-writing the song Nothing Falls which was recorded by Madonna

    your comments

    robert trentham from birmingham
    Best singer I`ve heard in years and a babe.

    Daniel from Michigan, USA
    I'm wonder what is the meaning behind "24" - the song does not quite make sense. I think it's about dying?

    Erin from Latvia
    I think she is one of the best singers I can just sit back and chill to, also I can sing along to her. I love her and I really hope she will some day make it to Latvia - you know we are not far!

    Allison from Cardiff
    Sarah, you are a nasty piece of work. Jem is a pretty Welsh lass with talent. I love her song "They" - I play it all the time. Good luck for the future Jem and ignore these narrow minded folks who have no outlook on life!

    Philip M, Penarth
    I go to Stanwell, and I'm surprised that no-one in school seems to know that Jem did too. Her new album due out in early 2007, yeah?

    chantique in fremantle-perth
    i think jem is awesome, everythings going for her! her music body and her wicked album.........jem ROCKS!!! i first heard it at a friends house and went an brought the cd not long after...yeeeeeeew

    hannah t surrey
    i havent heard of her at all yet this is the first ppl are saying thjat her songs have meaningfull lyrics wot are they? does anyone know what the soryline of her music is if so write back. ps she look amazing for her age!

    dj ammon porth rhondda
    jems catchy classy quirky tunes are a relief from all the pop wannabee stuff on the radio, and shes made it in the US effortlessly! Shes a fantastic artist and has talent. Good luck to her.

    Maria from Pennsylvania, USA
    Yes, the song is good, and although a lot of people seem to think it is disturbing, the most disturbing thing of all is the lack of grammar in most of these comments. >.< That is worse then Jem stripping in space.

    Jessica in Hong Kong
    I love it...I first heard of Jem in my Music lesson. Her songs r soo cool...with so much meaning!

    Jennie, Newport
    I didn't realise she was nearly 30! According to the date of birth on thsi site! She looks so young!

    Gemma
    Simply if you do not like Jem then do not watch her videos, dont go to her concerts or listern to her music. But please give her the respect not to be nasty she is a wonderful woman and there are plenty of fans who love and adore her.

    kez
    i lov u Jem your the best! close followed by rachel stevens. do u know her if so tell me bout her if u know me remember i love you Jem bye

    Klaudia from Perú
    She soooooooo cute !!!!!!!

    Daniel...
    Sarah you don't want to go there,you know what"They"say:If you can't say anything nice it's best not to say anything at all.Keep that in mind.

    Daniel...
    TO Kit.What's your problem"They"is a great song,very smooth and the video clip,the"stripping"is a metaphore,it means eliberating your self from the restrings given by "them" and just be free to live out your life with no restraines.

    Gaz from Cardiff
    'The new Dido' - Maybe she should consider her own style, eh?

    Kit
    I heard her first single, 'They, and I thought okay, this has some meaning THEN I saw the video - what is THAT about?! She's singing about what is the world doing to us and how we're being used etc etc and there she is stripping in space! Oh the irony!

    Brian in Swansea
    Female singer-songwriters begin, and possibly peak, with Laura Nyro in the 60s. Forget Jem and her spotty belly, and listen to real class.

    Mazza, Penarth
    I went to St Cyres, but I won't hold that against her awesome voice.

    Paul, Cambridgeshire
    "Dido meets Evanescence". Wonderful album with a variety of styles that appeal to a wide age range. Best album for years. Looking forward to the next one.

    KC ~ Texas
    Did Jem sing a song that was played during a Felicity TV show in 2001?? If so, what is the name of the song?? Love Jem's album esp. Come on Closer and They! Please tell Sarah, who wrote hateful things, that she sould learn to spell before she criticizes people. Look forward to the next album.

    mervin cornwall truro
    i also think jems da best! her songs are really moving and effective, she is really wicked!. i liked er soo much i copied er hairstyle!

    Rachel, Liverpool
    Wow! This is my fav album ever atm! I love every single song on Finally Woken - they're all so fabulous - my fav is probs Finally Woken. I first heard Jem on ITV's Celebrity Love Island and I absolutely loved Wish I. I sang along to it every night :p. So I looked it up on the internet, found her album, loved it and bought it. Its all I've listened to for the past 2 weeks :p And Carl from Sheffield, me too, i love Dido, but i do find her songs a little depressing. I think Jem is so much better than Dido - her songs have a lovely upbeat feel to them - well, i spose i cant say that about all of them - 24 lol. But anyway i've been rambling so I think Jem has the most amazing voice, and I love her.

    Ash in Jersey
    georgous! an outstanding singer and the best thing since sliced bread .

    Jim from Nottingham
    Who is this fool? The girl is like some sort of valium-dosed, washed-up Redcoat without the excitement of a dubious sexual past- a fine example of the charisma vacuums we like in Britain today. And the music? Low-rent, tedious, soulless music for sentimental retards.

    Rachel in Penarth, near Cardiff
    I think Jem is an amazing singer who puts 100% into what she does. I go to Stanwell School where there are many many more talented people just like Jem

    Jenny
    Jem's voice is amazing and Sarah is so wrong! She's stunning and she went to my school!

    West Ham from United hoolies
    mate she is da hottest chic in da world. marry me jem!! west ham united rules OK!

    Sarah
    Oh my God, when I saw her on TV I was shocked that even the most scary monster can be more beautiful then her, and her voice - nightmare - typical voice for death, only dead people can love it. Jem sings about unhappiness to make people that are unhappy buy her album and she makes on this money - SHAME! People wake up and realise - she does not look like a superstar but she looks unsexy and dirty in her look and singing. Wake up people and don't let her become rich on you!

    sheena harris, new zealand
    Awsome new song....:P

    samantha McCarthy
    very good singer n shes from wales

    Philippe, France
    J'ADORE !!!! I simply LOVE it. It's great.

    Attila from Slovakia
    I first heard Jem on BBC and I was very impressed. Unfortunately I haven't heard her songs here in Slovakia yet. I recommend Jem to everyone and hope it will be in top 10 soon in Slovakia too :-)

    Felicity Woods from Hastings, England
    I think Jem is really cool, pretty and good at singing. I've got her album and I think it's great! All my mates at castledown school think she's great too!

    John, West Midlands
    Just a Ride is a perfect feelgood anthem.

    Barry from Limerick, Ireland.
    Brillant singer. Brillant album. absolutely gorgeous. Jus a ride is class.

    Warren, Cardiff
    Fit as hell need i say more!!!

    California, USA
    She is awesome! I love all her songs in "Finally Woken". I am touched by the lyrics.

    Joe from Alabama, US
    Are you kidding? I want to marry this one.

    John, Anglesey
    Her songs are amazing but I feel she should advertise on her CD that she's Welsh.

    laura
    i first heard jem on the radio singing "they" and thought it was wicked! then i was watchin celeb love island n i loved the song at der begining.i searched 4 ages on der internet 4 it n den found out it was jem. i then bought her album n loved it ! i was a bit upset dat jem didnt go 2 red dragon fm's party in the park because it where she's from !!

    Fiona M from Naas, Ireland
    I think she is great, I have her album it is a brilliant album one of the best I have. My favourite songs are "They" and "Wish I".

    Another Carl in Sheffield
    A friend recommened Jem's album to me. I've just had a listen and I think it's brilliant. A beautifull voice and brilliantly written songs. My first impresions was "Dido without the sadness" Great Album

    Sysar from Italy
    Jem was arrived now also in Italy, with Her song named "They".. She was a very good song-writher.. and she was also Nice ^.^

    Lauren, Staffs
    There isnt a song on her album i don't like. Shes fabulous!! My favourite song at the moment is Flying High.

    telford
    she's amazing. brilliant lyrics and a soothing voice to match. love it :D

    Dilia Butler from Paisley, Scotland
    Jem is just plain awesome!!! She has an incredible voice and fun, party beats to go along with her variety of lyrics. I absolutely love her!

    Carl in Port Talbot
    Jem has had a great success in the US charts with a Number 1 album, a guest part in the well known US show The OC and has also writen a song for Madonna.

    Penarth Life

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