Artist
Friday Hill
Why we feature this artist A smaller group finds a different kind of pop Friday Hill gave three familiar performers a chance to reshape their musical identity. Kenzie, James and Mus had already worked together in Blazin' Squad; Baby Goodbye introduced a more c…
- From
- United Kingdom
- Sound
- Pop, hip-hop
Start with the music
Tracks to explore
The artist, in context
The story of Friday Hill
Why we feature this artist
A smaller group finds a different kind of pop
Friday Hill gave three familiar performers a chance to reshape their musical identity. Kenzie, James and Mus had already worked together in Blazin' Squad; Baby Goodbye introduced a more compact group, with room for a sung refrain, a conversational rap and a different balance between the two.
After Blazin' Squad
The trio formed after Blazin' Squad's 2005 split. Kenzie's own representation identifies the Friday Hill members as the former MC Kenzie, MC Flava and MC Strider, now appearing as Kenzie, James and Mus. The connection explains the experience they brought into the project, but the new name also marked a separate recording chapter.
Baby Goodbye became that chapter's opening single in autumn 2005, reaching number five in Britain. It is a useful record for hearing the transition. The emotional premise gives the performers something to pass between singing and rap, allowing the different deliveries to belong to one song rather than separate sections assembled only for variety. The smaller line-up also makes each contribution easier to distinguish.
Times Like These
One More Night Alone followed early in 2006 and reached number thirteen. The album Times Like These arrived soon afterwards, giving the two singles a longer setting. These releases document a group exploring how far its existing audience might follow a change of sound and scale. The chart figures show an immediate response to the first single, although the album had a much shorter chart life. They do not describe everything the records were attempting. Friday Hill's most interesting feature is the arrangement of three voices within a more song-led format: a refrain can carry the broad feeling while a rap passage supplies a closer, more specific turn of phrase. Baby Goodbye remains the clearest example of that approach. Its farewell is presented as an exchange, with the group identity built through the way the performers take over from one another.
Essential releases
Baby Goodbye
The trio's first single reached number five and introduced its separate recording identity.
One More Night Alone
The follow-up continues the balance between melodic pop and the performers' earlier rap experience.
Times Like These
The album places the two singles within a fuller programme from the three-piece group.