Blazin’ Squad burst onto the music scene in the early 2000s, dominating the charts with six top 10 hits, including their iconic cover of “Crossroads.”

However, the journey from stardom to everyday life took different paths for the 10-member hip-hop group.

While some stayed in the music industry, others found unexpected new careers. Let’s take a look at where they are now.

The Rise and Fall of Blazin’ Squad

The group released their debut album In The Beginning in 2002, followed by Now Or Never in 2003.

Despite early success, their momentum stalled due to poor sales, preventing a third album from materializing.

By 2005, Blazin’ Squad began to splinter. Some members, including Strider, Flava, and Kenzie, signed a separate record deal, while Rocky-B, Reepa, Spike-E, and Melo-D continued under the Blazin’ Squad name as a four-piece.

In 2009, Kenzie reunited with the group to release a Greatest Hits album, but the band ultimately faded from the spotlight.

Career Transformations: Where Are They Now?

From Window Fitter to Wi-Fi Engineer – Chris McKeckney (Melo-D)

Chris McKeckney, better known as Melo-D, still occasionally performs with the band during reunion gigs.

However, his post-Blazin’ Squad career took a surprising turn.

He initially worked as a window fitter and even launched his own business, Stronghold Glazing Ltd, in 2017.

Unfortunately, the venture was short-lived, closing within a year.

Undeterred, Chris pivoted into a new field and found stability as a Field Services Engineer for Virgin Media, a role he has held since 2017.

Songwriting Success – Mustafa Omer (Strider) and James Murray (Flava)

Unlike some of their former bandmates, Mustafa Omer and James Murray remained in the music industry.

The duo formed the songwriting and production team Mojam and went on to work with major artists, including Emeli Sandé, Leona Lewis, and Professor Green.

Their biggest achievement came when they co-wrote Sam Smith and Naughty Boy’s hit single La La La, which became one of the UK’s best-selling singles in 2013 and gained international recognition.

From Rapper to Net Zero Manager – Sam Foulkes (Spike-E)

Sam Foulkes, also known as Spike-E, hasn’t left his musical past behind completely, as he still performs at occasional Blazin’ Squad reunions.

However, his day job is now in sustainability.

He began working as a Document Controller for MTT Limited in 2014 before transitioning into the green energy sector in 2016.

Today, he serves as a Document Control Manager for Vital Energi Utilities Ltd, a company focused on Net Zero carbon initiatives.

His LinkedIn profile highlights his expertise in the construction and energy industries.

Reality TV Fame – Marcel Somerville (Rocky B) and James McKenzie (Kenzie)

Marcel Somerville, better known as Rocky B, reignited interest in Blazin’ Squad when he joined Love Island in 2017.

Gaining a reputation as the villa’s go-to dating expert, he capitalized on his fame by writing Dr. Marcel’s Little Book of Big Love.

However, his career took a hit when allegations surfaced about his infidelity, costing him a planned role on Celebs Go Dating.

Marcel made a brief return to reality TV in 2025, appearing on Love Island: All Stars, but his run was short-lived, as he was eliminated after just over a week.

James McKenzie, aka Kenzie, also enjoyed a stint in reality TV.

At just 19, he finished as the runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother, gaining further media attention when he dated glamour model Jodie Marsh.

Over the years, he made appearances on The Weakest Link, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and Celebrity Juice.

In 2014, he joined The Big Reunion, forming part of the supergroup 5th Story alongside other nostalgic pop acts.

What’s Next for Blazin’ Squad?

While Blazin’ Squad may no longer dominate the charts, its members have successfully carved out new paths in various industries.

Whether through reality TV, music production, sustainability, or engineering, they continue to make their mark in different ways.

With occasional reunions still drawing nostalgic fans, who knows—maybe another comeback is on the horizon.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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