Hands up for May 7ven - the UK based r'n'b singer and amazing dancer is one to watch!

When we say May 7ven in action in the video below we couldn't wait to see where she got all her talent and how we can do the same!

Why May 7ven – what does it mean?
Well I was born on May 7th and I didn’t just want to call myself May Seven as people wouldn’t really get the significance – I thought if I added a number it would stand out. The 7th, the day I was born, was the most important day in my life and my lucky number so it made sense to jazz it up and put the 7 in there!

Can you reveal you real name?
No – I’ve been called May for so long that I don’t even remember my real name anymore! (giggles)

How does it feel to be breaking in to the industry?
It’s really overwhelming! Last week my video was number 7 on MTV – I didn’t even dream of getting on to MTV let alone being in the top ten above Mariah Carey at number eight. It’s fun!

What have you been up to in the build up to all this?
Last year we spent 6 months touring, going to different countries – I am so lucky in that respect, normally it happens the other way round. You release something and then go on tour but I have a really good team behind me, and a strong tour manager who has pushed me to do these great things, so I’ve been very busy building up to the release!

What did you do before this?
I did a lot of backing singing for people like Jamelia, Blu Cantrell, Wayne Marshall – as many people as I could find. So I’ve always tried to get involved in my passion for performing but my professional life I wanted to do design and I studied architecture and interior design. It’s a complete contrast but something else that I really enjoy doing.

What sort of music did you listen to when you were growing up?
I listened to everything, a real eclectic mix.  My mum likes Dolly Parton and real country and western music and gospel and my dad liked 70’s funk and people like Billy Ocean, Bobby Brown and Micheal Jackson. I also had aunties and uncles that lived in our house and everyone had different musical tastes and all of that has now infused to make May 7ven!

If you had a track to sum your life what would it be?
Every Step You Take by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans. Everything that I am doing at the moment is a journey for me so that fits nicely!

If you had to give up one thing would it be singing or dancing?
Oh, I couldn’t give up dancing, I couldn’t give up singing either! Neither!

When did you realise you could sing?
When I was about three years old! At Nursery school back in Nigeria where I was born the teacher asked if anyone could sing and I just started singing and the next thing my family knew I was on TV doing something for the nursery.

Charlie Chapin is one of May's influences

Did you dance then as well?
Yes definitely, as soon as I could walk I was dancing, I didn’t do anything professionally but I was always glued to the TV watching people on there dancing and picking up moves. I loved watching Michael Jackson, James Brown, Fred Estaire and even Charlie Chaplin! I’d watch their foot movements so that’s how it came about I just have my natural way! My aunt used to dance a lot too so she taught me!

Who are your influences?
In dance I’d say Michael Jackson and James Brown are my biggest influences. Any of the great dancers I love to watch – they are so seamless.
Vocally I listened to Whitney Houston, Faith Evans, Mary J Blige, Aretha Franklin and Ella Fitzgerald

What advice would you give?
I’d just say invest in your craft so if you want to sing and dance definitely practice! You can do it in your house, watching in the TV like me! Practising every single day is important too so that people take you serioulsy. Also don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve your goal or your dream!

Random Sugar questions:

Michael Jackson

Which celeb would you love to have in a music video with you?
Michael Jackson – I’d like to sing and he could dance!

What would your mastermind specialist subject be?
Architecture!

What does Mum nag you about?
Cleaning my room!

Who's your weirdest crush?
Corey Haim!

Which celeb would you like to switch lives with just for a day?
Janet Jackson

 

If you were an animal what would you be?
A tiger – they are powerful and sexy!

What's the best freebie you've ever blagged?
A car!

And what's your last word?
I'd say that everyone has to look out for my brand new single Hands Up and log on to MySpace  You should also write to me and I’ll reply! Especially if you want any advice!