Can models make the leap to a career in the music industry? We survey the work of musical models from those who were lame to those who found fame with their vocal chords.
Naomi Campbell
Supermodel Naomi Campbell’s first foray into music was when she teamed up with Michael Jackson for the video to his track In the Closet. Campbell’s vocals were recorded for the video replacing those of Princess of Stephanie of Monaco who featured on the CD version. Campbell released her one and only album Baby Woman in 1994. Despite an amazing list of collaborators including Bomb the Bass, PM Dawn, Gavin Friday and acclaimed producer Youth, the album was a total failure.
Nick Scotti
Male model Nick Scotti caught Madonna’s attention back in the early ’90s and she gave him a tune from the studio floor. Get Over was originally recorded for The Immaculate Collection, but didn’t make the cut. Despite having Shep Pettibone, who produced Madonna’s mega-hit Vogue in the producer’s chair and Madonna on backing vocals, Scotti’s debut album sank without a trace. He gained some attention a few years later in uber-queer film Kiss Me Guido.
Kate Moss
Kate Moss has regularly ventured into the recording world. Moss’ musical stints include playing tambourine on Oasis’ album Be Here Now, singing backing vocals on Primal Scream’s cover of Some Velvet Morning and The Lemonheads’ You’re a Dirty Robot. While Kate was dating Babyshambles lead singer Pete Doherty she co-wrote four tunes for the bands second album. Earlier this year Moss married Jamie Hince, lead singer of The Kills, so far she hasn’t appeared on any of their records.
Vanessa Paradis
Vanessa Paradis is a model, actress and singer who first came to the world’s attention when she had a hit in Europe with Joe Le Taxi when she was fourteen. Paradis has recorded five albums of French pop and one brilliant English language album. In 1992 she teamed up with rocker Lenny Kravitz for an album of ’60s inspired tunes. It’s been suggested that Paradis is the woman on the front of Kravitz’s Are You Going to Go My Way album. These two albums make perfect listening companions.
Carla Bruni
Supermodel and wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy has had a successful musical career releasing three popular folk influenced albums in Europe. Many of the tracks from her debut album Quelqu’un m’a dit were picked up for use in television shows and film soundtracks. Bruni’s recodings often set the words of famous poets to music. Since marrying Sarkozy the profits from her recordings have been donated to charity. Bruni’s most recent recording is a cover of David Bowie’s Absolute Beginners for the charity War Child.
IN THE CRATE: Feminem the Future
Top 5 Cheesy POP songs
Hanson – “mmmBOP
Unique II – Break My Stride
Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Aqua – Barbie Girl
Madonna – Vogue
Top 5 Current POP Songs
David Guetta & Jennifer Hudson – Night Of Your Life
Rihanna – Cheers (Drink To That)
Calvin Harris feat. Kelis – Bounce
Maroon 5 – Move Like Jagger
Jessica Mauboy – Inescapable
Fresh Tracks
Download these new tunes to your iPod
Paul Weller – Starlite (Drop Out Orchestra Remix) You would be forgiven for thinking this new track was a cover of some lost disco classic, brilliant.
Voltaire Twins – Animalia local electro duo return with a cool tune
Robert Owens – I’ll Be Your Friend (Claire Ripley Remix)Â house classic is updated for the dubstep generation
M83 – Midnight City French sonic wonders triumphant return
Florence and the Machine – What the Water Gave Me it’s an ethereal hymn like song that breaks into a rocking chant
Lady Gaga – You and I (Wild Beasts Remix) the little monsters will hate this and the indie kids will cry sell-out
Arthur Baker feat Jimmy Somerville – I Believe in Love solid dance floor pumper
Gotye – Somebody that I used to Know (Faux Pax Remix) Australia’s most popular song is put through an electronic blender, in a good way.
Graeme Watson
