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The Voice highlights the names of those set to illuminate the new year

TRYING TO predict who will be making all the headlines this year is nigh on impossible. But using a highly intelligent process of deduction (identifying who did well this year) The Voice has picked out a few names we believe will be the most talked about in 2009.

If we’ve left someone out we’re eternally sorry, the page was only so big!

James Degale: The Beijing Olympic gold medallist is tipped for greatness and will be a busy boy this year. Having signed up with promoter Frank Warren, the north west London boxer is in the right stable to make decent headway towards his ultimate goal of a world title. The brash youngster has already warned us he will not disappoint his legion of fans by doing an ‘Audley Harrison’ by flopping in the pro ranks; his destiny is quite literally in his own hands.

Giggs: The controversial London rapper burst on to the scene last year with his album Walk In Da Park and duly won a hotly contested BET award. The public still knows very little about the artists formerly known as Hollow Man but if his ‘Ard Bodied lyrics are anything to go by then there is every chance we will be seeing and hearing a lot more from him.

Usain Bolt: We’ll definitely be seeing more of this man in 2009, but only just! The Jamaican broke the 100m and 200m records at last year’s Olympic Games and if you didn’t catch the slow motion replay you would have missed it, along with his now infamous celebrations. It’s hard to see who will beat him this year. The BBC International Sports Personality of the Year says he is going to be even better than before, so more world records then eh?!

Barack Obama: The big man of world politics is set to encounter a rollercoaster as he settles down to work in his new office. The state of the world (for which the US president is always attributed responsibility) needs urgently addressing but few would doubt Obama’s ability to shoulder the burden of responsibility.

Movado: Most didn’t believe that this Jamaican artist would get through 2008 let alone go onto prosper in 2009. However, hit after hit has ensured that Movado’s stock has risen through the roof and there are few artists - especially in the world of bashment and dancehall - who bring the fire like the Gullyside king.

Catch 22 founder Tokunbo Ajasa-Oluwa: A young man with a vision and a dream to assist aspiring journalistic talent along their way, Tokunbo has laid the foundations of a business model which will service hundreds of wannabe writers. With an unswerving emphasis on quality operations Catch 22 is about giving opportunities to those who are not fortunate enough to encounter them in their day to day activities.

Paul Ince: Whether it is as boss of Blackburn or another football club, Paul Ince’s foray into the world of management has inspired a generation. The epitome of determination and desire Ince will undoubtedly be a name to watch out for in 2009 and beyond.

Chyna Soulstar: Watch Out For Chyna Soulstar formally known, as Chyna from Northstar is no new kid on the block but her music is definitely fresh and vibrant making her a cut above the rest. Apart from her exotic Caribbean looks, this hot stepper is lyrically intelligent composing all her own material and if that’s not enough she can work-up a storm while dancing on stage. The North Londoner has got more on her mind than the usual mind boggingly superficial bling bling lifestyle, which usually goes hand-in-hand with rap, hip-hop, and grime. Predicting that her single Lord Save My Soul produced by Curtis Lynch Jnr will blow the airwaves, Chyna Soulstar is definitely one to look out for in 2009. Lord Save My Soul and her long awaited mix tape Chynese Whispers is due out early 2009. To find out more log onto: www.myspace/chynanstar.com

Ruthless P: Is the mix-tape distribution king. Ruthless has his fingers in so many underground pies that there is no holding this young entrepreneur back. In short there are a number of up and coming rap stars, grime artists and general entertainment based individuals and collectives who owe their notoriety to the hard working east Londoner’s unrelenting endeavour in getting their music heard.

David McQueen is a speaker, TV presenter and entrepreneur. He is the Founder of Milestone Unlimited who helps young people prepare for the world of work and also helps adults to enjoy and manage the work they love. Milestone Unlimited works through a number of media including seminars, TV shows, pod casts and the written word.

Nathan John is the Managing Director & Founder of Youth Enlightenment Ltd (Y-E-L) and is the Presenter & Producer of On.Point – The TV Youth Chat Show. He is a 25 year old Minister from London, married with three kids who has devoted his life to working with young people. Nathan is also successful outside of his youth related work. He has six years experience working in London for various leading financial institutions.

His professional career started at US Bank: Bank One where he was a trainee accountant, he went on to work for Top 4 Accountancy Firm: Ernst & Young LLP, the Largest Bank in the World: Citigroup and UK Bank: RBS. Nathan has 10 GCSEs, 3 A’ levels and is ACCA (The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) part qualified.

Baroness Scotland: The term movers and shakers aptly applies to Scotland and with rumours of an impending move to the White House rife, can there be any surprise? The first black woman to become a Queens Counsel member and last year appointed chief legal adviser to the Government, Scotland will be a name to watch out for throughout and way beyond the end of 2009.

Simeon Williamson: There are a clutch of athletes who can one day challenge the dominance of Usain Bolt and one of them is our very own Simeon Williamson. A lacklustre showing in Beijing was the wake up call he needed and since the dismal showing Britain’s second best 100m sprinter in 2008 has jetted off to Jamaica to see at close quarters just what separates the men from the boys. An undeniable talent; the world is his oyster.

Leslie Sackey: Despite the fact they risk their lives every time they enter a ring female boxers still don’t seem to get the plaudits that they deserve. Leslie Sackey may not look like your typical pugilist but her talent is undeniable. This year could be the defining year for Sackey. The British fighter is determined to make people sit up and take note. Watch this space!

Levi Roots: The man can do no wrong. Everything Levi touches seems to turn to gold and his sauces are fast becoming the finishing touch no one can do without. Levi’s success is the stuff dreams are made of but you would be a fool to believe the dream ends at the launch of his Caribbean style condiments.

Alexandra Burke: Who would have believed that Britain would vote for another woman of colour to win the X Factor? Let’s be honest Alex has more character than Leona and with such an endearing persona, the sky truly is the limit for this young lady.

YolanDa Brown: Without a shadow of a doubt YolanDa is the sexiest saxophonist in town! She is a true master of her trade. If you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing the east Londoner in action her next gig is on Valentines Day. A true star in the making, one of her standout traits is her humility. She will try and fly below the radar such is her nature but there’s a good chance 2009 will see her soar even higher.

Natasha Faith and Semhal Zemikael: These two young ladies from East London are CEO’s of jewellery line “La Diosa” meaning Goddess in Spanish. The 22-year-olds also design the jewellery themselves and have proved such a hit that their jewellery collection consistently sells out in upmarket department store Harvey Nichols. Their business skills have not gone unnoticed and they recently won the award for Entrepreneur of the Year and their jewellery has graced the magazine pages of Glamour, Look and even the website of fashion bible Vogue.

Sylvain Ebanks-Blake: If you don’t know this name by now then this is the year when you will find out about him. Wolves striker Ebanks-Blake started his professional career at Manchester United as a youth team player. Having already bagged 14 goals this season the former Plymouth player is odds on to finish the year as one of the leagues top scorers.

Lewis Hamilton: No list would be complete without the Stevenage born racer bringing up the rear. Unlucky not to end his successful season with the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, it’s pretty much a given that Lewis Hamilton, barring injury, will be there or thereabouts when the 2009 Formula One championship is being decided this year. The boy came of age when he lifted the title last season, what he could potentially achieve as the man to beat makes the wait for that first race in Australia later this year all the more exciting.

Published: 05 January 2009
Issue: 1353

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