Jem

Born Jemma Griffiths in Penarth, Wales, Jem attended the University of Sussex, earning a law degree, before entering the music business. Even before she finished her studies she was working as a DJ promoter in the nearby town of Brighton, promoting club nights and helping Adam Freeland - well known backbeat DJ and producer - set up his independent record company, Marine Parade Records. Jem began writing songs at the tender age of 13 but it was after university, in 1999, that she began to record after she put together a portable production studio where she would hone her songwriting and production talents.

She began moving around in order to work with various producers; in London she worked with Guy Sigsworth, then in Brooklyn she worked with Mos Def and Talib Kweli (as production team Ge-Ology), and in 2002 she met producer Yoad Nevo again in London. All these influences showed through on her 2004 debut album Finally Woken. The unique mix of pop melodies, rock riffs, electronica and hip-hop beats made the album difficult to place in a genre. Finally Woken eventually reached No.6 in the UK album charts. Currently Jem is working on her new album due out sometime in 2007.