Who are N-Dubz and where are Tulisa’s band mates Dappy and Fazer now?
AS TEENAGERS, N-Dubz took the UK by storm when they burst onto the scene in the late noughties.
Fast-forward over 15 years and band member Tulisa made her comeback by signing up to I’m A Celebrity. Here is what her pals Dappy and Fazer are up to now.
Born and bred in Camden Town, N-Dubz was formed when band members Tulisa, Dappy, and Fazer were just kids.
The group’s name comes from a play on the words of the hip-hop trios postcode, NW.
Prior to releasing their debut album Uncle B in 2008, the group enjoyed critical acclaim after they landed Best Newcomer at the MOBO Awards in 2007.
During their career, N-Dubz enjoyed two Top 10 albums and 12 UK Top 40s.
They also bagged the top spot with 2009 single called Number 1 alongside rapper Tinchy Stryder.
In 2011 they went on an indefinite hiatus following the release of a Greatest Hits album.
At the time the group insisted the break was only for a couple of years.
In 2017 Fazer insisted a reunion was imminent but nothing materialised.
He said at the time: “100%, that’s definitely going to come really soonish.
“Not right now, we’ve all got individual things we’re focusing on at the minute, but obviously it’s all about timing.”
“We’d been in the group since 11 and 12 years old, before we got our first break at like 21 years old, so for ten years of our life every single day.
“I was 26 at the time, we just thought it’s time to go on some holidays, spend time with friends and family and then we’ll bring it back.”
The band reunited in 2022, and have continued to tour ever since.
Dappy
Tulisa’s cousin Dappy, real name Costadinos Contostavlos, encouraged her to join the band with him.
In fact, she revealed on I’m A Celebrity how her uncle had paid her “fifty quid” to sing alongside her cousin.
Dappy was the brainchild behind a lot of their songs, and was the main writer in the band.
He became famous for his slightly unusual dress sense and his love of a big hats.
Shortly after the group went on pause, he ventured into the world of being a solo artist, and told The Sun at the time: “With my solo stuff, I really want to earn the respect of an older audience.
“I don’t think there’s any shame in trying to write music that will be recognised by people I admire.
“Bono. I have big goals. I want to have two number one singles back-to-back as a solo artist.”
In 2018, he released Oh My, featuring fellow British rapper Ay Em, followed by the singles All We Know, and Not Today in 2019.
Now living in Hertfordshire he is father to two sons, Milo and Gino, who he shares with his ex, Kaye Vassell.
Fazer
Known for being the more quieter member of the group, Fazer – real name Richard Rawson – met cousins Tulisa and Dappy while he was still at school.
When the band went on a hiatus in 2011, he continued to work in the music industry but switched to being more behind-the-scenes as a producer.
His career in this field has seen him work with some big names, including Jessie J and Rita Ora.
Fazer has also released his own solo material, which includes his single Tears, which was released in 2022.
The rapper previously said he has a dream of one day working in the film industry.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk, he said: “I really want to start looking to venture into doing movie soundtracks.
“I feel like I could do the next Avatar soundtrack!” He also told the online publication that his goal is to be “the next Hans Zimmer”.
Fazer has also been busy in his private life and, in April 2024, revealed he had become a dad for the fourth time with model girlfriend, Ashley Emma.
The pair have been dating since 2013, and also have a daughter who was born the same year they got together, and twins, who they welcomed in 2023.
Before he started dating Emma, he was in a relationship with Tulisa from mid-2010 until 2012.
It was reported at the time that they broke up during a holiday together.