Ur (Sumerian: ''Urim''; Sumerian Cuneiform: or ; Akkadian: ''Uru'') was an important city-state in ancient Sumer located at the site of modern Tell el-Muqayyar in Iraq's Dhi Qar Governorate. Once a coastal city near the mouth of the Euphrates on the Persian Gulf, Ur is now well inland, south of the Euphrates on its right bank, from Nasiriyah.

The city's patron deity was Nanna, the Sumerian moon god, and the name of the city is in origin derived from the god's name, being the classical Sumerian spelling of LAK-32.UNUG^KI, literally "the abode (UNUG) of Nanna (LAK-32)".

The site is marked by the ruins of the Great Ziggurat of Ur, which contained the shrine of Nanna, excavated in the 1930s. The temple was built in the 21st century BC (short chronology), during the reign of Ur-Nammu and was reconstructed in the 6th century BC by Nabonidus. The ruins cover an area of northwest to southeast by northeast to southwest and rise up to about above the present plain level.

History

Early history

Prehistory

Archaeologists have discovered evidence of an early occupation at Ur during the Ubaid period. These early levels were sealed off with a sterile deposit which was quickly interpreted as evidence for the Great Flood of the Bible by the excavators in the 1920s. However it is now understood that the South Mesopotamian plain was exposed to regular floods from the Euphrates and the Tigris and that it was subjected to heavy erosion from water and wind. The further occupation of Ur only becomes clear again during its florescence in the third millennium BC (although it must already have been a growing urban center during the fourth millennium). The third millennium BC is generally described as the Early Bronze Age of Mesopotamia, which ends approximately after the demise of the Third Dynasty of Ur.

Third millennium BC (Early Bronze Age)

left|thumb|Mesopotamia in the 3rd millennium BC. (Some cities are shown with French spellings, e.g. ''Ninive'' for Nineveh.)There are two main sources which inform scholars about the importance of Ur during the Early Bronze Age. The first is a large body of cuneiform documents, mostly from the empire of the so-called Third Dynasty of Ur at the very end of the third millennium. This was the most centralized bureaucratic state the world had yet known. Concerning the earlier centuries, the Sumerian King List provides a tentative political history of ancient Sumer.

The second source of information is archaeological work in modern Iraq. Although the early centuries (first half of the third millennium and earlier) are still poorly understood, the archaeological discoveries have shown unequivocally that Ur was a major urban center on the Mesopotamian plain. Especially the discovery of the Royal Tombs have confirmed its splendour. These tombs, which date to the Early Dynastic IIIa period (approximately in the 25th or 24th century BC), contained immense amounts of luxury items made out of precious metals, and semi-precious stones all of which would have had to been imported from long distances (Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, the Persian Gulf).

Archaeological research of the region has also contributed greatly to our understanding of the landscape and long-distance interactions that took place during these ancient times. We know that Ur was the most important port on the Persian Gulf, which extended much further inland than it does today. All the wealth which came to Mesopotamia by sea had to pass through Ur.

So far evidence for the earliest periods of the Early Bronze Age in Mesopotamia is very limited. That Ur was an important urban centre already then seems to be indicated by a type of cylinder seal called the City Seals. These seals contain a set of proto-cuneiform signs which appear to be writings or symbols of the name of city-states in ancient Sumer. Many of these seals were found in Ur, and the name of Ur is prominent on them.

The third dynasty was established when the king Ur-Nammu came to power, ruling between ca. 2047 BC and 2030 BC. During his rule, temples, including the ziggurat, were built, and agriculture was improved through irrigation. His code of laws, the ''Code of Ur-Nammu'' (a fragment was identified in Istanbul in 1952) is one of the oldest such documents known, preceding the code of Hammurabi by 300 years. He and his successor Shulgi were both deified during their reigns, and after his death he continued as a hero-figure: one of the surviving works of Sumerian literature describes the death of Ur-Nammu and his journey to the underworld. About that time, the houses in the city were two-storied villas with 13 or 14 rooms, with plastered interior walls.

Ur-Nammu was succeeded by Shulgi, the greatest king of the Third Dynasty of Ur who solidified the hegemony of Ur and reformed the empire into a highly centralized bureaucratic state. Shulgi ruled for a long time (at least 42 years) and deified himself halfway through his rule.

The Ur empire continued through the reigns of three more kings, Amar-Sin, Shu-Sin, and Ibbi-Sin. It fell around 1940 BC to the Elamites in the 24th regnal year of Ibbi-Sin, an event commemorated by the Lament for Ur.

According to one estimate, Ur was the largest city in the world from c. 2030 to 1980 BC. Its population was approximately 65,000.

Later Bronze Age

The city of Ur lost its political power after the demise of the Third Dynasty of Ur. Nevertheless its important position which kept on providing access to the Persian Gulf ensured the ongoing economical importance of the city during the second millennium BC. The splendour of the city, the might of the empire, the greatness of king Shulgi, and undoubtedly the efficient propaganda of the state endured throughout Mesopotamian history. Shulgi was a well known historical figure for at least another two thousand years, while historical narratives of the Mesopotamian societies kept names, events, and mythologies in remembrance.

Iron Age

In the 6th century BC there was new construction in Ur under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. The last Babylonian king, Nabonidus, improved the ziggurat. However the city started to decline from around 550 BC and was no longer inhabited after about 500 BC, perhaps owing to drought, changing river patterns, and the silting of the outlet to the Persian Gulf.

20th century

As of 1954, there was a railway station here. The Bagdad railroad line connected to Basra, to the south.

Biblical Ur

Ur is considered by many to be the city of Ur Kasdim mentioned in the Book of Genesis (Biblical Hebrew ) as the birthplace of the patriarch Abram (Abraham; Arabic: Ibrahim), traditionally believed to be sometime in the 2nd millennium BC.

Ur is mentioned four times in the Torah or Old Testament, with the distinction "of the Kasdim/Kasdin"—traditionally rendered in English as "Ur of the Chaldees". The Chaldeans were already settled in the vicinity by around 850 BC. The name is found in , , and . In ''Nehemiah'' 9:7, a single passage mentioning Ur is a paraphrase of ''Genesis.'' ()

The ''Book of Jubilees'' states that Ur was founded in 1688 ''Anno Mundi'' (year of the world) by 'Ur son of Kesed, presumably the offspring of Arphaxad, adding that in this same year wars began on Earth.

:"And 'Ur, the son of Kesed, built the city of 'Ara of the Chaldees, and called its name after his own name and the name of his father." (i.e., ''Ur Kesdim'') (Jubilees 11:3).

Ur in Islamic tradition

According to Islamic texts, the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) was thrown into the fire here. In the story, this fire of Nimrod was turned into water, saving the life of Ibrahim. While the Qur'an does not mention the king's name, Muslim commentators have assigned Nimrod as the king based on Jewish sources, namely the Book of Jasher (11:1 and 12:6).

Archaeology

In the 1625, the site was visited by Pietro della Valle, who recorded the presence of ancient bricks stamped with strange symbols, cemented together with bitumen, as well as inscribed pieces of black marble that appeared to be seals.

The site was first excavated in 1853 and 1854 by John George Taylor, British vice consul at Basra from 1851-1859. He worked on behalf of the British Museum. He had been instructed to do so by the Foreign Office. Taylor found clay cylinders in the four corners of the top stage of the ziggurat which bore an inscription of Nabonidus (''Nabuna`id''), the last king of Babylon (539 BC), closing with a prayer for his son Belshar-uzur (Bel-ŝarra-Uzur), the Belshazzar of the Book of Daniel. Evidence was found of prior restorations of the ziggurat by Ishme-Dagan of Isin and Shu-Sin of Ur, and by Kurigalzu, a Kassite king of Babylon in the 14th century BCE. Nebuchadnezzar also claims to have rebuilt the temple. Taylor further excavated an interesting Babylonian building, not far from the temple, part of an ancient Babylonian necropolis. All about the city he found abundant remains of burials of later periods. Apparently, in later times, owing to its sanctity, Ur became a favorite place of sepulchres, so that even after it had ceased to be inhabited, it continued to be used as a necropolis.

Typical of the era, his evacuations destroyed information and exposed the tell. Natives used the now loosened 4000 year old bricks and tile for construction for the next 75 years while the site lay unexplored.

After Taylor's time the site was visited by numerous travelers, almost all of whom have found ancient Babylonian remains, inscribed stones and the like, lying upon the surface. The site was considered rich in remains, and relatively easy to explore. After some soundings were made in 1918 by Reginald Campbell Thompson, H. R. Hill worked the site for one season for the British Museum in 1919, laying the groundwork for more extensive efforts to follow.

Excavations from 1922 to 1934 were funded by the British Museum and the University of Pennsylvania and led by the archaeologist Sir Charles Leonard Woolley. A total of about 1,850 burials were uncovered, including 16 that were described as "royal tombs" containing many valuable artifacts, including the Standard of Ur. Most of the royal tombs were dated to about 2600 BC. The finds included the unlooted tomb of a queen thought to be Queen Puabi—the name is known from a cylinder seal found in the tomb, although there were two other different and unnamed seals found in the tomb. Many other people had been buried with her, in a form of human sacrifice. Near the ziggurat were uncovered the temple E-nun-mah and buildings E-dub-lal-mah (built for a king), E-gi-par (residence of the high priestess) and E-hur-sag (a temple building). Outside the temple area, many houses used in everyday life were found. Excavations were also made below the royal tombs layer: a -thick layer of alluvial clay covered the remains of earlier habitation, including pottery from the Ubaid period, the first stage of settlement in southern Mesopotamia. Woolley later wrote many articles and books about the discoveries. One of Woolley's assistants on the site was the archaeologist Max Mallowan. The discoveries at the site reached the headlines in mainstream media in the world with the discoveries of the Royal Tombs. As a result the ruins of the ancient city attracted many visitors. One of these visitors was the already famous Agatha Christie who as a result of this visit became the wife of Max Mallowan.

Most of the treasures excavated at Ur are in the British Museum and the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. At the UPenn Museum the exhibition Iraq's Ancient Past, which includes many of the most famous pieces from the Royal Tombs, is expected to be open to visitors in late Spring 2011.

In 2009, an agreement was reached for a joint University of Pennsylvania and Iraqi team to resume archaeological work at the site of Ur.

Archaeological remains

Though some of the areas that were cleared during modern excavations have sanded over again, the Great Ziggurat is fully cleared and stands as the best-preserved and most visible landmark at the site. The famous Royal tombs, also called the Neo-Sumerian Mausolea, located about south-east of the Great Ziggurat in the corner of the wall that surrounds the city, are nearly totally cleared. Parts of the tomb area appear to be in need of structural consolidation or stabilization.

There are cuneiform (Sumerian writing) on many walls, some entirely covered in script stamped into the mud-bricks. The text is sometimes difficult to read, but it covers most surfaces. Modern graffiti has also found its way to the graves, usually in the form of names made with coloured pens (sometimes they are carved). The Great Ziggurat itself has far more graffiti, mostly lightly carved into the bricks. The graves are completely empty. A small number of the tombs are accessible. Most of them have been cordoned off. The whole site is covered with pottery debris, to the extent that it is virtually impossible to set foot anywhere without stepping on some. Some have colours and paintings on them. Some of the "mountains" of broken pottery are debris that has been removed from excavations. Pottery debris and human remains form many of the walls of the royal tombs area. It can only be speculated whether this is of ancient making or modern restoration, but it is a fact that they are, literally, filled up with pottery debris.

In May 2009, the United States Army returned the Ur site to the Iraqi authorities, who hope to develop it as a tourist destination.

Preservation

Since 2009, non-profit organization Global Heritage Fund (GHF) has been working to protect and preserve Ur against problems of erosion, neglect, inappropriate restoration, and war and conflict. GHF's stated goal for the project is to create an informed and scientifically-grounded Master Plan to guide the site’s long-term conservation and management, which will enable sustainability and can serve as a model for other sites’ stewardship.

See also

Cities of the ancient Near East

History of Iraq

History of Sumer

Lyres of Ur

Ram in a Thicket

Royal Game of Ur

Short chronology timeline

Standard of Ur

Imports to Ur

Notes

References

P. R. S. Morrey, Where Did They Bury the Kings of the IIIrd Dynasty of Ur?, Iraq, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 1–18, 1984

J. Oates, Ur and Eridu: The Prehistory, Iraq, vol. 22, pp. 32–50, 1960

C.J. Gadd, History and monuments of Ur, Chatto & Windus, 1929 (Dutton 1980 reprint: ISBN 0-405-08545-1)

Leonard Woolley, Ur Excavations V: The Ziggurat and Its Surroundings, Oxford University Press, 1927

Leonard Woolley, Ur excavations IV: The Early Periods, Oxford University Press, 1927

Leonard Woolley, Ur Excavations V: The Ziggurat and Its Surroundings, Oxford University Press, 1927

Leonard Woolley and M. E. L. Mallowan, Ur Excavations VII: The Old Babylonian Period, Oxford University Press, 1927

Leonard Woolley, Ur Excavations VIII: The Kassite Period, Oxford University Press, 1927

Leonard Woolley and M. E. L. Mallowan, Ur Excavations IX: The Neo-Babylonian and Persian Periods, Oxford University Press, 1927

External links

Explore some of the Royal Tombs Mesopotamia website from the British Museum

Treasures from the Royal Tombs of Ur

''Jewish Encyclopedia'': Ur

Woolley’s Ur Revisited, Richard L. Zettler, BAR 10:05, September/October 1984.

Ur Excavations of the University of Pennsylvania Museum

Ur Preservation Project by Global Heritage Fund

Explore Ur with Google Earth on Global Heritage Network

At Ur, Ritual Deaths That Were Anything but Serene on The New York Times

Category:Sumerian cities Category:Archaeological sites in Iraq Category:Ancient cities Category:Dhi Qar Governorate Category:Former populated places in Iraq

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Coordinates	33°55′31″N18°25′26″N
name	Mike Posner
background	solo_singer
birth name	Michael Robert Posner
birth date	February 12, 1988
birth place	Southfield, Michigan
origin	Detroit, Michigan, United States
genre	Dance, pop, hip hop
occupation	Singer, songwriter
years active	2009–present
label	J
associated acts	Big Sean, Lil Wayne
website	}}

Michael Robert "Mike" Posner (born February 12, 1988) is an American singer, songwriter, and producer. Posner released his debut album, ''31 Minutes to Takeoff'', on August 10, 2010. The album includes the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 Top 10 single "Cooler Than Me", his second single, "Please Don't Go", as well as his third single, "Bow Chicka Wow Wow" featuring Lil Wayne.

Early life and education

Posner was born and raised in Southfield, Michigan. His father, a Wayne County Prosecutor, is Jewish and his mother is Catholic. Posner attended and graduated from Groves High School and went on to attend Duke University. There, Posner was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and graduated in 2010 with a degree in sociology and a certificate in markets and management, with an overall GPA of 3.59.

Career

Working with Don Cannon and DJ Benzi, Posner released his second mixtape, ''A Matter of Time'' (the first mixtape being Reflections of a Lost Teen), from his dorm room at Duke University in March 2009. The mixtape was released under the name, "Mike Posner & the Brain Trust, the Brain Trust referring to Posner's supporters. In July 2009, Posner signed a deal with J Records (RCA/Sony). He chose to return to Duke after signing his record deal, and toured on the weekends while at the same time recording for his debut album. Posner's third mixtape ''One Foot Out the Door'', hosted by Clinton Sparks, was released on October 27, 2009. The mixtape was accompanied by a web series also entitled ''One Foot Out the Door'' which aired bi-weekly from September 30, 2009 until December 2009. During this time, he hired his manager, Daniel Weisman of Elitaste Inc., who also manages Wale.

''31 Minutes to Takeoff'', his debut album was released on August 10, 2010. The first single from the album, "Cooler Than Me", produced by Gigamesh, climbed the Billboard Hot 100 to reach No. 6 before going on to attain global success. He performed at Bonnaroo and the 2010 Warped Tour in the summer. A second single, "Please Don't Go", was issued on July 20, 2010.

Posner performed on national television for the first time on the talk show ''Last Call with Carson Daly'' on Tuesday, 27 October 2009. He also performed his song "Cooler Than Me" on ''America's Got Talent'' on July 28, 2010. He performed on ''Live with Regis and Kelly'' on August 3, and on ''Late Night with Jimmy Fallon'' on August 4. He performed "Cooler Than Me" on ''The Wendy Williams Show'' on August 5, 2010, and on ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' on August 9, 2010. Mike Posner has collaborated with artists like Lil Wayne, Bruno Mars, Wale, Big Sean, Bun B, We The Kings, Saigon, One Be Lo, Eric Holljes, and 3OH!3. On February 1, 2011 Posner released a radio mix of "Bow Chicka Wow Wow" which included a new verse from Lil Wayne. He performed his song Bow Chicka Wow Wow live on The Ellen Show on April 19, 2011.

He has also covered many popular songs, including Beyoncé's "Halo", Adele's "Rolling in the Deep", Coldplay's "The Scientist" and Kanye West's Heartless.

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Album details	Peak chartpositions
		! style="width:40px;"	! style="width:40px;"
2010		* Release date: August 16, 2010	J Records>J	8	32
2012		* Release date: TBD	J Records>J	-	-

Mixtapes

Year	Mixtape details	Peak chartpositions
		! style="width:40px;"	! style="width:40px;"
-		* Release date: -	* Label: -	-	-
2009		* Release date: March, 2009	* Label: -	-	-
2009		* Release date: October, 2009	* Label: -	-	-
2011		* Release date: TBD	* Label: -	-	-

Singles

Year	Title	Peak chart positions										! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"	Album
! style="width:30px;"	! style="width:30px;"	! style="width:30px;"	! style="width:30px;"	! style="width:30px;"	!style="width:30px;"	!style="width:30px;"	!style="width:30px;"	!style="width:30px;"	!style="width:30px;"
		6	3	5	3	4	22	11	21	5	4		Recording Industry Association of America>US: 2× Platinum	Australian Recording Industry Association>AUS: 3× Platinum	Canadian Recording Industry Association>CAN: Gold	Recording Industry Association of New Zealand>NZ: Platinum
style="text-align:left;"	16	9	23	19	51	40	—	—	194	—		Recording Industry Association of America>US: Platinum
		30	21	—	21	40	—	—	—	175	—
	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Music videos

! Year	! Video	! Director
	"Cooler Than Me"	Jason Beattie
"Please Don't Go"	BBGUN
2011	"Bow Chicka Wow Wow"	Shane

References

External links

Recording Institute of Detroit Home Page

Category:1988 births Category:American dance musicians Category:American hip hop musicians Category:American male singers Category:American people of Jewish descent Category:Duke University alumni Category:English-language singers Category:Hip hop singers Category:J Records artists Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Detroit, Michigan Category:People from Southfield, Michigan

da:Mike Posner de:Mike Posner et:Mike Posner fa:مایک پوزنر (نوازنده) fr:Mike Posner it:Mike Posner he:מייק פוזנר nl:Mike Posner pl:Mike Posner pt:Mike Posner ru:Познер, Майк th:ไมก์ พอสเนอร์

Coordinates	33°55′31″N18°25′26″N
name	Jessie J
background	solo_singer
birth name	Jessica Ellen Cornish
birth date	March 27, 1988
Birth place	Redbridge, London, UK
instrument	vocals
genre	Pop, R&B;, soul
occupation	Singer-songwriter
years active	2006–present
label	Lava, Universal Republic, Island
website
notable instruments	}}

Jessica Ellen Cornish (born on 27 March 1988), better known by her stage name Jessie J, is an English R&B; and soul recording artist who rose to fame after having written songs for many artists. She is currently signed to Island Records. She studied at the BRIT School for many years.

She first stepped into the spot light when she began writing songs for singers including Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus. One of her most successful songs which she co-wrote is Cyrus's song "Party in the U.S.A.", which gained platinum certification in many countries. In February 2011, Jessie J won a BRIT Award, Critics' Choice. She described her song-writing as "I'm half-artist, half-therapist".

She released her debut single "Do It Like a Dude", which peaked at number two on the UK Singles Charts. She said the she originally wrote the song for Rihanna but her label told her to keep the song for herself. Jessie J revealed that her follow-up single would be titled "Price Tag" which featured guest vocals from B.o.B. Upon its release the single went straight to number one on the UK Singles Charts, Irish Singles Chart and New Zealand Singles Charts, and hit the top 10 in 19 other countries. It remained number one in the UK for two consecutive weeks. She released her debut album, ''Who You Are''; it became one of the biggest selling albums in 2011, after the album sold over 600,000 records in the UK alone. It charted at number two on the UK Albums Chart.

Early life

Jessie J was born Jessica Ellen Cornish in Redbridge, London and was educated at Mayfield High School in the London Borough of Redbridge. She attended Colin's Performing Arts School and as an eleven year old was cast in Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End production of ''Whistle Down the Wind''. Cornish has two sisters, who are five and seven years older than her, who were both head girls at school.

Unlike her academic sisters, Cornish has stated she was "never really that good at anything". She said "At school they were like 'oh, you're a Cornish girl' and they kind of expected me to be the same as my sisters. Give me something to draw or an outfit to pick for someone, or hair, make-up, acting, write a song, I'm fine with it, but anything to do with sums – it was never my thing." She also said she never based her intelligence on her exam results. She also said she was always good at singing and it was her "thing." However, she got banished from the school choir, for being too loud. She stated "I was in it for a day and some of the adults were moaning that their kids were upset that I was too good. I was 11. Can you imagine? I was heartbroken."

At the age of 16 she began studying at the BRIT School, and joined a girl group at the age of 17, titled "Soul Deep".

Jessie J has had an irregular heartbeat since the age of 11, and suffered a minor stroke at the age of 18. As a result, she doesn't drink alcohol or smoke. Jessie said: "At 11 I was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. I had wires put in my shoulder, groin and heart to try and zap it to a normal rhythm, but it didn't really work. Then, at 18, I suffered a minor stroke. It was scary, but I'm fine now. Having bad health has made me realise I can't take anything for granted and I must look after my body." In early 2011, she suffered from a panic attack on stage, after she was forced to perform in the dark. "I did a gig recently and had a panic attack on stage," she told ''NOW''. "The night was called 'Black Out' and I had to perform in the dark. I asked them to turn on the lights and they didn't. I was onstage in pitch black and, because I couldn't see anything, I started to panic. It was awful."

Music career

2006–2009: Career beginnings

She was signed to Gut Records, recording an album for the label, but the company went bankrupt before any material was released. Jessie J then found success as a songwriter, gaining a Sony ATV publishing contract. She was also the support act for Cyndi Lauper during Lauper's UK dates of her 2008 Bring Ya To The Brink tour (Cyndi aslo went as far as inviting Jessie to join her on stage later for the performances of Girls Just Want To Have Fun). Jessie began her career when she started to pen lyrics for the artists such as Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus. The biggest single she wrote was the Miley Cyrus song "Party in the U.S.A.".

Jessie first came to the attention of Lava Records when her publisher at Sony/ATV, Rich Christina, sent Lava president Jason Flom a link to her Myspace page, which the record executive loved. After seeing an impressive U.S. showcase, Lava was, along with several other labels, keen to sign the artist but progress was hampered by her management's insistence on, what Flom called, a "crazy deal", and their refusal to let Jessie speak to any labels directly. Later in the year a change in management to Sarah Stennett and Nadia Khan of Crown Music allowed record deal negotiations to take place. Jessie eventually signed with Lava as part of a joint venture with Universal Republic.

2010–present: ''Who You Are''

She began recording her studio debut album, in 2006; On Twitter Jessie J confirmed that the album took six years to finish and complete and after six years, Jessie confirmed that the album was completely finished January, 19 2011. While the album was in process, she confirmed "Big White Room" would be included in the album. She revealed that this song was written when she was just 10 years old, in hospital, where a ward mate of hers, a little boy died. The album title track, "Who You Are" is one of Jessie J's proudest creations, saying the song is a "positive role model for young people" so she says; "I always say that I'm half-artist, half-therapist"

In late 2010, Jessie J released her first single, "Do It Like a Dude" which was co-written with George Astasio, Jason Pebworth, Jon Shave, Kyle Abrahams and Peter Ighile. Originally, she wrote the song with Rihanna in mind because "Rude Boy" was released at the time, partly inspiring the song. She then sent the song to her label, Island Records, before sending it to Rihanna's management. Island then insisted the song become Jessie J's first single, since they thought it was 'amazing'. She wishes to perform the song with Rihanna at one point. The single gained positive reception from critics. The single charted at number two on the UK Singles Charts, being held off the top-spot by Bruno Mars with "Grenade". Her follow-up single "Price Tag" was released in late January 2011. This was written by Jessie J herself, Lukasz Gottwald, Claude Kelly, Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. Upon the release of the single it went straight to the top of the charts charting at number one. It remained at number one for two weeks, however was knocked off the top spot by school friend, Adele with "Someone Like You". "Price Tag" was released in the United States on 1 February 2011. The single has since peaked at 23 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The single has since charted at number-one in New Zealand and Ireland. Her first American television appearance was as the musical guest on the 12 March 2011 episode of NBC's ''Saturday Night Live''.

On 25 February 2011, her debut album, ''Who You Are'', was released. Due to high demand and interest from fans for the album, the release date was pushed ahead by a month, from its original 28 March 2011 release date. The album first entered the charts on 6 March 2011 where it charted on the UK Album Charts at number two. The album charted into the top ten in a number of countries. However, the album missed the top ten by one place in April 2011, when it reached number 11 in the United States. With the success of ''Who You Are'' in North America, J went on tour as the opening act for fellow Capitol artist Katy Perry's ''California Dreams Tour'' in 2011. After the release she went on to release a third single from the album, "Nobody's Perfect" which she labelled the song as one of her favourite songs on the album. MTV reported that the single is, so far, only confirmed for release in the United Kingdom. Jessie J spoke about the song and said that "It's one of the most honest and raw songs on there... Every time I sing it I relive the moment that I wrote it about. I think it's important to expose your flaws in music as well as your positives. As it says, nobody's perfect. I'm definitely not!" At Glastonbury Festival 2011 Jessie J performed "Price Tag" with a young girl from the audience called Shae White. Shae is now lined up to appear at an audition of Britain's Got Talent after receiving wide praise from the press, including BBC Radio 2 presenter Jo Whiley.

On 10 August 2011, Jessie J revealed that her album's fourth single would be "Who's Laughing Now", which came the same day as the music video's release on the VEVO service. On 16 August 2011, she revealed on her official Twitter account that a song called "Domino" would serve as her second US single. The Dr. Luke-produced track was sent to mainstream radio on 6 September 2011. David Guetta reportedly held back the release of his fifth studio album album, ''Nothing but the Beat'' when a last minute collaboration offer came in from Jessie J. He said of the track that they collaborate on, "Repeat", "The album can't go without this track". Jessie J served as the house artist at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, performing several of her original songs along with covers around commercial breaks.

Personal life

Jessie J is openly bisexual.

On 12 June 2011 at the Capital Radio Summertime Ball, she ruptured several tendons in her foot during rehearsals, and performed her set the following day while sitting on a gilded throne. For her appearance at Glastonbury Festival 2011 on 25 June 2011, she performed on the throne again, claiming her physician had told her not to perform with her broken foot which would take six weeks to heal. Jessie J was scheduled to play at several festivals throughout the summer, however it was reported on 1 July 2011 that she would not be able to attend T in the Park, T4 On The Beach, Wembley:Orange, iTunes Festival, Lovebox and Oxegen due to the injuries to her foot. Jessie J personally tweeted before surgery; "Keep making nervous jokes with the doctor and he keeps looking at me blankly. Which is making me laugh even more. It's getting serious. I just took my nose stud out." Tweeting after the surgery, she wrote: "Can't keep tweeting. Still very dizzy and being sick. But I'm OK, I got through it." Her record label released an official statement on 30 June 2011 that under strict orders from her doctor, she will not be able to perform for a number of weeks so she can heal and recuperate properly. She returned to the concert circuit in late August, including sets at the V Festival and The Big Chill.

After weeks of speculation, Jessie J confirmed on 2 August 2011 that she would be shaving her hair off for charity in 2012. Speaking via her official Twitter account she said: “It’s hair, It will grow back. Even if it takes 2 years, if it saves lives it’s worth it. Even if its 1 life that’s something.”

Discography

''Who You Are'' (2011)

Awards and nominations

Year	Organisation	Award	Result
2010		Sound of 2011
	MTV Brand New 2011	Next Big Thing
2011 BRIT Awards	Critics' Choice
2011 Urban Music Awards	Artist of the Year
2011 Urban Music Awards	Best Album for ''Who You Are''
2011 Urban Music Awards	Best Female Artist
2011 Urban Music Awards	Best Single for "Nobody's Perfect"
2011 Glamour Awards	Woman of Tomorrow
2011 BT Digital Music Awards	Best Newcomer
2011 BT Digital Music Awards	Best Video for "Price Tag"
2011 BT Digital Music Awards	Best Female Artist
2011 BT Digital Music Awards	Best Song for "Price Tag"
2011 MOBO Awards	Best Newcomer
2011 MOBO Awards	Best Video for "Do It Like a Dude"
2011 MOBO Awards	Best UK Act
2011 MOBO Awards	Best Song for "Do It Like a Dude"
2011 MOBO Awards	Best Album for ''Who You Are''
2011 Capital FM Awards	Best Role Model In Pop

References

External links

Jessie J Videos

Jessie J Fan Site

Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:Bisexual musicians Category:British rhythm and blues singers Category:Electronica musicians Category:English female singers Category:English-language singers Category:LGBT musicians from the United Kingdom Category:LGBT people from England Category:People from Redbridge (district) Category:Singers from London Category:Stroke survivors

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Coordinates	33°55′31″N18°25′26″N
name	1200 Techniques
background	group_or_band
origin	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
genre	Hip hop
years active	1997–2005
label	Rubber/Sony
website	http://www.1200techniques.net
current members	DJ Peril: Turntablist, percussionNfamas (N'Fa Forster-Jones) : VocalsKemstar: Guitar
past members	Kabba }}

1200 Techniques were an Australian hip hop group. They formed in 1997 and released two LPs before going on hiatus in 2005.

Biography

The group was formed in 1997, starting out as DJ Peril and brothers Nfamas and Kabba, soon after Peril's brother Kemstar joined and together they wrote many of the tracks that appeared on the debut single "Hard As Hell" and the group's debut album ''Choose One''. DJ Peril & Kemstar's involvement in the hip hop scene dates back to the early 1980s as pre-teens. DJ Peril being a founding member of one of Melbourne's first ever hip hop crews The Island Boys, Peril also DJ'd in a number of different bands. In 1998, Kabba moved to England. Live shows by the group added a human drummer to the line-up.

Their 1998 song "Hard as Hell" received airplay on Triple J. 2001 saw the release of the ''Infinite Styles'' EP. Their debut album, ''Choose One'', was released in 2002 on Rubber Records (distributed by Sony Records). The first single from this album was "Karma", which reached the top 40 of the Australia ARIAnet singles chart—peaking at #36—and took the 2002 ARIA Award for Best Video and Best Independent Release. ''Choose One'' peaked at #20 on the Australian album chart.

Their 2004 release ''Consistency Theory'' included the singles "Eye of the Storm" and "Where Ur At?". The former received some airplay on mainstream radio, while the latter reached the top 40 singles chart, peaking at #35. Following the album's release, the group appeared at the Big Day Out festival in early 2004. ''Consistency Theory'' peaked at #38 on the album chart.

Solo careers

Nfamas and DJ Peril have branched out into solo careers. DJ Peril released a solo album, ''King of the Beats'', which includes the single "It's About to Blow", and "Rock Ya Baby" which features singer Rahsaan Patterson. DJ Peril is currently signed to the Street Elite record label. Nfamas also released a solo album as N'fa called ''Cause An Effect'' in 2006. Both of the album's video clips were directed by his friend Heath Ledger, the title track ''Cause An Effect'' and ''Seduction is Evil (She's Hot)''. Kemstar played guitar with the Australian supergroup The Jack (with members of You Am I, Grinspoon, The Living End, Spiderbait, and Sender) for the ''Thunderstruck'' soundtrack, performing on the songs "Crash & Burn" and "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)".

Discography

Albums

''Choose One'' (2002, Rubber Records) - #20 Australian album chart

''Consistency Theory'' (2004) - #38 Australian album chart

Singles and EPs

''Infinite Styles'' EP (2001)

"Karma" (2002) - #36 Australian singles chart

"Eye of the Storm" (2003) - #84 Australia

"Where Ur At" (2003) - #35 Australia

Fork in the Road (2004) - #55 Australia

DVDs

''One Time Live'' (2003)

External links

Official website

References

Category:Australian hip hop groups Category:ARIA Award winners Category:Melbourne techno