A star is born: Jeremie Johnson.

Jeremie Johnson, a well-known performer from Dubai, is about to take on the global music scene.

Johnson, 20, earned big kudos in 2007 when he was placed second at a BBC talent show to promote original music. He is now recording his first album, working with British soul music producer Ray Hayden, known for producing tracks like Will Smith's 90's super hit Shake the Room and Martine Girault's soul classic Revival.

The Next Big Thing

The talented youngster entered BBC's Next Big Thing in 2007, a competition that scoured the world to find exciting new music. Twenty contestants were shortlisted and Johnson -- who represented Dubai -- took the first runner-up spot.

Johnson said he practically grew up on stage performing for various events in Dubai.

"I entered a competition called the Best of the Best in 2003 and won it. I guess from there I started going at it professionally," said Johnson. "During that time, I studied at Cambridge High School and this kind of turned me into an instant celebrity there. I performed at our sister schools."

Fusion sound

He grew up in Bur Dubai as an ordinary Dubai teenager: hanging out with friends at Jabal Al Noor Cafeteria and roller-skating at Mamzar Park until late.

"We used to hang out with guitars and had a full band. We used to play either at my house or a friend's house making a racket in the living room," he said.

His album is described as a fusion of influences of Arabic, Indian and Western music. "His music is raw and edgy, some of the tracks talk about Arabic and Indian cultural images described to a Western ear," said producer Hayden.

Johnson has been lauded by many critics for having a great singing falsetto.

"I liked it, and it surprised me that I liked it. It's a pleasure to see someone perform like that," said Tahita "Ty" Bulmer, the lead vocalist for British electro pop New Rave band, New Young Pony Club.

Copyright 2009 Al Nisr Media FZ LLC. All rights reserved.

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company