JLS star Oritsé Williams has revealed he is launching a solo career that ‘brings him back to his roots’, ahead of the band’s summer reunion tour.
The former X Factor star, 37, said he has been working to create new songs which embrace both his African Caribbean culture and being from London.
Oritsé told The Sun on Thursday that while he continues to tour with JLS, he will also be dropping his own solo music in a matter of months.
The pop star is one of the members of JLS alongside Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes and JB Gill. The band reunited in 2021 after splitting up in 2013.
Talking about his new music venture, Oritsé revealed he had been in the studio with some ‘incredible’ collaborators, including an actor from the new film Bob Marley: One Love.
‘Last year I was top five in the black music charts with my record Showdown,’ Oritsé said. ‘The new music, I’ve got some incredible collaborators.’
He added: ‘To be honest, I’ve been going back to my roots, when you transition from a group to solo, people go “What are you going to do different?”
‘I’m going to be authentically myself, not that I wasn’t in my group. I enjoyed being in my group but this time there is no filters.’
Oritsé, who was in attendance at Wednesday’s MOBO Awards, went on to say that embracing his culture has made it easier for him to ‘write from my heart’.
When asked who he would like to make music with, Oritsé said stars Little Simz and Raye were top of his list.
‘I love how unapologetic Raye is but I love Little Simz,’ he said. ‘For me Little Simz is one of the greatest rappers that have ever come out of the UK – not just female, rappers… male or female.’
It comes after JLS drove fans wild in November when they announced a number of UK tour dates for summer 2024, all of which will be in open-air venues.
The announcement came as the band were touring their Everybody Say JLS: The Hits Tour in venues but huge demand made them add more dates for this year.
JB said: ‘Ah wow! The response to our “Everybody Say JLS – The Hits” tour has been so incredible from all our JLSters that it was a no brainer for us to announce summer dates for 2024!
‘We LOVE touring in the summer, especially as we get to meet fans in parts of the country that DON’T usually host us in the arenas.
‘It’s been a while too – another UK summer road trip with your boys?! Dare you to name anything more exciting than that!’
Announcing the news on Twitter, the band account wrote: ‘Your energy on this tour has been off the charts so far… And we’re doing it all over again next year, but this time outdoors!’
Fans were left reeling at the chance to see the Beat Again singers live in concert once more.
One fan said on Twitter: ‘Omg this just gave me goosebumps!’ while another added: ‘May as well take all my money at this point.’
A third fan was also ecstatic: ‘AINT EVEN HAD MY SHOW YET AND IM ALREADY EXCITED FOR THIS ONE,’ as was a fourth: Off ffs. I am skint. But am I excited? YESSSSS, am I going? 100%%’
The tour will kick off in Newmarket in June, with the final date in Yorkshire in August.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
