Now United
Now United (sometimes abbreviated as N.U) is a global pop group created in 2017 by Idols (franchise) creator Simon Fuller, and is managed by XIX Entertainment. The group consists of 15 members,[1] each of a different nationality. Since their debut, Now United has grown to fame all over the world, mainly in Asian and South American countries.[2] The band consists of the following members: Noah Urrea (United States), Shivani Paliwal (India), Bailey May (Philippines), Lamar Morris (United Kingdom), Joalin Loukamaa (Finland), Any Gabrielle (Brazil), Sabina Hidalgo (Mexico), Sofya Plotnikova (Russia), Krystian Wang (China), Savannah Clarke (Australia), Josh Beauchamp (Canada), Heyoon Jeong (South Korea), Sina Deinert (Germany), Hina Yoshihara (Japan), and Diarra Sylla (Senegal).
Now United | |
|---|---|
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts |
{Pepsi} |
| Website | www |
| Members | Members |
Members
| Member | Full Name | Sex | Place of Birth | Date of birth | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diarra Sylla | De-ara Sylla Diongue | Paris, France
Grew up in Dakar, Senegal |
January 30, 2001 (age 19) | ||
| Lamar Morris | Lamar Morris | London, England, United Kingdom | December 1, 1999 (age 20) | [3][4][5] | |
| Sabina Hidalgo | María Sabina Hidalgo Paño | Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico | September 20, 1999 (age 20) | [6] | |
| Shivani Paliwal | Shivani Suresh Paliwal (Hindi: शिवानी पालिवाल) | Udaipur, Rajasthan, India | March 13, 2002 (age 18) | [7] | |
| Sofya Plotnikova | Sofya Plotnikova (Russian: Софья Плотникова) | Moscow, Russia | October 23, 2002 (age 17) | [8] | |
| Any Gabrielly | Any Gabrielly Rolim Soares | Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil | October 9, 2002 (age 17) | [9][10] | |
| Noah Urrea | Noah Jacob Urrea | Orange, California, United States | March 31, 2001 (age 19) | [11][12] | |
| Krystian Wang | Wang Nanjun (Chinese: 王南钧) | Beijing, China | January 22, 2000 (age 20) | [13][14] | |
| Bailey May | Bailey Thomas Cabello May | Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines | August 6, 2002 (age 17) | [15][16][17] | |
| Hina Yoshihara | Yoshihara Hina (Japanese: 吉原 陽菜) | Niiza, Saitama Prefecture, Japan | October 12, 2001 (age 18) | ||
| Heyoon Jeong | Jeong Heyoon (Korean: 정혜윤) | Daejeon, South Korea | October 1, 1996 (age 23) | [18][19][20] | |
| Sina Deinert | Sina Maria Deinert | Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany | August 24, 1998 (age 21) | [21] | |
| Joalin Loukamaa | Joalin Viivi Sofia Loukamaa | Turku, Southwest Finland, Finland | July 12, 2001 (age 18) | ||
| Josh Beauchamp | Joshua Kyle Beauchamp | St. Albert, Alberta, Canada | March 31, 2000 (age 20) | [22] | |
| Savannah Clarke | Savannah Clarke Bardot | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | July 14, 2003 (age 16) | [23] |
History
2017: Pre-debut, Announcement, Summer in the City
In mid-2016, Idols (franchise) creator and Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller began searching for talent to fulfill his plan of creating a global pop group with members from all over the world through 'The Now United Show'. Since the reality show would not be transmitted on any TV programs and only through social media, the selection took place through the help of digital platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok as well as dance schools and music academies, using expert choreographers, vocal coaches, song writers. Now United is choreographed by Kyle Hanagami.
Fuller confirmed to MBW in September 2018 that "in order to recruit the 11 youngsters in Now United, he employed 20 people to travel the world for 18 months, holding auditions with groups of 10 to 20 people at a time.[24] But after seeing the talents of various youngsters he decided to make a group of 14 members of different nationalities and may add more members in the future if audiences respond to their music and if a positive impact is made worldwide.."
Now United began to publicize its members, with a video-teaser, along with their names and flags representing each country.
From November 11 to 22, 2017, Now United's official website started introducing its members with video teasers along with their names and flags representing each country. The first two members were announced on November 11; Joalin Loukamaa from Finland and Sofya Plotnikova from Russia.November 12, Noah Urrea from the United States along with a video-teaser of band members dancing to RedOne's song "Boom Boom", then Any Gabrielly from Brazil on the 14th. Four new members were announced on the 15th – Heyoon Jeong from South Korea, Hina Yoshihara from Japan, Josh Beauchamp from Canada, and Lamar Morris from the United Kingdom. Bailey May from the Philippines and Shivani Paliwal from India were announced on November 16, followed by Krystian Wang from China. Sabina Hidalgo from Mexico was announced as a new member on November 21, with the final member Sina Deinert from Germany announced on November 22.
On December 5, 2017, Now United released their first single "Summer in the City", on Al Gore's 24 Hours of Reality, a global broadcast intended to work to raise awareness around the global climate crisis.[25] "Summer in the City" is an English version of the 90's Swedish classic "Sommaren i City" by girl group Angel. The song was composed by Jakke Erixson, Mika Guillory, Justin Tranter and RedOne, being produced by the latter.
2018: Debut, Promo World Tour, Pepsi
From April 2018, the group began their first promo world tour, where they appeared on many TV shows in different countries, as well as doing performances.
The tour began in Moscow, Russia, where they made their first public appearance on television performing "Summer in the City" on the finale of Russian program The Voice Kids.[26] At the end of the 2018, the group toured all of the member's countries and two others as well, notably Sweden and Austria.
On May 30, 2018, Now United was featured in the single "One World", the group's first collaboration with RedOne and Adelina. The video song, directed by Daniel Zlotin, was shown on all beIN Sports channels during Football World Cup throughout the Middle East, North Africa and France. The song was the musical signature of beIN SPORTS throughout the tournament.
On July 5, 2018, Now United debuted in the United States at The Late Late Show with James Corden performing their new song "What Are We Waiting For?".[27]
In less than three months, the group released the official videos of three singles, on July 24, 2018 "What Are We Waiting For?", shot in South Korea; on September 28, 2018 "Who Would Think That Love?" shot in Mexico; and on November 6, 2018 "All Day", shot in California.
During their Indian tour in early November 2018, Now United released the single "How We Do It" on December 15, 2018, which featured Indian rapper Badshah and was sponsored by Pepsi. On January 29, 2019, another single "Beautiful Life", which was also filmed in India, was also released.
In December 2018, the documentary "Dreams Come True: The Documentary" was released, which featured scenes from the auditions held to select the members of the group and the trajectory behind the creation of Now United.
2019: Special Olympics, New Members
In the Philippines, whilst touring, the group recorded and shot their single "Afraid Of Letting Go" on May 17, 2019. Canadian-Filipino dancer AC Bonifacio, who had appeared in Now United's boot camp, had a cameo.
The group also participated in the Opening Ceremony of the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, where they teased and performed some of their most famous songs like Summer in the City, All Day, Beautiful Life,... . On June 7, 2019, Now United released the music video of "Paraná", which was shot in São Paulo, Brazil, and featured fans, selected from auditions by Rexona Dance Studio.
By mid-2019, it was announced that two new members would be added to Now United, totalling 16 members. The selection took place through social media, where fans were able to decide which country and which members should be part of the group. It was announced that the first new member would be from Australia and later the second member would be from the Middle East or North Africa.[28]
On June 1, 2019, the group performed live at the 2019 UEFA Champions League final in Madrid.
They shot their last three singles during the Now United Promo World Tour in the United States, and on July 25, 2019, their new single "Sunday Morning" was released. Their next single “Crazy, Stupid, Silly Love” was released on August 11, featuring dancers from Velocity Dance Convention and filmed in Las Vegas, USA, and was directed by Kyle Hanagami. The month after, "Like That", filmed in Oregon, USA, was released on September 8, 2019.
The group also travelled and performed at several YouTube Space locations all over the world in partnership with Pepsi and
YouTube Mu. They also shot their music video called "Legends" whilst on the tour.psi
On September 20, 2019, "You Give Me Something" was released. The song is a bilingual cover of You Give Me Something by James Morrison, sang in English and Portuguese by members Lamar Morris and Any Gabrielly. The music video, released simultaneously, was recorded in West Hollywood, California, USA.
On November 14, 2019, "Legends" was released. It has a version in Portuguese also, called "Lendas".
The group toured Brazil in November 2019, as a part of "The Dreams Come True Tour", which was a total success.
On December 15, a month after the release of the Legends music video, Now United released their new music video for "Na Na Na" which was filmed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
On December 28, 2019, the music video for "Let Me Be The One" was released, it was also shot in various countries, featuring clips from the group on stage.
2020
From the end of January, the group moved to Los Angeles to record new singles, film music videos, and rehearse new choreography. The first recorded single, featuring only four members; Josh Beauchamp, Noah Urrea, Bailey May and Krystian Wang, "Live This Moment", was released on February 12.
On February 28, Savannah Clarke joined the group officially representing Australia.
On March 7, Now United released the music video for "Come Together".
On April 3, Now United released the music video for "Hoops". Days after its release, it was taken down due to backlash from Muslim fans. The music video featured a verse from the Quran.
On April 3, they posted on the streaming platforms their new single called "Wake Up" and the music video released on April 9.
On April 22, Now United released the music video for "By My Side".
On April 30, Now United released a fun footage video for "Better".
On May 8, Now United posted on the streaming platforms a new version of "Dana Dana", the music video released on May 11.
Musical Style
The music style of Now United is mainly teen pop, contemporary R&B, and dance-pop. Their songs also include influences from other genres such as electropop and of course world music.
As a global pop group, the language of songs is primarily English but apart from English, songs featuring different languages including French, Spanish, Hindi, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and German are in development.
Heyoon cites Spice Girls and Blackpink as her musical influences. When she was younger, she used to dance to Spice Girls a lot. Sina cites Pussycat Dolls, Rihanna, and Shawn Mendes as her musical influences. Krystian is inspired by Billie Eilish. Josh cites Ian Eastwood and Justin Timberlake as his musical influences, with the latter also influencing Noah. Lamar's influences are Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, Dru Hill, Stevie Wonder, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Sabina cites CNCO and Jade Chynoweth as her musical influences. Shivani loves Taylor Swift and Charlie Puth. Twice (group) Oh My Girl Lovelyz CLC (group) BTS Soy Luna
Discography
Singles and music videos
| Year | Title | Album | Shooting Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | "Summer in the City" | N/A | Various countries[a] |
| 2018 | "What Are We Waiting For" | Seoul, South Korea | |
| "Who Would Think That Love?" | Puebla, Mexico | ||
| "All Day" | Seal Beach, USA | ||
| "How We Do It" (feat. Badshah) | Mumbaī, India | ||
| 2019 | "Beautiful Life" | Shillong, India | |
| "Afraid of Letting Go" | Manila, Philippines | ||
| "Paraná" | São Paulo, Brazil | ||
| "Sunday Morning" | California, USA | ||
| "Crazy Stupid Silly Love" | Las Vegas, USA | ||
| "Like That" | Ashland, USA | ||
| "You Give Me Something" | West Hollywood, USA | ||
| "Legends"[b] | Various countries[c] | ||
| "Na Na Na" | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | ||
| "Let Me Be The One" | Various countries[d] | ||
| 2020 | "Live This Moment" | Los Angeles, USA | |
| "Come Together" | Coyote Dry Lake, USA | ||
| "Hoops" | Los Angeles, USA[e] | ||
| "Wake Up" | Orange County, USA | ||
| "By My Side" | Various countries[f] | ||
| "Better" | Los Angeles, USA | ||
| "Dana Dana" | Various countries[f] | ||
| "Let the Music Move You" | Animated video[g] | ||
| "Stand Together" | Various countries[f] | ||
- ^[a] United States, Brazil, Philippines, South Korea, Japan, China, Germany, Mexico, Canada, Finland, Russia, Senegal, United Kingdom and India.
- ^[b] There is a live acoustic version
- ^[c] France, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, India, Japan, Brazil and the United States.
- ^[d] Based in the United States and old images recorded in other countries.
- ^[e] The music video was released and hidden days later.
- ^[f] #AtHome: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Russia, United Kingdom and United States.
- ^[g] Produced at United States.
Other songs
| Year | Title | Album | Shooting Place | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | "Who Would Think That Love" (1st version) | N/A | — | Demo versions featuring Lamar Morris vocals |
| "All Day" (1st version)[h]] | ||||
| "One World" (RedOne feat. Adelina and Now United) | Moscow, Russia | Soundtrack of 2018 FIFA World Cup | ||
| 2019 | "Sundin Ang Puso" | Manila, Philippines | Promotional Pepsi songs | |
| "For The Love Of It" | Ashland, USA | |||
| "Like That" (Extended version) | — | Extended studio version with Lamar Morris vocals[j] | ||
| "Lendas"[k] | Legends Portuguese version | |||
| "Dana (Live)" | São Paulo, Brazil | Live music video version | ||
| 2020 | "Dana" | — | Only inside of #StayHome video and without Diarra's vocals | |
| "How We Do It (Throwback Video)" | Mumbaī, India[i] | Without vocals of Badshah | ||
| N/A | "Who Would Think That Love" (Extended version) | Puebla, Mexico | Music video recorded and broadcast only on the screen of "Dreams Come True Tour" | |
Upcoming Singles
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2020 | "Good Intentions" |
| "Broken Heart" | |
| "Pas Le Choix" | |
| "Chained Up" | |
| "Nobody Fools Me Twice" | |
| "You & Me" | |
| "Feel It Now" | |
| "All Around The World" | |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | The Voice Kids (Russia) | Guests (except for Lamar) | Channel One |
| Evening Urgant | |||
| Umagang Kay Ganda | Guests (except for Diarra and Lamar) | ABS-CBN | |
| It's Showtime | |||
| The Late Late Show with James Corden | Interview (except for Diarra and Lamar) | CBS | |
| Hoy | Guest (except for Lamar) | Las Estrellas | |
| So You Think You Can Dance | FOX | ||
| 2019 | Pinoy Big Brother: Otso | Eng G Guest (except for Shivani and Lamar) | ABS-CBN |
| ASAP Natin 'To! | |||
| Meus Prêmios Nick | Guests (except for Lamar) | Nickelodeon (Brazil) | |
| The Noite com Danilo Gentili | Guests (except for Krystian and Lamar) | SBT | |
| Encontro com Fátima Bernardes | Guests (except for Joalin and Lamar) | Rede Globo | |
| 2020 | Caldeirão do Huck | Guests (except for Joalin, Diarra, and Lamar) | |
| Programa da Maisa | Guests (except for Lamar, Joalin, Sofya, Sabina, Diarra and Bailey) | SBT |
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | BreakTudo Awards | Debut Videoclip | Summer in the City | Nominated |
| 2019 | Meus Prêmios Nick | Favorite International Artist | Now United | Nominated |
| Year's Fandom | Uniters | Won | ||
| BreakTudo Awards | International Newcomer | Now United | Won | |
| Prêmio Jovem Brasileiro | Year's Rookie K-Pop | Won | ||
| Prêmio Contigo! Online | International Newcomer | Won |
Tours
- Promo World Tour (2018-2019)
- World Tour Presented By YouTube Music (2019)
- Dreams Come True Tour (2019)
- Come Together Tour (2020) - (postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic)
References
- Now United: Meet the Band, retrieved 2020-02-04
- "Brasileira brilha em clipe do Now United, novo grupo do criador das Spice Girls". zoomzine (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2017-12-28. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
- "BILD macht dich zum Weltstar - Model Lamar darf ins Bootcamp von NOW UNITED". Bild.de (in German).
- "Lamar Morris is an Actor, Extra and Model based in London, United Kingdom". StarNow. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
- info@mandy.com. "Lamar Morris, Actor". Mandy Kids. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
- Informador, El. "Sabina Hidalgo". Gente Bien (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-04-12.
- "Meet the Indian girl in the first ever global pop band, Now United". Vogue India. 2017-11-15.
- "Плотникова Софья | Журнал KIDS Россия". kidsrussiamag.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-01-02.
- "Brasileira é escolhida para fazer parte do primeiro grupo pop global, Now United - Febre Teen". febreteen.com.br (in Portuguese). 14 November 2017. Retrieved 2017-12-26.
- "Brasileira lacra e é destaque no primeiro clipe do Now United - Febre Teen". febreteen.com.br (in Portuguese). 11 December 2017. Retrieved 2017-12-26.
- "Meet Revolutionary Global Pop Group Now United | TigerBeat". BOP and Tiger Beat. 2017-11-13.
- "About Noah Urrea — A Biography". NOAH URREA. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
- "Krystian Wang 20171211 Now United take over story". www.foodandlifelover.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 2017-12-26.
- 快男王南钧：他是怎么用6年时间从相貌平平的男孩变成男神的？. www.sohu.com. 2017-07-18. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
- "Bailey May joins Simon Fuller's group Now United". Rappler.
- News, ABS-CBN. "Why Simon Fuller picked Bailey May for Now United". ABS-CBN News.
- "Bailey May joins pop group Now United". Cite journal requires
|journal=(help) - "Meet HEYOON, the Korean Member Of Upcoming Global Group NOW UNITED". Koreaboo. 2017-11-14.
- "Heyoon | {krp} Myst City ~ Amino". {krp} Myst City ~ | aminoapps.com. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
- 춤밖에 모르던 명문고 소녀, '글로벌 아이돌'로 뜨다. 중앙일보 (in Korean). 2018-02-19.
- ""Now United" Bewerbung | Sina: »Am liebsten tanze ich Hip Hop". Bild.de (in German).
- "Meet Now United's Canada and UK Members | TigerBeat". BOP and Tiger Beat. 2017-11-15.
- "Savannah Clarke". www.listal.com. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
- "Can Simon Fuller's new global pop band emerge triumphant in a music business 'going through confusion'?". Music Business Worldwide. 2018-09-18. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
- Ago, Nicksongarciain Nowunited • 2 Years (2017-12-14). "Summer in The City (NOW UNITED First Performance | 24 Hours of Reality) by Philip Seven". Steemit. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
- Now United | 'Summer In The City' Live at The Voice Kids Russia (Голос. Дети), retrieved 2020-02-05
- "Now United Make American TV Debut On 'Late Late Show' with Breezy 'Summer in the City': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
- Entertainment, Now United, XIX. "Now United and Pepsi® Announce Search for New Member from Middle East and North Africa". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2020-04-15.