JLS, the popular British boy band, recently brought back memories of their jubilant time with hip-hop icon Jay-Z during the 2010 BRIT Awards. The quartet received a champagne bottle from Jay-Z after their significant wins for Best Breakthrough and Best British Single with their hit song “Beat Again.”
Reflecting on the event, member Aston Merrygold shared his excitement about the night in an interview on the podcast The Red Carpet Treatment – On The Road. He described the atmosphere as “absolutely rammed,” with Jay-Z sending drinks across the room to celebrate their success. Merrygold noted that Jay-Z gifted them Cristal, and his bandmate J.B. Gill still keeps the bottle as a cherished souvenir.
The conversation took a turn as Merrygold discussed his recent solo career, highlighting his single “Grateful,” released in September 2023. He revealed that the song was originally written with pop superstar Rihanna in mind. “We were actually on Rihanna camp at the time,” he explained, referencing the songwriting sessions aimed at creating music for her. “We ended up writing ‘Grateful,’ and it just kind of turned into my story.”
Fans are eagerly awaiting a full album from the 37-year-old artist. Merrygold acknowledged the demand, stating, “I’m being pestered at the minute by a lot of my fans and followers that haven’t had an album from me yet.” He mentioned that while an album may be in the works, he is also focused on other projects.
Looking ahead, Merrygold is excited about returning to the stage next year and expanding his career into acting. He recently wrapped up a run in the West End production of 101 Dalmatians and previously starred in Wizard of Oz. “I’m definitely going to be back on the road next year, which I’m very excited about,” he said, hinting at a busy schedule ahead.
Listeners can catch the full episode of The Red Carpet Treatment – On The Road on YouTube or across the BRITs’ social media channels, where JLS continues to engage with fans and share their journey.
