X Factor UK’s 1st male singing group winner

MANILA, Philippines —  For the first time, a male singing group mentored by long-time judge and program creator Simon Cowell, won in X Factor UK, which successfully wrapped up its 14th season last Dec. 4.

Rak Su, a four-man, R&B band from Watford, charted its historic win in the British singing competition, normally conquered by solo artists or in other seasons, duos. Not even the internationally popular One Direction, won X Factor UK, where the group had its humble beginning.

Rak Su crooned its debut single, Dimelo, a benefit for the children hospice charities, Together for Short Lives and Shooting Star Chase, the Latin-inspired song was originally rendered by Rak Su as a duet with producers and musicians Wyclef Jean and Naughty Boy, in the recent semi-finals.

Composed of Jamal Shurland, Myles Stephenson, Mustafa Rahimtulla and Ashley Fongho, Rak Su bagged the much-coveted recording contract with Simon Cowell’s Syco Music label. The group sang its other singles, Touche and Mona Lisa.

Meanwhile, runner-up Grace Davies, rendered her original songs, Nothing But Words and Too Young. The 20-year-old singer-songwriter from Blackburn, battled it off with Rak Su. They were the last two finalists in the singing competition. Grace was mentored by TV host and rock royalty Sharon Osbourne, who coached the Girls.

The 14th Season of X Factor UK saw a change in the show’s presentation of the finals, as the contestants notably rendered a number of original songs during their performances.

Twenty-nine-year-old finalist Kevin Davey White, mentored by American recording artist Nicole Scherzinger who took charge of the Over 25 talents, was the first to leave the contest. In the first live finals last Dec. 3, Kevin ended up in third place.

In a double elimination that day, the Cutkelvins also mentored by Simon and Lloyd Macey, mentored by Irish entertainment manager Louis Walsh who handled the Boys, were voted off. The last name removed from the competition was Matt Linen.

Guests included Little Mix, the first girl band to win X Factor UK, with Pink, Sam Smith, One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, Simon’s new boy band, Pretty Much and Latin-American quartet CNCO.

X Factor UK is the training ground for the next big star in the UK music arena. The show aired on RTL-CBS Entertainment Channel. Dermot O’Leary was the host-presenter for the 10th time.

Unfortunately, not one Filipino talent managed to compete in the finals of X Factor UK Season 14. The likes of JBK trio – Joshua Bulit, Brian del Rosario and Kim Lawrenz Ordonio – solo talent Gaga Lord, teenager Elyssa Villareal and 22-year-old Alisah Bonaobra soared in the first round of auditions.