IT has already been an action-packed year for Jarrow artist Jamilah, and now the 26-year-old is about to endure the busiest month of her life.

Having already supported the likes of Tinie Tempah and Taio Cruz, appeared on the X Factor as part of the girl-group, Desire, and worked with reputable artists such as Scorcher and Sam Wright, Jamilah, managed by Newcastle promoter Steve Wraith and who describes her music as being “R & B with a pop infusion,” is preparing herself to support rap superstar Nelly at Newcastle’ O2 Academy, and then, just a few days later, heads to Wembley for the Vodafone Future Breakers Live before the Capital Summertime Ball with Vodafone.

Jamilah has intellectual talents to go with her glamorous looks and amazing voice, attaining an honours degree in Public Relations from Sunderland University, a move she says: “Helped massively with the music and I’ve implemented it well with my daily promotional activity.”

“I’ve always known that I wanted to sing and, having moved to Canary Wharf (London), I found myself in the studio recording quite a bit.

“It’s great being able to get in there as well for it’s such a small world out there and I’ve just had fun with it all from the start even if some of it has been quite daunting at times.

“I do feel though that this is the time I have to focus and I feel really good, positive about it all.”

And focus she has done, showing in the rapid progression she’s made in the public domain, catching the eye of many and pushing things to the maximum.

Supporting Nelly came as a massive surprise to the soulstress, beating off strong competition from around the region whilst registering nearly eight thousand votes to claim the coveted spot; and now, during the weeks since the announcement, has been campaigning to get Nelly’s attention in allowing to perform his famous duet with her.

‘Dilemma’ was the 2002 summer smash hit single in which Nelly dueted with Kelly Rowland and featured on individual albums ‘Nellyville’ and Ms. Rowland’s debut solo album ‘Simply Deep.’ The track would become the most successful of both superstars’ careers and claimed a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 45th Grammy Awards in 2003.

“Nelly has been a massive influence on my music career,” Jamilah continued.

“I love that style of music (hip-hop, rap, RnB) and is what I grew up listening to so have been a fan, along with my sister Maryam, for many years now so getting this gig is crazy.

“The competition as a whole was a very stressful but great ten days but we were overwhelmed with the result which I found out about when I was on a radio show in London. Now though, I just can’t wait; I’m not only looking forward to performing on the night, but to also see him perform as well – I just need to get him to agree to a duet on Dilemma now.”

Following on from that showcase with a rap superstar it’s obviously going to be difficult to top. Jamilah though has just about done that and recently announced that she will, just four days later, be in London and at Wembley and the Vodafone Future Breakers Live.

It was a surprise move instigated by a friend, and one that has Jamilah’s son, 7-year-old Khalid, drop every move known; after all, surely mummy’s little star will be attending both gig’s. He thinks he should be having seen Jamilah perform at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle recently.

“I’ve done some work for Vodafone before so this was a fantastic surprise for me,” added Jamilah.

“I received a call out of the blue from them saying I had been shortlisted and would I submit a track, which was successful and got me through – that was the cover of Drake’s One Dance with Sam Wright.

“After these I’ll be releasing my EP (under manager Steve Wraith’s Wraith Promotions company name) which is now close to be wrapped up and I’ll have a headline gig at the O2 Academy on August 5 to celebrate and hopefully I’ll have my biggest supporter (son Khalid) there with me as he loves coming to my gigs, if I let him.”

Tickets for Jamilah supporting Nelly at the O2 Academy are on sale from https://academymusicgroup.com/o2academynewcastle/events/797768/nelly-live-concert-tickets and you can follow Jamilah’s progress on Twitter @JamilahMusic and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JamilahOfficial/