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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Danielle Kate Wroe

Real life of N-Dubz’ Fazer - dating Tulisa, keeping a low profile and karate classes with Dappy

Fazer is probably the N-Dubz member people know the least about. He keeps a fairly low profile, and prefers not to live his life in the spotlight as much as Dappy and Tulisa. In spite of this, he was the driving force behind the overall success of N-Dubz.

Fazer is the son of an English father and Jamaican mother, and was brought up in Camden Town, London. His real name is Richard Rawson. Fazer first met Dappy when they started attending the same karate class, becoming best friends at school.

They attended Haverstock School with third member Tulisa Contostavlos (Dappy's cousin) attending the school for a while as well. It was at school that the trio became close friends and formed N-Dubz.

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In 2011 the band announced a hiatus to focus on solo projects, after a hugely successful UK Arena Tour and a compilation album Greatest Hits. The group have said on many occasions that they will reunite, and are set to this year in a huge arena tour - which will include a Manchester date.

On 3 March 2012, Fazer was featured on BBC1's show Urban Classics where he performed his version of Englishman in New York originally by Sting and he also performed a tribute to Whitney Houston with Skepta. Fazer shot a video for his debut single "Killer" on 29 May 2012, released on 26 August 2012.

Fazer from N-Dubz has kept a relatively low profile compared to his pals (Jon Baxter)

In 2013, Fazer and his production partner, Peter Ibsen, both announced the opening of their production company, Sky's The Limit Entertainment (STL). Fazer released a track '6-foot 8 (freestyle)' under the new company's name. The pair produced songs for Fazer himself and other artists such as Tulisa, Rihanna, Rita Ora and Jessie J .

On 12 July 2013, Fazer headlined the Yahoo! stage at the Yahoo! Wireless Festival, and performed songs such as Killer, Fireflies, Planetary and an N-Dubz medley. On 10 August 2013, Fazer performed at the BBC Urban Classics Prom alongside Wretch 32. He performed Fireflies and Movie.

On 5 February 2014, he announced that he would now be releasing music under his real name Richard Rawson. In July 2014, Richard Rawson released his single 'Fireflies' which features vocals by Tom Parker of The Wanted. On the track Fazer raps about his journey so far in music. The song is about hope and achieving dreams. On 24 March 2017 'Fazer' released a song 'I Woke Up'.

Hilariously, Fazer had a crush on Tulisa in school, until he realised that she was Dappy's cousin. The pair were in a relationship from mid-2010 until February 2012, when they broke up during a holiday together.

In January 2013, it was announced he was dating model Ashley Emma, and that she was six months pregnant. On 20 February 2013 their daughter Ava Rose Rawson was born.

Fazer was unfortunately declared bankrupt in 2013 but continues to make music and play live shows. He released a solo single called Tears in February 2022.

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